What You Really Need in Your Baby's Hospital Bag

Hello, all! So, you've gone into labor and are having to rush out the door to the delivery room. But wait! Don't forget the baby's hospital bag! Here are a few tips of what to include (or not include) in your bag!

I love to use a diaper bag for the baby's hospital bag. They have a lot of great organization and are perfect for packing that cute coming home outfit. When my baby #2 arrives I plan on using my Chenille Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack, but one of my other favorite diaper bags that can double as baby's hospital bag is the JuJuBe BFF Diaper Bag.

Petunia Pickle Bottom - Boxy Backpack - Earl Grey - This is the bag I'm using for baby #2's hospital bag!  

When I packed my diaper bag for my first baby's hospital stay I went  a little - no - very crazy. I had six different outfits separated into Ziploc bags by size and weather appropriateness. Did I mention each outfit had a matching hat, scratch mittens, and burp cloth? Like I said, crazy. A few weeks before I delivered, the doctor told me to expect my baby to be on the small side; so, of course I went out and bought a preemie outfit to add to the mix just in case. In the end I didn't use any of those carefully thought out outfits. During our time at the hospital he wore the little t-shirt they gave him there and then the last-minute preemie outfit for the ride home. It is nice to have options, but try not to feel too much pressure when it comes to packing for the baby.

First and foremost, you will need a car seat. This isn't necessarily something for baby's hospital bag, but you won't be able to leave the hospital without one. It's good to get one ahead of time so you can practice installing it and get familiar with the functions. If you're here in Utah, you can always visit our baby store in Lindon to create a registry, or get all the information you'll need on any of our car seats (we also have a CPS certified Tech to help you make sure it is installed correctly!). Or, if you are out of town, you can find our Cubby Pick car seats here.

I've compiled a list of some other things you may want to consider packing, but every parent is different so just pick and choose what you think will be most important to you!

Little Unicorn - Bamboo Muslin Swaddle 2-Pack

• Little Unicorn swaddles or Aden + Anais swaddles 

• Warm blanket for cold weather (check out our Little Unicorn Cotton Quilt or the Aden + Anais Dream Blanket) 
• Nursing cover
• Pacifiers
• Baby book for foot prints
• Scratch mittens

Goumikids Mitts

• Socks or booties
• Hats
• Hair bows or head bands
• Photo props (some hospitals offer pictures)
• Nursing pillow

 Luna lullaby - Bosom Baby Nursing Pillow

• Finger nail clippers
• Anything sentimental you want the baby to have i.e. teddy bear, handmade blanket, etc.

Take comfort in knowing that the hospital will provide most everything your little one needs. We left with almost an entire package of diapers and wipes! You definitely do not need to bring those unless you are specifically wanting a certain brand, like Honest Company Diapers. If you are interested in bringing a breast pump (our favorites are Medela breast pumps), call your hospital first to see what options they offer. They can be big and bulky so if the hospital has one for you to use it could be convenient. You will likely leave the hospital with lots of educational materials, forms, and gifts so it's nice to have extra space in your bag to bring these things home. Just remember: once your little bundle of joy has arrived you will be so focused on adoring him/her that you won't be regretting not bringing that wipe warmer or third pacifier clip!

Well, that's the list, folks! Comment below with what you thought you needed the most while in the hospital! Lets help out all those new mom's out there!