Wednesday, October 20, 2021

My Go-To Baby Essentials from Target

 As a first time mom, it can be really overwhelming knowing which baby products to get and where to find the best prices. When I was making my registry, and in the nine months since Wyatt was born, I found myself constantly opening up my Target app and looking through all the Target Baby essentials. 

Not only is Target a one-stop-shop - clothing, pet food, groceries, you name it - they also have a great assortment of everyday low prices. Not to mention they offer drive upsame day delivery, and order pick up. All of which come in so handy as a mom when you need something fast and quick and don't want the hassle of getting baby in and out of the car. Convenience has never been more important. 

Some of the things I consistently buy from Target are bulk items (hello, diapers and wipes). I also like to make sure I have our go-to snacks on hand, as well as all of our bathing & bedtime essentials. 

When it comes to snacks, we're big fans of anything HappyBaby. When we first started introducing solids we chose their purees. Now we do a combo of the purees for meals, and snack time consists of their Organic Greek Yogis and Teether Crackers. The Strawberry Banana Greek Yogi flavor has quickly become one of my favorite treats, too! 


Our bedtime routine is probably my favorite part of the day. We love bath time, and story time is an absolute must. When I was pregnant, I couldn't resist registering for and buying all the cute hooded towels. Not only are they practical, but they're also a fun way to keep baby's head warm and cozy. This Dino bath set (a great baby shower gift) comes complete with this ferocious hooded towel, washcloths, and a sweet lovey that can be used during bath time or during naps/bedtime. Wyatt loves cuddling up with his little friend. 

Our bath time is never complete without 'spa treatment' aka lotion and a little massage! Perhaps the #1 recommended baby item from my friends and pediatrician was Aquaphor. This salve solves every problem and is safe for baby's delicate skin. Not only does it help with diaper rash, but it also moisturizes dry, chapped skin, and is great for baby eczema, as well. I slather it all over Wyatt! 

With so many brands to choose from at competitive prices, it's so simple to just shop, click and do drive up at Target for all my baby essentials. 


Friday, October 1, 2021

Traveling with a Baby - Our Complete Packing List


I recently shared with you our tips on traveling with an infant, and wanted to follow-up with our packing list. 

Bathing 

Bath tub*

Pitcher 

Rubber duck 

Towels (2)*

Wash clothes (6-10)*

Shampoo 

Body wash

Lotion 

Hair brush 

Nail care kit 


Clothing

2-3 outfits per day 

(this is a bit much, but I had/have a lot of items that he was going to grow out of, and wanted to ensure he got to wear them at least once)

Socks 

Shoes

Hats

Swimsuit 

Sleep sacks

Merlin Magic Sleep Suit 


Diapering 

Diapers 

Wipes 

Doggy bags 

Paper towel

Hand sanitizer 

Trash can*


Feeding 

Bottles 

Formula*

Cleaning brush

Pacifiers 

Pacifier clips 

Silicone Feeders

Bibs 

Burp cloths*

Brezza Formula Maker  

Brezza Sterilizer

Boppy Feeding Pillow 


Since we were gone all summer we did pack our Sterlizer and Formula maker for ease and convenience. For shorter trips or hotel stays, we don't intend to lug it along as it takes up a lot of space (plus we don't want to damage them). 


Medical kit 

Cortisone 

Gripe water 

Mylicon

Tylonel 

A+D ointment 

Aquaphor

Zarbee’s Nasal must 

Cotton swab 

Cotton pads 

Thermometer

Tooth brush

Snot sucker 


Play 

Toys

Fisher Price Sit Me Up*

Fisher Price Dome On-The-Go*

DockATot 

Baby Bjorn Bouncer chair 


+Monthly milestone cards for pictures


Sleep 

Pack & Play

Foldable Mattress*

2 crib sheet*

Hatch Baby Rest sound machine 

Barefoot dreams blanket & lovey 

Monitor 


Stroller 

Stroller 

Stroller caddy 

Fan 

Sun shield 

Mosquito net 

Rain cover 

Artipoppe Carrier 

Doona (what he traveled with through the airport and on the plane) 

Doona seat cover/protector 


I purchased this stroller bag and it worked perfectly. It is huge and fit a ton. Along with the our Silver Cross Wave stroller I fit the DockaTot, Baby Bjorn bouncer, and all the stroller items in the bag. 


