What’s In My Hospital Bag (Round 2). For reference, here is the post from the first time around. This post feels long overdue even though baby boy is due in just a couple of days! My bags have been packed for a few weeks now but the task didn’t feel quite done yet until I shared this post and the video over on Instagram and TikTok. As y’all know, Cora came early but thankfully my bags were packed. This time around I feel like I “know” what’s needed and there were a couple of things I added.
Again, this is just what I am packing for myself. Everyone is different. Every birth is different. Some have a very short hospital stay while others may need to stay a little longer. Some people want to take their whole house while others are more minimalistic. I’m somewhere in the middle and pretty much stick with essentials and then some.
Clothing & Shoes
- 2-3 pairs of PJs – I’m bringing 2 plain pair that are black and 1 cute pair for pics. You want to stick to darker colors in case of blood, leaks, milk stains, etc.
- Robe – I lived in my robe when I was in the hospital with Cora. It was actually a bath robe.
- Shower flip flops – These are the one thing I did not have last time and I regretted it. I ended up wearing Sheldon’s flip flops to take my shower.
- Non slip socks /Slippers – I’m more of a slippers girl but either way have something for your feet. At some point you will need to walk on the floor and barefoot in a hospital is not the way to go.
- Compression socks – Another thing that I did not have last time. No one talks about postpartum swelling and it’s a thing. My ankles literally disappeared the day after I gave birth and I couldn’t fit my shoes going home.
- 2-3 Nursing bras – I honestly think 1 would do but it just depends on the person. Don’t forget, nursing boobs can be about 1 or 2 cup sizes larger than your pregnancy boobs! I wore these the last time around. They come 5 in a pack. You might also want to grab a pumping bra as well. That way you don’t have to hold the flanges while pumping.
- High Waist Cotton Underwear – These are my favorite and they come in a pack of 5. I have both size small and medium, the mediums being better for later in pregnancy/postpartum until the belly goes down.
- Going home outfit + shoes – Whether it’s a dress or sweats, you want to wear something that is loose fitting. You will still look and feel about 6 months pregnant when you leave the hospital so avoid anything tight fitting. Also keep in mind if your shoe choice. As I mentioned above I couldn’t fit my shoes that I had with me to wear home.
Toiletries
I can’t tell you what toiletries to bring since we are all different. I can tell you what I plan to bring plus some other things people may forget to or not think to mention.
- Bar soap/Shower gel
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Skincare products – Always have my Tula products on hand.
- Vitamins – Don’t forget your vitamins kids! Along with my vitamins I add a stool softener and fiber because constipation is real and when you finally do go the stool softener will make it a little easier.
- Wash cloth and towel – These aren’t necessary but the ones the hospital provide can feel scratchy and rough on your skin so you may just want to bring your own.
- Hair ties – At some point during labor and delivery you will be hot. The last thing I want to worry about it looking frantically for something to put my hair up with. Plus I hate breastfeeding with my hair down or in my way.
- Lip balm – Hospitals are so dry. Have your favorite lip balm on hand.
Postpartum Items
- Frida Mom postpartum kit – I don’t bring the whole kit but I make sure to have the peri bottle, ice packs, healing foam, wipes, and disposable underwear.
- Adult diapers – More for vaginal births than c-sections. Not necessary since the hospital provides mesh underwear. You might find that bringing your own are more comfortable though.
- Nipple cream/Nipple shields – Personally I just used the nipple creams, never a shield. This one is my favorite. The best advice I got was to keep your nipples lubed. No one has time for painful, cracked nipples…yikes!
- Breast pump – I can’t speak for everyone. I haven’t decided if I will bring one of my Elvie pumps (the original or The Stride Plus which are both hands free) or bring my Spectra. Either way I know I will be pumping to help encourage my milk to come in quicker.
- Manual breast pump – I will be bringing my Elvie Curve. In an ideal world my milk comes in while I’m at the hospital and I can use the Elvie Curve on the non nursing boob to catch any letdown. The Haakaa is a great one too that I have.
- Postpartum girdle – Y’all, this thing literally saved me last pregnancy. Whether you have a c-section or vaginal birth I think everyone can benefit from a postpartum girdle. It just makes you feel like you aren’t falling apart (if you know you know). Sizing note: order one size up. I got the XS/S last time not thinking about my postpartum body being a little fluffier. I made it work though. This time around I’m going ahead and ordering the medium one to start.
Miscellaneous Items
- My own blanket – Just got this one, it’s supposed to be a Barefoot Dreams dupe. It’s always cold in the hospital so an extra blanket or two is great to have.
- My own pillow(s) – Hospital pillows are so flat. Learned my lesson from the last time.
- Boppy nursing pillow – Everyone has differing opinions about bringing a nursing pillow. I personally loved having mine with me, especially when first learning how to breastfeed.
- Eye Mask – Maybe people will get the hint this time that I am visibly sleeping lol. There are so many people that come in and out of the room that having your eyes closed just doesn’t cut it. Plus it’s never dark enough for me in the hospital. When I’m not tending to baby I want to get the best rest possible and eye masks always do it for me.
- Fan (has nightlight) – This thing is the G.O.A.T. I originally got it for my pregnancy hot flashes. Then I used it in the hospital to double as a nightlight. Once Cora got here it turned into her stroller fan. It’s great because the legs bend and you can put it anywhere.
- Nightlight – Great to have for those late night feeding or pumping sessions. No need to wake your partner up or startle baby with bright overhead hospital room lights. If you don’t bring a fan or just want some extra light I’d suggest a portable nightlight. I had one in addition to my fan last time but this time around just sticking with the fan.
- Large Water bottle – You will need to drink all the water and stay super hydrated, especially for nursing
Electronics
Whether your hospital stay is super short or longer than anticipated you will want and need to keep yourself entertained.
- Bluetooth speaker – Great if you put together a birth playlist.
- Extra long extension cord
- Phone/any other chargers
- iPad/kindle/laptop
- Roku/Firestick, etc. – When I was in the hospital with Cora, the hubs and I ended up staying 4 days there with her on top of the 6 days that I had already been in the hospital. Thank goodness he had the Roku with him so we could watch things from our streaming services.
Snacks
- Don’t forget Gatorade or something with electrolytes and ALL THE WATER!
I hope this post was helpful for someone out there. Let me know if it helps you and if I missed anything. Next up, I’ll be sharing what I’m packing for baby boy.
Thanks for reading!