This time around, we’re planning on having a home birth [more to come on that!!] but I thought I would put together a list of things I took to the hospital when I had Roux. For me, it was important to feel comfortable without bringing my entire house 😜. Here are the items I recommend you have in your bag [and your husband’s!], plus a few things that are nice extra additions!
For Mom
- Cell phone
- Extra Long Phone Charger or Portable Charger [we’ve always loved the mophie brand & this amazing one from Amazon]
- Chapstick/Lipgloss
- Toothpaste / toothbrush
- Face wash / skincare
- Brush
- Deodorant
- Nursing-friendly pajamas/ loose loungewear and robe
- Dry shampoo
- Hair ties or clips
- Contact / Contact solution / glasses
- Shower shoes / flip flops
- Nursing bras
- Large water bottle [although the hospital version is also great, just not insulated!]
- Slippers / cozy socks with grips!
- Going home outfit/ loungewear
- Folder for your paperwork [and baby’s!]
- Electrolyte replacer for after labor [because I didn’t want hospital soda or just water all the time]
- iPad or book [here are my baby book recs!]
- Makeup [it doesn’t need to be a full face of makeup, but there’s also no shame in wanting to put a little makeup on when you’re ready so you feel a little more like yourself in pictures or with any visitors]
For Baby
- Outfit to take home baby
- Car seat [so you can leave the hospital]
- Swaddles or Blankets [any special ones you want to bring]
- Name / information of pediatrician
- Nail file / clippers
- Travel sound machine
For Dad
- Pillow
- Sleeping mask
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Light blanket
- Comfy loungewear clothes
- Hat
- Entertainment [iPad, book, computer and charger, etc]
- Snacks! – [beachbars, drinks, candy/chocolate, trail mix]
Extras
- Blanket and Pillow [for mom – if you’re someone who likes your own pillow])
- Towel
- Boppy / My Breast Friend nursing pillow
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Bluetooth speaker [I loved being able to break up the silence in our room and drown out some of the other noises]
- Body wipes
- Post-partum underwear (the hospital provides mesh underwear)
- Camera / video camera
- Chromecast (some hospitals allow you to connect to their TV and whatever you would like!)
- Hard candy [jolly rancher etc] to suck on during labor or nursing [I got extremely thirsty all the time & this helped]
What The Hospital Provides
You can bring your own of everything below, but the hospital will provide if you want to pack light!
Everything for baby!
- Swaddles / blankets
- Onesies
- Diapers / wipes
- Hat
- Pacifiers
- Bottles
Postpartum Essentials
- Food
- Mesh underwear
- Perineal Ice Packs
- Pads
- Nipple Cream
General
- Breast Pump
- Towels
- Blankets / Pillows
- Water
A gentle reminder that, just like pregnancy, birth doesn’t always go as planned. You may need more or less stuff depending on your journey. No matter what, you’re doing great!
