Today I’m sharing what’s packed in our hospital bags for mama and baby #2! Affiliate links used.
Well, I FINALLY packed our hospital bags. Nothing like a false alarm birth to get your butt into gear, right? I’m pretty sure our bags were packed at like, 30 weeks when I was pregnant with Camden but when I went in at 35 weeks this time they were most certainly not. Luckily, I knew something could potentially be wrong when I went to my OB that morning so I had left little piles of things all over the place, just in case. But end the end I forgot 192 things and had to have my mom searching all over the place gathering them up. (Sorry mom, you’re an angel.)
Moral of that story is…don’t procrastinate friends. There’s a reason they tell you to pack your bag early. You’re welcome for that very helpful PSA.
This being our second baby slightly changed what I packed verses the first time, but not much. There are a ton of hospital bags lists out there (which is why I was so surprised you all told me you wanted this post over on my Instagram poll) and truly you could show up with virtually nothing for yourself or the baby and be completely fine. The hospital will give you everything you need but if I could potentially be in the hospital for three days, I personally want some comforts of home!
Bag (Old Lilly Pulitzer for Target) | Boppy | Boppy Cover | Pillows
Let’s start with the big stuff. Obviously, you need a bag. Any bag will do really. I’m using my humongous Lilly Pulitzer for Target bag but holy cow how gorgeous is this one from Target?! How do they do it? Sorry, redirect…
Nathan and I also take our own pillows to the hospital. People have strong feelings about bringing your own pillow, they either think it’s a no-brainer or it’s disgusting, but we fall firmly in the no-brainer category. The hospital pillows suck to be frank and our memory foam ones do not.
The last thing here is our Boppy. I used this Boppy to breastfeed Camden when he was small and will hopefully be able to do so with this baby as well.
Similar Slippers | Socks | Top | Lounge Pants | Robe | Leggings
Ahh what to wear during your hospital stay? Again, it can depend on what you like/feel comfortable in but for me loose fitting pants (I chose a dark color because there is a chance of blood getting on them), a nursing tank (chat more about those in just a second), and a robe was my post baby attire of choice. Easy to whip everything out at the drop of a hat but also covered enough that I felt ok with visitors. Add socks, a pair of slippers with good tread, and a loose top with a pair of leggings to go home in and you are done!
Sleeping Bra | Nursing Bra | Nursing Tanks | Undies
The underthings! I can not even tell you how much this nursing sleep bra has changed my life already. I sleep in it almost nightly! Highly recommend for third trimester mamas who need an extra lay between themselves and their shirts to sleep at night. Ouch. I have a feeling I’ll be wearing it all the time once baby is here, too. Those first few weeks while your body is adjusting can be painful if your bra is too restrictive.
I got this pack of nursing bras off Amazon (ordered the morning we went in to the hospital ironically) because my ones from Camden were looking rougher than I remembered when I got them out of the attic. I’ve been wearing them for the last week or so and really like them. Always size WAY up in nursing bras because how big your breasts will get with nursing will shock you to your core and you do NOT want them tight, especially at first. I’m a pretty true medium and I got the XL size in these.
These nursing tanks were another Amazon purchase. I haven’t worn them yet but they look and feel great so far. Again, size up! I went with a large in these. I also threw in a pair of my favorite underwear from this pregnancy. You won’t actually wear regular underwear for several days (spoiler alert ;)) BUT as a person who went to the hospital for three days at 35 weeks and came home with no baby, I’m packing a clean pair just in case from now on.
Always Postpartum Underwear | Nipple Cream | Travel Sized Items all from Target
After making lists with everything I would need to grab at the last minute and still worrying I would forget something, I came to my senses and just raided the travel sized toiletries section of Target. Now everything is packed and I don’t have to worry about forgetting anything! I just noticed there isn’t a razor in this picture so I’m going to add one of those, too. A few people on Instagram teased me about taking a razor and that totally stems from our recent hospital stay as well! My legs are whatever but guys, my armpits… Nothing on earth makes me feel more disgusting than hairy armpits. Am I alone in this?! I’ll also add my glasses and makeup at the last minute.
Nipple cream is always a good idea if you plan to breast feed. I think I used whatever they had in the hospital last time but my friend swears by this one and gifted me some so it was a no-brainer to pack!
Lastly, adult diapers. This is a fairly new “trend” (at least as far as I know) in postpartum care but I’ve heard great things. The mesh underwear they give you in the hospital is…fine…but these are supposedly way more comfortable and actually provide extra coverage. I’ll report back with my opinions. 
Now on to baby girl’s bag! Again, your baby is provided with everything it needs from clothes to swaddles to diapers at the hospital but I like to use the adorable things we already have so she has her own bag of stuff. It’s all clothes and blanket type of things though. You USE those free diapers and wipes while you can!! And then take the extras home.
I used this Vera Bradly backpack as a diaper bag with Camden and it worked well, so I’ll use it again for now. It has plenty of space, lots of pockets, is a dark color so I don’t have to worry about stains, and can be thrown in the wash! Winner.
Hat & Gloves | Swaddle Blankets | Receiving Blanket | Nursing/Car Seat Cover
A hat and mittens are admittedly a funny way to start this off but it’s going to be very cold here when baby #2 is born, so she is going to need a warm hat. These aden + anias muslin swaddle blankets were our favorites with Camden so we will be using them again. I also added this pretty, heavier blanket after our recent hospital stay. Preemie babies need to stay extra extra warm to help control their blood sugar levels and I want her to have something pretty should we need it.
Preemie Outfit | Newborn Outfit w/ Hat | Little Sister Outfit | Hello World Gown | Headband Bows | Bear Slippers | Socks
You will be doing a lot of skin to skin those first few days so I may leave her naked under her swaddle sometimes but packed a few outfits for the other times. One preemie size and the rest are newborn outfits. I’m dreaming of a photo op of her in her “Little Sister” sleeper with her brother in his “Big Brother” shirt (pictured and linked below).
I doubt this girl will be without a bow on her head starting from about an hour after she comes out of the womb so you know I’ve got those. Hats, socks, and slippers (I can’t tell you how hard they drilled in our brain the importance of keeping her head and feet warm if she born early) round out her bag.
Big Brother Shirt | Daniel Tiger Book | Magnet Blocks
Not to be forgotten, big brother’s gift! I love the idea of having something there from “the baby” for him to open and hopefully he will be excited for these things! We love the way Daniel Tiger handles tough things (well, I do) so I’m hopeful this book will help him understand his role a little better. I think he will really love and get a kick out of these magnetic blocks from Amazon that are waaay cheaper than those name brand ones. And his big brother shirt of course! I’m trying to keep my expectations low for the first time they meet but I also can’t wait to see how he reacts.
I will probably grab a few different snack items to add to the bag this week. Something salty for my husband for sure – in a dream world I would make some of our favorite Chex Mix but we’ll see about that. I’ll add some granola bars and nuts or trail mix, too. My husband is a snacker (and breastfeeding hunger is real) so I like to have a few options for us other than vending machines and other things at hospital prices.
Awww, I almost forgot that I made sweet nurses gifts last time! Gosh, pre-mom Rachel was so thoughtful and on it. Maybe I’ll do that this week. Maybe. It was honestly very easy.
I hope this was helpful to someone! Drop your hospital MUST haves in the comments. I love hearing other people’s suggestions!
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