Since this is my fourth birth, I now feel pretty confident in knowing what I need to pack for the hospital (and what I can leave at home)! I am mostly packed now (for me & baby), so I feel good about that!
Your list may look different from mine, but after having three hospital births, I know what I like to have with me!
My Hospital Bag Packing List: Everything You Need for Mom & Baby
Basics
-camera(s)/charger/SD card
-cell phones/chargers
-Bible
-birth plan
-my own gown for labor (ties at shoulders and down the back)
-robes/other loungewear
-nursing bra/nursing camis
-belly wrap (I used this one last time… helps uterus return to normal size quickly. Also trying another brand this time around.)
-my pillow with a pretty pillowcase
-toiletry items and makeup (minimal)
-a few hair things (but I may not use them…we’ll see)
-soft tissues/soft toilet paper (I’m not spoiled… this is a must!)
-slippers and/or flip flops
-socks
-comfortable outfit for wearing home
-SNACKS and FOOD (I’m always starving after birth, so I’m taking lots of food this time)
–Aden & Anais blankets (can be used for swaddling, as a nursing cover, or to tuck over baby in car seat… LOVE them!)
–burp cloths (2 out of 3 of my kids spit up a LOT… forget the cute tiny ones and buy these)
-gifts for the nurses/staff/midwives (I usually do a nice gift basket with gourmet food to put in the break room… always goes over well!)
-reusable grocery bags (I always seem to leave with more stuff than I came with, including dirty laundry)
Because I’m Planning a Natural Birth
-essential oils (more on this in a future post)
-diffuser (I’ll ask if this is okay to use)
-Scripture verses (see this post)
-playlist of worship music (on phones… see this post)
-massage tool (you know, the cheap plastic kind… for back rubs while I’m in labor)
Because We Don’t Know the Gender
-boy outfits
-girl outfits
(We always take more than “they say” to take because our kids seem to poop/spit up more than the average baby, haha!)
Because I’m “Crunchy”
–raspberry leaf tea (healing to the uterus)
–Arnica gel (helps with facial bruising/swelling)
–Earth Mama Bottom Balm (very healing to your nether regions after birth)
–lanolin cream (excellent for sore nipples)
–Earth Mama Angel Baby natural baby wash (for baby’s first bath)
For the Hubby
-change of clothes
-cash/change for vending machines and meals (he never keeps cash with him, so I’ll pack it in his bag)
-toiletries
-Tylenol (for headaches)
-snacks
Not packing
-pads (I’ve learned now that I just use what the hospital provides and it works great until I get home! But it’s a personal preference.)
-prenatal vitamins (my hospital provides these)
-breast pump (if I needed one for some reason, the hospital would let me use one)
-Boppy (have not used it at the hospital EVER, so no need to pack)
-books/journals (never opened these previously)
-nursing pads (my milk doesn’t usually come in until the 2nd or 3rd day, so these aren’t really needed until I get home…though I may pack a small handful of these)
-diapers/wipes (hospital provides)
-nursing cover (only needed with certain visitors, and in those cases I just use a light blanket!)
What else is on your must-have list for the hospital?
ALIESHA CALDWELL IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.
Great list! I love that Earth Mama Bottom Balm. It works wonders for a sore bottom! Great for hemorrhoids too. Is your Mom able to stay with you once baby arrives? I found it to be so wonderful to have someone in my home to take care of the three older kids while I focused on the baby.
My mom is planning on coming again! Such a huge blessing!