What I'm Packing in My Hospital Bag for Baby Girl

What I’m Packing in My Hospital Bag for Baby Girl

Hospital Bag by India Hicks We’re just 5 weeks away from baby girl’s due date...

Hospital Bag by India Hicks

We’re just 5 weeks away from baby girl’s due date and the hospital bag is packed! Well, I have a sticky note on top with some last minute items to grab (a blanket, pillow, my license, insurance card, a mix of nuts – for snacking!, and my glasses.) These last minute items are items I use every day, so I can’t really pack them until the last minute. Once your hospital bag is packed, assuming your nursery is set up for baby’s arrival, you’re really in crunch mode. You’re logistically ready – like, if the baby was to come right NOW, you’re set to go.

I have to say, I am thankful that I did this all before the 6 week mark, because I am getting big and tired. Most importantly, I want to enjoy these last few weeks with our little family of three and not spend Luca’s naps throwing together a hospital bag, fixing the nursery, or ordering diapers. I can take naps too, spend time with Lu, and be stress free (well… does that really exist?)

When I was pregnant with Luca, I wrote a ‘What I’m Packing in my Hospital Bag‘ post and then updated it after delivery, reflecting what I used, didn’t use, and what I wish I had. Looking back on the experience, baby girl’s hospital bag is looking a little different. Just keep in mind that everyone’s hospital bag should look different! For example, I’m planning on not using a shower in the hospital, because my hospital’s showers are tiny and outside of the rooms and I just bring the appropriate wipes and products to clean myself up enough to feel human like for the couple of days I’ll be in the hospital (assuming I have a similar delivery again.) Plus, we are a 25 minute car ride away from the hospital and it’s in NYC, so literally ANYTHING is just a click, swipe, or a couple blocks away. And as a superstitious goodluck charm, I’m using the same bag I used with Luca as my hospital bag. It’s this gorgeous duffle by India Hicks.

What I’m Packing in My Hospital Bag for Baby Girl

  • Photo ID & Insurance card
  • Wireless speaker
  • Snacks for post-partum recovery: I’ll be bringing protein bars (most likely Square Organics bars) and a raw nut and raisin mix.
  • Blanket & pillow
  • Sleep gown & robe: so, I was such a mess down there and leaking fluids/blood/etc the whole time, that I didn’t dare put on anything that could get stained, BUT I want to take cute family photos this time (just on our iPhones) because we have Luca, so I am going to do my best to put on a nice robe for the photo, so I’m not in the hospital gown! I have this robe and nursing gown, which I love.
  • Going home outfit: I packed my Lululemon Align leggings, a t-shirt and nursing tank, and a light cardigan.
  • Nursing bra: I never used one in the hospital, but I wish I had (I was just so out of it/a deer in headlights the whole time), because I had the craziest hot flashes and was just dripping sweat from my boobs not being contained, haha. I will definitely be wearing my favorite nursing bra! This is the one I love.
  • Diapers: I remember the diapers in the hospital being Pampers and 2 sizes too big, and I know how to change a diaper now, so I figured I’d bring newborn diapers and my favorite chlorine-free brand, Seventh Generation.
  • iPhone charger with extra long cord: this one.
  • Frida Mom Washer: this is one thing I will never leave the house without – I’d rather leave my phone! The hospital perinatal bottle is crap, this makes it so much better and gentler on your recovery down there.
  • Personal hand fan: I still have the one left from when I was in the hospital with Luca, but I couldn’t find it on Amazon, so I’m linking to one similar. I had the CRAZIEST hot flashes those first couple of days (and weeks, frankly) after delivery. This was a lifesaver!
  • Sleep mask: this was crucial, because I was in a shared room and nurses were always coming in and out (and visitors). I’m praying for a private room this time, but in the event that that doesn’t happen, I have backup.
  • Grip socks: the socks they give you in the hospital are oversized, scratchy, and don’t have a grip bottom. I highly recommend this one!
  • 1 newborn zip footie: to bring the baby home in, if she’s under 8 pounds (Luca was!)
  • 1 0-3 zip footie: to bring the baby home in, if she’s over 8 pounds.
And in a separate toiletries bag/dopp kit, I’m bringing:
  • Face moisturizer
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Hair ties
  • Dry shampoo
  • My glasses and contact lenses
  • Nipple cream
  • Facial wipes (for cleansing face)
  • Lip balm
  • Hair band: this one!

New with baby girl

These are the items that I’ll be bringing for baby girl that I didn’t bring with Luca (because I didn’t know any better at the time!)

  • Reusable water bottle: in the hospital, they gave me a jug of water and these tiny little Dixie cups for water and I was RAVENOUSLY thirsty, so I’m just going to bring the reusable water bottle and ask them to bring a jug AND fill up my water bottle.
  • Swaddle blanket and matching hat: now that I have my favorite blankets for snug swaddling, I’m bringing that brand and a matching hat to go with it, for some cute first photos.
  • Hello My Name Is card: can you even?!
  • Baby bow: for cute pictures, if I can’t resist!
  • Body wipes: showering is too much postpartum, but a good wipe down is nice.

hope this was helpful for all you mamas-to-be!

Photo by Erin Dwyer Photography

with love, Ali

leave a comment

comments

  • Hi there! Love this post and found it super helpful! Questions! Could you link the grip socks, sleep mask, SwadDle/hat combo you used? These are all things I’m looking into, and there aRe so many options! Thanks so much!
  • This is so helpful, thank you!
  • Love this Ali! i'm also on my 2nd kid and this is still very insightful. I personally went with slippers over grippy socks for my first and that was a must have for me. I LIVED in a similar nightgown and my robe was key for comfort and nursing. I found both at target for under $30. "Women's Beautifully Soft Nightgown - STARS ABOVE" and "Women's Beautifully Soft Robe - Stars Above" (has pockets!!) I labored in the hospital gown but having the scratchy gown on afterwards was my nightmare so i quickly changed into my own clothes. My hospital did have newborn size of the pampers swaddlers so I will skip the diapers but might bring my own wipes since all they have is the ones you have to wet first. good luck mamas!!
  • Thansk For this AlI! Also on my second baby and there’s so mUch i WOULDN'T pack due to not using it last time. One tning i did Ise was a pair of flip flops or SLIDERS - did not trust the hospital floors here in the UK and was so thrilled i could just PROPERLY Dunk/wash them when i got Home. Best wishes To your family xx