My Hospital Bag

I wanted to compile a list of all the things I brought in my hospital bag! I started adding to my bag a couple months ahead of time, but finally put the finishing touches when I thought I might be admitted for induction at my 38.5 week appointment. I planned on having my hospital bag ready to go around 36 weeks just in case baby decided to come early, which I would definitely advise! It kept stressing me out that I didn’t have it packed yet!

I ended up not being induced at that appointment, so when I got home there were some things I needed to take out that I use daily. It gave me the opportunity to repack for better organization. I separated my bags into labor and postpartum, with one side of my postpartum bag being for baby. I made sure to make note of the last minute things I needed to grab upon leaving for the hospital too.

Since I would be in the hospital during Covid (also during riots with the hospital on lockdown) and not able to leave to get anything we may have forgotten, I definitely didn’t pack light (and by nature, I am not a light packer). I also knew I was being induced and had no idea how long I’d be in the hospital, so brought some things thinking there may be some down time at the beginning. We had 4 bags total - labor, postpartum/baby, a bag for Matt, and a bag for snacks (we had no idea if we’d be able to order food, so we brought extra).

Since this was my first baby, I referenced a lot of blogs for what to pack in a hospital bag and adjusted to fit my/our needs.

Must Haves

These are the absolute must haves if I was running out the door without packing anything before hand - and the first thing I’d unpack/use at the hospital!

Yeti Tumbler (30 oz) & reusable silicone traw (straw top for Yeti) - They give you a big cup to fill with ice water at the hospital, but it’s a regular plastic cup and doesn’t stay cold. I used my Yeti constantly during pregnancy, so I knew I’d want it with me at the hospital to keep my water ice cold! UPDATE - I am in love with the Owala Free Sip and would definitely bring this instead. Leak proof and lighter weight. It has a built-in straw and pour system and I love it! I also love that I can throw it in my diaper bag and it’s secure. 20oz fits in a cup holder, but I have the 32 oz to use around my house and it fits in my stroller cup holder, so I went with the bigger option! I do still use and love my Yeti, especially if I was just hanging on the couch all day with a newborn.

Barefoot Dreams blanket or this large sherpa blanket - A soft blanket is a must-have!! It made the hospital bed feel SOOO much more comfortable! Having something soft and cozy helped me sleep so much better for the limited sleep I had!! We also packed these jersey sheets for the couch bed for Matt to sleep on. Also a must-have! He said he couldn’t have imagined trying to sleep without them!

Your own pillow - On the same note, a comfy pillow is also a must-have for both mom and dad! This was a last minute addition and also so glad I brought it! The hospital pillows are covered in plastic (understandably) and terribly uncomfortable, loud, and so hot! We have a few of these pillows, so I brought one of our extras. Especially with Covid, I wanted to make sure I could wash it and let it sit for a while before it was used again. The jersey pillowcase was really nice and soft.

Soft Barefoot Dreams cardigan - Really any soft, long cardigan or robe would do, but I grabbed this at the last second as we were heading out the door and I’m SO glad I did! I had a robe for postpartum, but didn’t think it would be something I wanted for labor, so didn’t pack another. The hospital was chilly and when I wasn’t sweating, I was freezing! It was so nice to have something so warm and soft to wear during labor over my sports bra. I didn’t wear a gown at all.

6’ or 10’ Cell Phone Charger (2): 6' Amazon cable, 10’ Amazon cable or 6' Apple cable - Hospital beds are so huge, so even if you have a charger right by your bed, it’s far away. We also brought an extension cord with additional outlets to make sure we had enough spots to charge everything!

Depends Silhouette Disposable Undies - These are definitely at the top of my list for a postpartum must-have, both in the hospital and after. Sure, they give you giant pads and mesh undies, but I tried those immediately after giving birth and hated them. I was SO happy I brought these with!! I almost didn’t, thinking I’d just use the hospital stuff! I think I brought with 6 of them and probably would recommend 8.

Slippers - Matt and I each got a cheap pair of cozy slippers to wear at the hospital. Definitely a must-have!! We didn’t want to bring our nice slippers because hospital + Covid.

Snacks! - Whatever this looks like for you, just make sure to bring something! We love these Mama Chia pouches in Blackberry, Blueberry, and Strawberry Lemonade. These were fantastic and glad we packed a bunch - ate both in labor and after! We also brought apple sauce pouches, some chocolate (for me), and a few sparkling waters for me as well. I think we packed more, but I can’t recall. We originally didn’t think we’d be able to order food from outside the hospital (due to Covid), but since I had gone to my appointment that morning, they told me we could. I would also highly recommend ordering food delivery for lunch/dinner while there. The breakfast was ok, but it was SO NICE to have good food at least once a day, especially since you really need the fuel after labor!

