I am 40 weeks pregnant today with baby boy number #3! I thought I would share what I have packed in my hospital bag this time, along with a simple printable checklist for you! For my last baby, I had received a pre=packed hospital bag from Lily & Llama, and it was really amazing to have a bag just ready to go for me! I didn’t have to think about it, and only added a couple extra things. If you are overwhelmed with the idea of having to pack a hospital bag and wondering what you will actually need, head to this post here and see if a pre-packed bag is the right fit for you. (These also make AMAZING baby shower gifts!) I am using a few items from that bag again for this delivery.
I will try to link to as many products as I can in case you want to be able to easily shop for these items for yourself. Here is a simple list of everything I am bringing with to the hospital as a 3rd time mama.
For Baby
- Newborn diapers– I did not bring diapers the last time and had regretted it. The hospital does have newborn diapers they provide to you, but both my boys have received rashes from the Pampers brand of diapers, and that is what they had offered. So I am bringing my own this time, just in case.
- Baby swaddle– The swaddle the hospital wrapped Theodore in seemed so rough and scratchy for brand new baby skin! I packed a velcro swaddle just in case we didn’t want to use the one at the hospital
- Muslin receiving blanket- this is to wrap baby in and to use as a backdrop for baby boy during his first photos as our birth announcement
- Organic cotton knotted gown and hat– this is what baby boy will be wearing for this special photos. packed a second very similar outfit just in case he had a blow-out diaper or something. I adore these knotted tie gowns for those first few weeks. Diaper changes are so easy!
- Baby socks– for the ride home to put over his little feet since I am sure we will be blasting the AC on our way home
- Going home outfit- I packed two just in case! I am bringing simple and soft footie pjs that I thrifted
- Baby bonnets- to cover his little head on our way home
- Letterboard– I am using my letterboard again in our birth announcement photo that will have all of baby’s stats on it. I had considered ordering a cute custom wood circle name announcement from Etsy, but couldn’t bring myself to spend the extra money when I already had a letterboard. I make sure to bring a LOT of extra numbers and letters with so I can fill out everything right there in the hospital.
For Mama
- Lactation cookies– I grabbed a small snack-size bag of these for when I am craving a snack
- Comfy robe- I am using the one I got in my Lily & Llama bag! It’s super soft and stretchy and nice and long
- Stretchy comfy going home outfit for mama- I found a loungwear set from Costco for under $20 and it comes with a shirt, shorts, and pants.
- Button-down pjs- I picked up this set from Walmart for only $17 and it is crazy soft and comfy. I remember wishing I had nursing-friendly pjs at the hospital instead of staying in a hospital gown the whole time (after having baby)
- Nursing bras & a sleep nursing bra
- Shower shoes– because who wants to walk barefoot in a hospital?
- Comfy grippy socks- most hospitals will give you a pair of socks, but I really liked the socks I got in my Lily & llama bag.
- Lavender sachet- I used this after labor with my last baby and it really did help! I lay it across my eyes when that post-delivery headache kicks in. I didn’t have terrible after-birth pains, but my head felt like it was splitting open. The light pressure on my eyes and the aromatherapy from the lavender helps soothe it.
- Massage oil & essential oils- I don’t have a labor massage oil like last time, but I have a blend that will do the job. If back labor gets intense, as it does, my husband can help massage some of the pain away. I also have some rollerballs of peppermint and lavendar for pain management and calming my nerves.
- Toiletries- Contacts, glasses, facewash, face moisturizer, dry shampoo, a small hair crush, a headband, toothbrush & toothpaste
- Combs for pain management- you can read about how I used combs in this post here.
- Christian laminated birth affirmation cards– Last time I just wrote down some affirmations and prayers and laminated them, but this time I downloaded some pretty free ones. I laminate them because I like to labor in the tub and don’t want them getting wet and ruined.
- Washable nursing pads– My milk comes in almost immediately and I start leaking through the hospital gown. I forgot these last time and I don’t like the throw-away kind. For whatever reason, they make me super itchy. So I stick with organic cotton pads I can re-use over and over again.
- Hair ties -pack a few!
- Nipple Balm– this one is made with tallow and really helps to soothe those raw nips!
- Nursing pillow– I was so weak and tired after delivery, I was thankful I brought my Boppy last time to help support baby in my arms.
- Makeup bag- I bring a CC cream, eyelash curler, mascara, eyebrow pencil, and blush so that I can freshen up and look a little more presentable for any photos we take with our new baby
- Camera bag – I have our good camera with batteries charged and a new SD card, a polaroid, and my phone tripod
- Infant car seat is installed and ready to go!
- Bone broth- I made a big batch of nutrient-dense bone broth to sip on postpartum. I plan to bring a thermos of warm bone broth to the hospital with me and I have several jars in the freezer for me to sip on 2 weeks postpartum. I HIGHLY recommend downloading the free Post-Birth Recovery Meal Plan by newmothercaregiving.com where I learned a lot and got some amazing recipes, too!
- Lactation muffins- I made 2 batches of lactation muffins- banana oat and pumpkin oat. I have a small bag in my fridge of some muffins to take with to the hospital and a couple bags in my freezer for at home.
To download your FREE hospital bag checklist click HERE.
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