What are the essentials for your hospital bag?

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As my husband can testify, I usually overpack for every trip. I for one prefer to be over instead of underprepared for anything in life. It never hurts to have a backup, right? Like many 1st time moms, I looked over so many hospital bag checklists and ended up packing tons of stuff we never used. Mom-to-be, you’re going to be overly anxious about the delivery day, and its ok!

Relax 🙂

If you want to avoid bringing a large suitcase filled with items you won’t even need, grab the FREE Hospital Bag Checklist printable with everything you will actually need.

I recommend you have your hospital bag ready to go by 36 weeks.

 

Essentials For Your Hospital Bag List

For Mommy

• •  Nursing bras/Nursing Tops

    • If you haven’t started wearing these during your pregnancy, you will love the comfort and accessibility they provide for breastfeeding and pumping

• Going home outfit for Mom

  • Loose and comfortable clothes are best. I hate to break it to you, you WILL still look 6 months pregnant when leaving the hospital. Thankfully the Bellefit Postpartum girdle can help with that.

• Nipple Cream or Hydrogel Pads

  • Nipple cream is a breastfeeding must. I create my own concoction with an antifungal, antibiotic and lanolin based cream for optimum healing. I also like to use these Hydrogel pads for a longer lasting cooling effect for those on fire nipples!

• Hair ties

  • When you go into labor this is an often forgotten necessity. You will thank yourself later when you throw it in your bag now

• Toiletries

  • Don’t forget your razor, shower cap, soap, sponge, body lotions/oils, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant. Having your own toiletries will help you feel more at ease after the big event

• Identification

• Birth Plan

•  Postpartum Girdle

  • There are numerous benefits to wearing compression after birth, both in healing and cosmetically. I will go in-depth about the experience with my Bellefit at a later post. But you can get $20 off yours with code AMY20. Make sure you have your postpartum girdle/compression in your hospital bag for immediate benefits.

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•CLICK HERE to get $20 off your Bellefit corset or girdle with code AMY20

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•  Postpartum Padsicles

  • I cannot express how grateful I am for bringing my own postpartum pads. The ones provided by the hospital were so loose and uncomfortable, that I felt like I was waddling around with a dirty diaper. Once I put my homemade padsicles on I felt such a relieving, cooling sensation. Get the instructions for them here. Don’t forget to pin it for later.

• Camera, charged battery, charger, and a big memory card

• Cell Phone + charger

• Breast pump

  • Your hospital may offer free use of a pump at the bedside or they may charge so make sure to ask ahead or bring your own. If you end up having latching issues, you want to get your baby the colostrum to feed by syringe.

• Healthy Snacks

  • I like to bring lactation cookies as a snack in case I am hungry in between meals. Breastfeeding can speed up your metabolism and lead to serious hunger pains.
  • Or create my delicious homemade lactation cookies and save money

My Must Have Extras

• Lavender oil + diffuser

  • Lavender oil aroma is ideal for bringing peace and calm during labor and delivery.I distinctly remember the scent during the delivery of my 1st son and include this as a must have in my hospital bag.

• Playlist

  • My calming delivery playlist  also helped bring our son into a calm and peace filled environment. Mine mostly consisted of contemporary Christian music. If you would like to see my playlist just let me know down in the comments.

For Baby

• • • 2 swaddle blankets

    • Car seat cover

    • Car seat

      • Remember, you will not be allowed to leave the hospital with baby if you don’t have your infant car seat

    • Scratch mittens

    • Going home outfit + hat

    • Boppy Pillow

      • For comfort while breast feeding.

  

  • Outfit for hospital pictures

    • Most hospitals now offer ensuite photoshoots for baby and family. Make sure you have a cute outfit ready just incase you choose to buy.

  • Pacifier

    • I love that the Wubbanub is baby’s first stuffed animal attached to the most accepted pacifiers out there. I personally recommend waiting 2 weeks before giving baby any type of artificial nipple, this help encourages latching and avoiding nipple confusion. However, there is no judgment if you prefer to use a pacifier or bottle early on. #Fedisbest

  • 3 Pair of Booties

• 3 Onesies

• 3 Burp Cloths

• 3 Bibs

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  Wet Bag

  • For dirty items. There will be plenty of dirty clothes with a newborn. Welcome to Motherhood
• Baby Lotions
  • Baby’s sensitive skin will peel and dry out the first week so be prepared to nourish their skin with the proper lotion

REMEMBER

*Don’t stress too much, the hospital will always have the necessities. Diapers, wipes, and newborn tops are usually provided by the hospital.

*Don’t forget to ask your birthing partner to pack their own overnight bag with snack and cash for food.

 

Any other ‘must haves’ you want to add to the list? Let me know below.

 

 

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