I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I zipped up my “go-time” bag and headed to the hospital to have my sweet baby! Packing my bag is always one of those little things I look forward to. It builds up excitement for the big day!
But what do you pack? What do you really need and what can stay home once the big day is finally here? Whether you’re a first time mama or it’s been awhile and you’re looking for a refresher on what to bring, here’s a checklist of my top 3 “must-haves” and “don’t needs” to keep in mind when it’s time to pack your bag:
Must-Haves:
1. The obvious:
These are typical items you’d take on any overnight trip. They may be obvious, but they’re things you won’t want to forget so add them to your list anyway!
- Phone
- Charger
- Ear buds
- Toiletries: Aside from the hygienic usuals, I made sure to also pack my top pregnancy and postpartum skin care items such as Cocoa Butter and Bio Oil.
2. Comforts:
A diffuser and lavender oil, maybe a neck pillow, whatever it may be, pack your favorite go-tos for creating a calming space for yourself both as you’re in labor and as you’re recovering afterwards. I packed my favorite fuzzy slippers (walking around the hospital floor in my socks then getting back in bed with dirty hospital floor socks makes me cringe) and a super cute hospital gown I bought on Etsy four years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby. I’ve now worn it after giving birth to all three of my babies!
There’s an unlimited supply of hospital gowns available to you, so this isn’t a “need”, but I always like having my own prettier and more comfortable version, especially as sentimental as it is. 💛 Remember, you’re paying for your time at the hospital – feel free to make it the experience you want it to be!
3. Glam:
I wouldn’t suggest a makeover for your arrival, as you might have a long workout ahead of you during labor and then there’s your never ending tears of joy when you meet your precious baby for the first time…I’m always really glad I didn’t wear makeup. But after labor? Go for it mama. Pack your favorite lip product, an iron to throw a few curls into your hair, lashes? Bring ‘em. Now, you may not have the energy to put into dolling yourself up or you might not care – the third time around I definitely didn’t care – but it doesn’t hurt to have these items on hand in case you are up for some hospital glam. It’s not extra, it’s whatever you want, queen. You just had a baby, you deserve to feel beautiful after such an amazing accomplishment!
4. Ta-ta treats:
If you plan on breastfeeding, you’ll want to bring a few essentials to help make it as comfortable as possible, because once your baby latches he or she isn’t getting off anytime soon. (I’m serious) So pack things like a comfy nursing bra (the kind that detach in the front for easy breastfeeding) and most importantly NIPPLE CREAM.
A breastfeeding secret from a mama of 3: start using the nipple cream ASAP, before you even leave the hospital. My first time around I made the mistake of not giving my nips any TLC until after they had already become sore from the torture of an improper latch. I didn’t even realize it until about a week later when breastfeeding had become excruciating on one side. Help avoid cracked and/or bleeding nipples with preventive care. A good nipple cream keeps them well-lubricated and can prevent the painful side effects that can pop up as you and baby are learning how to nurse together. Here’s my favorite cream, rated 5 stars on Amazon!
Motherlove Nipple Cream: $11.99
It’s made with natural ingredients that aren’t harmful to you or baby, so you can apply it to your heart’s content without having to worry about removing it when it’s time to nurse – your babies won’t even notice it’s there! It smells great and has a super soothing texture. I love it. I’ve used it for 4 years now with each of my babies and I’ve had damage free nipples ever since. So get to slathering! Then please come back and thank me later. 😌
5. Baby’s 1st Photo Accessories:
While you won’t need a full baby wardrobe (more on that later), you’ll want to bring the outfit and any accessories for that first picture you post that welcomes your sweet baby to the world! Unless of course you plan to wait until you’re back home for that photo session. I always take these pictures at the hospital, so for this round I made sure to bring the blanket/backdrop and swaddle set I wanted for my baby’s first photo.
Baby can’t ride home in a swaddle so you’ll also want to make sure you pack a cute and comfy “going home outfit”.
Unless you plan to rock a hospital gown home you’ll also want to pack a cute and comfy going home outfit for yourself as well. Keep in mind you’ll be healing from either a C-section or a vaginal birth so you’ll want to wear something loose fitting that won’t create any discomfort. I always like to go with either my pretty hospital gown or a maxi dress.
Lastly, make sure you have an actual bag to put everything in! For my first two pregnancies I used a cute duffel bag from Target that I already had. I planned to do the same for my third baby until I came across the super cute Hospital Overnight Bags collection from Caden Lane. I love that someone else out there also thought it would be a great idea for mamas to feel nice and extra, waltzing into hospitals all over the country with big glamorous hospital bags as we prepare to give birth. There are nearly two dozen beautiful bags to choose from. I went with the Peyton’s Vintage Floral Overnight Bag and I love it!
Don’t Needs:
- Baby blankets
- Diapers and wipes
- Pacifiers
- Undies
You won’t need to bring any of these first baby and post-partum mama needs because the hospital will provide all of them for you! That includes the same tiny pink and blue hats and the white swaddle blankets with the pink and teal stripes that everyone’s baby has a picture in. Your baby will be nice and warm in these 2 items for his or her first few days of life. This is a great time to begin skin to skin bonding sessions with your sweet baby and he or she will also be undergoing numerous examinations each day, so the easier it is to access every inch of their little bodies, the better. So need to pack outfit changes and blanket rotations. Save yours for baby’s homecoming and feel free to take all of the extras home from the hospital, they’re yours!
As far as panties go, if you’re having a vaginal birth you won’t be wearing any of the cute pairs that are sitting in your drawer..oh no. You’ll be wearing some MUCH larger and MUCH less fashionable undies that will comfortably house the giant pads you’ll be sporting during your recovery. There will be plenty of them stacked and waiting for you in the bathroom, and if you just can’t get enough of looking at yourself in them you can take those extras home as well!
If you’re in at least your 2nd trimester now is a great time to start making a list of everything you’ll want to make sure is packed in your bag. This will give you ample time to receive any custom products you’ll want to order, and you’ll already be ready to go if your baby decides to make his or her debut early. Happy packing!
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