39 weeks have gone by in this pregnancy and I’m now at the final stretch! Since baby boy could arrive any day now, I figured it was time to gather my things and show you all what I’m packing in my hospital bag. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you may have already seen my video, but if you haven’t, I figured it’d be best to do a full blog post recap on what items I find are essentially for packing in your hospital bag before going into labor. Since this is my second time around, I have a lot more insight as to what is actually used, what the hospital provides, and what you definitely don’t need. The more compact and lightweight your bags are upon arrival, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
Here is what I’m packing in my hospital bag:
- Outfits for baby: I packed a plain ol’ white onesie, a couple 0-3 month outfits from H&M, a Burts Bees organic cotton sleeper, and a sage green baby gown for easy diaper changes.
- Clothes for me: Since most of the time in the hospital is spent wearing a hospital gown, it’s important to only bring what you’ll know you’ll use… like nursing bras, nursing tops, and comfy/loose fitting loungewear. When I delivered London, I basically just kept my gown on and wore a nursing bra for easy feeding access. I definitely overpacked clothes for me back then. Now, I’m just bringing some basic nursing tanks and comfy shorts, as well as maternity leggings for when I leave (since you’ll still very much look and feel pregnant when you leave.) These black maternity leggings are my favorite of all the ones I purchased during pregnancy.
- Accessories: One of my favorite things I packed last time around was a headband to keep the hair out of my face while in the hospital bed and during pushing. I also did a lot of pacing in the hospital and figured this time around it would be best to wear some non-slip rubber sandals that I can also take into the shower with me.
- Tech: Trust me when I say you’re going to want some distractions while you’re laboring. Your phone, tablet, and all appropriate chargers will be necessary (and not a bad idea to pack an extra for your partner) if you want to keep yourself busy, read a book, or play some games. Make sure you pack chargers that are extra long, as often times the hospital bed may be far away from an outlet. Wireless earbuds are also a plus if you’re looking to stream movies or tv shows while you’re waiting for things to move along.
- Cosmetics: The hospital will be extremely dry, so make sure you’re stocked up on plenty of moisturizer and chapstick. I also packed my favorite Midnight Recovery facial oil from Kiehl’s and Bio-Oil for my belly and legs because it contains vitamin E which is great for stretched out, itchy skin.
- Keepsakes: Once baby is born, you may want to have a few things packed for taking pictures (if that’s your thing.) I ordered a custom-made necklace with baby boy’s name on it that I will wear after he’s born. I also packed a cute swaddle blanket and some milestone markers that I can fill in to introduce the baby when we’re ready. These wooden ones are adorable!
- Feeding: Since I plan to breastfeed, I packed my Medela pump, my favorite nipple cream, and the Haakaa (which is a complete Godsend for catching milk extra when feeding/pumping on just one side.) If you know, you know.
- Post-Partum Care: The stuff that hardly anyone talks about it the post-partum stuff that you’ll need after a vaginal birth. Although the hospital will most likely provide any of these things for you, I like to come prepared just in case. Tucks and a peri bottle are a must for post-partum recovery. Trust me. And if you have any stitches after all is said and done, you may just want some Dermoplast.
So there you have it! Those are the items I have packed in my hospital bag. The only thing I didn’t include in this post was the snacks, but that’s because everyone has different tastes when it comes to snacking. Since you can’t eat while you’re in labor, it’s best to have some munchies ready for your partner. I packed some breakfast bars, trail mix, and healthy salty snacks for Steve. Pack what you like and make sure it’s not anything too heavy!
Until next time….
