It’s almost GO time, which means it’s time to pack my hospital bag! I learned a lot the first time about what I did and didn’t need. Now that it’s time to pack for the second time, I’m putting into practice what I learned.
One of the biggest things I learned is to pack light. The hospital has a lot of items already (at least mine did) like toiletries, the famous mesh underwear, and baby swaddles and hats. Your hospital can let you know what to expect. With our daughter, I was in the hospital for 2 nights, but many moms are only there for 1 night. So, it’s typically a short stay. Plus, it’s much easier to only have a few bags to carry when you’re in the middle of contractions or heading home with a newborn. The less to think about, the better!
With that in mind, here’s what I have in my hospital bag for baby 2!
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For Mom
- Comfortable nightgown – One of my traditions is to buy a nightgown during pregnancy that’s special for that baby. I wear it a lot during pregnancy, then at the hospital, and back at home postpartum to nurse. This time, for our sweet baby boy, I have this Clea Bamboo Sleep Shirt from Kindred Bravely. It’s been so comfortable during pregnancy – and has pockets! Once he’s born, I’ll change into this nightgown and wear it while we’re in the hospital. It’ll be perfect for those first newborn photos while we’re there!
- Snacks – You never know when you’ll get hungry! Although our hospital actually has really good food options, I bring some snacks of my own in case they’re closed or I crave something different. I’m packing That’s It bars, Kind Energy Bars in peanut butter, pistachios (shelled), chocolate covered pretzels, and crackers. I’ll also toss 1-2 cans of La Croix in my bag in case I want something other than water to drink.
- Comfy socks – Just because! Never underestimate the power of a pair of comfy socks when recovering. (They don’t have to match your clothes either!)
- Going home outfit – Make sure this is a different outfit than what you wear to the hospital. Last time, I had on a pair of sweatpants I was going to wear to the hospital and then back home…then my water broke! There went that plan. So, this time, I already have in my bag this casual but cute navy maternity and nursing dress. It’s been one of the most comfortable outfits to wear during the third trimester. And I know it’ll be really comfortable to wear home. I like having something that’s a little loose-fitting just in case of having a c-section or being too sore for pants. Plus, it’s nursing-friendly!
- Flip flops – Having worked in a healthcare system, I can tell you – you do not want to walk barefoot in a hospital! I’m bringing old flip flops to have for the room and in the shower.
- Phone charger – A must-have!
- Nursing bra – If you’re planning to breastfeed, being prepared with a nursing bra is really helpful. I’m bringing my favorite Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime Nursing Bra. I’ve worn these since my first pregnancy, so I’m going on over 2 1/2 years straight of wearing them. They’re so comfortable.
- Beauty items that make me feel good – With a short stay and a newborn to take care of, you won’t need a lot of stuff. I’m just bringing a few things that can help me feel a little more like myself. Dry shampoo, face lotion, makeup, toothbrush/toothpaste, hair clip, and my favorite Lavender & Vanilla Sleep lotion from Bath & Body Works are all in the bag! (The travel size of the lotion is hard to find since it’s a discontinued scent, but they usually bring it back 1-2 times a year. In my opinion, it’s the best version of the Sleep lotion, so stock up when you can!)
For Baby
- Swaddle set – Last time, we just used what the hospital had, and that worked fine. This time, though, for our newborn photos, I want to make sure that this swaddle looks different from Katherine’s. So, I bought this adorable swaddle set from Lou Lou and Company. This is the first thing I’ve bought from them, but I already love it! It really is buttery soft, just like I hoped it would be.
- Going home outfit – This is one of my favorite outfits to plan for! I also try to keep it relatively simple. We have coordinating outfits for Katherine and baby boy to wear. His is a onesie, and I have some pants just in case we need them. I also have a sleeper as an extra outfit – just in case! You never know when a baby blowout can happen!
There you have it! A pretty simple hospital bag packing list. It all fits in one bag and will be easy to pack up when we head home. (I also bring back items from the hospital like mesh underwear, pads, squirt bottle – you’ve paid for it, so you might as well take it and use it!) You can also check out my IG page to see a video of these items saved to the Highlight reel!
Let me know what you think! Did your must-haves make the list? Anything else you like to pack?