Diaper bag 

I use the ToteSavvy Deluxe Bag organizer insert inside of my handbag to hold all of Wyatt's stuff. 

Bottles (2)

Water (2)
Formula (extra in case of delays)
Diapers (4) 
Dog bags
Wipes 
Bibs (2)
Burp cloths (2) 
Gallon ziplock bags (2) - for soiled clothing and to store dirty items in that were used on the plane 
Pacifiers & clips (2)
Blanket 
Purell 
Antibacterial wipes 
Alcohol free antibacterial wipes (for Wyatt's hands)
Kleenex 
Sophie/stroller toy


In my roll aboard carry-on 

Extra wipes 

Extra diapers 

Medicine kit 

Baby Monitor

Hatch Baby Rest sound machine 

Two extra outfits

Folder with health records, birth certificate, etc.  


Items with a * next to them we ordered and had delivered to my family's house. I know moving forward that won't always be practical or necessary, but for packing/space savings sake it was really helpful. 

Monday, September 27, 2021

Shopping for the Perfect Diamond Studs with Diamonds Direct



When it comes to shopping for a special gift, there's no better place to go than Diamonds Direct. Diamonds Direct is a national jewelry company that has over 22 stores (and growing!), including one here in Houston. If you haven't visited their showroom yet, be sure to put it on your must-do list. 

They carry several world-renowned designers, meaning they have something for everyone. What's especially unique about Diamonds Direct is that they're a direct diamond importer. That means they completely cut out the middleman, giving their buyer low and competitive prices. They also offer a 30 day money back guarantee, lifetime warranty and lifetime upgrade policy on their jewelry. Psst, husbands, did you hear that?! The Diamonds Direct upgrade policy gives you back 110% of your original purchase price to put towards your next piece. You can come in as often as you like to upgrade your original diamond and you’re only required to pay the difference between the two!

Whether it's an engagement ring, push present, or a unique heirloom piece, diamonds always represent something significant. After I had Wyatt I knew I wanted to add something sparkly to my collection to represent such a big milestone in my life. I knew diamond earrings would make the perfect gift as they're timeless, elegant and can be worn everyday - dressed up or down. 



I had an idea what cut and carat weight I wanted, but knew it was important to try on everything in person to ensure that they were just the right fit. What's great about Diamonds Direct is that they have a large array of sizes in-store. They also have loose diamonds, so if they don't have the specific size you're looking for on the showroom floor, they can make it for you. Not to mention the staff is so easy to work with, which isn't always the case when it comes to jewelry. 

When visiting Diamonds Direct you aren't pressured into buying anything or followed around by pesky sales representatives. The staff is incredibly helpful and easy to work with - it's obvious that they want to ensure that the customer is happy, while also considering their budget. I had the chance to work with several of their employees and each one was very helpful. 

They showed me several different sizes, as well as sharing with me that there are different settings for diamond studs. These settings include the four-prong basket (most common), martini (three pronged), bezel (diamond enclosed within the setting), and halo (diamond surrounded by a ring of smaller diamonds).  

When picking my earrings, I definitely was going for more 'standout' than subtle. I ended up choosing a pair of 14k white gold earrings with round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 3.02 carats. As you can see from all these photos, having ~1.5 carats in each ear certainly makes a statement. I opted for the three prong martini setting, and love it. The diamond fits snuggly into the triangular setting, allowing for more of it to be seen and giving it even more sparkle. 

This push gift was certainly worth the extra wait to get just what I wanted! 



Thank you to Diamonds Direct for partnering with me on this post.



Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Tips on Traveling With an Infant

 



It's hard to believe that these photos were taken all the way back in June when we took our first flight with Wyatt. Since then, he's flown three more times, and has been a complete champ - even when we faced a seven hour delay on our most recent flight. 

