I am a very Type A prepared person, so you’d better believe I had my hospital bag packed and ready to go a month before my due date. I seriously laugh at what I packed now, as I had way too much stuff – for both me and Isla. If you’ve picked a good hospital, you’ll get most of your essential items while you’re there (diapers, wipes, sanitary napkins, etc.). Most hospitals offer tours during which they’ll explain what you really need to bring for you and the baby. I would say the most important thing to remember is the car seat, as they won’t let you go home without it!
Although I am by no means an expert mom already, I do know what I’ll be bringing to the hospital for baby #2 – just the essentials (i.e. not 6 different outfit options like last time!). My friend, Julie, raved that her large L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag is perfect for a baby’s hospital bag. L.L.Bean kindly sent me one to try, and I agree with Julie – I love it. It is really sturdy, has a top zipper, and fits everything you need to bring (even the Dr. Brown’s Gia Nursing Pillow!).
When it comes to baby’s clothing/accessories, Carter’s has the best selection of every single baby essential item, which includes swaddle blankets, mittens, hats, socks, sleeper gowns, long-sleeved onesies, footed pajamas and pacifier clips. Even if you’re ‘against’ pacifiers like my husband once was (he’s definitely changed his opinion now!), I recommend bringing a few MAM pacifiers just in case. Trust me: This is all you need. I’ve listed a few optional items below as well, but if you stick with the ‘necessities’ list, you’re golden.
Necessities
- Customized L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag (Large)
- Carter’s muslin swaddle blankets (Boy or Girl)
- Carter’s mittens (Boy or Girl)
- Carter’s socks (Boy or Girl)
- Carter’s hats (Boy, Girl, or Neutral)
- Carter’s sleeper gown (Boy or Girl)
- Carter’s footed pajamas (Boy or Girl)
- Two Carter’s long-sleeved onesies (Boy or Girl)
- MAM pacifiers and Carter’s Clip
- Dr. Brown’s Gia Nursing Pillow and Cover
Optional Items
- Monogrammed slippers or blankets – we love Seaside Stitchery!
- Personalized baby book for guests to sign (and to photograph!) – we love Emily Ley’s!
- Diapers, wipes, rash cream (or use those provided by the hospital!) – we love Honest Co.!
And the best part of all is that L.L.Bean, Carter’s, Dr. Brown’s and MAM have all partnered with Snapshots & My Thoughts to offer one lucky reader an entire baby hospital bag set, which includes every single ‘necessity’ item. The winner will get to choose between the boy or girl options (or gender neutral) and pick the color and monogram of their L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag. I’m so jealous! I would have loved this for Isla! The giveaway ends on Friday, April 24 at 11:59pm. Good luck!
Who would you want to win this for? If you’ve got a friend who is expecting or trying, please send them the link to the giveaway!
60 Comments
Looks like a solid giveaway! I would like to win it for baby Dusek!
You’re the best friend! Does Brad know about this chivalrous move?
I just entered for my best friend who is due with a boy in August! So excited for her. Great list.
That’s so sweet of you, Ashley! Thanks for entering!
Love this! I’m due on June 10th and need to start thinking about what to pack!
Ah, that’s my husband and grandfather’s birthday! What a great day 🙂 🙂 Good luck!
Oh! I would love to get ahead of the game for our baby! We still have months to go- but you can never be too prepared. xo
YES! Oh gosh, I am so beyond words excited for you two!!!
Yes, I packed WAY too much stuff too! This list is perfect. We brought our own diapers too, but like you said, the hospital ones are fine!
Ha, me too. And I really did regret it. I did NOT feel like unpacking when I got home from the hospital. Simple is so much better!
I am entering for me! I am expecting baby #2 in October! That tote looks so perfect for getting everything together in one easy to carry place. If I don’t win, I might just have to order one for the occasion! I way over-packed last time and it was so embarrassing and unnecessary! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m so excited for you, Chelsea!! The tote really is amazing. I trusted my friend’s opinion, but it was even better than I imagined. And I’m right there with you – I was so embarrassed with our THREE big bags. And then I lived in the same pajamas for the entire hospital stay. Ha.
I’m due May 14th, I should probably get on top of packing my hospital bag haha! Love all the spring prints Carter’s has right now, so cute!
I’m entering for myself! I’m due in September. Thanks.
This looks amazing! Ive been pinning stuff like this for the last few weeks. So yeah…definitely entering for myself (and Baby Blanton, of course!)
I entered for myself and our new baby!
