What I Packed in Our Hospital Bags

This is my third time around at packing my hospital bag and I think I’ve got it down pretty well.  With my first. I made sure I packed in plenty of time and then with my second, I actually had the baby at 39 weeks and didn’t have myself completely packed.  I won’t make that mistake again!!  You really don’t need a lot for the hospital, but I would rather have a little more than I need than not enough!  Here’s a look at what we are bringing this time:

My Suitcase // Baby Suitcase // Baby Bag // Boppy Cover // Baby Book // Soft Baby Doll

FOR BABY:

• Going home outfit: Be sure to have your favorite going home outfit for baby.  Mine is from Elizabeth Layne Heirloom.  Some of my other favorites are from Feltman Brothers or Auruluz.
• Onesies or Gowns: It’s nice to have some soft and comfortable gowns for the baby when hanging out at the hospital.  I love the gowns because it makes diaper changes so easy.  Our favorites our Kissy Kissy, Pixie Lily, Beaufort Bonnet Company, and Paty.
• Diapers and Wipes: The hospital will provide these for you, but I wanted a few of our own, so I brought Honest Diapers and Water Wipes.
• Swaddle blanket: I’m loving the swaddle blankets from Little Unicorn.  I love the personalized blankets from Jennifer Ann so much.  We also found cute ones from Copper Pearl that have the matching knit hats.
• Baby Hats: I love having the sweet hats for babies to wear in the hospital.  They look so cute on when they are all swaddled up.  I found precious ones from Pink & Blue Bonnet Boutique.
• Pacifier: I’ve always given my kids pacifiers and honestly pray that they will take them! I love these from …. and these adorable monogram ones from White Elephant Designs.
• Stuffed Animal: Just a cute idea if you have one or were gifted one.  We love these from Cuddle + Kind.
• Baby book: We packed her new baby book so that we could get her footprints on one of the pages. Just ask the delivery nurses ahead of time and they will do that when they get her footprints for their records.
• Name Banner:  I think these name banners are just adorable.  We got ours from Glam Banners.  I also love these “hello my name is” stickers.
• Toiletries: Body Wash, Lotion, Sanitizer, Butt Paste.  You can bring your own or use what the hospital provides.  We love Honest and Noodle and Boo products and we can’t go without Boudreauxs Butt Paste.

FOR ME:

• Robe: A robe is important to have in the hospital because you are probably in pajamas or a breastfeeding tank most of your stay and it’s nice to have something to cover up in for guests, doctors or nurses that come through the room.  I love this one I packed and it also comes in blue if you are having a boy. 🙂
• Pajamas: Loose fitting, light and comfortable pajamas are important for your stay.  Mine are from my favorite Lake Pajamas.  They have maternity styles with buttons for easy breast feeding.  I have the gown and the short set.
• Bedroom Slippers: You could just use the same flip flops for this purpose, but I love having something cozy to wear around the hospital room and halls. Just something cheap because you may just want to toss them before heading home!
• Hospital Gown: Of course you get one of these from the hospital, but if you would like a cuter one, they have lots on Etsy and I got this one from Amazon. 
• Hospital Clothes: I like to pack a couple pair of Lululemon workout pants with some easy nursing tanks.
• Going Home Outfit: I like to wear something besides workout clothes home from the hospital.  This time I’m going to pack this comfy maxi dress to wear home.
• Toiletries: You want to bring your own toiletries. You can see a full list below. The hospital will provide some of this for you, but after being in a hospital environment and desperately needing a good shower after labor, there was nothing better than having my own products from home to make me feel more normal. I wouldn’t forget to pack your own skincare products, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. … oh, and a hair dryer and hair brush!
• Makeup: I keep a makeup bag packed that is ready to go for travel.  I love to feel human after getting my first shower and put a little make up on plus you know there will be lots of photos taken in the hospital!
• Belly Wrap:  I have the belly band from my last pregnancy and I loved wearing it.  It helped smooth things out under clothes and supposedly it helps to get your tummy tucked back in 🙂
• Flip flops: Cheap ones for the shower that you can toss afterwards. Mine are Old Navy.
• Stretch Mark Cream: Whatever you have been using during pregnancy, throw in your bag to have in the hospital too.
• Nipple Cream: You may start breastfeeding in the hospital and need your nipple cream to help with painful nipples.
• Extras: The hospital will also provide pads (much better than you find in the stores), disposable underwear, witch hazel, and a spray on pain/itch reliever. All of these are a lifesaver. I wouldn’t even bother bringing your own supplies. I found that the pads the hospital gives you are way, way softer than store bought ones, which ended up being a lot more comfortable. The disposable undies may not be the most attractive thing, but I really appreciated having them and never used the panties I packed!

TOILETRIES FOR ME:

• Hair dryer: Love this travel one by T3.  You may or may not use it, but I remember really wanting to feel clean and put together after my other babies.  It just felt good to get back to “normal” again.
• Hair clips, hair tie, etc.: For pulling your hair back.
• Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash: Your first shower will feel so good. Don’t forget to bring these goodies from home.
• Basic Toiletries: Toothbrush/toothpaste, razor, hair brush, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and your own body lotion, and any face products you use or face toilettes.
• Dry Shampoo: I live for this stuff. Batisse is my very favorite.
• Stretch Mark Cream: Lather that stuff on even after the baby is born!
• Tucks Pads: These  are a lifesaver in my book!
• Flushable Wipes: These are awesome to have post-baby!

MISCELLANEOUS: 

• Boppy Pillow:  It’s really nice to have this in the hospital if you are planning to breastfeed your baby.
• Extension Cord: Basically needed for your phone so you can have it while you are in the hospital bed!
• Nice Camera + Charger: Phone pictures are great and definitely most convenient, but I loved having my nicer camera to take a few photos for the baby book.
• Pillows: You will be so glad to have a nice pillow from home.  Maybe put a colored pillowcase on it so you don’t forget to bring it home.
• Bath Towel:  This is nice to have because the ones at the hospital are dinky.
• Breast Pump: Definitely if this is your first baby, bring your pump so you can meet with a lactation consultant and discuss how to use your pump and make sure you are doing it correctly.  I am not planning on bringing mine this time.
• Night Lights: Nice to have in your room to help eliminate turning on the bright overhead lights all night long as nurses come in to wake you and baby up!
• Sound Machine: Hubby and I sleep with one every night and so do our kids, so it’s nice to have in the hospital too to drown out some noise.  We just use an app on our phone or you could bring one with you.
• Speaker: It’s really fun sometimes to be able to have some music playing in your room.  I actually love having music on giving birth and made this Delivery Day playlist for my first delivery.
• Laptop & Charger
• Phone Charger
• SNACKS: For you, hubby, guests, and the nurses.  We were happy to have these snacks to nibble on in our room.

Photos and Video Editing by: Jennifer Lee

And I thought it would be fun to make a video going through some of the individual items I packed for myself and for the baby.  You can watch it here 🙂