What's in my hospital bag?
Hey guys! As I am preparing to welcome our baby girl in just a few weeks - I thought this might be helpful to some of you! I also filmed a video on youtube, if you would prefer that over a blog post go check that out here - YouTube Video
Labor Items
Diffuser and Essential oils
- Lemon - Cleansing and detoxifying for our bodies, a drop in water or ice chips will help with nausea. It's also energizing, so great in the diffuser or on your feet when you get tired.
- Lavender - Mix with gentle baby and apply to perineum to help elasticize and prevent tearing. Mix with water in a bottle and apply after birth to help heal. Can also help with stretch marks especially when mixed with frankincense. Lavender is known for it's calming effect, and will help keep you relaxed when diffused or massaged into your neck, shoulders and feet.
- Peppermint - Can also help with nausea. Great for your temples for headaches. Like lemon, this is also energizing. Adding a drop to ice chips or water, diffusing or applying to feet can be really helpful when you're getting tired.
- Frankincense - Powerhouse of oils! Since biblical times, this ancient oil has been known for its antiseptic, anti-neurotic, anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties. Use with lavender in perineum spray, mix with coconut oil for stretch marks and dilute for anointing newborn to help recover from birth.
The diffuser I am bringing also doubles as a night light which is perfect for late night breastfeeding in the hospital instead of the awful, harsh overhead lighting in the hospital. All the oils mentioned above are included in the Young Living premium starter kit. I chose the "Desert Mist Diffuser" - https://bit.ly/2MoI2E5
Labor / Delivery "outfit"
These items really are not necessary. The hospital will provide you with a gown you can wear during labor and delivery as well as grippy socks to walk around in. That being said, this is my last birth and I have been wanting to get my own delivery gown for my last 2 births. A couple of awesome things about the labor gown I chose - 1. It is black.. So anything that may get on the gown during the whole process will not stain. 2. It's actually 3 in 1 and can be used for labor, delivery and as a nursing nightgown after I have her. I also got a robe for extra coverage when walking around the hospital or visiting with people after she is here. This can also be used for nursing or around the house after! Since I am due in July I opted to skin the super fuzzy, warm socks. (I am way too hot all the time) I opted for some super cute motivational socks and just some basic black flip flops. The socks have grips on the bottom so I can walk around the hospital in them, the ones I chose also say "stay strong beautiful". And then the flip flops are an option if my feet get too warm and I can wear them in the shower.
Be strong Beautiful Socks
Black 3 in 1 labor gown
Delivery/Nursing Robe
Others
- Gum
- Headphones
- Snacks
- Change for vending machine
- Phone charger
- Re_purpose headband
- Hair ties & bobby pins
- Chapstick
- Bluetooth speaker
For Baby
The hospital will provide you with everything you need for baby. Literally. Diapers, wipes, little kimono onesies, swaddles. You name it. If all you brought with you in your bag was an outfit for your baby to come home in and maybe a blanket, you would be okay! Here are the things I brought with me mostly for fun and picture purposes.
Swaddles
Succulent Swaddle
Lou Lou & Co Swaddle Set
Special Baby Blanket
This was one of the biggest things I was so sad about not having when we had a little pre-term labor scare at 34 weeks. But I have it now! I can't say enough about Song Bird Sewing Co. Reneé is seriously a genius. If you're looking for a unique wallet or handbag - check out what she has in stock on her website. http://www.songbirdsewingco.com Find her on instagram @songbirdsewingco and message her to talk about custom orders and baby blankets!
Coming home outfit
I brought two sleeper outfits. One is her coming home outfit, the other is just a back up. First time mama's, don't get too caught up in the cute 6 piece outfits complete with shoes and cardigans. (or do, its your baby. :) ) But for me, sleepers with built in feet and mittens are the way to go. Quick and easy for diaper changes and little socks and mittens do not stay on. They just don't.
Announcement items
Being a photographer, of course I have thought about her first picture! I am bringing two items that I thought would make really cute announcements for social media. The first is one of those felt letter boards where I will have her birth stats. I found mine at hobby lobby, but they are evreywhere! The other is a little "hello my name is" sicker that will be paired with the lou lou & co swaddle set mentioned above.
Don't forget camera, SD card, battery & charger! Or better yet, to hire your favorite birth/fresh 48 photographer ;)
For Mom
Makeup
- BB cream / hydrating foundation
- Lime light blush & bronzer pallet
- Shadow sense for concealer and eye base
- Brow pencil
- Eyelash Curler
- Younique epic mascara
- Makeup remover wipes
Toiletries
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Deodorant
- Dry shampoo
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Q-tips
Clothes
- Nursing PJs
- Nursing nightshirt
- Nursing Bra
- Nursing Cami
- Nursing tank
- Maternity leggings
- Postpartum Underwear
Nursing
- Lacti-Cups - Use these to collect milk during those first few weeks of engorgement. Rather than using disposable nursing pads and wasting that liquid gold!
- Bamboobies
- Nipple Butter
Postpartum
- Tucks
- Preparation H
- Essential oil "bottom spray" blend
- Maxi pads - hospital will provide these! I am just packing some that I know I like