what i really needed in my hospital bag

I don’t intend to be a mommy blogger but as I continue to morph my worlds of photography, apparel and life there’s no questioning that my new title of “mom” is pretty consuming for the time being. When I was pregnant one of my (many) late night google searches was “what to pack for the hospital” and I thought I would add my two cents on the subject as I found a few things on those google lists really helpful and a few things unnecessary.

Hospital Bag Musts

1. Pack light! I would say one bag max per person (including baby). At my hospital you moved rooms three times (triage, labor & delivery, recovery) and you don’t want to be worrying about too much stuff.

2. Super hydrating lotion like Aquaphor and lip balm. Hospitals are super dry and when you have a newborn thus begins life of washing your hands 10000 times a day.

3. Big comfy socks x 2. It can get cold and the comfort is nice! I recommend a dark color…i actually recommend dark colors for everything. You’ll see.

4. A black (or other dark color) robe. This was comfier than the hospital gown in recovery and easier for feeding.

5. Snacks. The hospital food was pretty good but I enjoyed having some of my favorites on hand.

6. Zip Hoodie. I had this draped over me during labor because I was freezing after the epidural and shaking like crazy. I also used it during recovery a few times because it kept me warm and i liked the zip function so it was easier to feed.

7. Seamless bras. Bring at least 2. I wore one there and left it on during delivery. the nurse helped me take it off just before he was born for skin-to-skin and the extra one was nice to change into after that first shower. Your boobs change a lot during this time so the ease and comfort of seamless was comfiest for me. i haven’t yet ventured into nursing bras, they seem kind of overwhelming but i could be missing out!

8. PJ’s + comfy pants. Get black or another dark color. I say that a lot but trust me. I like the button front PJ tops for feeding, plus i felt a little more pulled together in a matching pj set (versus my ratty tees that say things like “Cali fckn fornia”). By the way, those pants from GAP are the comfiest pants in the universe!

To be honest, for most of my recovery I wore my robe, a seamless bra and the mesh undies but it was nice to have cozy things when family arrived.

9. Going home outfit. Comfy + loose! I lived in this romper at the end of my pregnancy and even bought a second one since only like 4 things fit at the end of my pregnancy and the first one was getting a lot use. It’s been great for recovery as well!

SIDE NOTE: I wasn’t sure what to wear TO the hospital but I quickly learned that it didn’t matter (just like i had been told)! I had planned to wear my WOMAN UP tee and comfy pants but I was in so much pain and (TMI alert!!) it was messy when I went into labor so I threw on whatever was close. That ended up more than fine because you don’t care (i threw up in the waiting room garbage can… it just didn’t matter what was on my body anymore) and you change into a hospital gown right when you get there.

10. Toiletries: dry shampoo, makeup wipes and your favs. If you forget a basic the hospital had toothpaste, toothbrush, body wash.

11. Dark towel.

12. Shower sandals. I got to assist on a photoshoot for this fun sustainable brand and I love my sandals from them. They were perfect for the hospital shower.

13. Bring a comfy pillow for you and your partner with a dark pillow case.

14. Don’t forget a hair tie. My hair went straight up into a sumo bun during labor.

15. Phone chargers. i would say at least 50% of parenting is googling and 20% is amazon prime in those early days + you will (and you should) take lots of photos!

Things you don’t need

1. Makeup. Okay, maybe you need it. I brought it but I never put it on. It’s really personal choice.

2. Pads. The hospital has them and they are better than any you can buy, including ice pads. Make sure you stash and take home as many as you can. But also, stock up on some additional pads at home before you go into labor. Or amazon prime them if you forget.

3. Undies. Steal the mesh ones!! You go through a lot and it’s nice to just dispose of them.

4. My hospital had the Tucks, peri bottle and spray for pain relief so I didn’t need to pack them and you can bring them home. But I would have this peri bottle with this witch hazel at home and if you want this more natural spray and you cant have enough Tucks.

5. Nipple cream. You will want this at home but my hospital had it.

Baby Diaper bag with:

1. A couple onesies (yeah, shameless plug). I honestly didn’t dress him until day 2 and he was too small for most of the things I brought but you will want extra onesies in your bag at all times anyways.

2. A cute swaddle / hat if you care for pictures (I didn’t end up caring, i wasn’t very good at swaddling and kept having the nurse come in to help so it was just too complicated to add my own to the mix). Note, still bring it though because the swaddle can also be used as a blanket for the car ride home.

3. Mittens (we didn’t use but if it’s cold or you have a real scratcher) + booties (or socks).

4. Outfit to go home. They go through outfits quick but everyone needs a cute going home outfit.

5. Velcro swaddle. We hardly used in hospital and just had nurses help us with their blankets but they are great!!

6. The boppy or your nursing pillow. The lactation consultant will help you find comfortable positions and I liked learning with the boppy.

7. Car seat. I put the boppy in the car seat to help with carrying. And I like this travel system – the stroller seat comes out and it’s so easy to collapse and switch between the carseat and pram while he’s little.

Things baby doesn’t need packed for the hospital

1. Diapers (hospital even gave us some to take home). But you will need in your diaper bag anyways.

NOTE: I was way overstocked at home on Pampers newborn. Once the hospital huggies ran out we started on the Newborn Pampers and they did NOT work at all for us. He was peeing through almost every diaper. So then we went back to the huggies and that worked for about a week and then bam, wet every night again. It’s a long night when you’re changing the diaper, the onesie and the swaddle multiple times! Sooo, finally I went to the in-stock Pampers size 1’s and they are finally working! All this to say… stock up on diapers but I wouldn’t over-do it.

2. Wipes (hospital will have gauze and water which they prefer while there). But you will want in your diaper bag anyways.

3. Swaddles / burp rags. They had hospital grade which was fine for us!

4. Paci, the lactation consultants didn’t recommend the paci I brought because he was breastfeeding  but gave us one for the parent initiation/hazing that is night two. not to scare you but this night was intense and we were warned ahead of time that it is for most babies. Also, the pacis I bought don’t stay in his mouth very well yet so the hospital one is only one we use right now, it’s a MAM brand that i amazon primed more of when we got home!