INSIDE MY HOSPITAL BAG 2.O
For the most part I took directly from my Inside My Hospital Bag post from when I was pregnant with Lou. However… a pandemic, advice from girlfriends and my own previous experience, had me make a few changes. Not to mention, pregnancy and babies are like iPhones; there is a seemingly never ending stream of new it items that you feel like you need. Having been induced with Lou, we were really fortunate to be able to really plan and prepare ourselves. Natural labour the second time has me in hyper-nesting mode, so I have meticulously gone through everything we could possibly need for when I go into spontaneous labour. Read on for my updated hospital bag checklist!
my hospital bag checklist
for mama
Outfit to give birth in - I am again opting for a hospital gown and an Aerie cotton scoop bralette
Slippers or flip flops - stuck with my inexpensive Ikea slippers that are cozy but also easy to wash (in case of… ya know… leaks)
Loungewear for recovery - Since this time of year can be quite a built chillier, I went with a Love & Lore piped sleep shirt (with functional buttons for nursing) and a pair of Indigo’s reading socks
Outfit for Daddy - I packed Chris an extra pair of socks, underwear, and a sweatsuit just in case he comes from work or we’re there for a while
3-4 pairs of underwear - Sticking with my all-time favourite Aerie Real Me boybriefs that I’ve been wearing ever since Lou was born, honestly the comfiest underwear!
2-3 sets of nursing pads - I am continuing with my Organic cotton pads
1-2 extra bras - to change into after labour and to go home in, I’m still going to be using Aerie cotton scoop bralettes
1-2 extra pairs of socks - just something simple for going home in
Baseball hat - in case my hair isn’t holding up and I’m not quite up for a shower at the hospital
Glasses - my prescription along with a pair of sunglasses
Scrunchie - my favourite Chelsea King, cause is there even another kind?
Outift to go home in - being as we’re still in a pandemic (and the fact I was discharged at 1am with Lou), the days of “cute” hospital outfits are long gone (thank god). So I’m planning on wearing my H&M maternity joggers cause they’re loose but still warm, and my Aerie full zip hoodie
10ft phone charger - this comes in super handy during labour and even during your aftercare stay since your bed is often in the middle of the room
Laptop and charger - this is a new one, but with covid we are restricted when it comes to family at the hospital (obviously) and are hoping to have close family on a video call when baby arrives
toiletries & postpartum
3-4 adult diapers - I found I used these Always discreet ones mainly for sleeping, to avoid worrying about my pad coming out of place
3-4 pads - more for daytime, and I preferred the U by Kotex ultra thins
Mesh undies - I got these from the hospital when I gave birth to Lou and highly recommend picking some up while you’re there!
Nipple butter - Earth Mama is hands down the best
Perineal spray - Earth Mama, it helps you heal and makes you feel so freshened up
Medical Wipes - Tucks Cooling Pads are my favourite, plus they’re flushable
Prenatal vitamins - if you are on any other medication (i.e. for nausea) I also recommend packing a few of those
Saje Mist - I’m a huge fan of their cooling spray, but any one will do!
Lip chap - everyyyyyone tells you to pack this and even though I never touched it the first time, I’m packing it again just to be safe
Cream - I almost have an emotional attachment to the scent of Lunah Life’s frankincense and jasmine whipped butter from Purdy Natural because I used it all the time after Lou was born, so I’m definitely packing this!
Pack of gum - it’s nice to have if you’re still dealing with a bit of nausea
Masks - even though we’ll most likely be given surgical ones once we’re in the hospital, these will just be used when entering
Your own personal day-to-day toiletries - this could include a mini makeup bag, toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, face wipes, hair elastics… anything else that you use to freshen up and feel human again
for baby
6-8 newborn diapers - we are a Pampers Pure house when it comes to diapers
1pk baby wipes - but we are a firm Hello Bello house when it comes to wipes
Diaper cream - once again, we looove Earth Mama
2-3 newborn onesies - we use Carter’s short sleeve bodysuits
2-3 newborn sleepers - since we don’t know what we’re having we packed one white and two different coloured Kyte Baby footies (call me crazy but I’m a snaps fan just because I hate the way zippers bunch up in carseats)
1-2 newborn hats - we packed both a neutral Oat Kyte beanie (for a boy), along with a floral Copper Pearl beanie (for a girl)
1-2 swaddle blankets - we swear by Copper Pearl swaddles; the stretch is essential for getting a good swaddle hold and I love that the edges are seamless… plus there are a million adorable colours and prints to choose from!
1 warm sweater - since it’s getting colder out, we packed a Carters hooded cardigan
1-2 pairs of mittens - to avoid any scratches from those tiny fingernails
1-2 pairs of socks - I put them over their footie sleepers to keep their teeny toes extra cozy
2-3 burp clothes - Lou had awful reflux and we learned the value of these quickly
1-2 pacifiers - we only use Mushie natural rubber pacifiers (and make sure to pack a pacifier clip!)
Vitamin D Drops - This! If you plan on exclusively breastfeeding you’ll need to supplement your little one with Vitamin D, and I’m 100% convinced that not me knowing this the first time is why Lou ended up jaundice
Infant car seat - don’t forget to have this ready to go and installed!
for Lou
A whole other part of the experience is that we already have a toddler that we have to plan for. We are super lucky to live down the road from my parents, but still put together a small overnight bag for Lou just in case. It contains anything she’ll need for a night, along with an outfit for her to come home in and meet her new sibling. I also tucked in a little treat (a new book) and a letter I wrote to her because… the hormones are real.
