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The Labor Bag Items You Absolutely Need On The Big Day

For my husband and I’s first little one, we wanted to be prepared.  I researched and pinned every blog having to do with what to pack in your labor bag.  What if we have him, and we forget his diapers or any other crucial item baby might need?  Whoa, whoa, my past self!  It is okay.  Whether this is your first child or your fifth time around the block, here is a list of the items you will absolutely need to make your life a little easier.

Keep It To a Minimum

First of all, you don’t need a lot because there is not a lot to be doing.  Honestly, women back in the day grabbed onto a sheet and wrapped their baby in a towel when he/she arrived.  Remember we live in an age where hospitals tend to have all that we need.  And I promise, those hospital doors can and will open need be if you forget something that is dire to you or baby’s survival.

The reason I caution you to watch what you bring is because through the struggle of finding and buying everything I thought I needed, I may have actually used a handful of items when the time actually came.  This leads to a ton of wasted money being spent on item I didn’t need, use, or even look at.  

When hubby and I went to the hospital, we had like 6 bags with us!  Where did we think we were going?  China for three weeks?  And of course, after we entered into the hospital, my husband brought me flowers. Soooo sweet!  

And then there was the gift my parents brought me…

Oh and his parents brought me…

Oh and my brother and sister-in-law brought me….

Oh and the extras that we took home from the hospital “just in case we need it so we don’t have to go out and buy it.”

Now, this may not sound bad to you.  I know you are excited and want to be prepared, but when you are taking your baby home, remember that your husband will have to pull the car around.  This is important because when you are already terrified of going home in the first place with your little one, and your husband has to leave you alone with the baby to take each bag downstairs to the car (taking multiple trips), you will realize you should have started with less.

So I made a list of the items I found to be essential (and a few extras you might want) for the big day.  Feel free to add in any personal items that will make the time and delivery better for you.  Please try to keep in mind that you are making a baby, holding/feeding a baby, and sleeping most of the time.  

Update: I just had baby #2 a few months ago and used this list!  It was a life savor for me.  I forgot how much I wanted to buy just to have items I may want hanging around.  By stopping myself from going overboard, I ended up bringing the perfect amount of items for baby and me.  Then, I was able to use any extra money left over on some goodies at home!  Win-win!

Labor Bags

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Mommy’s Bag:

  1. Flip flops, socks, or comfy slippers (but you really don’t walk many places)
  2. Nursing bra /Aglow nursing tank (if you want to be more modest about nursing.  I just wore the hospital gown my first day and wore a regular tank top, nursing bra, and sweatpants when people came over)
  3. A comfy robe (in case you don’t want to wear the hospital gown…but, to be honest, you won’t be thinking about comfort at that point!  Also, this will get messy….just a heads up!)…front opening for easy skin to skin contact access
  4. Nursing cover (in case feeding is needed while company is there)
  5. Nursing pillow (I didn’t get one of these until I got home.  It’s much easier to nurse with than the pillows they have at the hospital)
  6. Tank tops – maybe 3
  7. Sweatpants-maybe 2 (you will prob wear these to bed as well to keep from getting up as much)
  8. Underwear (granny panties, trust me on this one, ladies! The bigger the better because you are going to have lots of healing products in your pants! You will probably use the hospital’s undies though….because they are disposable….let’s leave it at that!)
  9. Zip hoodie or something in case you get cold that you can unzip in front (Remember you will have those horrible, after-birth hormones racing through your body!)
  10. Going home outfit (to feel pretty!)
  11. Purse with phone and charger
  12. Breast pump (try this Medala one or this Spectra-I personally love both!)
  13. Blanket (best blanket ever, but the hospital seemed to have enough to keep me warm if you don’t want to spend the money)
  14. For breastfeeding:  Lanolin cream (both Lansinoh or Medala brands are good!)

*Note on other meds:  Hospitals are amazing with giving you items to take home!  Oftentimes, they will have Dermoplast, Witchhazel pads, giant overnight pads, a squirt bottle (they will explain this), Ibuprofen, and Vicoden at the hospital and for when you leave.  Just ask for some extra!

Also they should even give you some baby products (diapers, wipes, Vasolene, etc.) when you leave if you ask, too!  But if you want to make sure that you have them when you get home, just click on the links above and start shopping!

*Update (July 25th, 2018): For my 2nd birth, the hospital still sent some items home, but for many of the above items, I wasn’t given any extra.  Just a heads up, in case you really love the Dermoplast.  You may need to stock up on some favorites before heading to the hospital.

Daddy’s Bag:

  1. Shirts and pants for like 3 days
  2. Pajamas
  3. Bring your own pillow and nice blanket (more comfortable than the hospital’s)
  4. Toiletries (toothbrush/paste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, etc)
  5. Snacks for hubby (he will get hungry waiting!)
  6. DVD’s (maybe 2), books to read, tablet, phone (little things for his spare time…there is a lot of downtime between contractions and labor!)
  7. Chargers and cords for electronics
  8. Camera and cords/chargers
  9. Carseat and base (installed and ready in car…This is a MUST since you can’t bring home baby without it already installed!  We love Graco car seats!  Plus the travel system ends up being cheaper and easier to use than all of the parts bought separately!)

Baby’s Bag:

  1. Going home outfit (check out this cute one!)
  2. Extra outfit (just in case of poo explosion on the way home! Try this one!)
  3. Blanket
  4. A few diapers and wipes (which the hospital will probably provide you!)
  5. Mittens!  (or socks as mittens….they get crazy nails and will completely scratch up their faces on the way home!  Loved this mitten/hat combo)
  6. Pacifier (if you want to start using these, but if breastfeeding I recommend keeping them at home for now.  Our babes loved Nuki and MAM)
  7. Toy for the trip home and for hanging out with (he will mostly be sleeping in the hospital though)

*Don’t stress on this bag though….we took it stuffed full of his things and never opened it!  You just don’t need much for the baby when they are in the hospital.  Most of the items baby will need ill be provided by the hospital itself!  Plus, it is just another bag to take home, and when you have a baby in a car seat, the fewer the bags you have to take with you when you leave the better!

You are going to be amazing!  It’s a very fun and incredible experience!  Just keep reminding yourself that you are going to be meeting your little one soon!  Enjoy the experience and don’t worry about the stuff!

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