I scoured the internet for advice and asked the women in my life for their words of wisdom about what I should pack but then, wouldn’t you know, Chase decided to make his debut two weeks early and I had NOTHING packed the night I went into labor. My hospital bag was empty and my mind went blank as I threw clothes, toiletries and snacks into a duffle back in the middle of the night in between contractions.
I’m hoping to be a little more prepared this time around but, honestly, I was quite surprised at how little I actually needed to have with me at the hospital both before and after Chase’s birth.
Our hospital was more than equipped to handle everything I may have needed, especially all of the essentials (thick pads, mesh underwear, etc.) that so many online articles said I “needed” to bring. I’m not sure if this is standard (I think so and I hope so!) but this time around, I am planning to keep my hospital bag limited to things I truly believe I’ll use that our hospital won’t have, whether they be essentials or some comforts from home I wish I would’ve packed the first time around.
So when it comes to what to pack in your hospital bag, I’d focus on the things your hospital does not supply.
(Note: My hospital provided all of the self care items I needed but it might be worth checking with your hospital to see if they do ahead of time. You can see everything I felt like I needed for postpartum care in the first bullet in this post: What I Wish I Knew Before My Baby Was Born.)
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Here is what I decided to pack in my bag when I was getting closer to giving birth:
I didn’t get the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow until after I gave birth to Chase and had an appointment with a lactation consultant but it quickly became my absolute favorite nursing pillow. The Boppy is great, too, but My Brest Friend offers more support and closes up the hole between mom and baby to make it easier to support a little one as they nurse. I know I’m going to want this in the hospital as I attempt to nurse our little one for the first time.
- Nursing-Friendly Pajamas + Nursing Tank + Nursing Bra + Robe
When I gave birth to Chase, I didn’t bring any pajamas with me and only packed my “going home” outfit. I basically lived in the hospital gown during the two days we were in the hospital. I had no problem with this at all and thought the hospital gown was comfy and nursing-friendly but by the second day one thing began to bother me… the arm pits!
First and foremost, I’ve never been much of an arm pit sweater (my face, on the other hand…) and think I’ve smelled my arm pits less than 10 times in my entire life. That being said, I think that the combination of my warm pits coupled with all of the arm pits before me activated a bit of a stench in the gown and I wanted that gown OFF. I was so happy for my clean nursing-friendly pajamas when I got home! I’m also planning to pack one of my Gilligan & O’Malley nursing-friendly tank tops since I lived in those things after Chase was born.
I went braless at the hospital after Chase was born but know I’ll want a nursing bra with me this time around both for my personal comfort and to have something that will help hold nursing pads in place since I know my breasts will likely be leaky while I’m trying to navigate nursing. I love the Bravado Nursing Bra both for comfort and functionality.
A robe isn’t necessary but since I get cold easily, having a lightweight robe I can throw on and comfortably wear in bed is something I’m planning to include in my bag. Honeydew Intimates’ robes have super-soft fabrics that are breezy and so comfortable. (Note: Ryan highly encourages any partners or caregivers to pack a sweatshirt for themselves. I was obviously hot and sweaty when I was contracting during labor but Ryan was freezing and he’s not the type that usually gets too cold.)
- Slipper Socks
The hospital provided me with a pair of sticky socks when I had Chase but I’m kind of weird about wanting my feet to feel clean and after a day in the same socks, I wished I would’ve packed a fresh pair or two of sticky slipper socks that were a little fluffier and thicker than the ones provided by the hospital.
- Going Home Outfit
Since Chase was a late summer baby, I packed a flowy black maxi dress as my going home outfit and it was perfect. No tight waistband to worry about and no tight pants to reveal the fact that I was sporting a pad that was basically the size of a diaper in my underwear. I’m planning to pack something similar this time around – either a maxi dress or a maternity maxi skirt with a nursing tank or tee.
- Yeti/Hydro Flask with a Straw
Opening and closing a water bottle may not sound like a big pain, but I really appreciated having water handy that I could slurp down with a straw since I was often holding a nursing newborn in one arm when I felt the insane need for water kick in. A straw is key and my Yeti and Hydro Flask cups and water bottles are my favorites for keeping water cold since I’m not a big room-temp water fan.
