What’s In My Bag: Hospital Edition
I’m here to break it down for you with the “before” of what I packed, and I will make sure to come back and update this post after I actually give birth and share with you everything I ended up using/should have brought/didn’t actually need.
I’m going to go into depth with my hospital bag and lightly touch on my husbands/baby bag.
Sooo… How Did You Know What To Pack?
That’s a great question, and the simple answer is I didn’t know. I did a lot of research, asked a lot of friends (I also asked so many friends about postpartum and what you actually need, but that’s a post for another day), and utilized resources provided by our hospital, the Bump app, and What To Expect When You’re Expecting. These things were all very beneficial and overwhelming at the same time, but I feel good about my move-in (I mean my stay) to the hospital.
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What’s In My Bag:
Ahh, my bag. I found a duffle bag that seemed like a great option, and it matched the color scheme that we as a family apparently have going on! Let’s just jump right in.
- A cute/comfy sweatsuit to go home in.
This was a must for me. I wanted something soft and comfortable, since our hospital is about 35 minutes away with no traffic, and up to an hour in traffic. I also wanted loose-fitting to be able to accommodate the massive pad I will have to be wearing.
I went with this super cozy option from Target.
Grab the top here.
Grab the bottoms here.
- Two Nursing Tank Tops
I actually got a set of three on Amazon for a pretty reasonable price, and I put two of them straight into my hospital bag. I have been wearing one almost constantly under sweaters and shirts in the final countdown of my pregnancy, and I really like how it fits, has built-in pads but not a constricting bra, and obviously the convenience of the clip for nursing at some point. Even though I know modesty pretty much goes out the window, but I like the modesty it does offer when needed.
Grab the Three-Pack Here!
- One Nursing Bra
Earlier in my pregnancy, I grabbed this cute 5 pack of nursing bras on Amazon to wear. They are pretty comfortable with more of a sports bra feel and I like that they have extenders if needed. I am only bringing one, since I am also bringing the tank tops that are padded, and will probably have another one that I wear to the hospital.
- A Pair of Sweatpants
I’m taking a really loose, comfortable pair of sweatpants to wear while in the hospital that I don’t care a bunch about, in case things get a little messy! I grabbed a pair a couple of years ago from Target that I love.
Here’s a couple of options that would be great for this:
- The Frida Mom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit
I’ve heard some great things about this from friends, but also when I opened up this kit to separate what was needed for the hospital versus what I can leave at home for postpartum, it truly seems like it’s worth the money. As I said before, I will keep you posted on what was needed! Out of the kit, I’m taking the hospital gown (super comfy and snaps in the back), the non-slip socks, the peri bottle, 4 pairs of disposable underwear, and the perennial healing foam. My hospital provides pads, so I don’t feel the need to bring any, and I’ve heard mixed things about the mesh underwear, hence the disposable to try instead.
- A Cute Robe For Our First Family Photo
Okay, this makes me super weepy thinking about it. Honestly taking a first family photo in a very unaesthetic hospital room is what I might be looking forward to the most! My MIL got me an olive green robe that matches an olive leaf outfit with a hat for the baby to wear from Caden Lane. It also has her name on a cute little piece of wood to announce her name, I am so excited to share it with you!
But until then before you come at me, I know that there is a chance this gets messy but I mean for the sake of the photo, right?! Plus, a couple of weeks ago Kyle got a lounge set from Costco in the same olive green color. It’s going to be so cute.
Here are the links to all of those things:
–Olive Leaf Newborn Gown and Hat Set
–Olive Bamboo Knit Maternity Robe
- Toiletries
Okay, if you are a member, The Bon Voyage Kit from Young Living is perfect for this. It has shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, moisturizer, toothpaste, mouthwash, a toothbrush, floss, and some chapstick. Pretty much everything you need, all non-toxic, in a cute little pouch that I have been able to throw in my bag and not worry about once I go into labor. Highly recommend something like this.
