The Need to Know

Ok. So I know my last post was pretty heavy so I want to take it to a lighter topic. I have been asked so many times what are baby must haves and what needs to be in hospital bags. I know, I know, you can do a simple internet search and find this information. But I have found that these lists leave out some important things. I also find that when ladies ask what else they need to know, important information tips are always left out. So here we go. 

Baby Must Haves

Clothes (duh) but don't bother buying size newborn. This is what everyone will buy you because they are so cute. Truth is, you will probably end up with more outfits than the baby will wear. 
Diapers (duh) but don't get tons of newborn size. Like above, they grow out of them quickly and if there is a chance your baby is going to be on the bigger side it will be a waste. Newborn diapers go up to 9 lbs. So really they won't be in them fir more than a month. My most recent baby wore them for a week!
Nursing Pillow these are great when nursing and serve as a little chair for baby and even double as a tummy time pillow!
Breast Pump if you plan on nursing. And spend the extra money on a good one. Get the double pump as well. I got the cheap single pump the first time around. I had to pump for 30 minutes on each side. This is time you just don't have when caring for a baby. A good double pump will pump a bottle in 10 minutes.
Co-sleeper baby bed this will be a life saver. sleep the baby next to you will save you sleep as you won't have to leave the comfort of your own bed
Receiving Blankets can be used to swaddle, as light summer blankets, as changing pads, burp clothes
Gas Relief Drops babies have gas. They have huge old man farts. They will cause you to wonder where they kept it in their little bodies. They will make you look at the dog or your husband thinking it was them.
Hylands Teething Tablets These can wait until baby starts to teeth, but make sure you have them then or you will be sorry
Swing/Bouncer these will give you the 2 minutes you need to take your new version of a shower
Baby Tylenol this comes in handy after shots and can be taken between doses of Motrin
Baby  Advil or Motrin see above
Thermometer cuz the hand to the forhead only works so well
Pacifier Wipes even if you decide not to use a pacifier these can be used to wipe anything that fall to the ground that baby puts in their mouth. Baby wipes will leave terrible flavors on things so don't use them
Milk Storage Bags if you plan on breast feeding you will need to pump sometimes and you will want to save that hard earned milk
Breast Pads if you plan to breast feed, you will leak. You will need these.
Lanolin if you plan on breast feeding get this! I will talk all about breast feeding in a later post
Diaper Rash Ointment if you get a natural one like CJ's BUTTer you can use it for other things like bug bites
Car Seat

Hospital Bag

2-3 shirts
Nursing bra these provide easy nursing access and you won't have to ruin your expensive VS one folding them over
Sleep bra yes, now you will need to sleep in a bra this will help hold your nursing pads
2-3 Nursing friendly Nightgowns I prefer night gowns for 2 reasons. 1 the nurses will check your bleeding and these provide easy access and 2. they do not apply pressure if you end up having a C-Section
2-3 Nursing friendly dresses I prefer to wear dresses instead of shirts and bottoms for the reasons stated above
2-3 shorts/pants/sweats
5 pairs cheap cotton underware get some you will not mind throwing away. This will keep you from having to wear the uncomfortable mesh ones the hospital provides and if they get messy just toss them!
2-4 pairs of socks
Brush
Chap-stick
Toothpaste/Brush
Deoderant
Breast Pads
Pads (Heavy Flow) I like to bring my own so I am not wearing the 3 inch thick hospital ones
Make-up
Shampoo/conditioner
Soap/bodywash
Razor
Toiletries & change of clothes for Daddy so he can sit in the hospital with you without having to leave too often
Camera
Phone Charger
Clothes for baby
Receiving blanket
Baby Gloves
Baby Book to get baby's precious foot prints

I am sure I have left some stuff out, but I know I got the important stuff. Hospital stays vary depending upon the delivery and the hospital so numbers of stuff may be different for your needs. I would recommend packing your bag around 30ish weeks. Better to be prepared than rushing when you need it. 

My next post will cover things like breast feeding and cloth diapering. I hope this gives you an idea or a place to start!