What We’re Bringing (and NOT Bringing to the Hospital)
After we had Bea, Randall had to make two trips to the car before coming back for the baby and I. That is how much stuff we brought with us – about 50lbs worth. We packed for one night in the hospital like we were going on a weeklong trip overseas, in various climates, under every possible circumstance.
It. Was. Absurd.
Take a look at these pictures. That’s my wonderful husband holding his brand new baby girl bursting with pride and love. Same with the pic of my Ma and Dad with their first grandchild – overwhelmed with joy. But more specifically take a look in the background on the window ledge. There you will see a fraction of what The Family Graham dragged from our house to the car, from the car into the elevator, from the elevator to our room, from that room to the recovery room, and finally all the way back down and home all over again.
We used maybe 7% of it.
In fact, whenever we need a good laugh, we think back on that day, on our traveling circus. I bet the wonderful nurses and doctors at Mount Sinai can tell instantly if this is your first child based on how much you bring to the hospital. I also wonder if maybe there’s a board somewhere in the back, a top ten list of Most Bags Brought, with our name firmly at the top.
Here’s a list of only what we can remember we brought:
Danielle 2016:
3 pairs of pyjamas
1 Bathrobe
3 bras (regular, nursing and sports)
3 pairs of underwear
3 pairs of socks (it was July)
Running shoes
Slippers
Jeans to go home in (ha!)
3 different top options
My entire 5 step nighttime skin care regime + a mask
Deodorant, electric toothbrush, mouthwash, floss and my retainer
Hand cream
Lip balm
Shampoo & conditioner, body wash, exfoliant and shower puff
2 body creams
Curling iron
Brush, hairspray, 2 scrunchies
A book (this one kills me)
A pillow
Depends
Randall 2016:
Jeans
Tracksuit
4 t-shirts
3 pairs of socks
4 pairs of underwear
Book and iPad
Full toiletry kit including razor and hair styling products
Baby’s Little Blue Suitcase 2016:
My Ma, one of eleven kids, was not only the first born in Canada, but also the first in her family to be born at a hospital. My Nonno bought this suitcase for my Nonna to bring with them to have my Ma. This same suitcase went with my Ma to the hospital when my brother was born, and then two years later, when I was born. There was never any question I’d bring it to the hospital to have my own kids. And I hope one day, maybe my daughters will bring it to the hospital themselves. Fully crying right now, btw.
An entire sleeve of diapers
4 blankets
4 hats
4 sleepers
Socks
Mittens
Going home outfit
In addition to our personal items, we had an entire grocery bag of snacks (endless almonds, Kind bars, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, beef jerky; basically everything from the Relay store at the airport). We ate none of it, but had plenty of snacks for the rest of the summer.
And last but not least, we brought one black sports bra.
Here’s my husband once again with our beautiful new daughter. Notice that accessory around his neck? That’s my black sports bra. It was literally the only thing he used that we brought and he used it as a makeshift sleeping mask the night we stayed in the hospital desperate to get a few hours of sleep. Too tired to take it off or to care what he looked like, he wore it the entire next day in the halls, to the classes we had to attend before going home, and out into the world to get food. When he came back from a burger run and walked into our room wearing that sports bra around his neck I laughed so hard looking at him I pee’d myself.
But this time, hopefully a little wiser, we’re only going to bring:
1 pair of pyjamas
1 Robe
1 nursing bra
1 pair of socks
1 hoodie for easy nursing access
1 going home tracksuit
Depends
Lip balm
Hairbrush and scrunchie
Toiletry basics: toothbrush, cleanser, moisturizer, and deodorant
Water bottle
Phone charger
2 sleepers
2 blankets
A reasonable number of diapers
1 hat
1 going home outfit for the baby
A Nail file. (No one told me that babies come out with long and razor sharp nails).
Wipes. (The first time around I didn’t pack those figuring the hospital would have plenty. I was WRONG. They gave me two measly dry wipes I had to wet under the tap to use and if you’ve ever had to clean a baby’s bum, you know two won’t cut it).
And finally Randall is bringing 1 black sports bra.
If you’re thinking about getting your hospital bag ready, let us be a cautionary tale. Make major edits, and do not follow internet lists that suggest you bring massage oil, a spray bottle to mist yourself or “relaxing entertainment” for example. You know what you actually need, just take the basics because you’ll likely be home before you know it and no one wants to unpack all that crap when they get home. You’ll want to spend your time snuggling your new babe and finding any chance you can to get some sleep. Or just really go for it and try to knock us off the top of the Most Bags Brought list.
Oh, and don’t forget the car seat!
Big love,
Danielle
