What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Birth

Hi Friends!

April is finally here and soon enough, baby will be too! Among the many pieces of advice I can give as a second time mom is what to pack (and more importantly, what not to pack!) in your hospital bag. When we arrived to the hospital for Leo’s birth, we looked like we were moving in. I mean, we brought EVERYTHING! Cody made multiple trips out to the car for our bags and we really could’ve utilized a hotel bell cart. What were we thinking!?

I somewhat get it. You don’t know how long you’re going to be in labor, you don’t know how long you’re going to have to stay in the hospital before you go home, you’re not quite sure what the food is going to be like so you might want some snacks, and maybe you’ll have time to get some work/blogging/gaming/shopping/whatever done so you bring your laptop/ipad, etc. I get it. But you really need WAY less than you think you do, believe me!

You guys, I brought jeans. Real jeans. Regular sized jeans! And a cute shirt. Not even a shirt that buttoned down the front for easy feeding. Nope. A regular, cute shirt, that went over my head. Jokes on me, I didn’t wear actual pants for over two months.

But now I know: pack like you’re going on a Netflix binge for 2 days, not like you’re going on vacation for a week.

Here’s what’s in my hospital bag (notice how I didn’t say suitcase and multiple bags this time!) for baby #2:
For Baby:
-baby book (to write in measurements and have his feet stamped into)
-onesie x 2
-outfit x 1
–going home outfit with matching blanket, hat, and mittens

For mama:
-nursing bra
-leggings
-shirt that buttons x 1
-cute nightgown (or robe, if you prefer) that buttons
-Earth Mama perineal spray (for the burn)
-stool softener (truuuuuuuuuuust)
-charger
-mini fan that plugs into your phone
-toiletries: chapstick, dry shampoo, deoderant, cooling balm, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, glasses.
-blanket and pillow (I prefer my own from home instead of the scratchy and thin hospital blankets. I had intense chills/shivering after birth!)

For Leo:
-a big brother book from baby for when he comes to meet his brother in the hospital

Keep in mind, you can (and should!) take the items in your hospital room home with you: mesh undies, cream, gauze pads for circumcision cover, newborn diapers, wipes, newborn blanket, etc. Bring a spare bag or leave some room in yours to fit these things. You’ll get that hospital bill soon enough-might as well take what you can now 😉

What items did you bring in your hospital bag?