This is my first, so I'm not sure which is best but I plan on packing a bag for me and a bag for baby because I feel like that would simplify things for me and DH. I think it just depends on your preference and the size of the bag(s) you will be using.
Pack it all together & make it one less thing to worry about grabbing. bring a camera & your phone or tablet. Our room had a TV with dad player & we brought blue planet- David Attenborough's voice is soothing to me. I wouldn't bring any reading material- we brought magazines & books last time & it ended up being extra weight. Pack comforts like your favorite body wash, lotion, comfy clothes & snacks for yourself for after you have the baby Don't forget a few essentials for your spouse too. Deodorant, undies, & an extra shirt is what I recommend. keep it light. I look at it as packing a carry on for a quick weekend trip. You really won't be there long & if you are someone can bring you what you need.
I was told not to bring much for baby so I'm putting his stuff in my bag. hubby is brining his own back, maybe. or he may squezze his stuff in my bag too.
Pack it all together & make it one less thing to worry about grabbing. bring a camera & your phone or tablet. Our room had a TV with dad player & we brought blue planet- David Attenborough's voice is soothing to me. I wouldn't bring any reading material- we brought magazines & books last time & it ended up being extra weight. Pack comforts like your favorite body wash, lotion, comfy clothes & snacks for yourself for after you have the baby Don't forget a few essentials for your spouse too. Deodorant, undies, & an extra shirt is what I recommend. keep it light. I look at it as packing a carry on for a quick weekend trip. You really won't be there long & if you are someone can bring you what you need.
My hospital requires all newborns to stay for at least 2 days after birth and encourages mothers to stay that long as well (obviously longer if medically necessary). It could certainly be worse if there are complications but personally I don't consider a minimum of 2 days anything to dismiss so flippantly.
I have two bags. I'll be having baby at a birthing center, they don't provide as much for the baby as the hospitals do but you can go home as soon as 2 hours after delivery... So I have a diaper bag packed like I would usually have packed for a day out with my DD when she was very young. Then I have my bag. And I actually have a third bag. My DD's bag which is filled with a change of clothes, tons of snacks, and tons of toys. Not sure if she will stay for the L&D but she will at least be with us to start until one of her grandparents takes over.
I'm also always overly prepared haha. I carried a diaper bag for my DD for like two and a half years. Filled with everything I could ever possibly need for her. And I always have emergency stuff stashed in the car, in my purse... Haha. So.. If you're a minimalist that may be overkill for you. I would just rather have too much than be caught without something I needed.
I think when it comes to personal comfort, little things can make a huge difference.
I have packed the following:
1. Loose black pants-maternity shirts, yoga pants, tank tops, loose fitting comfortable shirts 2. Black undies heaps! 3. Maternity bras 4. Feeding and maternity shorts/tops 5. Hoodie that zips up at front 6. Maternity Pads 7. Pigeon Nipples pads 8. Small spray bottle (to spray downstairs whilst going to toilet incase I tear) 9. Toiletries all in travel size; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mini tooth paste and brush, deodorant 10. Make up and moisturizer 11. Face wash 12. Hair brush 13. Nice soap 14. Wet wipes for toilet when you go number two! 15. Make up remover wipes to wipe face 16. Bio oil 17. Socks/slippers 18. Info from birthing classes including info about hospital/community services 19. Rite aide nipple gel pads 20 lanisoh nipple cream 21. Hair straightener 22. Lip balm 23.nightdress and nightgown 24. Flip flops 25. Hair tyes
Bubs stuff-packed in nappy bag 1. Jumpsuits and singlets x 5 in different sizes 2 going home outfit x2 3. Disposal change mats 4. Blanket 5. Muslin wraps x3 6. Gaia bath pack (hospitals usually use Johnstons which I don't like 7.pacifier 8. Some disposal nappies 9.baby wipes 10. Baby hair brush 11. Baby blanket 12. Baby socks 13. 1x bottle 14. Beanie
Partners stuff 1. iPod with my music and hypnobirthing stuff 2. Phone charger 3. Phone 4. Wallet-Medicare and private health card 5. Board shorts-in case need to help me in shower while in labour 6. Snacks-jelly beans, dried figs 7.poweraide 8. Water 9.panadol for hubby 10.spray bottle to cool me 11. Massage oils 12. Aromotherapy oil 13. Spare contacts, glasses 14. Camera 15. Change of clothes 16. Towel-hospital towels can be rough 17. Baby book 18. Deodorant
Pack it all together & make it one less thing to worry about grabbing. bring a camera & your phone or tablet. Our room had a TV with dad player & we brought blue planet- David Attenborough's voice is soothing to me. I wouldn't bring any reading material- we brought magazines & books last time & it ended up being extra weight. Pack comforts like your favorite body wash, lotion, comfy clothes & snacks for yourself for after you have the baby Don't forget a few essentials for your spouse too. Deodorant, undies, & an extra shirt is what I recommend. keep it light. I look at it as packing a carry on for a quick weekend trip. You really won't be there long & if you are someone can bring you what you need.