I still remember Ryan and I laughing purely out of frustration and exhaustion when we tried to swaddle Chase in the skilled and incredibly fast way the nurses did using the hospital’s baby blankets. Ain’t nobody got time for that… especially a new mother or father! Once we realized they make super easy adjustable swaddles specifically for babies, our lives became much easier and Chase became much happier and less fussy when we tried to settle him down. You better believe I will be packing one of these handy little swaddles for our new baby to use in the hospital so we aren’t trying to flag down a nurse to help us as our little one flails about waiting to be wrapped up tightly in their cozy little blanket.
- Toiletries + Personal Hygiene Favorites
I was happy I packed my favorite toiletries with me when I gave birth to Chase and I am planning to do the same this time around. Along with the obvious necessities (toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash and deodorant) I’m planning to pack some facial cleansing cloths, rose hip seed oil, mascara (hey… there will be pictures!), lip balm and dry shampoo (I’m addicted). My go-tos! Side note: I remember being crazy thirsty after I gave birth and my lips felt SO dry, so lip balm is a major MUST.
- Newborn Outfit for Baby
Chase was so teeny tiny when he was born that the 0-3 month outfit I packed for him swallowed him right up! Thank goodness I had some hand-me-down newborn clothes from my friend Caitlin at home that my mom rounded up for me and brought to the hospital so Chase could have a “real” outfit to wear as we left the hospital. For our second child, I’m planning to bring one blue and one pink newborn footie onesie with me because I want to have one clear “I’m a boy!” or “I’m a girl!” cozy outfit for our little one to wear since we’re going to be surprised by the sex. I’ll also probably throw in a 0-3 month onesie just in case this baby comes out bigger than anticipated since ya never know!
- Hospital Gift for Chase
I had a few of my girlfriends recommend getting a little something for Chase “from the baby” for him to open when he meets his brother or sister for the first time. Many of them said their first-born child was rather underwhelmed by the newest addition and reactions varied from mild curiosity to jealousy to indifference.
While I’d love for Chase and his younger sibling to have an instant bond, realistically I know that won’t happen and having a little something to help him know we are all still thinking of him seems like a good idea to me. I ordered a doctor’s kit on Amazon for him that I think will be a fun hospital gift he can play with both in the hospital and back at home to help us “check on the baby” and all that jazz!
- Gift for Chase to Give to Baby
This was another idea I received from one of my girlfriends to help with Chase’s adjustment when his brother or sister is born. I think he will LOVE having a “task” and something “important” to do/give to the baby when he meets our little one for the first time. I’m planning to wrap up something simple (likely a onesie or newborn-friendly toy) for Chase to give to the baby when he visits us at the hospital. He’s in a phase where he loves to help and feel needed, so I think wrapping up a present for him to give to his brother or sister will make him feel like he has a special role as big brother and something important to contribute, too!
- Important Electronics
This is probably a given, but I’m adding it to the list because sometimes it’s easy to forget your camera, phone, charger, etc. in situations like this!
- Healthy Snacks
There’s no shortage of vending machine options at a hospital but if you want something healthy in between the meals the hospital provides (or in between meals people pick up for you), packing healthy snacks is a great idea. Some of my personal favorites: Single-serving packets of nut butter, trail mix, jerky, RXBars, larabars, nuts, bananas and apples.
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Questions of the Day
What is something you felt like you used or really needed at the hospital after birth? Am I forgetting anything?
Is there anything you packed that you felt like you didn’t need at all?
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I remember overpacking with my first – def didn’t use most things I packed and I made sure to include all the recommendations from various internet sites. I remember the nurses even saying – you can tell this is your first child. For #2 I probably cut my packing by a quarter and still didn’t use everything I packed. LOL
Exactly!!! Most of the “what to pack in your hospital bag” articles out there have a TON of stuff I know I would never use or need. The hospital provided everything I REALLY needed and this time I’m just planning to pack some stuff I know I’ll use/appreciate having with me before/after delivery. I was shocked by how little you truly NEED after birth!
