We are just a few weeks away from Baby Cinco’s due date, so I’ve started packing my hospital bag and figured I’d share the things I’m putting in it for our fifth hospital delivery. I will probably add and change out things here and there, but for the most part, the contents will remain the same! Brooks came a month early, so we were in the hospital a bit longer with him and I wish I’d had a couple more comfy pajama options. This time I’ve got three options, which will hopefully not all be used, but I wanted to have some choices, just in case!
This time I splurged on a new Birdling weekender bag! Not necessary, but after using the same one for the first four kiddos, I needed a new bag anyways and have had my eye on this green one forever. It’s the perfect size and I love that it opens fully on the top and has two separate interior compartments. I snagged it on sale over Memorial Day!
Toiletries
I prefer to bring travel-size versions of my favorite at-home toiletries so I can pre-pack and be ready to grab my bag and go when the time comes. I usually end up showering at the hospital before I come home and like to have a bit of makeup and the ability to blow dry my hair, if needed. Here’s what I’m bringing:
Daisy Faye Designs Zippered Pouches (I use one for hair and makeup and one for toiletries)
New toothbrushes (love these ones at Target and you can’t beat the price!)
Travel Toothpaste
Travel size Deodorant
Dry Shampoo (I love Batiste & Target has a travel size)
Beauty Counter Daily Shampoo and Conditioner (Added to these travel bottles)
Tocca Perfume Rollerball in Stella Scent
Lost Baggage Under Eye Masks
Honest Co. Mascara
Tarte Shape Tape (New Mom ESSENTIAL! I wear Light Sand & try to buy on sale)
Maskara 30 Second HAC and Detail HAC Brushes (game changers!)
Shine Cosmetics BB Cream (I wear Empowered)
Bare Minerals Blush (I love Peachy Keen for a light but fresh look)
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (NEED! My gf Beth over at 111 Light Lane introduced me to this one and it’s the only kind I use now. So refreshing and lasts through labor)
Scrunchie (I love these ones on Amazon because they don’t crease your hair)
Hair Elastics (these work great for my thick hair without pulling)
Revlon One Step Blowdryer Round Brush (brush and dryer in one! Love mine!)
Clothes
In general, I overpack on clothes and end up wearing about half of what I bring. But, with Brooks coming early, our hospital stay was a bit longer than with the other kiddos, so I decided to pack a few more options this time around. I do like having my own hospital gown to labor in, but always use the mesh undies and supplies the hospital provides until right before I’m going home. Here are the clothes I’m bringing for round 5:
Frida Hospital Gown (not necessary, but I LOVE having my own and this one is so soft)
Joyfolie Floral Pajamas with pants and button top
Target Floral Tank and Shorts Pajama Set
Big Underwear for going home (I like black, otherwise I use the ones the hospital provides)
Nursing Bra (These Auden ones are affordable and comfy. Buy a size up for engorgement!)
Nursing Tanks (bringing a three pack because I often wear these as a pajama top)
Lightweight Robe (love this affordable amazon option! It’s so soft and covers everything)
Shower Shoes (I grabbed this cheap pair at Target in case I forget them)
Comfy UGG Socks (These have grips, which is nice for slick hospital floors)
Joggers (Obsessed with these Abercrombie ones I’ve worn all pregnancy)
Sweater (this is so soft and comfy for the price!)
Going home outfit (I chose this maxi dress because it’s soft, light, and breastfeeding friendly for a June or July delivery)
Electronics
In general, my labors progress pretty quickly, so we don’t have much time to hang out in the hospital before I end up having a baby. Still, it’s nice to have a few options and fully-charged electronics for all the pictures and messages on our phones after baby is born. This is what I’m bringing this time:
10-foot charging cables for iphones (two)
Apple Watch charger
Anker Multi-port Wall Charger
Anker Bluetooth Speaker
iPad
Headphones
Food
Despite being well fed at the hospital after the baby arrives, I am always STARVING and often crave something sweet! To help keep me from getting hangry and sending Rich on a mission to find food, I put together a bag of protein-high snacks (and a few treats) I can munch on at any hour. I also like to throw in some mints and gum, as I often get nauseous during labor and having something minty to suck on really helps me. Here’s what’s in our snack stash (which Rich brings in his bag) this time around:
Trail Mix, Luna Bars, Rx Bars
Mint Gum
Mint Tic Tacs (Helps with nausea during labor)
Isagenix Hydrate
Gummy candies (for after)
Extras
These are a few of the random things and comforts from home I like to have on hand. I try not to bring too many things from home that I’m not willing to leave at the hospital, just due to the germs and exposure. With that said, I do like to have my own pillow and blanket. I also like to bring a little gift for our nurses (absolutely NOT required), as we have had the most incredible nurses through each of our births, and rather than come back weeks later to try and find them and thank them, it’s nice to give them a thank you when we go to leave or they end their shift. Here are a few of the little extras I’m opting to bring:
Nurses Gifts
Pillow we can leave there if we forget
Comfy blanket (I’m bringing this Lou Lou and Company one for baby but will use for me too!)
Eye Mask
Water bottle with a straw (Love this gifted custom one from A Craftee B on etsy!)
Essential Oil Roller (mine will have peppermint, peace and calming, and lavender in it)
Face masks (thanks Covid)
Mesh laundry bag (so nice to keep your dirty clothes separate so you can throw them right in the laundry when you get home)
Towel we don’t mind leaving (we have a ton of basic white Costco ones, so I’ll bring that)
