What WAS In My Hospital Bag: Hindsight on the Necessary & Unnecessary

Now that I’m on the other side of pregnancy, I wanted to share what I packed in my hospital bag vs what I actually used/needed. Unfortunately with Noah coming so early, I didn’t get a chance to pack my bags fully prior to leaving for the birthing center so that was a bit stressful but it all worked out! Especially since my labor and delivery was so quick, I didn’t need a whole lot.

I delivered at a birthing center so there might be some slight variation in what they provide vs what a hospital provides but honestly…all you need is yourself, an outfit to go home in for you and baby, and everything else is for your own comfort! The hospital/birthing center will provide all the necessities: wipes, diapers, swaddle blanket, socks, etc.

Tips for packing:

1. PACK EARLY. My plan was to pack my bag around 36 weeks and that was actually when I ended up having Noah so I would suggest packing around week 34-35 just in case ;)

2. Remember that you have to pack for both you and baby. And…probably your husband unless they’re on top of it and have already packed a bag for themselves!

3. The hospital/birthing center will likely have all the necessities so don’t sweat the staples but if you prefer to have your own certain brands then make sure you bring your own! (this is mostly for diapers, wipes, etc.)

✅Packed + Used

❌Packed but NOT used at the hospital/birthing center (I did use a lot of the packed things once I got home)

⭐️They also provided

For YOU:

✅Nursing bra (just for wearing home) ✅Hair tie ✅Headband ✅⭐️Snacks (something quick and easy to eat) - grapes - meat sticks - dried mangoes * they suggest packing protein bars, fruit, honey sticks, etc. ✅Pajamas (pajama shorts and pajama button down) ✅Sandals

✅Going home outfit - Bra: nursing bra - Top: lululemon loose tank top - Underwear: disposable underwear - Pants: lululemon align joggers - Shoes: sandals ✅⭐️Robe ✅Water bottle ❌Birthing outfit (I literally stripped everything off) ❌Swimsuit top (in case you plan on tub birth, offered at birthing center) ❌Speaker (make sure it’s charged before you put it in your bag) ❌Phone charger ❌Lip balm ❌Pillow (in case you want your own) ❌Socks (suggest wearing ones with grips) ❌AirPods (charge em!) ❌Makeup bag ❌Floss, toothbrush, retainers (in case you need to stay overnight)

For BABY:

✅Going home outfit (pack multiple depending on how big baby is) -Premie size -Newborn size ✅⭐️Diapers (newborn) - Hospital will have them but bring your own if you have a brand preference - Used our own ✅⭐️Wipes - Hospital will have them but bring your own if you have a brand preference - Used our own ✅Sound machine (used for the drive home) ✅Nursing pillow ✅⭐️Swaddle/receiving blanket - Used ours ✅⭐️Hat - (preferred mine) ✅Portable fan ❌Butt paste/baby balm ❌Primally pure oil ❌Pacifier ❌Burp cloth ❌Mittens ❌Socks ❌Breast pump ❌Bottle

❌Blanket

POST-PARTUM:

✅⭐️Peri bottle ✅⭐️Disposable underwear -(preferred mine) ✅⭐️Ice packs (padsicles) -(preferred mine) ❌Nipple balm ❌Silverettes ❌Post partum pads ❌Perineal Spray

CAR SETUP:

• Car seat installed (make sure infant padding is in car seat)

• Car mirror (ours was not set up, wish we would’ve done it earlier)

• Know how to put in/take out car seat (we had to play around with this before leaving the birthing center because we hadn’t practiced haha)

HOME SETUP: (likely master bedroom, we didn’t use our nursery)

• Changing table

• Diapers, wipes, burp cloths, swaddles

• Bassinet/crib setup

• Night light or Hatch

BATHROOM/TOILETRY CADDY: (I would keep it in master at night then bring to guest bathroom for the day time)

• Pads

• Padsicles

• Peri bottle

• Perineal spray

• Dermoplast

Stay tuned for a blog post on all things postpartum!

Cheers!

-mama sharkey