Prior to his first flight, I did copious amounts of research on tips and tricks for traveling with a baby. Not only is this a compiling of what I read, but also what we've learned. I wanted to have a little bit more time to 'research' what the process was like going through the airport/different airports, and see how each separate trip went for us before acting like an expert (which we still are not!). 

Planning 
We tried to select a flight time that worked around Wyatt's schedule. I know this isn't always possible, but if you can try to maintain your routine you will have a happier baby on your hands. We avoided evening flights because we know this kid loves his sleep & would rather wake him up earlier in the morning (5am to be exact), than disrupt his nighttime routine. 

We also opted to purchase a seat for him, and used the Doona through the airport and in the plane - so convenient. Seriously the my #1 baby item.

Since our summer travel was back and forth visiting my family in Wisconsin, I did order several things ahead of time, which I realize isn't always possible with shorter jaunts. Pssst Amazon does indeed deliver to hotels, though. I highly recommend ordering as much as you can and having it delivered because boy oh boy do diapers take up a lot of room.

Packing
I will be doing a lengthier post on what we all packed and traveled with - stay tuned. For the purposes of flying though, here is what I had in my diaper bag and wheelie:

Diaper bag 

For one of the trips I used the ToteSavvy Deluxe Bag organizer insert inside of my handbag to hold all of Wyatt's stuff. On the other, I used this TwelveLittle backpack - each had an upside, it just depends which you think will work best for you. 


Bottles (2)
Water (2)
Formula (extra in case of delayed)
Diapers (4) 
Dog bags
Wipes 
Bibs (2)
Burp cloths (2) 
Gallon ziplock bags (2) - for soiled clothing and to store dirty items in that were used on the plane 
Pacifiers & clips (2)
Blanket 
Purell 
Antibacterial wipes 
Alcohol free antibacterial wipes (for Wyatt's hands)
Kleenex 
Sophie/stroller toy


In my roll aboard carry-on 

Extra wipes 

Extra diapers 

Medicine kit - including Benadryl, Motrin, Aquaphor, Hairbrush, Snot Sucker, thermometer

Baby Monitor

Hatch Baby Rest sound machine 

Two extra outfits

Folder with health records, birth certificate, etc.  


Be sure to dress baby comfortably. Footed onesies are perfect for travel and great for easy diaper changes, as well. 


Ticketing/Check-In
Definitely plan to get to the airport a little early, especially if you're like us and are used to only traveling with carry-ons. Gone are the days, that's for sure!

Like I mentioned, we purchased a seat for Wyatt on all our flights thus far. I know that may be a little extreme and not feasible in every situation or with every budget. That being said, since it had been a while since we had traveled back in June due to Covid (and given the current environment), we felt most comfortable ensuring we had a lot of space for him and separation from strangers. 

With most carriers, children under two who are on your lap fly for free and do not require a ticket. Since Wyatt had his own seat, he did require his own ticket. I would do your homework ahead of time depending on what carrier you are flying, as I know everyone's rules are different. It is fairly simple to locate the "traveling with children" info on all respective sites. The same goes for what you're allowed to check for free, as well as gate check. 

In total, we checked three suitcases, our pack 'n' play, as well as our large everyday stroller. I found this stroller bag on Amazon that was big enough to fit our full size stroller, our Baby Bjorn bouncer, Dock A Tot, and stroller caddy/fan/mosquito net, etc. I have heard some people say that during check-in they occasionally will get agents that request to see what's in the stroller bag. If there are any additional items they may require you to remove them as technically only the stroller flies for free. I'm not sure what carrier(s) this was on, but we didn't have a problem. The pack 'n' play may have counted as a piece of checked luggage (?), but since we were allowed two each, I didn't ask. I've heard that normally most ticketing agents will let baby items fly free of charge. Worst case you pay the price of a checked bag, which is $35-$45. For the ease of having your own items, I think its worth it.  

