I’ve only had one baby but I feel like these items are going to be essential no matter how many babies I have! I used all of these things at the hospital and continued using them when we were home with baby. These are the exact items I bought and used, but there are always other options/types/brands of the same items that you can get if they are more accessible or better for you. Oh and if you’re here, congratulations on having a baby! 🙂
1. Large Tote Bag: This thing is great. It is very spacious so I was able to fit everything I took in this one bag. I have used it a few times since having my son as a travel bag/hotel stay bag and it works just as good for that!
2. Birthing/Labor Combs: OMG. These were awesome to help distract from the intensity of contractions and to take my attention elsewhere. I found that they also helped prevent me from tensing up my face and my pelvic floor because I was focused on squeezing them as hard as I could. Highly recommend!
3. Comfy Pajamas: It was 100% necessary to have pajamas that had a button down shirt. This should be a given, but it made it so easy to lay baby on my chest skin to skin without having to fully undress, and it’s especially convenient if you plan on breastfeeding. I wouldn’t have thought to make sure my shirt was a button down if I hadn’t read it beforehand from someone else!
4a. Slippers: I am a person who typically hates wearing socks and the hospital floors are slippery and cold, so slippers are a must. These are so cute and soft!
4b. Shower Shoes: Maybe it’s just me but I had no desire to step barefoot into the hospital shower…I know what it looked like when I showered and I wouldn’t want anyone else stepping into that either! My husband took a pair of these as well.
5. My Own Blankets: Yes the hospital has blankets (and pillows) but something about the comfort of your own blanket – the feel, the smell of home – it was the one thing I almost left behind but I’m so glad I decided to bring. These two are so soft and warm but obviously any blanket you already have and love will be perfect.
6a. Night Light: This was helpful in the middle of that long night in the hospital because I could see what I was doing without disturbing the baby or my husband who was trying to sleep. It has adjustable brightness and taps on and off. I used it every night during nursing sessions and diaper changes for the first 6 months when the baby was sleeping in my room, and we still use it in his room to this day!
6b. Sound Machine: This is a portable one that worked perfectly at the hospital and works great for trips and overnight stays. Not just for the baby either; I sleep with a sound machine on every night!
7. My Own Postpartum Undies: Umm, the things the hospital tries to give you are just absolutely atrocious! The material is horrible and they’re ugly and uncomfortable! Not that these ones are super cute (LOL!) but they are so comfy and they really held everything in place (postpartum pads, witch-hazel cooling pads, etc.). I wore these for the full 3 weeks that I bled after giving birth.
8. Comfy + Cute Going Home Outfit: Everyone gets the cutest going home outfits for their baby (and rightfully so!) but what about the mama’s going home outfit? We deserve to feel cute and be comfy too. I wanted something that was a relaxed fit, soft, warm, and with potential to continue to wear. This one is so cute and comes in various colors!
These were my favorite things to have during our time in the hospital. We only had to stay one night so we came home 24 hours after our son was born. Of course I also took my own toiletries and makeup and things like that, plus the baby’s diaper bag. But the hospital gave us so much stuff! They gave us a pack of diapers, wipes, an actual diaper bag, tons of pads, even socks. I’m sure there’s more that I forgot but chances are if you forget something basic they will have it!
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