What’s in My (Hospital) Bag

I always love a good “What’s in My Bag” post. It’s probably because I am nosey to my core and want to know everything about everyone, but seeing what lurks hidden within the secret world of other people’s bags is kind of my favorite. As such, I thought it would be fun to do a little “What’s in My Bag” post – hospital edition. The title is a little bit misleading since I’m not actually planning to go to a hospital (I’m planning to deliver at a free-standing birth center), but I thought using the term “hospital” would make it easier for people to find when searching for “what to pack for your birth” on the good ‘ol Google-r.

Having done this twice before, I’ve learned what things I do and don’t need for giving birth. The first time around I packed a TON of stuff I never even used (which actually inspired a recent post about what NOT to pack in your hospital bag over at Babble). Then for my home birth with Clive I didn’t have to pack anything (though I did prepare by having many of these items on hand at home), so this time around I thought long and hard about what the essentials really would be.

Of course every person is different and there are things you may want to bring that are different than what is on my list and things on my list that you may think would be totally pointless to bring, but hopefully this will give you a good jumping off point as you start packing your birth bag!

FOR MAMA:What's In My Hospital Bag // via The Little Things We Do

* Something to wear to the hospital. I plan to wear this maternity tank dress during early labor and on my way to the birthing center. I highly recommend something comfortable to wear during early labor (i.e. not pants because seriously, who wants anything up against their lady bits during contractions?!). This is stretchy and will keep me cool. I can also throw a sweater over it if it’s cold

* Something to labor inAt a hospital you’ll have the option of wearing a hospital gown, but the birthing center offers no such option, so I bring along a lightweight cotton robe (in black – this is KEY) and a sports bra. Even if you will be at a hospital, you may want something else more comfortable to labor in. If you plan to labor in the tub, a sports bra or swimsuit top is a great option if you want a bit more modesty like myself because it will dry quickly. Throughout labor I wore my sports bra and then I would just throw on my robe when I got out to move to a new position. Some women don’t mind laboring naked, but I wasn’t one of them.

*Nursing bra. I’ve been rocking my nursing bra for half of this pregnancy already, so I’m sure I’ll already be wearing this when I go into labor. I spent an entire afternoon trying on nursing bras at the mall one day (it was as fun as it sounds…i.e. not at all) and this Jessica Simpson one is definitely my favorite. I know. I was totally surprised too – who even knew Jessica Simpson had nursing bras in her repertoire? There were a couple that I found to be comparable as far as comfort and look at Nordstrom, but at a MUCH higher price point. This nursing bra is seriously great and one of the least Amish looking wireless options I’ve found that is cute, but still comfy. I also got this one from Target and am waiting on this sleep bra I got from Amazon to arrive as well. In my experience, nursing bras are either totally heinous or totally expensive and these options are a great value for bras you are totally going to want to burn after a year.

*Nightgown. I got this t-shirt dress from H&M to wear as a nightgown while I’m at the birthing center. It’s comfy and loose while not being completely frump-city. Even though it’s not nursing specific, the neck pulls down easily enough to nurse in. I also think I might be able to wear it as a dress once I don’t have a giant pregnant belly, but we shall see.

*Loose comfy t-shirts. When it comes to postpartum and nursing I skip all the nursing-specific styles and opt instead for loose t-shirts that can be easily lifted for feedings. This one and this one from Old Navy are a couple I’m bringing along.

*Compression tank top. – After birth your entire torso feels super squishy and weird, so I’ll be bringing my trusty Blanqi support tank to wear under my t-shirts and to keep everything from feeling quite as floppy.

*Comfy pants. A lot of people say wearing maxi dresses is most comfortable postpartum, but I actually prefer comfy pants. These leggings from Target are ridiculously comfortable and perfect for pregnancy and postpartum. I also packed my Blanqi leggings for a little extra support. Also…ALL the black…for obvious reasons #postpartumismessy.

*Camisoles. These camis from H&M are my go-tos while nursing and I basically wear them under everything. I tried nursing tanks and I hated the clips because they wore out so fast. These are easy to just pull down and they’re 2 for $10, so when they get too stretched out you can just buy a couple more.

TOILETRIES + SNACKS:
What's In My Hospital Bag // via The Little Things We Do

*A separate bag for non-clothing items. Husbands are wonderful, but if yours is anything like mine, then he may have some trouble helping you find the things you need in your bag. For this reason I decided to keep clothes in a separate bag from my snacks and toiletries – even though I could’ve fit it in one bag. This is my rad bag from “The Birth Hour” and if you haven’t listened to their birth story podcasts you must. STAT! Such a great encouragement for birth.