Since we had purchased Wyatt's seat, we used the Doona on the plane, as well as throughout the airport. I literally cannot sing its praises enough. It is an incredible invention. However, if you have a car seat or stroller that you're using throughout the airport, it can be checked at the gate for free. Some travel strollers even collapse small enough to fit in the overhead compartment, taking out any wait time or damage. We got this one - I can't wait to use it in the future. 

Pro tip: I suggest getting a travel bag that comes from the same manufacturer as your stroller or car seat. A lot of times they will have protection plans. At the very least, your ensured you items will actually properly fit, and hopefully a few smaller odds & ends. 

 
TSA/Security 
If you're traveling with a stroller like we were, TSA will make you remove baby from the stroller and carry him/her through the metal detector. They will also have you place all items, including the car seat/stroller, on the belt to go through scanning. 

Bottled water can be brought through security if it's for formula. You can also have medicine, food, or juices over 3oz if they are specifically for baby/children. 

Be sure to check out the TSA's traveling with children page - I found it really helpful. 

Boarding 
Definitely take advantage of boarding early. It takes a while to get baby and all your things situated. 

Also, if you're traveling with a stroller and/or car seat, you'll want that extra time to collapse them and gate check at the end of the jet bridge. Note: be sure to get your gate check tag for these items prior to boarding. 

In-Flight
I made sure to always feed Wyatt right as we were taking off. If it didn't coincide with feeding time, I would just give him a little (about 2oz) so that it could help his ears with the pressure.

I purchased a new stroller toy ahead of time so that he had something new/exciting to play with, which he enjoyed. I also made sure to pack Sophie for him to chew on and play with because she's familiar. Other than that, I connected his pacifier to a clip and had a spare on hand - I had no intention of dealing with the filthy airplane floor. The clips are great for connecting to toys, as well. 

Be sure to have layers, as it can get just as cold for baby as it does for you. I always like having his muslin blanket on hand for this reason, and also because it soothes him. Since he doesn't like hats, I made sure to just keep the canopy of the Doona up at all times to keep the air off of him.



I would love to hear any tips and tricks you have up your sleeve for traveling with children! 



Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Hospital Bag Packing List


It's hard to believe that I started writing this post back in January a few days before Wyatt's arrival, and that I'm just getting around to posting it now! Phew, where does the time go?! I definitely still wanted to share this with you because I figure there's at least someone out there as desperate as I was looking for a concise list of what to bring the the hospital. 

When researching what to bring, I not only referenced books and talked to my doctor, but I read several dozen blogs to see what other women had brought. I found it helpful when they would list what they had packed, and then include an update on what they didn't use, or what they wish they had brought. To be honest, there wasn't one thing I didn't feel like I had. Mind you, I didn't pack a suitcase, I only had a wheelie for both Wyatt and my things (packing cubes are a must). Maybe it was all the research I did, or the fact that when they say you could show up at the hospital with nothing, it's actually kind of true. 

After going through it and spending nearly four days in the hospital (4 hours in triage, 19 hours in labor and electively staying an extra day), I feel confident in saying that this hospital packing list is bulletproof!

The list below is everything I packed. I've put * next to items I didn't end up using. Even though I didn't use them, I would still suggest packing them as everyone's experience is different, and you never know what you may need/want.  


Purse

Longchamp bag (large to fit postpartum items)

I wanted to use this bag as I knew I could easily throw it in the wash when I got home to get off all the germs. I actually ended up using laundry bags that the hospital had/the diaper bag 'gift bag' they gave me to put my postpartum loot in. I highly suggest taking everything you can with you, and don't be shy to ask for more. In a separate post I'll share my postpartum must-haves with you. 

Admin Info

ID/Wallet

Insurance Card

Folder for Documents

I felt like this was probably the most important thing I brought with me. I had no idea how many things are thrown your way when you're in the hospital - newborn handbook, documents, newborn identification, verification of birth, info on how to order your baby's birth certificate (yes - you have to order it, which was news to me), and lots more. It really was overwhelming and hard to take everything in, especially given the fact you just birthed a baby. That being said, having this folder was a life saver, as I wasn't just throwing things in my bag when we left and losing them. I'm still using it to organize all his info, making everything easy and convenient from day one! 