Those lists on the internet are crazy now nothing what I know. LOL I had a c-section too so I didn’t even need to use all the “care items” recommended with a vaginal birth. Plus your right the hospital gives you everything you need and more!!
Just had my second in March, at the hospital and those first 2 weeks I was all about Mother Love nipple cream, their post partum sitz spray and the Freidet by the people who make the baby nose freida. Those 3 were game changers and were amazing!!
This is one of the best lists I’ve seen – because of what you said, it accounts for all the stuff the hospital gives you anyway!! We’re due in May with our second, and have a daughter just a little younger than Chase as well.
The only thing that I was so glad I had was a pillow from home. We left it in the car until after delivery, but I was so glad to have it at night and during the couple of days after my daughter was born. The flat mesh pillows at the hospital are pitiful.
That’s a good one!!
Extension cord! Best advice I can give. Sometimes the outlets in the delivery room and recovery room are not convenient, at all! So an indoor extension cord made sure I could keep my phone charged and accessible! I also created my own hospital gown on gownies.com. It was great for nursing (they have snaps in the front) and the gown was great because it was my own! I’ve used it for both babies and will use it again for #3! And a headband. Ain’t nobody got time for beautiful hair! And flip flops for the shower, because I loved taking a shower once I got the OK, but I hate touching the floor. OK, I think I am done now 🙂
I love the idea of your own hospital gown!! Definitely looking into this!
This post is great! As a mama getting ready for her second delivery also in a few short weeks I have been slowly gathering things to throw in a bag as well. The only thing I would recommend that I am sure you are packing but didn’t think to mention is flip flops for the shower. I remember all I wanted to do the next day was shower and feel clean and I am happy I remembered to pack those in my hurry the first time. My daughter was also 3 weeks early so the hospital bag the first time around was a MESS but like you said – you make it work! Thank you for the recommendation for the hospital kit as the sibling gift. I have been searching high and low for ideas and so far I only had a book in the amazon cart. This hospital kit is a great idea!!
I totally agree with plenty of snack options, I felt like the hubs and I blew through snacks that couple
of days we were in the hospital.
My sister is going in tonight to be induced with her third kid and she is a very light packer but says she’s definitely bringing both the my Brest friend AND the boppy because the boppy is so helpful for holding the baby in bed and for everyone else to hold the baby too.
I definitely over packed with our first and then underpacked with our last. I didn’t plan on being in the hospital for 5 days! Luckily my mom loved close by and washed clothes for us. Love that nursing pillow! Brought it both times. My daughter also loved playing doctor to baby and still does.
This is one of the BEST lists I have seen! So much I am like eh you don’t really NEED that. My only addition would be nipple cream! My first I had ZERO issues with this problem but my second holy heavens those things needed some love. She was great at the latch and all was well but they just needed a toughen up period i guess :).
My sister is due in August and she was just asking me what she should bring- I don’t have to send her the list Ill just send this post!
Suggestion: what will RYAN bring in his bag? Sounds silly but with our first my husband was totally the one that didn’t have things he needed!
I agree on the nipple cream! Our hospital actually has a lactation consultant come and visit everyone after labor so they actually had a bunch of nipple cream samples for new moms to use during my stay after I had Chase which was SO nice!
And I actually asked Ryan about that! His only reply was a sweatshirt because he just remembers being freezing in the room! Ha! I’m sure he’ll think of more things as well as the time gets closer!
I just had my 3rd and work as a labor and delivery nurse and 1 item I loved was my essential oil diffuser. It makes the room smell so nice (and cuts down the “labor smells”). It also feels more like home and calm.
This post was so helpful! I actually found out that I am pregnant back in January and although I just “announced” it, I have been so overwhelmed for months thinking of little things like this that I have no idea about. So thank you for helping me to narrow my list WAY down!
I really like the maxi dress you posted the link to. Two questions:
1. Do you have any pictures with you in it from previous blogs that you can link to?
2. You and I are similar sizes, so for reference, did you size down? I was thinking medium for post-baby body but don’t want to go too big.