- Earth Mama Nipple Cream
From what I hear breastfeeding is painful. So Yeah. Bringing this along.
- Nature’s Ultra CBD muscle rub
Please please please do your research, I am in no way a medical expert, but I have been using this CBD muscle rub during my pregnancy on random aches and pains and it has been a dream. Definitely bringing it to the hospital!
- DIY Rollers
I made some custom oily rollers to assist in labor/emotional support while at the hospital! Again, do your research. If this interests you at all, I encourage you to go check out Lacey Dilworth’s Oily IG page where she has a highlight all about the oils/rollers/products she used for labor/post partum. I adapted some of these recipes for me, but check it out and see if any of these plant juices will be beneficial for you!
- Young Living Tranquil + Deep Relief Rollers
Enough said. On the small chance, I’m able to get some sleep while at the hospital, then Tranquil is going to be my best friend. Deep Relief is exactly what it sounds like, perfect for any weird pain, headache, and for Kyle if he sleeps on a chair weird or something!
- Valor Deodorant
I usually use Schmidt’s Patchouli + Hops Deodorant, but I had some Young Living Valor deodorant laying around, and again it’s one of those things I can just kind of put into my bag and not have to remember to add it once labor starts.
- Claraderm + Lavaderm
I have been putting one spray “down there” every single day to *hopefully* help prevent tearing. So I will be bringing that, as well as Lavaderm for some relief after birth.
(If you want to become a member of Young Living to get any of these products, grab more info here)
- A “Push Gift” For Kyle
I know that push gifts are a really big thing for some reason (don’t 100% understand), but I wanted to make sure Kyle felt seen and so so appreciated through this process. I have no idea how I’m going to act in labor or how it’s going to go, but I know for a fact that he’s going to be right by my side through all of it and probably getting just as much if not less sleep than I am. So I got him a little something because I think he deserves it! I will share more about this after!
Some other things:
- Camera
- Prenatal Vitamins
- A Snack Basket For Nurses
- Boppy Nursing Pillow (doubles as a donut pillow for the uncomfortable drive home)
- Ipad (to binge-watch shows while giving birth obviously)
What’s In The Baby Bag:
Our hospital provides a ton for the baby, which is super nice. But there are some things that I’m bringing:
- Olive Leaf Announcement Outfit (Linked above)
- 2 additional “going home” outfits- one in a newborn size and one in 0-3 months, depending on her size.
- Some baby nail clippers– who knows. She could come out with some claws!
- Blanket to put over her on our drive home from the hospital
- Some additional diapers in both size newborn and one and wipes
- The car seat (with base installed in the car already)
And everything else our hospital provides!
What’s in Dad’s Bag:
To be honest, I don’t 100% know what he packed in there. I’m pretty sure that there are some comfy lounge clothes, his toiletries, and a book. We are sharing most of the shampoo/conditioner and stuff like that so we aren’t bringing double of things. The most important thing his bag contains: snacks for him and Ningxia. Lots and lots of Ningxia!
And there you have it, folks, that’s what is currently in our hospital bag!
UPDATE:
Paislee was born two weeks ago, and we had a bit of a different situation because of C-Vid, we actually left the hospital after only 24 hours instead of 48. I think I definitely would have used more if we were there for the whole 48.
Here’s what we ended up using:
My Bag:
- The sweatsuit to go home in
- A pair of disposable underwear from the Frida kit, as well as the Peri Bottle. Pro tip- fill both of them up and use one while you use the bathroom, and then one after. Because it burns real bad!
- The toiletries
- Kyle’s push gift
- our camera
- prenatal vitamins
- the boppy pillow
- nursing tank tops
I didn’t actually use any of the oils, because things happened so fast! Check out Paislee’s birth story here.
In the babies bag:
- Her announcement outfit
- The car seat
- A blanket
- Her going home outfit
Everything else was provided for her!
Kyles Bag:
- snacks
- a change of clothes
- toiletries
I hope that this has been helpful!
What are some must-haves that you are bringing/brought to the hospital?
