Don’t Forget These Hospital Bag Must Haves!
If you are pregnant and nearing the delivery date for a baby, then you have probably already thought through what to pack in your hospital bag. You might even have a packed bag already sitting by your door!
I did minimal research on what to pack in the hospital bag to help me before our sweet baby girl was born. I perused the internet and gathered a basic assumption of what to include – toiletries, an outfit for baby, and clothes to journey home in. I packed some entertainment items (which we never touched in the recovery and visitation chaos!) and since I have specific dietary needs I even packed some snacks along to stock the mini fridge.
Yet when I look back at my stay in the hospital after the birth of our sweet baby Ellie, there are four specific items that I desperately wish I had been told to include when I was wondering what to pack in my hospital bag. These items would have helped to make my hospital stay easier, more relaxing, and much more comfortable. Some of them would have even jump-started long term benefits to both my own and the baby’s health.
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If you’ve been working on packing your hospital bag (or wondering what to pack in your hospital bag!) then hopefully these items are already included on your list – but if they’re not then these are items that I highly recommend:
1. Breast Pump
I had very little knowledge of breastfeeding before my daughter was born, except that I wanted to do it. So naturally I didn’t come to the hospital prepared with any breastfeeding materials. The lactation consultant met with me just after Ellie was born and instructed me on manual expression to aid the arrival of my milk supply, but it was very difficult and yielded little. It was only when we took Ellie to the pediatrician four days after her birth that a lactation consultant there instructed me to use the breast pump after each feeding since my supply had still not come in. By then Ellie had lost a concerning amount of weight and we had to supplement her feeding with small amounts of formula by syringe. However, after just a few days with the breast pump my supply began to come in and I was able to successfully breastfeed for many months.
I wish I could have aided my supply in arriving sooner by pumping after feedings at the hospital rather than attempting to manually express. So, if a breast pump is not among the things you are packing in your hospital bag, then I highly recommend that it travel with you for the birth! Many insurance companies even offer a free electric breast pump to first time expectant mothers. We had to call and inquire but were able to get ours free of charge from our provider.
Read Also:
Labor & Delivery – What To Expect When Your Water Breaks
Packing For Labor And Delivery – A Maternity Hospital Bag Checklist
Postpartum Symptoms – What To Expect After The Birth Of Your Baby
2. Nursing-friendly Clothing
Again, I had very little knowledge of breastfeeding before Ellie arrived, so the only clothing I took to the hospital was a clean outfit (of maternity clothes!) to come home in. I hadn’t even purchased any breastfeeding bras or tank tops! However, wearing a hospital gown to greet visitors for days after her birth was less desirable than wearing some “regular” clothes would have been. I also found it bulky and cumbersome to breastfeed while wearing the hospital gown. I highly recommend throwing a nursing bra and breastfeeding-friendly clothing into your hospital bag for having the baby, even if it’s just a loose t-shirt and pair of comfortable shorts.I quickly purchased some nursing bras and tank tops after she was born and a few months later discovered some nursing attire that made it even easier to feed her and remain confidently clothed.
I bought a few long-sleeved nursing tops from latchedmama.com and was very happy with them, but there are many sites out there that make clothing specifically for nursing moms including Belly Bandit, Leading Lady, and ROOLEE. Amazon also has a large selection of nursing tops and dresses. I did not regret investing in at least a few articles to wear in the early months of frequent feedings. If we have another baby I will be sure to throw one of my nursing tops and a bra in when I go through what to pack in the hospital bag!
3. A Velcro Swaddle
We were so unaware before our first baby was born. We had no idea that swaddling was important or even a thing! We quickly learned, however, that to calm and comfort our daughter in the hospital (and for months afterwards) swaddling was an extremely helpful task. The only problem was that swaddling with the hospital provided blanket was tricky and very difficult to do in a way that Ellie wouldn’t just pull her arms out of. We called the nurses several times to ask for their help to swaddle since we realized it helped to calm her but couldn’t figure out how to do it ourselves. (I’m sure I was one of their favorite patients.)
A few weeks after we got home some friends introduced us to velcro swaddles and it was a beautiful thing! They are so much less hassle than blanket swaddling and were much harder for Ellie to pull her arms from. We loved the SwaddleMe brand ones like these available on Amazon since they have a wide band for the velcro to attach to and make as tight or lose as needed. Much stress would have been reduced if we had included one when packing the hospital bag!
4. Miralax
These are the items I wish had been in my hospital bag while recovering after our daughter’s birth. Every birth, baby, and mom is different but if you’re expecting soon then I hope this list helps you to avoid having items that you wish were there with you!
UPDATE: It’s not on the list because I did in fact have it in my bag, but if you don’t have any Depends on your list for what to pack in your hospital bag I highly recommend them! I actually ended up using them when my water broke before getting to the hospital or I wouldn’t have been able to walk in without a towel between my legs! They were also extremely convenient after birth. They were much easier to use than the hospital provided undies and pads. I’m currently expecting my second baby and have already set aside a pack of these for when I begin packing my hospital bag!
Read my full post on what to pack in your labor and delivery hospital bag (with a FREE printable checklist!) HERE.
If you’ve already delivered a baby, what are some items that you wish you would have packed for the hospital?
Definitely the miralax !!!
I wish I had all 4 also! I could not swaddle at all, I used to call it the Eskimo!
Right there with you – our daughter used to completely unravel every attempt we made!
Yes!!!!! I wish I had all 4 also! I willsay I regret the advice I received not to start pumping until my son was 3 weeks old. Worst advice I received ?
Oh my! Yes I didn’t realize before our daughter was born that it would be something I would want to do except to store milk, but if I hadn’t I don’t know when or if my milk supply would have ever come in!
Great list. I’ve been trying to think of what I even had in my hospital bag!!! It was only six years ago…. I do remember loving those Velcro sleepers!
They are the best!
I didn’t really know what breastfeeding friendly clothing would be until I tried breastfeeding. It is such a good thing to bring to the hospital, especially when you don’t want to be in a hospital gown anymore but the nurses keep coming in and expecting to observe your baby nursing…
Yes, agreed! I would have felt so much less self-conscious with visitors if I had brought clothing that could accommodate nursing and the hospital needs as well as look a little bit more modest. I didn’t even own a nursing bra before Ellie was born! It didn’t take me long to stock up on some of those items and I even purchased some shirts designed specifically for nursing that I loved.
So on point. I was blissfully unaware and these tips would of helped so much my first go around!
Thank you! Yes, I was blissfully unaware as well! So many little pieces that were hard to anticipate or prep for.
Great little list! Man, that miralax is NO JOKE. The first post parting poop is a *very* sensitive thing.
I can’t believe you didn’t take a pump to the hospital! I wouldn’t have made it without mine. My oldest daughter spent 15 days in the NICU so it was crucial. I’m SO glad you used a lactation consultant. Aren’t they wonderful!
I know, not having that breast pump caused A LOT of unnecessary stress! Wow yes, it would be especially crucial with your little one in the NICU. I probably wouldn’t have been able to successfully breastfeed if not for the lactation consultant at our pediatrician who finally got me going with the pump. She was a life saver in the anxiety and chaos of those first few weeks! And yes, the Miralax will now be a postpartum staple for me 🙂