Great list! I loved that nursing pillow. We had both My Brest Friend and the Boppy, and I definitely preferred the first. I didn’t think to bring it with me to the hospital though but it would have been nice to have right away. Something I bought on recommendation and I wasn’t sure if I was going to use but ended up loving: Earth Mama, Angel Baby Bottom Spray. I used the peri bottles too that the hospital provided, but that spray was also soothing and has a refreshing scent.
I’ve been thinking about this, lately, too. I absolutely overpacked last time, and hardly used anything in my heavy bag. What I was thinking so far is similar to your list. I wore my hospital gown for my entire stay last time, and may do the same this time, because why ruin my own things lol? I was perfectly fine in it last time. I do plan to bring comfy pants and a couple of nursing tanks in case I change my mind though 🙂 I did not bring a pillow with last time, but will definitely this time for sure!! I really just can’t believe I’m in week 30 already and it’s time to be thinking about this stuff. Time sure flies!!
My son came 3 weeks early so we did not have a lot of time to pack, which was probably a good thing. I would say you are right you really don’t need much. My favorite things we packed were extra large t-shirts (to wear when you get tired of the gowns), socks, and face wipes that do not need water to use. Our hospital provided an extra large water bottle with a straw and that was amazing!
When I gave birth last year, my hospital didn’t have bath towels! I didn’t think to pack one so when I took a much needed shower I had to use a hand towel to dry off!
Also don’t forget your nipple cream!! Life saving!
just so ya know- my 2nd was 8lbs 8oz and was still in newborn sized clothes for the first few weeks. annnnd i HIGHLY recommend a wireless charger for your phone– being able to place my phone in the charger one handed was SO much more convenient.
i also packed a sound machine which was gold- my recovery room was right outside the nurses station.
good call on Chase’s doctor kit!!! lol that would’ve been smart… we have a 2yr old as well.
A wireless charger is such a good idea!
And a sound machine is literally the ONE thing I wish I had brought when I had our second baby. I just could not sleep in the hospital because of all the interruptions and noises.
Great list (second all the attire–especially robe, slippers/thick socks, yoga pants, nursing tank–and the nursing pillow)! I don’t like using lanolin, so I brought coconut oil to use as a nipple ointment. I also brought an Ollie swaddle and MAM pacifiers (my first hated the Soothies, thought this one might be the same…she was!). Flip flops for the shower. I ended up using a nipple shield with both babies–the second time, I brought a little bottle of dish soap to wash it in the sink, as well as a little container from home to store it in. You might also follow this train of thought if you expect to pump at all in the hospital (bring your own pump, dish soap, and a microwave bag to sanitize parts).
It’s gett closer!! I definitely overpacked the first time around, so like you, I kept it much simpler when we had our second last September. We did the gift swap too, and it was definitely helpful. Another tip my friend gave us was for the mom to not be holding the new baby when the older comes to visit for the first time. I think this was so important for our daughter- to be able to jump right up with me for some cuddles. AND, I was surprised at how much I needed those cuddles from her too. After a few moments, my husband brought over new baby for her to meet. Anyway- so excited for you and that moment when they meet. It is very special!!!
This is a great suggestion and I never would’ve thought of that! Thanks for sharing!
After my second was born I was SO HOT and I felt like my feet were about to burst into flames! My mom swung by a drug store on her way to visit us and brought me those little disposable cold packs and I put them on my feet. Sweet relief! Haha
Similarly I was SOOO HOT after delivery. I am that person wearing all the layers so my bag was packed with pants, warm sweatshirts, etc. and I couldn’t fathom having more than a tank top and the gown on in post labor (I think they kept it extra warm for all the babies). So I’d recommend at least a mix of warm and cold appropriate clothes!
I had also read to have 2 bags – one for labor and one for post labor/going home. I found this super helpful because then we just had the necessities for labor in that room and then once we were settled in post delivery we swapped some things in our car, got the car seat, etc.
Also, as a side, if your baby is on the small side and will need to do the car seat test (maybe all babies do this? we have a little 5lb.er!) have your car seat in your room a day before you leave. We happened to bring ours in the night before we left and they took the baby for two hours around 2am to complete a few last tests including the car seat test. Since it was a big night of cluster feeding I remember asking “you’re going to take the baby for a few hours and I don’t need to be there?…I can sleep that whole time!?!” It was the best thing ever! Plus, then the next day it was one fewer thing we had to wait to be done before we could leave (see earlier — was so hot and wanted to get home!!).