Birth Plan*

My birth plan was not detailed at all, but I was told to simply bring a one page print out that I found on the hospital's website. The only thing I included was that I wanted Adam to cut the umbilical cord, and that I wanted my son circumcised. Besides that, my only 'plan' was happy, healthy baby. To be honest, no one ever asked for my birth plan or what it was. They did however ask questions before they did anything, so it was a catch 22.  I suppose if I had greater detail I could have easily shared it with the nurses/doctor, but that wasn't the case. 

Pediatrician Info

Clorox Pads/Wet Wipes/Sanitizer/Kleenex

Starbucks Gift cards for Nurses

Ask your doctor ahead of time what the hospital's policy is on nurses gifts. I brought five $20 gift cards, which worked well because the nurses couldn't accept anything above a $25 value. Do I think you need nurses gifts or baskets? No. But I do think it's nice to have an option if you really feel like someone made a difference in your baby's delivery/your labor process. 
 

Electronics

Phone Cord

Extension Cord*

Multi USB plug

The hospital had lots of outlets, but this made it easy to plug everything in and have it in one place. This has eight USB outlets, and I had it on the tray table that was next to my bed - highly recommend for ease and convenience.

Portable Fan

I bought this fan to attach to Wyatt's stroller when it's hot out. I'd read that it was helpful to have a fan on hand for all the sweats, hot flashes, etc. accompanied with labor. I actually didn't end up using it, but do think it's worth bringing, especially if your room doesn't have it's own thermostat (luckily ours did - lifesaving)! 

Portable Speaker (create playlist)*

White Noise Maker

I've had this portable travel white noise maker for years, and know it's one of the baby/new parent 'must-haves.' It was great to use during the day/night to block out all the hospital noise. 

Baby Shusher

This noise maker makes "shushing" noises. We put this in Wyatt's bassinet for some additional noise. I honestly haven't used it since (even though I know everyone swears by it, we haven't utilized it), but it was nice to have at the hospital, but honestly not necessary. 

Noise Canceling Headphones/Earbuds*

Diffuser with Oils

This may seem like the most ridiculous thing, but due to the fact that we were at the hospital so long and I was in labor for what felt like forever, the oils were nice and made the hospital not smell so antiseptic. Also, the one I bought has multi color lights, which was a great night light so we could turn all the overhead ones off pre/post Wyatt's arrival. 

Mini Tripod/Light*

The only reason we didn't use this was because the hospital actually had an in-house photographer come around when you were in your recovery room. I wasn't expecting that, so I had prepared ahead of time because I wanted to capture some of those initial moments together. 

 

Bedding/Bath

Pillow

Blankets

 These items were hands down the best things we brought. We brought only one pillow for me, but two Barefoot Dreams blankets for each of us, which brought me a lot of comfort and at least felt like home. Plus it was nice to wrap Wyatt up in it with my after his arrival. The hospital provided additional pillows, linens, towels, etc. for both of us, so that helped too! We also just hand carried these in once we knew we were being admitted, and I brought trash bags to put them in once we left. 


Clothing

Labor & Delivery Gown with Pillowcase*

I bought this set with a cute matching pillow case (so over the top), but I wanted to have the option. Honestly I may have put it on when I first got there, but things moved so fast and before you know it you're hooked up to IVs etc. making it challenging to change. Also, the labor & delivery gowns get dirty!!! so you really want to be changing/throwing them away as much as possible.

Fuzzy Grip Socks

I wore my own, but also wore the ones from the hospital. I honestly didn't really feel like I needed them. Skip! Bring slippers!! Best decision I ever made....and I added these to my bag as we were walking out the door!

Pajamas

This nightgown (pictured above) I brought was amazing. I wore it one day, and the matching bathrobe another. In all honesty I wish I would have brought two of the nightgowns. I also wore it a lot when I first got home, and still do  - it's insanely soft and comfortable. I highly suggest clothing with easy access - not only for breastfeeding or skin to skin, but because the nurses are coming in to check on you/check you out what feels like non-stop. 

