If you’re having your baby in the hospital, you’ve probably thought about what you will need to bring with you. Once you hit the third trimester, the weeks begin to fly. And before you know it, you’ve hit 30 weeks, then 34 weeks, then 37! There is so much to do in your last trimester, some things can be easily forgotten. Packing your hospital bag can be one of those things.
Many women put off packing their hospital bag because they don’t know what to put in it. Don’t worry! In today’s post, we will go over a few essentials to bring with you to the hospital.
When should you pack your bags?
My recommendation is to have your bags packed by 35 weeks (aside from last second things like a toothbrush or phone cords). 35 weeks might seem a bit early, but birth is unpredictable and you never know if your baby will decide to come early. Having your bags packed when labor hits leaves one less thing for you to have to worry about.
When you pack your hospital bag, you might also decide to go ahead and install your car seat. That will take something else off of your to-do list and you’ll be one step closer to bringing your baby home!
What to pack in your hospital bag
A few things to keep in mind when you pack:
Everyone’s circumstances and desires are different. Some people may need to pack more or less depending on whether they’re having an induction, C-section, or going into labor naturally. How long you’re staying at the hospital will impact the amount of things you bring. How many babies you have also impacts the amount of things you will need to bring for baby. Obviously if you’re having multiples, you’ll need to pack multiple baby items instead of one set.
Essentials for labor
- A hospital gown. Many women nowadays prefer to bring their own hospital gown instead of wearing the standard gown provided by the hospital. There is something extra comforting about wearing your own gown. You can order one here or just bring a breastfeeding gown that pops open from the top and is accessible on the bottom, like this one.
- Twinkle lights or flameless candles. Some women labor too quickly to utilize things like twinkle lights or flameless candles, but others spend several hours laboring in brightly lit rooms. Having the option of twinkle lights and flameless candles offers the option to have a dim lit, calm space to labor in. Your nurse or doctor may have to turn the lights up whenever they come in to check on things, but the rest of the time you could labor in that darker space.
- Affirmation cards. Affirmation cards are a great addition to your twinkle lights. You can attach them to the strings of lights or lay them out around your room where you can read them as you labor. They’re another great way to add a sense of coziness to your room.
- Your birth plan. If you have a birth plan, bring a folder with a few copies stored inside. You can then easily access it and quickly hand them out to your nurses. You can also tape one up near your chart for the nurses to constantly see.
- Lollipops, electrolyte drinks, and a water bottle with a straw. Some women need something constantly on their tongue to keep them from being nauseous during labor. Lollipops (or other long lasting candies) are great options for this. Many women also find themselves very thirsty during labor. Having a coconut water or electrolyte drink on hand during those times can make all the difference. Labor is a marathon and it’s great to stay fueled during that time! If you have a water bottle with a straw then you can easily take sips here and there without having to use your hands.
Essentials for breastfeeding and postpartum
- A robe. A soft, comfortable robe can be a game changer when it comes to early postpartum. Whether you’ve had a C-section or a vaginal delivery, a robe is easily opened and closed for any needed access. A robe also provides a comforting “homey” feeling. You can easily breastfeed in a robe as well!
- Comfortable clothes. Having the option of comfortable, loose clothes after delivery can help you feel more put together after birth. A loose button down with a pair of loose joggers, slip on shoes (like these fluffy slippers), and a nursing friendly set of pajamas are all great options for both vaginal delivery or C-sections. Be sure not to bring anything too tight, we’re going for super comfortable right now. No one is asking you to win a beauty contest a day after giving birth.
- Nursing bras. I recommend bringing two different kinds of nursing bras with you to the hospital. You never know what will feel most comfortable when you’re recovering and your milk is coming in. You never know if you will get barfed on or have milk leak everywhere. Having two bras on hand can set your mind at ease if one gets dirty.
- Toiletries. Pack your hospital bag like you’re packing for a two night stay in a hotel. Bring your favorite shampoo (regular or dry), toothpaste and toothbrush, skin care, deodorant, lip balm, contact solution, etc.. Giving birth is by no means a vacation, but bringing toiletries like you’re about to stay at a hotel overnight can help you feel more at home, clean, and put together.
- Personalized postpartum products. Many women prefer to bring their own adult diapers, peri-bottles, nipple creams, bath towels, breast pads, and perineal sprays. The hospital does provide many of these things, but bringing your own can sometimes be more comfortable and more suited to your body specifically. Especially bringing your own adult diapers can help you feel less out of sorts and more in control of your body.
- Snacks. Don’t forget to pack a few easy snacks, such as pretzels and peanut butter, dried fruit, jerky, protein bars, and lactation cookies. The hospital usually provides you with three meals a day but if you don’t like what they provide, or you’re still hungry in between, it can be nice to have snacks on hand.
- A self-inflating twin size mattress. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, I’m thinking about your partner! Some hospitals provide a small cot for your partner to stay on at night, but many don’t. One huge complaint I hear regularly from my clients and their partners is that the chair provided for their partner to sleep on is horribly uncomfortable. Packing a small, self-inflating twin size mattress can save your partner from a horrible nights sleep and give you both the opportunity to rest well before going home.
Hospital bag essentials for baby
Like I said earlier, if you were having multiples, bring multiple of everything. Here’s a small list of what you might need for your baby if you stay in the hospital overnight.
- Organic formula. This suggestion can spark some controversy as many women only want their baby feeding from them. And I totally understand that! But sometimes we can’t control what our body does or doesn’t do. If your milk takes three or four days to come in and you’re not making enough colostrum, the hospital pediatrician may recommend feeding the baby formula. If you bring your own formula, you know exactly where it’s been sourced from and what’s in it. This enables you to make those decisions for yourself. The hospital does usually have donor milk available. If you’re not comfortable with formula, ask the nurses about available donor milk.
- Nipple shields. Some newborns struggle to get a good latch when you first start breastfeeding. Having a nipple shield on hand gives the option to have a deeper latch instead of supplementing with a bottle.
- The baby’s pediatrician’s information. Remember that birth plan folder? If you print out your pediatrician‘s contact information and put it in that folder, you can direct the doctors and nurses to the folder whenever they ask about your baby’s pediatrician. You are usually asked about your pediatrician several times, so this cuts out the middle man and allows for easy access to their info whenever it’s needed.
- Going home outfits. Unless you’re planning on taking your baby somewhere special after you leave the hospital, I highly recommend just packing footy pajamas. This keeps you from having to pack a shirt, pants, socks, etc. Footy pajamas are all one piece and you’re able to buckle them into their car seat easily. Ideally, you should bring one pair of newborn and one pair of 0 to 3 month clothes. You never know how big your baby will be. Having two sizes available helps you to be prepared if they don’t fit into one size or the other.
- A blanket. It’s so nice to be able to wrap your baby in a blanket that you brought for them. That blanket smells like you already and it will bring comfort to your baby when they’re wrapped up in it. This is also a great option to keep the sun out of their eyes if you have a summer baby or keep them warm if you have a winter baby. Either way, it’s a great idea to bring at least one blanket to the hospital with you specifically for baby.
- What about diapers and wipes? Surprise! This is actually something you don’t need to pack in your hospital bag. Your hospital provides enough diapers and wipes for your baby for several days. Whatever is left in your hospital room is yours. So you actually might end up taking diapers and wipes home with you! So don’t worry about packing these, you probably won’t need them if you do pack them.
Packing your hospital bag makes everything feel a little bit more real and can really help you prepare mentally to welcome your baby. Whether your baby comes a week or a month after you pack your bag, you’re now set to head to the hospital and meet your baby when the time comes. Congratulations!
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