Talking about the hospital makes it seem so real and soon! Are you back at the same hospital?
The only thing I would add, which isn’t a necessity but I loved having when I gave birth to #2, was some refreshing face spray. That really helped before visitors or when I was just so exhausted. I kept that, chapstick, and my water bottle right next to me and honestly felt like that was all I needed.
I just wanted to add something, and I know it will probably be unpopular. When our 2nd was born our first child was 25 months old. She was at the time, and still is, very much a mama’s girl. While she was in daycare at the time and was used to separating from me, in different situations her separation anxiety would really peak. That being said, for the months prior to giving birth to our second child I had dreams of the new siblings meeting and adorable hospital photos in our first moments as a family of 4. Unfortunately, mother nature had other plans and we got hit by a blizzard, so my mother in law was unable to bring my daughter to the hospital to meet her new sister. I was so incredibly disappointed, but now, after seeing how it all played out, I am so, so glad that she didn’t come to the hospital. I know that she would have never wanted to leave me and her new sister. It would have resulted in a lot of tears and difficulty for my mother in law who was staying at our house with my daughter. Instead, they met for the first time when we brought the baby home. It was great because I was able to go inside for a few minutes and give my daughter all kind of hugs before my husband brought the baby in. My daughter sat in my lap while she got to meet her sister. I think that made the initial meeting so much better. There was no issue of her having to leave the hospital and mommy but her new sister getting to stay. I really think that first successful meeting helped so much with my daughter adjusting. While we have certainly had our moments, there has not ever been any jealousy and I attribute it to things happening as they did. Just some food for thought. We were lucky in that I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery so I was only in the hospital 2 nights, if I had had a C-section and a longer hospital stay we probably wouldn’t have done the same thing as I think I would have selfishly missed my oldest too much, but who knows. Just some food for thought!
I think it is great then the way it worked out with your daughter meeting her baby sister at home. Sounds like it was less stressful for everyone and she had her mama with her the entire time.
I’m pregnant with our third right now, and seriously considering not having the big kids visit us at the hospital after their sister is born. It was really stressful for me to have my 25-month-old there with both of my in-laws while I was super hormonal and trying to breastfeed a floppy newborn. Add a second sibling visiting and I thing it will be too overwhelming. We’ll see.
Thank you for sharing your story. My daughter will be 2.5 when her baby sister arrives in June and I’ve already been wondering what to do about the initial meeting. I’ve read that it’s good if mom isn’t holding the new baby when the big sibling meets the baby for the first time in order to cut down on those ‘replacement’ type feelings. Not bringing her to the hospital at all is something I hadn’t thought about. Thanks again for sharing! Definitely going to think about this.
I’m glad it helped! Just as a note, my husband did go home the evening of our second day in the hospital and had dinner with my daughter and helped put her to bed. We just wanted to give her some sense of normalcy, and she doesn’t have the same separation issues with my husband that she does with me. Good luck with whatever you decide!
This is such a good idea and one we might be utilizing when we have our second in July! My son will just be turning 3 and he’s such a mama’s boy that I’m not sure that a hospital meeting then having to go home without me would be good for him <3 Thanks for sharing!!
My hospital also provided a ton of stuff so we didn’t “need” the much. I was really happy to have Gatorade to drink during labor. I had a 25 hour labor and I couldn’t eat and was nauseous so it was great to have something with some calories to drink. I’d also bring a more substantial snack to eat after labor. I had my daughter after the hospital cafeteria closed for the night and I was HANGRY. All they had on the nursing floor was some sad little travel things of cereal of me to eat. I was starving until they served breakfast the next morning. And my own water bottle along with a black robe were great to have as well!
I am definitely going to ask my doctor about Gatorade at my next appointment! I remember wanting a banana or something — anything — with calories when I was in labor and I think having Gatorade would’ve been SO nice!
The other thing you might want to throw in (just in case) is some high-waisted undies! I had a c-section and needed underwear that hit above the incision. Hopefully you won’t need them, but it’s nice to have them to wear instead of the mesh undies (I couldn’t handle those after a few days.)