Essentials

I heard hospitals are dry, so I brought my regular chapstick, as well as my lip sleeping mask that I wear regularly. Matt was even glad I brought this!! I brought my skincare, shower essentials, and basic makeup items just to have for a couple photos. These biodegradable Billie face wipes, Origins Tinted SPF for a light coverage, and Living Proof dry shampoo were very nice to have! Also highly recommend whatever your favorite lotion is, this Lavender lotion from Young Living is mine, I love the calming scent and use it daily. Also remember deodorant, toothbrush/paste, hair brush, hair ties, bobby pins, and/or hair clip!

I used my travel pouches from Truffle & Co. to organize essentials for by the bed, skincare, makeup, and shower. For shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. I like these or these containers. This time, I was able to use mostly travel size products. I used these packing cubes to help organize our bags.

Labor Bag

All my must-haves and essentials from above went in my labor bag

I used my Away Carry-On Suitcase (highly recommend Away suitcases). I packed all of my Must-Haves and Essentials into my labor bag, with a few additional items:

Essential Oils & Diffuser Bracelet - I heard many times to make sure you didn’t put essential oils on your body because you may decide you want the scent no where near you at a moments notice. You don’t need a bracelet, you can easily use hospital (or your own) washcloths, but I had this from pregnancy, so I brought it. I have one with Lavender (calming) and one with Peppermint (helps soooo much with headaches and nausea!!) I also used Gentle Baby (calming + smells so good)! I brought a handful of other oils, but these are the only ones I used. I decided against bringing a diffuser since we couldn’t have our doula there, I didn’t think I’d want to deal with setting it up myself.

Positive Birth Affirmations Cards - I didn’t use these specifically because she posted them about a week after Lochner was born, but we had similar ones written down. Hubby helped with reminding me of these when he felt I needed it!

Twinkle Lights - I actually forgot to pack these, but they basically allow you to turn off most of the hospital room lights (ours were off almost the entire time aside from the under cabinet ones) and just make the space much more relaxing. Any lights could work, but it’s nice that these have a remote. You can just drop them on the floor, somewhere visible but out of the way. I’ve seen this recommended a lot and noted that it was helpful! After being in the hospital room, even in their dim lighting, I can see why!

Postpartum Bag

Button PJs - A must have, especially if you plan to breastfeed!! I brought long sleeve/pants because I’ve heard hospitals are chilly (which it was), however shorts maybe would have been nice for being in bed throughout the day to not get pants all tangled, then throw on a cardigan/robe if you’re chilly. Here’s the short sleeve/shorts option (which I use a ton, just didn’t bring with me). I also wore this button-down nightgown, which was great!! Depends on what you like to have, but it was nice to not wear pants!! I would bring a couple options in case you leak through or it gets dirty. Also a tank/shorts option! Target options: short sleeve/shorts, long sleeve/pants, nightgown - or just search “women button pajamas” and at Nordstrom its the Moonlight brand! I have multiple options in both brands and love them all!

Button down short sleeve tie t-shirt - Yes-yes-yes! I wore this when I didn’t want to wear my PJs. Felt a little more like I “got ready” for the day, but definitely still comfy and easy to nurse. Long sleeve option, tank option.

Nursing tanks - Brought one, maybe should have brought 2 (leaked through). Wore under my button down shirt instead of the nursing bra.

Sleep Nursing Bra - Must have, for sure. Didn’t want to sleep in the nursing tank. Tried sleeping in just my PJs sans bra, but when my milk came in it got all over, so I needed to wear something to keep the nursing pads in place!

Bamboo Nursing Pads - Love these bamboo nursing pads. I put them in my nursing tank or sleeping bra. You may or may not need these at the hospital depending on when your milk comes in and how long you’re at the hospital. Mine milk came in and was leaking all over and I should have brought more than the one or two pairs I brought.

Fuzzy Socks - Any warm fuzzy sock will keep you extra comfy and cozy!

Large Bath Towels - I saw this on a few lists and my husband and I both brought a large bath towel. Was SO nice to have after my soaks in the tub!! My husband was happy he had his too. I also brought my microfiber hair towel, which was very nice to have. Also my own, very soft washcloths.

Go-home dress - It was June, so it was nice to be able to wear a dress! I also packed some comfy joggers (these and these are both similar), which I did wear at the hospital when not in PJs, and my Mama Bear sweatshirt.

