Hospital Check-List

My husband said it best: It's like staying at a two star hotel for a five star price.

I couldn't agree more. The hospital can really make or break your birthing experience. I'm thankful ours was a positive one (although, I haven't received the bill yet)! The care we received and our accommodations were clean, pleasant and met our level of expectations.

I received so many opinions from people prior to delivering on what to take with us to the hospital. Some friends tricked their hospital room out like a college dorm room and others said they didn't bring anything but themselves. Laura at The Diniwilks was kind enough to share her hospital check-list with me a few weeks before we headed to the hospital ourselves, and I'm so thankful she did. This mama was so organized it gave me a great jumping off point to craft my own need-to-haves. So, I thought I'd share what I brought to the hospital (and what I really ended up using). Hope it's helpful for some of you ... and will serve as a good reminder for myself next time around!

My Hospital Check-List

Clothes for Mom

• Robe 
• Two cheap nightgowns - I planned to wear one of these during delivery, but ended up wearing a bra only - I was so hot! They're nice to have at home now.
• Black stretchy skirt - Got this idea from Laura at Navigating the Mothership. Great to wear in the days following with a nursing tank. Felt like I was wearing something semi-appropriate for visitors yet functional for hospital staff to do checks, etc.
• Three nursing tanks - Only ended up wearing two of them, but glad I had another in case.
• Two nursing bras - Only wore one of them, but glad I had options.
• Five pairs of underwear - Didn't need them. Wore hospital mesh undies.
• Three pairs of socks - Didn't wear them.
• Slippers - Didn't wear them.

Clothes for Dad

• 1 nicer pair of pajama pants - A must.
• 1 t-shirt - Should have had two.
• 1 button-up collar shirt - Didn't need.
• 1 nice pair of shorts - Should have had two.
• 1 pair of underwear - Should have had two.

Clothes for Tory

• White and purple polka dot sleeper (preemie size) - Didn't wear, but was nice to have just in case she was super tiny.
• White and pink dress with pink sweater (newborn size) 
• Socks 
• Receiving blanket

Toiletries

• Toothbrush, toothpaste for both Andi and I
• Shampoo and conditioner 
• Razor 
• Pick
• Bobby pins - Didn't use.
• Deodorant for both Andi and I
• Makeup
• Hair dryer
• Straightener (travel size)
• Dermoplast - Didn't use until I got home.
• Tucks pads - Didn't use until I got home.
• Breast pads - Didn't need - milk didn't come in until days later.
• Nipple cream - Nice to have!

Other

• List of friends/family to call
• Laptops with chargers - Didn't use my laptop - no time!
• Jambox
• Tory's baby book for footprints
• Pen and notebook to write down gifts
• Thank you notes - Glad I brought these! I used four of them.
• Car seat
• Boppy pillow - Nice to have!
• Phone chargers
• Camera / camera charger
• Magazines - Didn't read - no time!
• Granola bars - Didn't need.
• Zico coconut water - Didn't need.
• Sour candy - Didn't need.

Things I WISH I would have brought:

• My own pillow
• More clothes for Andi - he ended up wearing the same clothes for days.
• My own bath towel - the hospital's were like sandpaper!