17 Essential things to add to your Hospital Birth Bag
What are some essentials items to include in your hospital birth bag?
Is packing ever really fun? Especially when you are feeling the last weeks of pregnancy it can feel really tough to nail down all the things you’ll need for your hospital stay. But the reality is, this packing job is pretty important because labor often happens with very little notice and you do not want to be stuck for days in the hospital without a few essential comforts! When I had Jude we were admitted without any notice so I had NOTHING for several hours and when Chris was able to run and grab some essentials there was a lot we forgot! So i’m writing this one so no momma is ever left like we were, completely lost and lacking for 4 days in the hospital. To give us a little grace, we hadn’t planned to be in the hospital at all so we had nothing planned or packed so when we were taken in for our emergency induction it was hard to think through all the essentials or just creature comforts we could have used and loved during our time.
This list is for all the moms expecting their first baby or 10th because it’s just a fact no matter how much of a birthing expert you are, many essentials can get overlooked!
1. Rolling Bag
I know it sounds crazy but treat your hospital stay like a weekend trip because truthfully that is what it is! Throwing everything into a diaper bag or deep purse will surely guarantee you forget something! You’ll also be moving from 1 room to another during your stay so having a bag that travels easily while being roled in a wheel chair is so ESSENTIAL! if you don’t already have a carry-on type bag, we love our Swiss gear bag and it’s lasted us 6+ years!
2. Birth Plan
This one is so important! The reason why writing a birth plan is important is because it EDUCATES you and gives you the opportunity to ADVOCATE for your own experience! Not every birth in the hospital is the same and the main difference is the care provider and momma relationship! There are plenty of birth plan templates online and in books and one day I’ll write one and link it here :P but seriously as a doula and birth worker for many years and seeing countless births, it is SO essential to write up and bring printed copies of your plan to the birth.
Print one for yourself, your partner and hand one to your nurse!
Birth plans answer questions like, how you want the lights during labor, whether you are planning or an epidural or would like to not be offered pain medications, whether you are ok with episiotomy or vacuum, whether you want the baby to have their cord cut immediately or delayed! All of these things can be discussed and often offered in the L&D room and in your Dr visits beforehand but oftentimes won’t be brought up unless YOU do the educating and advocating for your birth and ask the questions.
Labor & Birth Essentials
Make Labor and birth just a little bit easier with these comforts and supplies!
3.
A Refillable Water Bottle or Cup
Hydration is key to surviving a long hard labor and surviving the first days of breastfeeding a newborn baby. You want to be sipping water constantly if possible so having a great bottle or cup that you love packed in your hospital bag is very important. Hydro Flasks are a huge favorite I see at births and hold so much water! But I personally used an insulated straw cup cause I liked the easy straw access! Either way you go, you can’t go a wrong with a great insulated water source!
4.
Comfy Robe
Yes! You can labor in your own clothes and having a cozy robe that feels like home with you throughout your stay can be so amazing! No more open back hospital gowns, you can actually look cute and feel comfortable!
5.
Durable Slippers
Rubber sole slippers are SO important for the hospital stay! nothing super fancy since they may be a little gross but something that will bring you comfort during your birth and labor.
6.
Labor Playlist
Create a playlist that gives you hope, peace, power, laughter and calm. Do an assortment of old favorites and songs that remind you of baby and the great joy of being a parent! Also a small speaker if you think of it!
This song brought me so much joy in pregnancy and labor! “Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon
7.
Essential oils
These essential oils are lifesavers for a long, hard or unexpected birth and labor! You can apply it to your skin, diffuse in the room or even just take a good sniff when needed. These 4 are my favorites to bring to the birth when I’m doulaing.
Peppermint
Peppermint can be great to give mom a boost of energy and clarity in labor. but I love using it to snigg during moments of nausea and transition.
Mandarin
Mandarin (aka citrus reticulate) can be great for relieving the anxiety, fear, and stress that can come during labor and postpartum. It’s also safe for diffusing around baby!
Lavender
Lavender is great for finding rest during long or hard labors. It’s the all-around calming oil that can be great for moms needing rest in between contractions.
Clary Sage is a wonderful and grounding oil that can help moms focus on labor and keep contractions consistent and strong. Using this oil can help with pain relief and can help keep things moving when labor might feel slowed or spotty.
Baby Essentials
The really important things you’ll want to bring for Baby’s first days
I’ve shared this one before but seriously this swaddle is a LIFE SAVER! Muslin is great but when you are learning how to swaddle these tight knits are so much better and keep baby tight and comfy just like the womb.
Hospital blankets are there but they tend to be very stiff and while clean they aren’t that soft organic texture of these Burt Bee’s Burp cloths! Our baby had sensitive skin as well so only introducing organic cloths and clothes were really important for his dry baby skin. I had this exact set and bought about 10 and used them ALL THE TIME!
So many cute options for this but something like a name board or tag can make announcing baby’s arrival even cuter!
11.
Pjs & Onesies for Baby
I always recommend families pack newborn and 0-3 month size because some babies are just born a little bigger than the “newborn” size!
Zipper Pjs will change your life!
I love everything Kate Quinn and Burts Bees Organics
Overnight Essentials
12.
Power Strip
I know this may sound odd but there are actually very few plugs in a hospital room and most are for medical equipment and emergency! You’ll have phone chargers and a multitude of personal things to plug in so having a small multi-plug power strip is such a must-have!
13.
Your own Shampoo, Conditioner and Soap
Bring your own shampoo, conditioner and soap! yes they offer it but you’ll want to take a nice refreshing shower with comforting scents!
14.
Warm Blanket and your own Pillows
bring your cozy blankets and pillows from home! Give yourself a little comfort for the overnight stay!
Breastfeeding Essentials
If you would like to breastfeed or at-least try it’s very important to set yourself up for success! Thankfully most hospitals have Lactation Consultants who do rounds for all moms so be sure you are seen! But there are a also a few things you can pack to help on the breastfeeding journey!
15.
Nursing Bras
You will want to pack atleast 3 nursing bras for your stay! They get gross and you feel gross but you can’t wear your old bras anymore so you better grab an assortment!
16.
Nipple Cream
Nipple Balm will be your best friend, find some that is safe for baby and feels soothing for you! I loved this kind all throughout my first months of pregnancy!
These are great for moms who’s milk comes in pretty soon after birth. great to just bring along in case. Some moms don’t have their milk come in until 2-5 days after birth (which is super normal) the colostrum you are producing is totally enough for baby in those first days but once you are home and the milk is a flowing these are SO ESSENTIAL!
