We are back in South Carolina after an intense weekend road trip for my sister’s baby shower! Hooray, I am going to be an aunt. Surprisingly, perhaps, I did not bring a gift for the future niece or nephew coming down the turnpike. Instead, I brought a care package for the Mama to be, from the Auntie who didn’t bring anything important to the hospital and made all the mistakes. I love making gift baskets, and enjoy any excuse to put together a pretty box filled with thoughtful and useful items. So of course I made Lauren a hospital care package, filled with items she will actually need but may not think to pack.
It’s so important to shower the baby and the parents at the baby shower. Having a baby changes everything, and we need to remember that the parents need support and love too; both as parents, but also as people. Do not forget that the parents-to-be are still individuals too! They need to be treated with respect as people. Value their struggles, listen to them without speaking, and keep the judgy “you’re parents now, what you want doesn’t matter” opinions to your self. Parental self care is a whole different issue, so hang tight on a post highlighting the importance of maintaining personal joy as parents.
Before I get to the stuff I put in the care package, here’s some stuff about the recipient! My sister…
Back story my sister:
She got married in September, 2018, and had her IUD removed, understanding it takes months to get pregnant. Since I had tested positive during my prenatal screening as a carrier for cystic fibrosis, she proactively went in to get screened. Negative. So she I kid you not, she got pregnant within days. They weren’t trying to conceive, but also not actively trying to prevent. Within a week she felt symptoms, and tested before she would have even missed her period. She is due late July.
My own pregnancy story isn’t as exciting, I had not received a new shot and got pregnant with a condom 2-3 weeks after. Still, I had been told many people on the shot don’t ovulate for months.
Needless to say, our mama made fertile babies.
New Moms don’t need a lot of items while at the hospital. Any necessities are provided by the hospital. But in the hours or even days after giving birth, a new mom wants to feel good about herself. She’s overstimulated and overwhelmed, and her body feels foreign. So choosing the best items for a care package is important.
So I rounded up some of the items that I wish I had brought with me to the hospital, and either forgot or didn’t know I would need. These carefully curated items will truly show any mom-to-be that you are thinking about her, and not just the tiny human about to be squished into the world
Mom’s Hospital Care Package
- A pretty bathrobe. I’m not saying you don’t feel like a super woman when you’re finish, but you definitely don’t feel like one. A pretty bathrobe is comfortable, but still pulls you together so you look more presentable for photos. This was my biggest regret- I didn’t have a pretty bathrobe and all my photos were in the ugly hospital gown.
- Snacks. Y’all, I was starving. They don’t let you eat because they’re automatically prepping you for a c-section as soon as you walk in that door. So bring her snacks that are high in protein and fat.
- A well insulated mug. Mama just lost so much liquid as she bled out on that floor, and she is going to be parched for days. Give her a big mug (less refill trips for Dad) that she can sip on throughout the day. Especially if she’s breastfeeding, because milk production also uses the body’s water reserves.
- Toiletries. A post-labor shower is anything but relaxing, but the comforting smell of shampoo actually helps. A full size tooth brush and name brand toothpaste is also essential to feeling human again. Chapstick helps with the dehydration side effects, too. Don’t forget soap for Dad- he’ll probably want to shower as well, but the hospital doesn’t accommodate the sweaty swine kick.
- Hairties, clips, headbands, and a hairbrush. Whether they’re for holding her hair back during labor, or trying to look presentable after, never underestimate hair products. Also, throw in some dry shampoo for good measure.
- House slippers or nice fuzzy socks. Many times her feet will still be swollen (mine blew up after for a week!) so shoes won’t fit. House slippers (with a hard sole) are great for walking around without losing comfort. Also, flip flops for the shower.
- Ibuprofen. The hospital will provide it, but sometimes she won’t want to wait, and the gift shop will undoubtedly overcharge.
- Depends. Honestly, this is my go-to baby-shower gift moving forward. Diaper raffle? You’re getting depends. Not only is it a hilarious joke, but it’s practical. They will get used (even if she says they won’t), and are more comfortable with better coverage than the mesh panties provided by the hospital
- A pillow. Oh my goodness, she will love you forever. Hospital pillows are designed to make sure you go home as soon as you get the ok. They are worse than rocks. Give her a nice pillow and maybe a fuzzy fleece blanket too.
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In all seriousness… The best baby shower gift you can give a mom-to-be isn’t gifts for the baby, it’s a care package for the mom. So put all of these items in a pretty bag (a basket is hard to carry!) and give her the gift she will truly appreciate.
Bonus Gift: Dad’s Emergency Stash Box
Dads are fifty-percent of the baby making process, but usually go home with zero gifts at the baby shower. A great gift to give Dad is an emergency stash for his car or truck.
The diaper bag is a daily essential, especially in the early months. But what about when the diaper bag is missing something or you run out? Moms almost always have an extra something in their purse. But what about Dad? If the diaper bag is pulling up blanks, where do they turn? The tool box for duct tape, usually.
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We decided to fill a little tool box (actually it was a miniature tackle box) with some of the essentials- butt paste, wipes (for butts and for hands), hand sanitizer. Then directed dad to also keep a few diapers and a spare outfit in the appropriate size. Store it in the trunk, or under the seat, and never be caught without his secret stash.
So there you have it… The best baby shower gift(s) you can give is a hospital care package for the parents!
If you are a parent, tell me something you wish you had brought with you to the hospital but forgot!
All these are currently packed and waiting by my door!! Thanks for the awesome list!!
Great tips!!