My hospital requires all newborns to stay for at least 2 days after birth and encourages mothers to stay that long as well (obviously longer if medically necessary). It could certainly be worse if there are complications but personally I don't consider a minimum of 2 days anything to dismiss so flippantly.
I'm sorry- our hospital allows checkout 24 hours after delivery & we were able to check out a little sooner because things were going so well. Knowing what your hospital requires for a stay is an obvious factor to how much you should pack.
Re: Hospital bag
I'm also always overly prepared haha. I carried a diaper bag for my DD for like two and a half years. Filled with everything I could ever possibly need for her. And I always have emergency stuff stashed in the car, in my purse... Haha. So.. If you're a minimalist that may be overkill for you. I would just rather have too much than be caught without something I needed.
Mama to Rowan Sebastian and baby boy coming in April!
I have packed the following:
1. Loose black pants-maternity shirts, yoga pants, tank tops, loose fitting comfortable shirts
2. Black undies heaps!
3. Maternity bras
4. Feeding and maternity shorts/tops
5. Hoodie that zips up at front
6. Maternity Pads
7. Pigeon Nipples pads
8. Small spray bottle (to spray downstairs whilst going to toilet incase I tear)
9. Toiletries all in travel size; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mini tooth paste and brush, deodorant
10. Make up and moisturizer
11. Face wash
12. Hair brush
13. Nice soap
14. Wet wipes for toilet when you go number two!
15. Make up remover wipes to wipe face
16. Bio oil
17. Socks/slippers
18. Info from birthing classes including info about hospital/community services
19. Rite aide nipple gel pads
20 lanisoh nipple cream
21. Hair straightener
22. Lip balm
23.nightdress and nightgown
24. Flip flops
25. Hair tyes
Bubs stuff-packed in nappy bag
1. Jumpsuits and singlets x 5 in different sizes
2 going home outfit x2
3. Disposal change mats
4. Blanket
5. Muslin wraps x3
6. Gaia bath pack (hospitals usually use Johnstons which I don't like
7.pacifier
8. Some disposal nappies
9.baby wipes
10. Baby hair brush
11. Baby blanket
12. Baby socks
13. 1x bottle
14. Beanie
Partners stuff
1. iPod with my music and hypnobirthing stuff
2. Phone charger
3. Phone
4. Wallet-Medicare and private health card
5. Board shorts-in case need to help me in shower while in labour
6. Snacks-jelly beans, dried figs
7.poweraide
8. Water
9.panadol for hubby
10.spray bottle to cool me
11. Massage oils
12. Aromotherapy oil
13. Spare contacts, glasses
14. Camera
15. Change of clothes
16. Towel-hospital towels can be rough
17. Baby book
18. Deodorant
Baby car seat installed
I'm sorry- our hospital allows checkout 24 hours after delivery & we were able to check out a little sooner because things were going so well. Knowing what your hospital requires for a stay is an obvious factor to how much you should pack.