Thanks so much for this list! I am due at the end of May with baby no. 1 and am feeling overwhelmed on what I really NEED to bring. I am also enjoying the helpful comments from others on what they would recommend too!
Yes! The lists I saw when I was pregnant with Chase made me feel like I needed to pack 10 suitcases! Talking with other moms helped me realized I might not need as much as I thought I would!
One of my favorite items I had with me with my first baby was water flavoring, like the little squirt things from MIO or Dasani. I love water but not ice cold, which is what I kept getting. The flavor helped me drink it and it was just nice.
Not an item, but a perspective I’ll take with me for my second child is that not breastfeeding is ok. My baby was in the hospital 14 weeks (born at 28), and I never pumped more than one ounce at a session. Nothing helped. I hoped bringing her home would help but I am currently in the process of TRYING to let it go. For whatever reason, it never happened for me. I thought every woman could breastfeed so I did everything I could, but I learned it wasn’t true. (Although I’ll still give it my best shot next time!)
I love this comment! I was unable to breastfeed my baby (milk never fully came in, baby wouldn’t latch, and pumping was awful with little to show for it!), and I still feel occasionally feel like a failure nearly 3 years later. But my baby is healthy and happy and that’s all that matters.
That is such a great perspective to have, Sarah! <3 It's simply not possible for many, many women (and some simply prefer not to breastfeed which is also totally fine!) and you are wonderful for giving yourself grace and recognizing that breastfeeding or not breastfeeding has absolutely nothing to do with how good of a mom you are to your little one! <3
One thing g we did because our children are 19 months apart, when my husband brought our daughter up the first time to see the baby at the hospital he called me to let me know they were on the way up. I put the baby in the bassinet so I could give her 100% of my attention when she arrived. Also – her new baby brother had a gift for her. She also arrived wearing her I’m a Big Sister shirt that she loved so much to wear.
With my 2.5 year old, we let her pick out a gift to give her little brother in the hospital (A stuffed animal)- she was SO excited because she had picked it out. We also had the baby “give a gift” to her (something she had been eyeing for awhile), which was a HUGE hit (and entertained her at the hospital for awhile).
LOVE the idea of letting your daughter pick out the gift! Definitely going to do this!! Thanks for this sweet suggestion, Elana.
Ahhh thank you so much for this! I am bookmarking this post for later 😉
I love this post, even though I am not pregnant or anything, I am keeping this post handy and saving it for when I am! Thank you, thank you! I hope you are having a great Monday! Xoxo 🙂
I loved having clothes for my little one! The shirt the hospital provided was ridiculously large on her 🙂 Some people might think it’s silly, but we were there a few days since I had a c-section, so it was nice to have some actual outfits on her with so many pictures being taken. I also 1000% agree on a breastfeeding pillow! I for whatever reason did not bring mine, and when I got home and realized it was so much easier to feed with it, I kicked myself for not having it.
I also did not need all the snacks I packed, so it’s worth checking what your hospital offers. We had a little snack room right across the hall that we could access anytime (free, not a vending machine). It had juice, fresh fruit, tea, granola bars, applesauce…plenty of healthy options! Our meal service was anytime we wanted too, not just at set meal times, and my husband could order from it too. Every hospital I’m sure is different, but that was our experience 🙂
That’s awesome about the snacks and mealtimes at your hospital! We didn’t have any free snacks and I think our meals were limited to certain times if I’m remembering correctly — your food situation sounds fabulous!
Ohmigosh! Yes, I remember being SOOOO hungry waiting for “dinnertime” after delivery. I went in to the hospital at 9pm, my little girl was born at 1:41 the next afternoon, so needless to say I was starving. Waiting was the worst! Definitely remembering something satisfying to snack on this time!!!!!
I’m a sleep diva … so I definitely packed my own pillow and white noise machine and earplugs. And YES I can still hear the baby through all that (crazy, I know…) I giggled hard at the armpit situation. Pregnancy/post partum hormones cause some WEIRD smells, from all different parts of your body … weirdly I ended up not really using the nursing pillow. I used it for maybe 2 weeks then put it away.