I LOVE the LL Bean bag. Simon has one that we got when he was born and it is perfect for shlepping… plane trips, to and from the nanny, etc. I’d love to win for my friend Katie or Adie! I shared it with both! 🙂
I love this giveaway! I have several expecting friends who would love this 🙂
Wow, this would be such a blessing for my family and a gift for my brother who just had a baby.
Oh my goodness!! I would absolutely LOVE to win this for my sweet friend who is expecting a baby girl in August! I’m helping host her shower in May, and it would be wonderful to add this in with the host gift! What an awesome giveaway!!
For me and a friend!
I’d love to win this for me and my baby girl, Savannah! She’s due May 27 and I fear I will be like a Kardashian when I check in to the hospital.
Fantastic giveaway
We would love to win for our friend (almost birthday buddy- but we came early!!) who is expecting a little girl next month!!! Such a sweet idea!!
Fantastic giveaway. Entering for myself.would love to win
Love this post! I am early on in my pregnancy but am starting to plan ahead and read up already (I may be type A too :). Love your informative post and the tote will come in handy for just about any occasion post-hospital stay I am sure!
Awesome giveaway. Nice treat for myself =)
Entering for myself. My first baby (Amelia Victoria) is due June 28th and I would absolutely LOVE to win this !
Would love to win this for my new baby girl!
I would love to win this for my sister! She’s expecting the arrival of her beautiful baby girl May 6th 🙂 She’s an amazing person and has always been there for me. I had a pretty traumatic delivery myself,at the beginning of this year and she was there for me the whole time! I couldn’t think of a better person to win this!!
Hi.
I am a first time mom and due the 20th of may.
We just moved to LA from Belgium for my boyfriends job and I am still searching where to find al the cute baby stuff.
Blogs like these really help me out here.
Thanks for the advice for the hospital bag, because even the hospitals are totally different here:)
Fingers crossed now:)
I’d love a gender neutral set for our August baby!
Would really love to win this! Great list!
Im entering to win this for myself!! would love to win!!
I would love to win this bag for my 1st grandson. He is due on July 8th.
I’m applying for myself, I’m having a girl in August. & I’ve already been wanting to pack and get stuff done. I just dont want to put it off till the summer when I’m bigger and probably more irritable. Lol.
This is one dream dream giveaway ! I would love ti win this fr my sister but I think I ‘ll keep the bag for myself 😉 =)
For myself, due in June!
I’d love to win this for both myself and share in part with my sister. We’re both due in May, both having boys!! 🙂 Though the Dr seems to think I may be delivering THIS Saturday! 😀 We’ll see 😉
I just entered this! I’m due June 11th (my birthday) with a baby boy 🙂 This would be wonderful to win!
I am entering for baby #2 dune June 22, a girl this time!
I am entering for myself! I am due June 7th with my second baby boy! 🙂
Would love this giveaway for my husband’s and my first baby due in June!!! We are #teamgreen and can’t wait to meet our little bundle of joy!!
I would love to have this for my new baby boy, expected to arrive, May 23rd! All of these offers are amazing.
Entering for my cousin in law❤️
so cute! entering for my friend who is pregnant
entering for my self 🙂
My Daughter is expecting a baby boy May 2015 and would love to hsve this for the Baby
When I was in labor with my daughter, I directed my sister to pack things for my hospital bag in between contractions. I was not exactly prepared! I’d like this to help me get more on top of things for Kiwi (Baby #2), who’s due in July!
i’m entering the giveaway for my sister who is expecting a baby boy in July!!
My sister in law ! She’s due with her first girl in June !!! 😀
I’m due in 2 weeks so I’m entering for myself!
This is absolutely the best giveaway!! Any mom ( new mom or “pro” mom) would love to have this done and checked off their list. I know that I’m nervous to begin with so having this done for me would make my life that much easier and id be so relaxed, Hats off to the companies that have helped make this happen and for you putting it all together!! I am entering this for myself. Due in October and wont know gender until the day we meet this little bundle of joy!!!!!!
I’ll be having my little princess on 3rd week of June, I’ll be a first time mom and I think these gifts will be such a good starter for me and my baby. I’m really hoping that I will win these awesome gifts!
I’m entering for my amazing sister who is expecting her precious second bundle of joy in just a month!!
I’m due May 4th, this would be awesome!
Myself 🙂 Expecting my second baby in August!
OH my sweet gosh this is such a rad giveaway!! I would LOVE to be able to have the perfect hospital bag packed for our little one arriving very soon. Thanks so much for the sweet chance & sending you one hug from preggy to preggy! xx
I am entering for myself! Have a baby girl due in July and have nothing yet, only boy stuff from my 16 month old son. Great ideas!
Hi, Very Nice Post..