I swear if I read another post about “what should I pack in my hospital bag”, I am going to throw up. No bullshit. It happened every single day, 10x a day during my last trimester of pregnancy. 

So sparing you the nonsensical madness of a Mom group to find out what you need in your hospital bag, I am going to give you my no fuss low down about what you REALLY need while birthing that beautiful bundle of joy you have waited 10 months to have. 

Let’s start off by saying that I am the most prepared person ever. However, the one time I wasn’t, was packing my bag. Why? Mostly because I was so irritated reading thread after thread of what you do and don’t need but honestly, because for once in my life I was super chill about it. 

I knew that no matter what I had in the bag that I was going to be walking in a family of 2 and walking out a family of 3. That was my biggest mental leap that I needed to take. Read our birth story here.

This resulted in my Mom grabbing things from my house or from Walgreens because who knew I would birth a 10lb 6oz baby that didn’t fit his newborn clothes or diapers. Also, did not know he would be allergic to the diapers the hospital provided. (Side note: so glad I trusted my gut when I was pregnant and bought Honest & Parasol diapers). 

I know that Ali Wong played on those asian pear underwear and I was low key excited to wear them, but the ones my hospital provided me were for someone who was a size 0.. literally pulled them up and they ripped. YES LOL it was an amazing scene because I couldn’t laugh; my uterus may or may not have dropped out of my vagina JK. 

So here it is ladies, THE LIST. Simple. 

The Bag:

Let me get super fussy with how aesthetically pleasing the hospital bag is; but let’s be honest, it will end up on the hospital floor and should be burned upon arrival home because of all the germs. But, #aesthetics. Let’s keep it cute AF. 

I love this Striped Weekender Bag – $38. It is the perfect size to fit everything you need for a 3-5 day stay in the hospital. If stripes aren’t your jam, it also comes in 3 other prints. There is an identical style but it is a little smaller for $36https://amzn.to/2I8fBMB; the compact size comes in 2 prints.

Inside The Bag:

• This Pre-Packed Hospital Grab Bag for Labor and Delivery – $40 has everything you might need but might forget, that’s why it was so nice to have because it took so much stress of grabbing things last minute out of the equation.
  • What’s Inside:
    • Contents of the Bag, Cotton Swabs (5 pcs), Cotton Rounds (5 pcs), Ultra Soft Nursing Pads (2 pcs), Bath Sponge (1 pc) , Extra Skin Friendly Disposable Protective Underwear with, Curly Fiber (XL, 3 pcs), Disposable Tissues (1 pk), Toothbrush (1 pc), Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Lip Balm (1 pc, color may vary), Moisturizing Body Wash, Hand Sanitizer with Aloe, Cream, Luxurious Moisture Shampoo, Luxurious Moisture Conditioner, Comb (1 pc, color may vary), Scrunchie (1 pc), Socks (1 pair), Disposable Slippers (1 pair, color may vary), & Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bar (1 pc)
• While your breast milk might not come in for a few days (if you’re planning on breast feeding) but if yours does, this is a great product to have! Bumblebee Manual Breast Pump – $14. It suctions to the opposite side you’re nursing and lets gravity do the work. I created a mini freezer stash this way for rainy days. I personally like this one way more than the Haaka because it comes with a stopper, a cover & a cute travel bag.
• I am going to apologize ahead of time for the condition of your nips when you start breast feeding. They are not used to it and it will hurt but it will end, I promise. But you’re going to NEED a good nipple cream to heal those cracked and chaffed nips when you’re starting out. After months of trying different balms, I settle on Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream – $8.50.
• I lived in my robe in the hospital and at home for weeks. It was so comfortable and soft, made it easy for nursing and I wasn’t worried about the fabric being too abrasive for his sensitive baby skin. The one I got is currently sold out, but this is a great alternative that is SUPER affordable. Ekouaer Maternity Robe 3 in 1 – $28. It comes in a TON of colors which is always great if you want variety.
• Okay so just FYI every ounce of modesty (or F*CKS) you might have had before baby has gone out the window. So let’s talk about the post partum panty situation. Don’t try and be cool and think those low riders you wore 9 months ago are going to fly. First off, get Depends (linked so you don’t have to show your face at the store). They are way more comfy than pads, and you don’t have to worry about leakage. Just trust me on this. But once you’re past Depends, I really liked these high waisted panties. They kept my flubber blubber in while I lifted my shirt to nurse and made me feel a little more confident. Innersy Women’s 3 Pack Ultra Soft Postpartum Panties – $19
• Get yourself a good nursing bra. Not one of those flimsy things, a legit bra. You can actually go to Nordstrom and have them fit you for a bra and add clips! This was so exciting to me since the girls needed a lift. But, for the hospital, lounging or quickie outings I really liked this cotton nursing bra. It gives great support and clip free access; LAMAZE Cotton Spandex Sleep Bra for Nursing (2) – $29
• If you want to go for quantity so you can keep rotating bras to avoid thrush, I liked this pack of 5. However, I highly recommend just taking out the cheap pads. (5) Nursing Wireless Bra – $31.
• SWEATS. Yes girl. In every color, style and print of this specific one. It’s SO SOFT!!! Hangs just right everywhere for easy lounging and you can pull em up a bit so your belly is a little tucked. I still wear these around the house because they are SO CUTE but so comfy. Angashion Women’s High Waist Casual Floral Print Drawstring Wide Leg Pants – $16. They have a ton of styles and prints to choose from. I felt like they run TTS.
• SKURRRTT. No skin socks. They won’t let you walk around without them but I found the hospital ones itchy and uncomfortable. I brought my own and I am soooo glad I did. Pilates Ballet Barre Yoga Socks (4) – $15. Also, if you practice Barre, these are the most amazing socks for that too.
• If you’re going vaginal you’re going to need some Dermaplast – $10. You just spray it on your cooch 2-3 times a day (basically when you change your Depends) and it numbs the area so you feel less. Trust me when I say, you’ll want to feel less; especially if you got some stitches.

Random Things You Need For Yourself

• Extension Cord
• Power Strip
• Phone Charger Cords
• Camera (with charger, batteries & extra SD card)
• Eyewear (glasses)
• iPad with Netflix
• ID, Birth Plan, etc.
• Hair Ties
• Bath Towel
• Deodorant
• Hair Dryer/Flat Iron
• Headphones
• Bluetooth Speaker

For everything you’ll need for Baby, click here and see my list of Baby Essentials on my Amazon Shop under OH BABY!

Just don’t forget:

• Onesies (bring Newborn & 0-3)
• Coming Home Outfit
• Swaddles
• Letterboard (if you’re into that)
• Car Seat (they won’t let you go home without it)

I hope you enjoy child birth as much as I did. It was a long process for me (see Birth Story) but so rewarding and I am so glad I thought of the little things when it came to comfort and practicality.