Bathrobe (pictured above)

Going Home Outfit

I bought this Hill House dress specifically to wear home from the hospital, and it was perfect. A little on the pricey side, but I knew I wanted something special and comfortable that I could wear again. I recommend to any new mama to plan to go home wearing a dress - postpartum diapers, underwear, etc. are no joke and are bulky. If you want to pack even less, you can always wear home what you wore to the hospital. 

Flip Flops

Sports Bra/Ace Bandage*

I chose not to breastfeed for several reasons, so I was told to bring a good fitting sports bra to help suppress my milk supply. I did not end up using the ace bandage (which I was told to have on hand for even more added pressure - who knows). I didn't actually wear a bra my entire hospital stay, but did when I got home during the day to help dry up my supply. 

Underwear

These pregnancy/postpartum underwear are awesome. They are so soft and seamless. I wore near the end of my pregnancy and postpartum. They're soft and comfortable, and are low rise, which is great if you have a C-section (FYI - I did not). 

Trash Bags for Laundry

They had small laundry bags (grocery bag size) at the hospital, but the trash bags were nice to put my pillow in and our blankets in for heading home. 

 

Toiletries

Dry Shampoo

Headband

So necessary. Whether it's an actual headband or an elastic, bring something to hold your hair back and keep it out of your face. You'll be happy you did when you're pushing!

Hair ties

Facial Wipes

Much easier than washing your face and makes you feel clean. 

Facial Mist

I use this everyday to refresh. I love it. 

Chapstick

Be sure to have a few on hand - the hospital is dry!

Makeup Mirror

This sounds so extra, but it was really nice not having to get up and drag my IV with me to look in the mirror. This one is razor thin and lights up, which is nice and will be great for traveling. I had planned to put on a coat of mascara and concealer on before Wyatt's arrival, but go time came sooner than expected so I wasn't able to, but did have every intention to ha!

Eye Patches*

Mouthwash

I packed all my other usual toiletries - toothpaste, tooth brush, mini shampoo/conditioner, etc. I listed the ones above because I wanted to be sure I didn't forget them. 


Postpartum

Dermoplast/Perineal Spray

Nipple Cream*

Peri Bottle

The hospital will give you one, but this one is so much better and more 'user' friendly. 

Nursing Pads*

Diapers

I never thought I'd be linking diapers or saying this, but these are amazing. Mom's-to-be, buy these! Pricey but soooo soooo soooo worth it, and dare I say kind of cute? Well, as cute as diapers can get. The hospital will have mesh underwear and doggy pee pad pads (yes, they're that big!) for you, but when you get home, these are absorbent and comfortable. Also, they can fit under clothing, which is nice for when you need to get out of the house but still need coverage. 

Stool Softener/Gas X* 

 

Baby

Pacifier

Aquaphor*

Nail File*

Welcome Sign/Pen

We weren't 100% positive on baby's name (we wanted to wait until after he was born to decide), so if you're like us, this is a great option. 

Newborn Nest Outfit 

Highly recommend! This is great to buy for yourself if you're expecting, or to give as a gift. The set includes a crib sheet, swaddle, dress & hat - this was the outfit we had him photographed in for his big debut!

Swaddle (to match Mom)

Onesie/Pants*

Mittens*

Socks*

Hat

Like I said above, we weren't 100% sure what we were going to name baby boy. Funny story - he was 'Ashley's boy' for the first two days of his life. That being said, the ONE name we always agreed on and kept going back to was Wyatt...so I had  ordered a hat with his name on it ahead of time, just in case we went with it. That being said, I had no qualms with leaving it at the hospital had we decided to go with one of the other names we liked. 

Going Home Outfit

Pack something cute and special for this occasion, as you'll want to take pictures! I didn't end up using a lot of the clothing I packed for Wyatt because we kept him in the hospital swaddles the whole time. Doctors and nurses were constantly coming in and out to check on him, so it was just easier to have him in something that could be taken off and put back on immediately. Also, the amount of spit up, pee, and poop was surprising for us as first time parents, so it was nice to just ditch the swaddles and not have to worry about laundering anything or having to throw anything away. If there is a next time, I will most likely bring next to nothing for baby, besides that special photo outfit and a going home outfit. I didn't need toiletries etc. for him because the hospital had everything. If they don't give it to yo right away  you can simply ask, and they'll provide it. 