I love how low maintenance you are! I didn’t pack too much either for both of my girls. For my second baby, I did give my daughter a I’m a Big Sister book and a disposable camera. She loved the camera! We went and got it developed and the random pictures she took were hysterical!
Such a fun idea! Chase always takes pretend pictures using a broken FlipCam he found in our junk drawer so I think he’d LOVE this!
Thank you for this! I’m 29 weeks pregnant and starting to feel overwhelmed with all the stuff we have left to do. I bookmarked this page. I feel like I can add this to my to-do list without any stress b/c I’ll just take your advice!
The handiest thing I packed was a power strip! My husband and I could charge our phones, he could use his laptop, etc. and not worry about locating the single open outlet in our room!
Hah! My husband also desperately needed a sweatshirt when I was sweating to death thanks to hormones all over the place and he was freezing. In June lol. That’s also the only time I’ve been hot when it was actually freezing. He likes to remind me of this 🙂
I had my second baby in December, and before her arrival, we took my 2.5 year old out on a special date where she got to pick something out for the baby- a special security blanket much like her own. We took her in and she was able to pick which one she wanted to give the baby, and was SO excited to be part of the process. Just a thought if you have the chance to do something similar with Chase! I had debated calling the store ahead of time and having them pull a few to behind the counter for her to pick from, since we didn’t know the gender of baby #2, but we were able to just direct her attention to her options and she loved it!
I was really happy I packed a towel! The towels at our hospital were really small and itchy so it was nice to have something soft, especially after a csection. Our hospital also did newborn photos (I think this is standard?) so I was happy I packed a cute little gown for my son. You are right though, you really don’t need much!
I needed by makeup and a blow dryer. It made me feel human again and want to take pictures of myself with the baby.
My son was just-turned-2 when my second arrived and my mom had my son coordinate a birthday party for little brother, since he’d just had his and at least knew cupcakes=celebration.
He brought nothing buddy cakes, a gift, and we blew out a zero candle..it was a really sweet moment ❤️
My own pillow and towel were amazing to have. Also, our hospital only has “dry” wet wipes that were horrible. Cleaning newborn poop without wet wipes is impossible and I begged my mom to go get some real ones in the middle of the night.
I love these Julie! (even though I’m done having kids – ha!) When I had my second son two years ago, I forgot hair ties!!! I desperately needed those! And the shirt I brought was awful (I can’t remember why). I had nursing issues at the hospital (same with my first) and forgot to ask for a nipple shield (My parents got one for me at Target – they are so inexpensive but come in different sizes). I was only at the hospital for a little over 24 hours, but they made me feel so uncomfortable about giving my son formula even though we were having nursing issues. As soon as I got home, I gave him formula and he had formula until my milk came in. Then he was an amazing nurser (with the shield) for 18 months. I know you are a second time mama but anytime I have a friend having her first baby I like to say, “The most important thing is that your baby is FED. Do NOT let them make you feel bad if you are having nursing issues, and bottles are not the devil!” Everyone told me, “If you give your baby a bottle they will never be able to nurse” and that is soooo not true. I was traumatized after my first son lost way too much weight the first four days of his life and there was no way I was letting that happen with my second. I know I did everything right the second time (and his doctor agreed!) and I still heard comments that I shouldn’t have given him formula – whatever!!! There’s way too much pressure on moms and we are sooo hormonal those first few days. We just need to be supported no matter what. I once saw a mom write, “Formula babies go to Harvard too you know” and I loved that so much 🙂 I’m sooo excited for you, Ryan, and Chase! I have a video of my son meeting his baby brother for the first time and giving him his present, and I could watch it every day. I love it so, so much!!!! The day I had my second son was the happiest day of my life because I finally had all three of my boys (my two sons and my husband!) 🙂
I can relate so much to this! When I was in the hospital after having my first, I had breastfeeding issues. Number one, I had no idea what I was doing and number two, I had no milk at all. Finally, 24 hours after giving birth and the baby dropping a decent amount of weight, I asked the nurse (like at 2AM), “Should I give him formula until my milk comes in?” It was so weird… she said, “I don’t know. If that is what you think is best, then we can try some.” It made me feel like I was not making the right decision but went with the formula anyways. Of course, he sucked it down. As a first time Mom, you are just trying to figure out what the heck you are doing and the pressure of breastfeeding just makes it more complicated!
