Hi friends! It’ll be delivery time soon so I’m getting my hospital bag prepped and ready to go! With this being my third time, here are some of my must haves.
- Robe : Really for pictures and comfort. I’m always cold when I’m not pregnant!
- Slippers : You’ll want your own slippers to wear with the hospital socks.
- Hospital Gown : I prefer to bring my own, soft and more comfortable gown instead of the hospital gowns they give you. Make sure that it buttons in the front and the back for easy access nursing and an epidural (if you’re getting one). I just change into mine as soon as I get in the room before anyone can say anything.
- Loungewear : You’ll eventually want to get out of a hospital gown if you’re there for multiple days so you want to be comfortable and as cozy as you can be at a hospital.
- Portable Charger : You might be on your phone a lot if you’re chatting with people letting them know that you had your baby!
- iPhone Charging Cord : I would get a longer one because of the distance from the bed to the wall.
- Bluetooth Speaker : We don’t watch TV after delivery and always listen to Peaceful Meditation Radio on Pandora, so a speaker for music is a must.
- Lip Balm : Nobody likes dry lips.
- Swaddle Blankets : I like bringing my own softer blankets, even though you get some at the hospital. PRO TIP : if you have a dog at home, make sure to bring one of the blankets that your newborn has been wrapped in before going home. This will help the pup adjust to the baby smell and recognize it when you bring baby home.
- Boppy Nursing Pillow : Of course you can use a regular pillow from the hospital, but it will help you transition better for nursing at home with the boppy (if that’s the route you’re going).
- Going home outfit for Mommy : Do NOT bring jeans. Bring something comfy and cute.
- Going home outfit for Baby : But don’t over do it.
- Placenta Cooler : I’ve encapsulated my placenta every pregnancy and it’s one of my most favorite things on the planet. Make sure to get in touch with your encapsulist to see what they need exactly.
- Carseat : Obvious necessity.
- Toiletries : Some hospitals do give you certain items but you might want to have your own just in case.
- Makeup & Skin care
- Snacks : Especially for daddy. Sometimes moms won’t be allowed to eat but Daddy’s are going to get HANGRY. And nobody wants a hangry partner when they’re trying to labor.
- Hair ties : You don’t want your hair in your face when you’re trying to push a watermelon out.
- Gifts and/or thank you cards for nurses : It’s a cute gesture and I speak from experience when I say that it’s much appreciated. Nurses work long hours and sometimes they need a little more than a “thank you”.
- Fresh 48 options
- “Fresh 48” is a newborn session with a photographer in the first 48 hours of baby’s life. There are several companies out there that sell matching mommy and baby robes and swaddles which look really cute for these shoots!
- Options for weekender bags : HERE & HERE
Phew! There it is! I’m hoping I’m not forgetting anything, since I’ll be referring back to this blog post to finish packing my bags. Haha! What did you pack or what are you packing in your hospital bag? I’d love to know!
