When I was pregnant with my daughter my hospital bag was packed at week 30 and it literally had every and any thing in it. I went through dozens of lists and picked items I just “knew I would need!” LOL. Literally 3/4 of it never left the bag!
Now with baby number two on the way and the experience of giving birth in a pandemic under my belt, I feel much more prepared and much less stressed. Coming into week 36, I’m just getting around to making my list and packing my bag. I would recommend packing around this time, because you never know when your baby will come! My daughter came two weeks early and although I’m scheduled for a C-Section this time, I could go into spontaneous labor whenever!
* ALL of these are just optional. You may want to add or remove things, but this is what I plan on putting in MY bags *
Essentials for you and your s/o
*Your s/o won’t need certain things such as pumping/nursing bras, so edit accordingly*
- Travel sized toiletries
- shampoo/conditioner
- body wash
- deodorant
- face wash/wipes
- toothbrush/toothpaste
- hair ties
- THIS is a super easy pre-made toiletry kit
- Adult Diapers – the hospital provides mesh panties and pads, but I prefer these
- Slippers/comfy socks
- Found these slippers for $8 and they look super comfy!
- I have these hotel style slippers for our house guests to wear when they take their shoes off, so I’m just going to throw a pair for Dan and I in my bag!
- Shower shoes
- $2.00 Sandals that you can toss once you’re done!
- Clothes
- Robe – For Rayna’s birth I got one from Posh Peanut which was sooo soft, this time around I ordered this adorable Gingham one!
- Comfy PJs/Nightgown/Outfit – I ordered two of these labor/nursing gowns and wore these both days. They were great for my c-section because there was no band on my hips & it allowed me to breastfeed easily.
- Going home outfit – love this nursing dress
- Nursing and pumping bra (if you plan on breastfeeding) or Sports bra
- Sweater/Sweatshirt – hospitals get cold!
- Belly band for recovery – your dr should be able to get you one through insurance – esp if you have a csection!
- Compression socks – no one tells you how swollen your feet get PP! ESP after a C-Section!
- Documents
- I.D.
- Insurance card
- Birth Plan
- Miscellaneous
- MASKS!
- Hand Sani
- Lysol wipes
- Phone charger
- Snacks
- Formula – hospital will provide this, but if you want a specific type, bring it
- Placenta Encapsulation kit – if you’re doing it
- Pillows/Blanket
- Lanolin/Nipple cream (most hospitals will provide this)
- Makeup (if you want – I didn’t end up putting any on last time)
- CAMERA! (if you want something other than your iPhone)
- Grocery bags to put dirty clothes in
Essentials for your baby
- Clothes
- Swaddle – SwaddleMe was my favorite for the newborn stage
- Matching outfit to mom – if you want – I’ll have a swaddle for him that matches my robe, it’ll mainly just be for pictures since I will use the SwaddleMe for majority of the time
- 2-3 onesies/outfits (you may want to bring in both sizes NB and 0-3m) – the hospital does provide these – I recommend these kimono onesies so they don’t irritate the umbilical cord.
- 2-3 Socks –These are my favorite
- Documents
- Pediatrician Information
- baby book or cardstock paper for baby footprints
- Miscellaneous
- Infant car seat – we love our Nuna Pipa Lite LX
- Nail filer – I was too nervous to use clippers for the first few months & this was a game changer
- Cord blood/Stem cell kit
Miscellaneous Tips
- If you have an older child, have a gift for the older sibling from the younger one
- If you have a pet, bring in a blanket or swaddle that the baby used in the hospital for the pet to get used to
- Have a snack/thank you basket for the nurses or order them in some food (pizza is easy) while you’re there
- Make sure your doctor, nurse, and yourself have a copy of your birth plan
- TAKE ALL THE GOODS THEY OFFER YOU! YOUR INSURANCE IS PAYING FOR IT! Diapers, wipes, spit cloths, ice cup, peri bottle, EVERYTHING.
