Since this is my second time getting ready for labor and delivery, I am feeling pretty confident in what I am packing in my hospital bag. My list might seem excessive to some, but I am can promise you I used all of the items the first time and did not regret filling my bag to the top. I am definitely one of those people who likes to use specific products, especially for baby, and I NEED to feel prepared at all times. I will be sure to include in parenthesis items that are a personal choice and not an absolute must, so that if you are not picky like me, you can pack a little lighter. This blog post is divided into two sections, what I am packing in my hospital bag, and what I am packaging for baby girl. I packed everything for myself in this bag and all of babies stuff in our diaper bag.
FOR MAMA
- GOWNIE (personal choice) | This is definitely a personal preference because the hospital will provide a gown, but I used one last time and I loved it. This time around I opted for an all black one that is a lot softer, but it is the same brand and design. It unbuttons easily for immediate skin on skin time.
- NONSLIP SOCKS (personal choice) | Again the hospital has nonslip socks available, but they are awful. I much preferred using my own and this pack comes in a set of three.
- PILLOW & BLANKET | Bringing your own pillow and blanket is another personal choice, but it definitely makes the hospital stay feel more comfortable and more like home.
- WATER BOTTLE WITH STRAW | I carry my Hydro Flask literally everywhere, and a hospital is no acceptation. I definitely recommend using a bottle with a straw because it makes drinking a lot easier when you are laying in a hospital bed.
- BELLY BANDIT | I loved having the belly bandit last time. I used the original version with Charlotte, but this time I purchased a new and improved version. These are really nice to have because they they give the core and back stability, they encourage organs and muscles to get back to normal, and improve blood circulation. These are also undetectable under clothing and definitely helped with my confidence level postpartum.
- BUTTON-DOWN SLEEP SHIRT | This is an absolute must in my opinion for a lot of reasons! The button down feature not only makes it easy to nurse, but it makes skin on skin much easier. Skin to skin was a huge focus of mine for at least the first week of Charlotte’s life. I didn’t have this last time until I got home, and definitely regretted it. The fact that it is a dress also makes changing your postpartum underwear a much less daunting task. Finally, I have never experienced a C-section, but I have also heard these are nice to wear after having one, because they do not put pressure on your incision.
- SLEEP NURSING BRA | This is the best nursing sleep bra I have tried. Stretchy, breathable, wide band for extra comfort, and comes in a “busty” option. I loved this because my breasts got very large when my milk first came in.
- BREAST PADS | I personally did not use these in the hospital last time because I didn’t start leaking until I was sent home, but I will be bringing them just in case my milk comes in faster. I am already leaking a little bit in this third trimester my guess is I will need them.
- ROBE | Much like the button down sleep shirt, robes open up easily for nursing and skin on skin time. This will also be nice to throw over my pajamas if I get chilly.
- STRETCH MARK CREAM | I stopped using this the day I had Charlotte and that was a big mistake. Like I said above, my breasts increased in size dramatically after my milk came in and not using this caused small stretch marks that I most likely could have prevented. I will be bringing this belly cream and rubbing it all over my stomach and breasts post delivery, because if you think about it our bodies go through a lot faster changes postpartum.
- NIPPLE CREAM | I started using this immediately last time, just to be preventative.
- DERMOPLAST (personal choice) | Honestly, the spray the hospital provided last time was trash so I will be bringing my own. This is an absolute must for postpartum vaginal care.
- FRIDA MOM PERI BOTTLE (personal choice) | The hospital does provide a peri bottle, but I will bring this one, because it is so much more convenient.
- ALWAYS DISCRETE BOUTIQUE UNDERWEAR (personal choice) | Again, the hospital provides mesh underwear and giant pads, so I am brining my own underwear so I can feel a little more like a human. I wear the small\medium.
- BOPPY PILLOW | Makes nursing much easier. This is the cover I chose.
- TRAVEL NIGHT LIGHT | The will be super helpful. Last time, I had to wake my husband up several times in the night to turn the light on so I could see when I was trying to get Charlotte to latch. This will be handy, because I can just pop the light on myself.
- PHONE CHARGER WITH LONG CORD | Having a long cord while in a hospital bed, just makes life a bit easier.
- FLIP FLOPS & TOWEL | For that first glorious shower.
- DISPOSABLE MASKS | Unfortunately my hospital is still requiring masks, so I am packing these cute pink ones that are super breathable.
- PRENATALS
- GOING HOME OUTFIT | For a cold weather baby, I would recommend a nursing friendly lounge set with long sleeves and pants. Since baby number two is going to be born in warm weather, however I am got this nursing friendly short set – I sized up to a large. I will also be wearing this nursing bra – I sized up to a medium.
- TOILETRIES | You will want these items to fresh’n yourself up. The first shower after having baby is so nice and so needed.
- DRY SHAMPOO | Must have when staying anywhere.
- SHAMPOO\CONDITIONER | I will be bringing both traveled size shampoo and conditioner in case it happens to be hair wash day.
- BODY WASH
- BODY LOTION
- DEODORANT
- TOOTHBRUSH\PASTE | I just bought this little travel set and it is so handy. I will be using it for all things travel in the future.
- SKINCARE | This is totally dependent on your personal regimen. I stocked up on a couple of minis: beauty elixir, makeup removing cleanser, eye cream & moisturizer. For items that I couldn’t purchase minis for I am using near empties. When I am nearing the end of a product, I simply throw it in my bag and buy a new one for everyday use.
- MASCARA | Totally optional, but I feel much better with a few coats on mascara on.
- LIP MASK, LIP OIL , or both 🙂
- PONYTAIL\HAIR CLIP: I am bringing a silk scrunchie, a butterfly clip, and a regular pony. I need options.
- COMB\BRUSH
FOR BABY
- DIAPER BAG | This is my second diaper bag, because the first one I tried was just not roomy enough. I love this one.
- SWADDLES | I bring two to be safe. These were my favorite swaddles with Charlotte.
- HAT
- MITTENS | It is really hard to find mittens that stay on but in those first few weeks my babies spend a lot of time naked. This has little ties that are not only super cute but help them to ACTUALLY stay on.
- BURP CLOTH | I don’t remember Charlotte doing much spitting up, but I am going to bring a burp cloth regardless.
- NAIL CLIPPER OR FILE | I prefer to use an electric file because it takes away the risk of accidentally cutting baby. The one I have is no longer available but this one is the same concept at a better price and great reviews.
- PACIFIER (personal choice) | I did not use a pacifier right away for Charlotte because I read they create nipple confusion- turns out that is false. I will be bring one for sure.
- PACIFIER CLIP & HOLDER (personal choice) | For obvious reasons.
- DIAPERS & WIPES (personal choice) | I bring my own diapers and wipes because I am very particular. The hospital I use does provide Pampers Swaddlers, it just depends on your personal preference.
- DIAPER RASH CREAM (personal choice) | Totally optional, but I have one in my diaper bag regardless.
- GOING HOME OUTFIT | I bring two, size newborn and size 0-3 months. You just never know what size baby is going to be. Footed pants or pajamas and built in mittens preferred.
- CAR SEAT
- CAR SEAT COVER | These are my favorite because they are multifunctional – I also use this as a nursing cover.
- CAR SEAT BLANKET | Even if you baby is born in warm eater I still suggest brining a car seat blanket. Babies should always have one more layer on than us.
- TRAVEL SOUND MACHINE | This will help baby sleep in the hospital. I used this one with Charlotte and it is still going strong. Helps with naps on-the-go as well.
Please comment below if you have any questions! Happy Shopping!
Interested in more blog posts all about baby? Sharing all of the new baby times I am trying the second time around HERE.