My Hospital Bag Essentials: What I Actually Used

I got so many recommendations on what to bring in my hospital bag! So news flash: I overpacked. I brought basically everything I thought I would need, knowing I would only use about half of it. But I had no idea how I was going to feel or what I was really going to want!

So here are the products I actually used and am SO happy I packed. I used my Away Bigger Carry On, my favorite luggage, as my hospital bag and it was the perfect amount of space.

My Hospital Bag Essentials

Hospital Bag Essentials I actually used:

1. Robe + Matching Swaddle for Sidney. I really really loved having this robe at the hospital. It has wide sleeves, which made it really easy for the nurses to check my vitals what seemed like every hour. I ordered it from a website called Baby Be Mine! Now that I’m home with the baby I wear it every day. I got a matching swaddle for Sidney for our first family photos, and they came out so cute!

2.My Own Nightgown. The hospital gown was scratchy and backless, so I swapped it out for my own as soon as I had the opportunity. I brought two of these and wore them both! The button-down style is perfect for breastfeeding.

3.Nursing Pillow. One of my good friends highly recommended that I bring my nursing pillow to the hospital. At the time I thought she was crazy, but I threw it in the car anyway. It was seriously the best advice! It really helped me while I was first getting the hang of nursing, and the nurses were really excited that I brought it, too!

4.Basic Toiletries. I packed my own tooth brush, toothpaste, face wash, skincare, shampoo, soap, etc. And I made a point to use it to feel refreshed every day. I actually showered every day, too!

5.Makeup Bag. Just the basics. A tinted moisturizer, mascara, bronzer, blush, and tinted lip balm. Enough to feel like a human when the photographer came by to take our first family photos.

6.Outfit To Go Home In. I chose my maternity leggings and a loose t-shirt. Keep in mind, when you leave the hospital you still look about 6 months pregnant and you’re wearing a huge pad in your underpants. A sundress would have worked, too.

7.Outfit For Baby To Go Home In. I admit I packed like 5 outfits for Sidney. I didn’t know how big or small she would be, so I packed a few different sizes. I wanted her to look cute and feel comfortable! She ended up wearing this adorable onesie.

8.Nursing Bras. I didn’t want to be braless, especially since my breasts were really tender from the milk coming in. A little support helped a lot.

9.Long Phone Charger. The hospital bed was in the middle of the room, so it came in handy. I took a million photos of Sidney and was face timing and texting and calling everyone, so I needed to charge my phone a lot.

10.Nipple Cream. The first couple days of feedings made my nipples really sore. I like the Earth Mama brand because it didn’t ruin my clothes, and I didn’t have to wipe it off before feeding Sidney. See my other breastfeeding essentials in this post!

11. Snacks & Water Bottle. I got the munchies in the middle of the night, especially with all the nurses coming in and out to check our vitals. I recommend bars (I love the Go Macro bars) because they aren’t messy. Water bottle was KEY – you’ll be parched.

12. Pads with wings. The hospital had pads, but they were wingless. And I’m a wings girl. Maybe you’re like me.

Hospital Bag Essentials I Packed But Did Not Use:

Below that are the things I packed but didn’t use. Save your precious money and suitcase space!

1.Cotton Granny Panties. A lot of people said to get these, but I really liked the mesh hospital undies. When I got home I preferred these seamless, light hipsters over the cotton kind.

2.Slippers + Shower Shoes. Maybe I’m gross, but the hospital floor was really clean. I went barefoot and with just socks. The slippers I got were really cute, though, so I wore them a couple of times.

3. Nursing Pads. My milk didn’t come in super strong, so I didn’t use them. At least they didn’t take up much room.

4.Belly Band. My belly was sooo sure from being in labor and my uterus contracting back to normal. I couldn’t imagine wearing anything tight around my midsection right away.

5.Swaddles. The hospital had swaddle blankets, so we could have left these at home.

6.Towels. People complain that the hospital towels are small and scratchy. Honestly, they weren’t that bad. And I’m happy I didn’t create more laundry for myself.

So that’s it for my hospital bag! Did I leave anything out? Share in a comment below!

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–Roxanne

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