Hospital Bag Essentials
Hey Mama!
So if I’m being completely honest, there is very little you actually need when birthing your baby… you truly have everything you need within you; but I also know we all like to be prepared! As I approach my third birthing experience, I feel like I’ve learned a thing or two about what items can help make the experience a little more calm and comfortable.
Below are my hospital essentials for both mom and baby, so whether you are currently expecting, or simply want to save this for future use (or to share with a pregnant friend), I hope it helps as you prepare to meet the new love of your life!
Hospital Gown : Ok hear me out, I know the hospital provides you with one. But for me, there was just something about being able to go through such an intimate process in an article of clothing that hadn’t been worn by so many other people. Comfort is one of my top priorities during active labor, and I love the gowns available through BabyBeMine Maternity. The quality is second to none - I’ve actually worn the same one for all my boys’ births.
Fuzzy socks, slippers, or sandals : fuzzy socks for labor (your feet will get cold!), slippers for those first postpartum walks around the halls (my collegiate athlete husband has me taking laps as soon as the nurses give the ok!), and sandals you can shower in.
Essential oils : some hospitals and birthing centers will allow you to bring a diffuser, but that felt like a hassle to me. However, I am packing a few of strategic oils such as: peppermint for nausea, lavender for calm, and valor for strength during labor. I also have a roller with panaway and copaiba to combat afterbirth cramps, and Claraderm spray for postpartum healing.
Birth philosophy : I like the term philosophy vs plan, because we all know that we can’t plan for everything - especially with birth. Make copies for the nurses and on-call OB, and ensure your birthing partner is aware of your wishes as it relates to you AND baby in case he/she will need to make decisions while you are in recovery. If you’re a first-time mom you simply don’t know what you don’t know, and every hospital and birth is different. The book that helped me the most when compiling my philosophy for baby #3 is Birth Without Fear - I cannot recommend it enough for any expecting mama (it is super helpful for your partner, too!).
Labor & birthing playlist : one of the greatest gifts I received this pregnancy was the creation of a five hour labor playlist on Spotify from a dear friend. I don’t know why, but I had never really put too much thought into the sounds and mood of the room I’d be delivering in - but when you really stop to think about it, it’s SO important! I’m being much more intentional this time around, and am so thankful to have such a beautiful selection of music available for when baby comes into the world!
Snacks: jolly ranchers or life savers to suck on during labor, and light snacks for after delivery (I packed a dried cranberry almond trail mix for me, but make sure your partner packs their own snacks, too!).
Large water bottle with straw : some hospitals offer amazing water bottles (shout out to Baylor Scott & White in TX!), others leave something to be desired, and staying properly hydrated is key both during and after delivery! I packed my 40oz Stanley, along with Lyte Balance electrolytes and coconut water.
Nursing bra : Choose your comfiest nursing/maternity bra, and make sure it doesn’t have any clasps (some hospitals will not allow you to wear anything with a clasp during labor & delivery); opt for one of the pullover versions instead.
Nightshirt or Nightgown : you want to be as comfortable as possible after you give birth, especially after that first shower. You’ll be poked and prodded and checked many times, for several hours, and I always find that a nightgown makes everyone’s life easier. I packed this Eberjey nightshirt which hits all my must-haves: lightweight, soft, and functional buttons, making nursing and consistent skin-to-skin contact simple (worth the splurge, trust me).
Robe : a lightweight robe is a must; and my favorite are once again made by Eberjey. They are so incredibly soft and breathable, keeping me comfortable and covered while I recover.
Toiletry bag :
dry shampoo
minimal makeup
skincare basics in travel size
lip balm/chapstick (you’ll want this for labor! trust me!)
extra hair ties/scrunchies
Portable phone charger : I’m opting for a portable charger vs an extra long charger cord this time so I don’t even have to mess with an outlet.
Comfy outfit to go home : I always recommend your most comfortable maternity outfit for what you wear home. I packed my favorite joggers, a nursing tank, and oversized cardigan; for my summer babies I wore a loose-fitting maternity tank dress. I also packed a LouLou Everyday dress in case we need to stay an extra day in the hospital (again, comfort and nursing friendly is key, and these dresses are simply the best for maternity AND postpartum!).
Portable white noise machine : to help everyone sleep and nap better (I’ll also be packing my eye mask to aid in sleep in between feedings).
Pillow : trust me, you want your own pillow. Make sure you also use a recognizable pillow case (we actually left ours behind when we had Colton, and Paul had to go back for it! Luckily it was easily identifiable).
Swaddles : I always pack 1-2 of my favorite swaddles for baby; those standard striped blankets just do not hold a tight swaddle, and therefore nobody gets decent sleep. LouLou&Co swaddle blankets and Aden&Anais cotton muslin are my favorites. Also: feel free to message Paul for a swaddle tutorial - nobody can swaddle like my husband! ;)
Basic onesie or gown : baby will most likely be in nothing but a diaper and swaddle for the majority of your stay to best promote skin-to-skin bonding and breastfeeding success, but depending on the temperature in the room, you may want an additional layer. I pack one of these plus a LouLou gown to make diaper changes as easy as possible (avoid anything with zippers as they could irritate the umbilical cord scab).
Going home outfit for baby : comfortable, functional, and cute… in that order. My all-time favorite going home outfits are LouLou tops & bottoms. They’re super soft and stretchy, so the newborn size works even if you have a “big baby”. For your winter babies I love Slouch Headwear beanies, and George Hats recently expanded to offer swaddles and newborn beanies, too!
Diapers & Wipes : yes, I know the hospital provides you with all the diapers and wipes you need, and then some…but I am opting to bring the diapers I’ve personally researched and feel comfortable using for baby. Honest, Hello Bello, Mama Bear, and Water Wipes are all clean/non-toxic alternatives, and easy enough to pack!
Baby oil/Coconut oil : those first tar-like poops take forever to clean, so having a small amount of oil to put on baby’s bum in between changes makes life so much easier! Also consider packing your own baby wash if you will choose to have baby bathed during your hospital stay. My favorite wash for newborns is CaliforniaBaby.
Car seat : make sure you and your partner are both well versed on your car seat, including installation. Hospital staff will ensure baby is strapped in properly at a minimum, and may even come out to the car to ensure your seat is installed correctly upon departure. I love the account @SafeInTheSeat on Instagram for all things car seat safety related!
If you’re a little type-A like me, I highly recommend using packing cubes or some system to keep everything organized (and easily identifiable for your partner who will be assisting you in finding what you need throughout your stay). I keep everything organized in both my overnight bag and my diaper bag with Eden&Emeralds pouches (my absolute favorites!). No matter what you have packed, remember that you were made for this, mama! You have everything you and your baby need! Good luck!!
