Basic Hygiene Products-TRAVEL SIZE–for Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist

1.) Shampoo and Conditioner– You will want to shower after 24 hours, trust me. You will want to feel normal again. My hospital did not have toiletries, they are not a hotel. Get the travel size in everything.

2.) Facewash for shower

3.)Bodywash and loofah or rag

4.)Toothbrush and toothpaste (don’t forget retainers)

5.) Glasses and contact lenses, lens rinse and case

6.) Chapstick– Your lips will be dry, so dry. I LOVE AQUAPHOR..stuff is friggin amazing!!

7.) Hair ties and maybe a headband for labor (you sweat and the little hairs stick to your face)

8.) For my 2nd delivery I brough some Burt’s Bees face wipes for after labor (again all sweaty)

9.) Colace to help with the first BM, it is brutal. They can give you this at the hospital, but Iv’e heard they charge insurance big money for it.

-I did not bring my hair dryer, brush or straightener with me. Honestly, when I had a free moment when the baby was not on the boob I just wanted to sleep.

-I also did not bring Make-up with me, at all. That was just the furthest thing from my mind.

Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist – SNACKS

The hospital will provide you with breakfast lunch and dinner, but you will be hungry after labor and delivery. C-Section moms cannot eat or drink for 24 hours after delivery. If you had a vaginal delivery, you will want something to snack on besides ice chips. I brought homemade lactation cookies with my 2nd (no I didn’t make them, I am not that rockstar). With my first I had pringles and granola bar out of the vending machines, C-Section with my second so I was basically starved. I’d bring something semi healthy. Lara bars (chocolate chip cookie dough are my fave) or bananas and apples are great too and don’t need refrigerated. Point is, bring something dry to snack on just trust me. Trail mix, pretzels, crackers just bring them

Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist – For Baby

1.) DO NOT bring diapers or wipes in the Pregnancy Hospital Bag. They will have these at the hospital and they will keep em coming while you are there. DO NOT waste your own…pretty sure you are gonna need em when you get home. You can check out my post on Newborn tips HERE.

2.) Aquaphor– This healing ointment is insanely effective on diaper rash. I NEVER used Desitin or Boudreaux’s butt past, ALWAYS Aquaphor, this stuff is magical. The hospital will give you vaseline and desitin, and they work fine for diaper rashes, but you don’t necessarily need diaper rash treatment at the hospital. Aquaphor is wonderful to coat baby’s bottom BEFORE the first poop. If this is your first baby then welcome to the world of baby poop. The first poop is black, tarry and SO hard to clean off. I learned this with my first baby, so with baby #2 I was ready! Coat baby’s butt after every diaper change with aquaphor, so when the tarry black stools come they easily wipe off, you will thank me later.

3.)Baby onesies– The hospital will not have these. Unless you want to keep baby in a diaper and blanket then I suggest bringing some onesies. I’d consider getting some with snaps at the crotch and also with built-in hand mitts (newborns scratch their face like crazy, and yours…those nails are like little daggers!). These are the onesies I brought to the hospital, notice the built-in mitts…genius. Also, I’d suggest bringing a couple 0-3 month and a couple newborn size. Neither of my kids fit into newborn sizes after birth, they were huge. I sent all of the newborn sized stuff back with my 2nd baby…of course I tooke the tags off the newborn stuff with my first baby (rookie mistake). Be aware of the seasons ladies. I had winter babies so I also brought baby pants with me, that may not be necessary for summer and spring births.

4.) Baby Socks– They do not provide these at the hospital and newborns get cold. I’d bring some with you, just a couple pairs is fine. Get the big pack, you will use them.

5.) Hat– They give you one in the hospital, right after baby is born. I never brought hats with me to the hospital, but covering baby’s head is essential as heat leaves the body through the head very quickly.

6.) Burp Rags– You will use so many of these. I had these everywhere car, all rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, patio. Everywhere. You will need these, the hospital will not provide them and baby’s DO spit up ALOT.

7.) Infant Carseat– Already installed. Captain Obvious here, but this doesn’t go in the Pregnancy Hospital Bag. BUT…The nurses WILL NOT release your baby with you unless that car seat is installed in your car. So figure it out BEFORE delivery day. It is not something you can just “wing” at hospital discharge, so have it ready.

Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist – FOR DADDY

Poor dad’s needs kinda get lost in the process of labor and delivery, but ladies your man will want to be there with you. My husband was a trooper. He fluffed my pillows, helped with baby positioning during breastfeeding, he washed my hair, changed diapers, walked me to the potty (also held my hand while I screamed during that first BM…OMG) and everything else I requested. He was my rockstar. We can’t forget daddy ladies. Things to bring for him in a separate bag.

1.)Change of clothes (2 days at least)- I’d stick to comfort, sweatpants and Long sleeve shirt…don’t forget hospitals are cold. Boxers, socks, pajamas.

2.)Basic toiletries like toothbrush. He can share your shower stuff and toothpaste in the pregnancy hospital bag.

3.)Pillow and Blanket- Our hospital did not provide these things for dad. I’ve heard some do and will even roll in a cot to sleep in for the dad, but don’t count on it. My husband slept on that hard sofa/couch thing with baby #1. For baby #2 he insisted on bringing an air mattress and he definitely used it.

4.)Ear Plugs and sleep mask– Hospitals are loud and bright places. Not only that the nurses will be coming in every hour or 2 to check your vitals, “massage” you tummy and bring baby to nurse (if you send baby back to nursery).

5.) Ipad for movies with chargers or a firestick– Our hospital had a TV with a DVD, but we don’t own DVD’s so that didn’t help. We watched shows on netflix on the Ipad.

6.)He needs his wallet, cash and coins. Food will be brought up for you from the cafeteria, but they will not feed your husband. He will need to fend for himself. Our hospital had a great cafeteria. There were also vending machines on the antepartum floor. Also, grubhub and doordash are available as well so I’d make sure your APPS are all set up to order that.

7.) Some tylenol, motrin or advil. The hospital will give him nothing

8.)Folder with insurance card, ID’s, etc…

THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME!-YOU DON’T NEED THIS STUFF !

1.)Diapers and wipes- Hospital provides, but you will need these at home.

2.)Pacifiers-Hospital provides

3.) Breast pump-Hospital provides

4.)Boppy/breastfeeding pillow-Unecessary

5.) Bottles and Formula-If you need this then the hospital will provide it

6.) Infant carrier (ergo/baby Bjorn)- you won’t use this there, leave at home.

** CLICK HERE for my blog post Massive List of ESSENTIAL Baby Items to put on Baby Registry

** CLICK HERE for my blog post Key to Successful Breastfeeding