What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag From A Second Time Mom

what to pack in your hospital bag I’m going to start this post by being flat out honest. If you showed up to the hospital with nothing but the infant car seat, you would be 100% fine. The hospital typically has everything needed for mama & baby during and after birth. But as the organized mamas we are, we like to pack a hospital bag, and we like to be prepared. It’s also nice to have some comforts from home while at the “not so comfy” hospital.

Also when it comes to the actual hospital bag itself, I would leave your really nice duffle bags at home. I’m using a bag I got for free on a cruise, or possibly bringing my hard case luggage. You don’t really want to bring a really nice bag into the hospital. Hospitals are…. well…. kind of gross. In all honesty if I could give birth at a posh birthing center I would, but self-employed insurance isn’t the kindest when it comes to the cost of giving birth.

WHAT TO PACK FOR MOM

  1. Nipple Cream- If you’re planning on breastfeeding, I cannot recommend this enough. Breastfeeding is pretty painful at first, and this stuff helped me so much!
  2. Toiletry Bag- Bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, and minimal makeup (incase you decide you want to take a photo and look put together, or just leave it at home, lol.. up to you) Also, bring some chapstick! For some reason your lips get so dry in the hospital!
  3. Under Eye Cream– This isn’t a necessity, obviously. But I’m bringing my Tula Eye Cream because it seriously brings me to life. Sometimes it’s nice to bring a couple of your favorite products to make you feel human again. You can use code LEE20 to get 20% off & free shipping on orders $30+!
  4. Something To Change Into after Showering- During labor, you will be rocking a hospital gown, but the next day you might want to shower and feel human again. I would recommend packing something comfy and loose. I think I’m going to pack this nursing tank dress, and a cardigan or robe to wear over it. You can also bring your own non-skid socks if you want, but the hospital provides you with a couple of pairs, and I just wore theirs last time.
  5. Rose Water- Again, totally not a necessity, but I’m obsessed with this stuff. It makes me feel so refreshed. If you follow me on Instagram Stories, you might have seem me mist my face with it from time to time, lol. You could also pack some makeup remover wipes to freshen up with!
  6. Healthy Snacks- You can’t eat during labor, but afterwards you will be starving. Pack some healthy snacks, particularly some that are high in fiber, lol. That first bowel movement after baby can be quite interesting if you don’t stock up on your fiber… trust me on this. I’m actually making some chia water to bring with me, and also bringing my stool softener pills.
  7. Nipple Shield– They may give you one of these in the hospital, but go ahead and order one now that you can bring with you incase they don’t. You’ll want another one anyway, because they are so dang easy to lose. I wasn’t able to nurse Noah without one of these for awhile, and they make latching so much easier at first!
  8. Vitamins- Make sure to bring your prenatal vitamins, stool softener, and anything else you were taking pre-baby. It’s just as important to stay healthy & take your vitamins postpartum, as it was to take them during pregnancy!

Anything related to mom-care “down there” is provided by the hospital. Pads, pain-relief spray etc, is all provided by the hospital. They even give you some super sweet granny-panties to rock while you’re there, lol. 

what to pack in your hospital bag

WHAT TO PACK FOR BABY

  1. Breastfeeding Pillow- It’s pretty difficult to try to breastfeed in a hospital bed. I tried so many positions my first time with Noah, and literally none of them worked. The only thing that worked at first was an actual breastfeeding pillow. I use the My Brest Friend pillow with Noah because it was the best one I could find with the most support. I used the Boppy for when he got older, because it didn’t have as much support in it. I needed something that would actually hold up. The My Brest Friend Pillow is like your own little breastfeeding island, lol!
  2. Going Home Outfit- Since there’s been a major heat wave here, I will probably just bring a onesie for baby girl, and put her swaddle blanket over her legs. I would suggest keeping the “going home outfit” simple. A ton of buttons isn’t fun when you’re super sleep-deprived.
  3. Swaddle Blanket– The hospital gives you a swaddle blanket, but I brought my own last time because I wanted to take a picture of Noah in the one we got for him. Plus it works as a little blanket to use in their car seat on the way home if you need one. I love the Aden & Anias swaddle blankets, and I am obsessed with this one I’m bringing from Copper Pearl. I love how stretchy it is.
  4. White Noise Machine- This obviously isn’t a necessity, but we are sort of obsessed with white noise machines in our family. We use this one for Noah’s room, and we got this adorable SoundBub machine sent to us that I’m bringing to the hospital. It will probably help us all get some sleep, and it’s super cute.
  5. Car Seat– This is a must-have. In fact, they won’t let you leave the hospital without it, ha. We got the Nuna Pipa Car Seat for baby girl, and I’m so excited about it. It’s so much more light-weight than the one we used with Noah, and it’s so comfy!

