{Please read this like it's a bad infomercial}
Oh hey! I didn't see you there. So you're pregnant and wondering about what to bring to the hospital, right? Well, you've come to the right place.
You might also be wondering what makes me such an expert. Well, I'm not. To be fair, I do have three kids, so that at least puts me in the "been-there-done-that" category. My labors and hospital bag experiences were both VERY different from each other. I've seen both sides of the spectrum...over-prepared and not prepared at all. So, to help balance my experience, I've talked to hundreds of moms and compiled a pretty awesome hospital bag checklist.
Also, just because it's on the list, doesn't mean you absolutely must bring it! Pick the items that fit your personality and your comfort level. Some women are strong enough to birth a child in a ditch, get up and go grocery shopping all in one swoop. Other women (ahem, me!) need a bit more luxury. To see the list, keep scrolling!
About this location-
When the wildflowers are in bloom, you have to go to Little Cottonwood Canyon. Up at the very tippy top, past Alta ski resort, you'll find Albion Basin. Normally very pretty but when those wildflowers are in full color, my eyeballs explode!
I was excited to be part of Momma-McKaye's maternity story. All her maternity photos were done in the beautiful mountains of Utah and she had her baby boy at American Fork Hospital. Her photos will be throughout this post. The first set of maternity photos are at Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Doesn't she just radiate beauty?! McKaye is a first time mom and eager to meet her little one! As a boutique maternity photographer, it's my job to make your session as magical as possible. I have a closet full of maternity gowns for my clients to wear.
Ok...ok... I know you're dying to see this list, right? Well, here it is. A hospital bag checklist created by hundred's of moms from all over the US of A. Remember, you don't need to pack ALL of these items. Just the ones you think you'll want.
For You:
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A robe. A comfortable robe is one of the best postpartum clothing items out there.
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Toiletries. Don’t forget these! You’ll want your hair brush, regular or dry shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, chapstick, hair ties and face wipes Comfortable clothes. I wore an oversized nightgown. I didn’t want anything touching my waist and I didn’t want the hassle of having to pull up pants, haha!
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An extra-long cell phone charging cord. Seriously. Hospital beds are notoriously far away from an electrical outlet, and you’ll want a fully charged phone for all the pictures you are about to take of your new baby.
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Nipple cream. If you’re planning to breastfeed, your nipples will appreciate you being so proactive.
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Adult diapers. The hospital will hook you up with pads and those mesh underwear but many moms said adult diapers, like Depends, were more comfortable and felt more secure.
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Portable bluetooth speaker and Youtube playlist. Playing music during labor can be an asset for some. I made two very different playlists (Fun & Calm). However, there was a point during that I was pushing and asked my husband to turn off the music. You may find you just want silence!
For baby:
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A car seat. The hospital staff won’t let you take your baby home from the hospital without one and it should be already installed.
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A going-home outfit. Pack two different outfits in different sizes because you don’t know how big or small your baby will be! Aim for one outfit in newborn size and one 0-3 months. Don’t forget hats and/or socks, if weather appropriate. My third baby surprised us with 9.5lbs of beautiful chunk. I only brought newborn clothes so my momma had to bring us some back up.
- Do not bring diapers or wipes! The hospital has all the diapers and wipes you’ll need.
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