Whatever size you need! LOL. Just make sure to leave some room for things you will be taking home from the hospital, like diapers, etc (they give you a ton of free stuff). Or at least bring one of those reusable grocery bags and fold it up in case you need extra space.
My bag is a sports duffel bag, fits under an airplane seat but just barely.
Don't overpack too much, keep in mind you won't need much other than toiletries, camera, charger for phone/camera, one or two changes of clothes for going home and baby's going home outfit. The hospital should provide pretty much everything else.
I'm a horrible over packer as well! I know they provide a lot at the hospital, but I can't help but throw some of those things in as well. Mine is a small suitcase as well. The longer I wait for this little one to come, the more I throw in I don't think it really matters how big your bag is as long as it doesn't take up too much space in the room.
We're sharing a small wheelie suitcase plus I'm bringing a small shoulder bag for DH's snacks and then we'll use that for all the free stuff we get to bring home.
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We have 4 bags. 2 for me, 1 for DH and 1 for LO. None of them are full, so I might try to consolidate a bit to save room. Nobody wants to see me fall on my a$$ after tripping over a bag while I'm in labor. Even if it would be funny.
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I am using a "weekender" bag for me, DH and LO. It's about 1/2 full. I haven't put in hygiene stuff since we use that everyday or the camera. I am not trying to overdo it.
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I only have one backpack that has everything for me, DH, and LO in it, as well as my purse. The last thing I'm going to want to be doing is hauling a bunch of stuff that I didn't need around with me.
Of course, I live less than 2 miles away from the birth center, so if I really need something from home DH will be able to go get it.
Mine is the Vera Bradley large duffel. DH is taking a sports duffel bag about that same size. I've got the going home outfits for baby in my bag, and it's not full (or at least not yet - who knows what else I'll throw in it). We'll also probably take my backpack as we can put my laptop in there, plus the iPad and any other electronic type stuff.
I have a small duffle, DH has a small duffle and a diaper bag for the baby. Last time I took a roller suit case and it was just too much!
This was me last time. This time I had a Petunia Pickle Bottom Weekender for my stuff and DD's stuff, and I still had more than I needed! I'll also add we had a computer bag with our electronic items.
To give you an idea of what you will need, here's what I used while I was in the hospital for 2 days (repeat c-section), I was in a gown the first day and I took out her two swaddle blankets. The second day, I got up in the morning, showered, put on a pair of my own underwear, yoga pants and a nursing tank. We had someone come in and take pictures of her, we used a swaddle blanket and a hat. The third day we went home and I took another shower, changed in to sweats and a tank. I picked the outfit to put DD in to go home (I brought 3 choices) and I put on a sweatshirt over my nursing tank to go home in. I had a few shirts, a nursing tank, a nursing bra and another pair of sweats that never got touched in my bag....
And then there was the Brest Friend pillow I brought, but never used in the hospital because it was awkward to use in the hospital bed, I had a billion hospital pillows which worked just as well.
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Mine is only the size of messenger bag, but I live within 2 miles from my hospital so DH will not have anything at the hospital and if I really needed something he could grab it. I'm sure if I was further it would be a little larger.
I have a weekender bag that is full for me and DH. Then a baby bag for LO. Our hospital provides everything for LO so I'm not really planning to bring much plus I live 1 mile from the hospital so if we forget something DH can run home and get it. I'm brining a grocery resuable bag for all the items they give you to take home.
Re: How big is your bag?
Whatever size you need! LOL. Just make sure to leave some room for things you will be taking home from the hospital, like diapers, etc (they give you a ton of free stuff). Or at least bring one of those reusable grocery bags and fold it up in case you need extra space.
My bag is a sports duffel bag, fits under an airplane seat but just barely.
Don't overpack too much, keep in mind you won't need much other than toiletries, camera, charger for phone/camera, one or two changes of clothes for going home and baby's going home outfit. The hospital should provide pretty much everything else.
I only have one backpack that has everything for me, DH, and LO in it, as well as my purse. The last thing I'm going to want to be doing is hauling a bunch of stuff that I didn't need around with me.
Of course, I live less than 2 miles away from the birth center, so if I really need something from home DH will be able to go get it.
This was me last time. This time I had a Petunia Pickle Bottom Weekender for my stuff and DD's stuff, and I still had more than I needed! I'll also add we had a computer bag with our electronic items.
To give you an idea of what you will need, here's what I used while I was in the hospital for 2 days (repeat c-section), I was in a gown the first day and I took out her two swaddle blankets. The second day, I got up in the morning, showered, put on a pair of my own underwear, yoga pants and a nursing tank. We had someone come in and take pictures of her, we used a swaddle blanket and a hat. The third day we went home and I took another shower, changed in to sweats and a tank. I picked the outfit to put DD in to go home (I brought 3 choices) and I put on a sweatshirt over my nursing tank to go home in. I had a few shirts, a nursing tank, a nursing bra and another pair of sweats that never got touched in my bag....
And then there was the Brest Friend pillow I brought, but never used in the hospital because it was awkward to use in the hospital bed, I had a billion hospital pillows which worked just as well.
We have like 4 bags - one for baby, one for cameras, one for me and one for DH. PLUS, I have my birthing ball. I'm not light packer.... : - )
DD - Lucia Alessandra 6/18/12 ~~~ Welcoming Baby Boy!! - 3/26/14