I’m a nurse in labor and delivery , and gave birth to our second baby in July. What I strongly suggest is bringing small hygiene pads without wings (not liners) and fill them with water at the hospital, you can then freeze them at the hospital (they should have a fridge) and put the pad on the big maxi pads once you deliver. They will melt and ease the pain. I did that trick twice and had a speedy recovery !
I would also suggest Popsicles if you ever decide to have an epidural and you will only be allowed clear fluids.
Best of luck!
This list is great! I really wish I would have brought my breastfeeding pillow to the hospital when my daughter was born.
One other perspective to consider – my daughter ended up having a heart condition and was in the NICU for a week after she was born. My husband and I desperately needed to change our clothes and stuff since we had packed very light (based on everyone’s recommendations) and only had 2 outfits with us but didn’t want to leave our baby’s side to go home and grab stuff.
For our next baby, I am going to pack an extra suitcase full of extra comfy clothes and toiletries, just in case. We’ll leave it in the trunk of the car and hopefully won’t need it because we’ll get to bring our baby home right away, but it would have been SO much easier to run out to the car to grab stuff instead of trying to coordinate with our families to stop by our house and grab certain items and bring them to the hospital. We just wanted to focus on our baby but had to deal with those logistics since we hadn’t packed any extra items.
Anyway, wanted to offer that suggestion for other expectant mamas. Hope none of you have to deal with the NICU of course, but just an idea!
Boudreaux’s rash preventer. It’s like pam spray for the tush.
This stuff is amazing. Spray on their hiney and the meconium/poo doesn’t stick to their skin. It’s amazing, not having to wipe and wipe and wipe and wipe some more just to clean it all off. Makes diaper changes/being cold and exposed shorter! $4 at target. I used it for months after my little one was born.
Love this!! I definitely wish I had brought my brest friend and a velcro swaddle. I would also bring some good broth next time – my hospital only allows liquids during labor and I really wanted something salty It was in the middle of the night so the kitchen was closed so the only option was a pretty sketchy looking microwave broth packet..not ideal!
I just had a unplanned c-section 5 weeks ago and two things that were helpful were a lavender satchel to smell while I was in labor (something about it was SO relaxing and made me feel much more relaxed during my induction!) the second was a few cute non-hospital hats for my baby. Since you are in the hospital so much longer with a c-section it was fun to be able to put a cute hat from home on him and feel a little more “normal!” And made for lots of cute photos while we were there. I also wish I had ordered more mesh panties on amazon prime before because that was all I could wear with my incision for the first couple weeks!
I am a crying mess reading this post as we try to decide if we are ready for baby 2 or not. Mostly I just can’t imagine sharing myself with another baby as imagine am so close to my little 20 month old and I feel sad to think of it not being just he and I anymore. How are you feeling about it? I know it was a hard road for you and you are so excited for your miracle but what are your feelings about Chase not being your only anymore?
Love this list! I definitely agree with having your own pjs and robe. For me, an essential was bringing my own hand soap! Weird, but we took our birthing classes at the hospital where my boys were born, and I HATED the smell of the hospital soap. I made sure to bring my own so that I wouldn’t have to deal with that awful smell the whole time. Those kinds of personal comforts can help tremendously during such an emotional and maybe stressful time. <3
I threw some “Gu” packets in my bag. My doctor wouldn’t let me eat because I was induced (all.three.times..ugh) but I may have interpreted his guidelines around popsicles, apple sauce and juice to mean that a few packets of Gu would be ok. I chose not to ask. I was too hangry and told my husband to tell my doctor if I had a medical emergency, but otherwise it was our secret. It was the only thing that took the edge off … I was so hungry my whole labor.
Love, love, love the doctor kit idea- especially at this age when they want to help with EVERYTHING!
I wrote a post on what I packed in my hospital bag and what I used out it after I had my son. I pulled it out of the archives if you want more ideas!
http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2015/11/09/what-i-packed-in-my-hospital-bag-and-what-i-actually-used/