*Toiletry essentials. I’m bringing along just the bare necessities, because I know I’m definitely NOT going to have the energy or inclination for a full beauty routine. The birthing center will have shampoo and conditioner, so I’m skipping those. A hospital may have toothbrushes and toothpaste (I don’t know since I haven’t been), but the birth center doesn’t have them, so I packed them for both my husband and I. Deodorant and face wipes were another must.

*A few things to make you feel good. I’ll be packing this completely superfluous, but lovely Fig + Yarrow complexion spray so spritz on my face during labor. It smells lovely and soothing/refreshing and is a nice little cool mist. I’m also bringing my favorite lip balm and let’s be real…lipstick too because I love me some lipstick so why the hell not? Also, while not pictured, I will also be bringing a small makeup bag for post-birth photos (maybe that’s vain, but I totally don’t care). I would also suggest a diffuser and some calming essential oils. I would bring my own, but the birth center will have one there that I can use. Basically you should bring anything that will make you feel good, because birth is rough and you deserve some pampering!

*Nipple balm. Sore nips. The struggle is real. I’ve used lanolin in the past, but decided to try the Honest Company’s nipple balm this time around. Hopefully it’s good!

*Bottom spray. This one is pretty self-explanatory I think.

*Snacks. I didn’t bring a ton of snacks, but some good options for giving my husband and I some energy and protein – trail mix, dried mangos and beef jerky.

FOR BABY:

What's In My Hospital Bag // via The Little Things We Do

*A cute and cozy gown. It can be tempting to overpack for your little one, since you’ve probably been accumulating adorable outfits for months now, but honestly they mostly just stay naked (except for a diaper) to have lots of skin-to-skin contact. You’ll probably only need one or two outfits and I really like to have one of those outfits be a gown, since they’re super easy to just lift up for diaper changes. I got this little gown and headband set from Oh So Vera and I’m obsessed. It had the little hand covers too so baby can’t scratch herself.

*Socks. Babies have terrible circulation and cold feet, so little socks are a must.

*A swaddle. They do have swaddles at the hospital and at the birth center, but I like to bring one or two cute ones of my own since they’ll be seen in photos and it’s nice to have something cozy from home. I’m bringing this swaddle + hat set from KB Cute Designs and this super soft cotton pima one from Hanna Andersson.

*A few diapers. This isn’t necessary since wherever you’ll be giving birth will have diapers, but I’ll be bringing along a few of our own cute Parasol Co. diapers, because: pictures and these are way cuter than the ones with characters on them. Just sayin’.

*A going home outfit. When we took Fern home I chose an outfit that was cute, but that had WAY too many components. This time I’ll just be putting our little lady in this sweet pink sleeper and a cute headband. Easy peasy.

Also, a few things not shown that we’ll add later include our “real camera” and a video camera. Also an iPad. I’m guessing we won’t use the iPad much, but just in case. Maybe we can catch up on some Netflix shows once the baby arrives.

There are definitely some things people opt to bring to the hospital that I think are superfluous, but whatever makes you feel comfy you should absolutely bring! Maybe your own pillow or blanket or bath towel or shampoo…whatever you think you’ll need! Hopefully this was a helpful place to start though.

What are some of your personal “musts” for your birth bag? I’d love to hear!

 

xo

Lauren

Comments

  1. There are so many great suggestions and recomendations in this post – you are a pro lady! I pack a pair of black bike shorts in my hospital bag- they keep those huge pads and ice packs in place better than those mesh undies the hospital gives you, and they make me feel a little more supported when I got up. Best wishes to you as you prepare for your newest babe!

    • @Leah – good idea about the bike shorts! I actually looked for some inexpensive ones, but came up empty-handed. i do love me some mesh undies though. They definitely don’t hold things in place as well, but I hate laundry, so I loved the fact that I could just throw them away guilt-free. Haha!

  2. When you give birth at a birth center, how long are you there? I guess I sort of assumed that you would go home right away, so you wouldn’t need toiletries or more than one or two sets of clothes. I have had 2 c-sections, so I was in the hospital a few days with each. And I definitely needed toiletries and a few changes of clothes for me and baby.

    • @Rachel – While you could certainly stay less time at a birthing center, I think it just depends on the mama and her insurance. I gave birth in the early evening and stayed overnight that night and I believe one additional night. I likely won’t stay as long this time around, though my insurance will cover two days.

  3. For baby 2, I brought: my breastpump with to the hospital (because I was a nervous Nelly about milk supply), Chapstick, Dr. Bonner’s Peppermint body wash (for after delivery refreshing showering)… and a mini bottle of champagne! 🙂

Leave a Comment

*