Number One: Comfy Slippers
As “nice” as the grippy socks you get from the hospital are, I guarantee you will want to be comfortable in your own slippers from home!
Our first daughter was in the NICU for 5 days so we spent a lot of time walking from my room on the Postpartum floor down to the NICU. I actually remembered to bring slippers with me, but we found out the importance of slippers with arch support! We actually had to run (and by run I mean hobble) over to the Target down the road and purchase me some slip on sandals that provided arch support and could be adjusted to fit over my swollen feet. We later found out that I was allergic to the antibiotic that they gave me before my C-section which is why I had such a hard recovery with my first, but I digress. I know that you will not regret bringing your own slippers with arch support, even if you are not traveling to the NICU floor as they always want you to get up and move around and your feet will take a beating from the hospital floors if you are only in the grippy socks.
I also recommend bringing socks 🧦 you love as well as compression socks in case you need them! The compression socks were really helpful for my swollen feet and ankles with my first daughter!
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Number Two: A robe or nursing gown
Whatever method you are delivering your baby by, having your own robe/gown that is a texture that you like is key! I did not do this with my first and I wish I had!
For my second, I purchased a couple nursing gowns ahead of time and ended up loving them both. They both were a milk silk (think very soft) fabric. The one that I actually used the most did not have buttons or snaps, but instead was a V-neck that was loose enough that I could actually fit my second daughter inside the dress while breastfeeding. This allowed me to help her latch more quickly instead of fiddling around with buttons while she cried for food.
Here is the link to the V-neck nursing gown that I loved (no affiliate link): https://a.co/d/c6YwNJ4
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Number Three: A noise machine
I just used an app on my phone, but it was a game changer. Hospital rooms are soo loud with all of the different machines which can make it hard to fall asleep. I put white noise on my phone and put it right by my head to fall asleep otherwise the sound of the clock ticking kept me awake.
The white noise app that I used is no longer available on Google Play, but it had the ability to mix sounds and have them at different volumes so that you could make a sound that fit you. I personally loved mixing the sound of whales, waves, and rain, but it also had the sound of the heart beat which both my girls loved.
You could also use an audio book too (I often listen to Pride and Prejudice to fall asleep 😊).
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Number Four: Chapstick/Aquaphor for your lips
Hospitals are often very dry and the last thing you want is to have cracked lips while you are trying to take care of your newborn. Maybe pack a couple just in case one gets lost!
Everyone has their own favorite Chapstick so choose whichever you love the most! Some of my favorites (not affiliated) are:
- Burt’s Bees Pomegranate
- EOS
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Number Five: Dry Shampoo
Let’s be real dry shampoo is a must because you may not feel up to washing your hair in the shower and that’s totally okay! You just delivered a sweet little baby!!
I absolutely love the Dove Dry Shampoo (not affiliated), but pack whatever brand you use! If you have never tried it before, I recommend trying ahead of time to make sure that you are not allergic to whatever brand you choose.
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Additional Items I recommend bringing:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Lotion – Similar to my comment about the Chapstick, your skin dries out a lot in the hospital and having lotion that you know you are not allergic to can help keep your skin from drying out.
- Hairbrush and Hair ties (extra because you may loose them)
- Face Wipes
- Phone Charger
If your partner is coming with you, make sure that they remember to pack a small bag for themselves as well. And don’t be afraid to ask the hospital you plan to deliver at if they provide pillow and blankets for your partner. Often they do, but it never hurts to ask!
Not sure when you should pack your hospital bag? Generally, it is recommended that you have it all packed and ready to go at 36 weeks.