Blanket for Car

Car Seat/Stroller

We got the Doona as our car seat/travel stroller and I cannot recommend it enough. It's so easy to use, and makes going to and from doctors appointments, out to eat, or running errands a breeze. It's also great for travel (which we haven't done yet!), and is FAA compliant to fit in an airplane seat. Hands down the #1 baby item we own. 

**Chart

The "chart" I'm referencing is the one that the hospital gives you to record baby's feeds/ounces taken, pees, poops, etc. So we didn't bring this with us, it was to remind me to bring it home! It was really helpful the first month because doctors will ask about all the above, and it makes it easier to remember. Also, we had a night nurse and it helped us stay on track and on top of what she was doing, as well. 

 

Husband

Pillow*

Blanket

Toiletries

Advil

Change of Clothes

Phone Cord

Cash*

Ok, so I had a friend suggest cash because their husband had to use a vending machine for food. We didn't encounter this issue, but we were also at a different hospital, so I'm not sure. Our hospital had a five page menu (!!!) and the food was really good. My food was all included, but spouses have to pay for their food besides the celebratory dinner you were given after baby arrives. 

 

Misc.

Snacks

Water Bottles (x2)*

We ended up bringing about 10 bottles of water with us, not reusable water bottles. I was given a reusable water jug once i was put in Labor & Delivery, which I chugged non-stop. Honestly though, I don't think Adam wasn't offered anything (ha), so we were really glad we had brought bottled water with us for him. Also, on the rare occurrence a nurse hadn't filled up my massive big gulp of water, it was good to know we had some on hand. 


 I threw three things in my bag last minute, like literally when we were walking out of the house, and they probably are the three most important things I brought with me! 

silicone reusable flexi straw. The straw was a godsend. I had the reusable water jug I mentioned above, but it came with a flimsy plastic straw. I have no idea why I threw in the reusable straw at the end, but I'm so happy I did. It was extra long, which made taking drinks of water in between pushes so much easier. 

Slippers. The slippers were nice to have for trips to the bathroom, bouncing on the ball, or just walking around. They gave me a feeling of comfort and home, which was nice. They actually were in the garage in a bag for Goodwill as I had recently gotten a new pair, so I grabbed them last minute and was so happy I did. I left them at the hospital, because lord knows I didn't want those germs back in my house. Next time I would bring a pair of hotel ones so I could toss them, too. 

Extra medical masks. Hopefully for all the mom's-to-be reading this you'll be in a different ball game by the time you have your little one, but masks were a very real reality for us. We were given masks to put on upon arrival and had to keep them on at all times, unless no one was in the room (which seemed like it never happened). I actually had to give birth in one too...so any time anyone complains about mask wearing, that shuts them up really quick. Ha! I am glad I brought extras because it gave us the option to throw out the old one and put on a fresh one each day. 

Leading up to your big day, don't be shy to ask your doctor what the hospital all provides. You can also go to the information desk at your hospital, and they should be able to tell you too. When you're in recovery, don't be shy about asking for more things, or if they have something you forgot. Like I said, they happily provided us with anything I asked for. I also told them I wanted to bring home as much postpartum stuff as I could, and they brought me lots of extras. I took diapers for baby & me, swaddles, socks, mittens, hats, pads, underwear, peri bottle - if it wasn't bolted down, it went in my bag. 

Don't expect to be bored. I read countless blogs where people said they were bored and played games. I don't know what they had going on, but my experience was far from boring. Plus, from the minute you step into the hospital until the moment you leave, your room is like a revolving door. There is constantly someone coming in to check on you and baby. That was one of the biggest things that surprised me.

There you have it! My thorough and long winded hospital packing list. I put a lot of effort into preparing my bag for the big day and doing my research, so my hope is that this makes packing your hospital bag a little easier and less stressful. 




 

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