You don’t need to bring diapers, wipes, or anything like that for baby. The hospital has all of that stuff for you. In fact they usually send you home with a few as well! 

what to pack in your hospital bag

WHAT TO PACK FOR DAD

  1. Phones, Phone Chargers & Camera- I like to leave all of the tech stuff to Dylan. He always has multiple chargers and anything tech related we might need with him!
  2. Toiletry Bag- Dad is going to want to freshen up too, so make sure he brings his toiletry bas as well.
  3. A Change Of Clothes-Dad is probably going to want to shower to feel human again too. Bringing a change of clothes to go home in is a good idea. Also make sure dad packs something comfy to “sleep” in. If he can sleep on the tiny hospital sofa bed, that is, lol.
  4. Snacks & Change For The Vending Machine- Snacks are key for dad too. Also pack some small bills, and change for the vending machines just incase. I think we might use Favor or some other delivery app this time around to deliver something delicious for one of our meals. The hospital food gets really old, and honestly isn’t the best.

WHAT I’M WEARING IN THIS POST:

Super Soft Cardigan // The Softest Joggers Ever (I’ll be living in these postpartum) // Pink Nursing Tank (also have it in black, and it’s so comfy)

And, that’s about it. Honestly you don’t need to overpack. Having the essentials, plus a couple of comforts from home is key. If something happens and you forget something that you wish you would have brought, you can always call a family member or friend to drop it off for you at the hospital.

Cheers to bringing your new addition into the world! This is such an exciting time!

XO,

Lee Anne

13 Comments

  1. Autum on August 24, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    I love how simple your list is! When I had my daughter my water broke on the way to the hospital in the pajama I had planned on lounging around in! So I really wish I would have packed more PJs and comfy clothes. I think I over packed for my daughter. Luckily the hospital I stayed gave me literally just about everything I needed including a ton of nipple cream. I love those nipple shields they were lifesavers and I really recommend those to all moms!! I can’t wait to have another baby my daughter just turned one and I get a little sad watching her play by herself.

    • Lee Anne on September 6, 2017 at 9:45 am

      Awe! I had no idea they had nipple butter at the hospital, or I would have asked! I’ve been loving the Earth Mama Nipple Butter though. I used the Lanolin with Noah, but am finding the Earth Mama has been better this time around!

  2. Meri Wild on August 24, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    Awww, how cute is this <3 Looks like a perfect list! 🙂

    http://www.meriwild.com

  3. Lisa on August 24, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    Omg I love your baby accessories they are too cute! and all of your picks for a hospital bag are spot on and even some I forgot to bring! Great picks!

    XO-Lisa

    http://www.thatssodarling.com

  4. Maggie on August 25, 2017 at 4:19 am

    Agreed! And you may even be able to cut this list down further. They release you so soon. I never use half of the things in my hospital bag!

    • Lee Anne on September 6, 2017 at 9:45 am

      Yes, I was able to go home after 24 hours, so I didn’t really need everything, but it was nice to have the options!

  5. Dawn on August 25, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    Great list! Totally agree, especially the nipple cream. That was a life saver!

  6. Kendra on August 25, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    If I were having a babe again- I would absolutely take this list and run with it!!

  7. arin on August 28, 2017 at 9:06 am

    loved reading this post since i’m due in less than a week! so insightful — getting nervous! xx

    • Lee Anne on September 6, 2017 at 9:46 am

      Awe! Wishing for a speedy and healthy delivery for you!!
      xo,
      Lee Anne

  8. Megan on September 1, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    Would love to know how accurate your list was for you this time around now that you’re home.

    • Lee Anne on September 6, 2017 at 9:47 am

      Everything was pretty accurate! The only thing I wish I had known about was the Earth Mama Nipple Butter instead of the Lanolin. I’ve been liking it so much better. Also, I would probably put more of an emphasis on healthy snacks! They saved us!

  9. Nusrat on September 4, 2017 at 12:38 am

    I’m a second time mom and I approve of this list! I left my chapstick at home the first time and I made sure I packed it the second time around.

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