Baby’s Things

Onesie - I had Lochner in these during the day. I liked him in something of ours instead of hospital onesie. I really liked these with all the snaps for his first couple weeks to make it so easy to get on and off!!

Name onesie for photos - I brought something special for our first photos and to announce his name.

Comfy blanket - we used this a lot, just to have on top of him when we were holding him or to set him for a minute.

Go home outfit - This wasn’t the exact outfit, but it was a long sleeve onesie with pants that had footies in them, but next time I would do a sleeper (with a zipper - not snaps) so he didn’t have pants near his umbilical cord. I would bring newborn size and 0-3 month since you don’t know how big your baby will be! 0-3 would have been WAY too big for Lochner.

Car seat cover - Loved using this leaving the hospital, especially with Covid. Just a little protection from the elements.

Swaddle Blankets - I think I brought two. This was nice to have on him to snuggle and on the car ride home. There are so many options, but I love the Little Unicorn Delux Muslin and Aden & Anais Silky Soft swaddle blankets.

Car Seat - Obvious, but it’s just another thing to make sure you have ready to go and you’ve tested it out - practice with a stuffed animal/baby doll! We LOVE our Nuna Pipa rx + RELX base!! Also, Safe in the Seat on Instagram is a F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C account to follow for car seat safety and installation! Also make sure to read your car seat/car manuals for installation (most car seats cannot be installed using both anchors and seat belt).

Husband’s Bag

Slippers - Wore the entire hospital stay, he would highly recommend. Nice to have a comfy, cheap pair that could quarantine after coming home.

Jersey sheets - For the couch bed, as mentioned above. Matt was so happy he had these, along with his own pillow.

6' Amazon iPhone charger - Also mentioned above, but definitely need a 6-10’ charging cable for both your phones!

Yeti Tumbler - Matt also brought his Yeti and would recommend. That way he wasn’t stealing fresh, cold water from me!

Change of outfits/pajamas - Matt wore joggers, sweatpants, and gym shorts, along with t-shirts. He brought a zip sweatshirt in case he got cold and a henley.

Essentials - toothbrush, deodorant, etc.

Snacks! - Whatever your hubby likes to snack on. We threw in a bag of kettle chips and a couple single serve bottles of ice tea. Matt was glad he had a couple of his favs on hand for while I was in labor.

Matt also brought his Nintendo Switch, which he said he would bring again… I don’t remember him playing it, but I guess he did. Haha

Extras

iPhone SD/CF camera card reader - Allowed me to take photos on my camera and transfer to my phone to edit/share. I’ve used this many times since. I have yet to actually edit any of Lochner’s photos on a computer.

Nipple Balm - Highly recommend this particular nipple balm, but definitely recommend having something on hand!

Playlist - Definitely recommend making or finding a couple playlists you like - we used Spotify.

Things I Should Have Left At Home . . .

Medela Soft Breast Shells - I never used these and don’t know if I’d want to use them at the hospital, however it catches your milk so you don’t get it all over, which could have been helpful. Just make sure not to bend over, or the milk will spill out through the air vents. I’ve heard great things about these used postpartum, just didn’t really see the need for myself personally.

Silverette Nursing Cups - Ended up never using these, as they weren’t needed. Heard great things about them and if I would have had sore/cracked nipples, I’m sure they would have been helpful. Probably wouldn’t need to be in your hospital bag though.

Normal Nursing Bra - Didn’t wear a normal nursing bra for a couple weeks, not sure why I thought I’d need it at the hospital. I do, however, like the bra.

Spectra S1 Portable Breast Pump - You may not need or want to bring yours, as they have pumps at the hospital. I brought mine, but it stayed in the bag and kind of was just a waste to bring (heavy and takes up quite a bit of space!). I was hoping they would be able to show me how to use it, but honestly was easy enough to use theirs, then once I had an idea of how to use one in general, YouTube to the rescue at home and it made much more sense. Personally, I’d skip bringing this. I do love this pump though. I linked to Milk Moms website because you can go through them to order your pump and they submit to insurance, etc. Aeroflow is another website for this. Next baby I want to try the wearable Elvie pump! I haven’t pumped enough for it to be worth it this time around.

My laptop. Since I was being induced, I thought I might have some downtime (I’ve heard it can take days). We got there, induction was started, and then they wanted me to sleep. That didn’t totally happen since it was only 9pm and I never go to bed that early, but my phone worked fine for entertainment. Even if I had a day of downtime, I think I would have been fine without my laptop.