Esther Santer

View Original

What I Packed In My Hospital Bag + What I Used

Esther Santer

I’ve always been a pretty light packer, especially considering that I’ve got an extensive skincare routine and my job requires me to get dressed every day, so I spent a long time trying to figure out exactly what I wanted in my hospital bag. I tried to balance my minimal tendencies with my desire to bring as much comfort as I can to what will no doubt will be a grueling, albeit exciting, experience. Yes, I know the hospital provides everything you technically need, but based on much research, I decided to trust my gut and buy some of my own recovery products. The worst outcome… I can gift the items to a friend or family member.

Feel free to use my list as a rough guide or as your ultimate packing list and I’ll be sure to do a follow up post with what I actually wound up using. Here we go!

Toiletries (travel size):

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Makeup Remover

  • Face Wash

  • Moisturizer

  • Eye Cream/Face Serum

  • Aquaphor

  • Scrunchies

  • Q-Tips

  • Tweezers

  • Nail Clippers

  • Face Towel

  • Body Lotion

  • Deodorant

  • Shampoo

  • Conditioner

  • Body Wash

  • Waterproof Sandals

  • Shower Cap

  • Dry Shampoo

  • Brush

  • Hair Product

  • Blow dryer

  • Straightener (I realize hair tools could be considered excessive, but since the dream is to get cute hospital pics with the babe, better safe than sorry because let’s just say my short hair is not so kind to me without heat styling.)

Additional Ideas: Bath Towel (I opted not to pack my own, although this was one item that was recommended to me multiple times. While I’m sure a cozy towel is amazing after that first postpartum shower, I honestly have no interest in bringing home extra laundry.)

What I Didn’t Use: I was so grateful for my well stocked toiletry bag after being stuck in the hospital for 6 days and used almost every single item. I only didn’t use the shower cap and dry shampoo since I was in desperate need of a real shower and opted to wash my hair with actual shampoo. Even though the list seems long, I only packed miniature products, so it wasn’t a big deal to stuff my toiletry bag full. By the way, I was SO happy I brought my blow dryer and straightener.

Don't Forget

  • Printed Birth Plan x3

  • License + Insurance Card

  • Hospital Paperwork (if applicable)

  • Prescription Meds (if applicable)

  • Phone

  • Phone Charger

  • External Charger

  • Headphones

  • Pre-Natal Vitamins

  • Gifts for Doctor/Nurses (if you choose)

What I Didn’t Use: I wound up having a traumatic birth (37 hours of labor into a c-section), so my birth plan never even made it out of my suitcase. I also didn’t use my headphones since I never had a break from the pain, but I was happy to have brought them.

For Your Comfort

  • Pillow

  • Throw Blanket

  • Eye Mask

  • Slippers

  • Socks

  • Mints/Gum

  • Music Playlist

Additional Ideas: Hospital Labor Gown, Heating Pad, Water Bottle (All of these items came highly recommended and I almost bought myself a cozy cotton hospital gown to wear, but I decided to go with what the hospital offers for this list.)

What I Didn’t Use: Having my own pillow was a game changer, but I vomited on the blanket almost immediately, so it wound up in a plastic bag the entire time. It would have been nice to have, but looking back, I wish I only took it out for recovery. The only thing I actually didn’t use was my music playlist. I was in way too much pain to even think about music.

What I Wish I Brought: My heating pad! After my c-section, I was in the most pain of my life, so I actually made my husband go home to get it for me. It helped with my pain tremendously.

Postpartum

  • Peri Bottle (I was told in no uncertain terms that your own peri bottle, specifically the one by Frida Mom, is a must have.)

  • Stool Softener

  • Tylenol/Advil (I’m not sure how self medicating at the hospital works, but I read multiple blog posts about bringing your own Tylenol since insurance will bill you $$ for every pill a nurse provides.)

  • Tucks Pads (I most likely will not need these since many hospitals provide, but since I bought already, may as well bring.)

  • Snacks

  • Nursing Bra

  • Nursing Pads

  • Nipple Cream

  • Haakaa

  • Makeup

  • Robe

  • Cute Pajama Set (Ideally button down for nursing.)

  • Pajama Shirt Dress (This was recommended for easier postpartum checks.)

  • Belly Band

  • Compression Socks

Additional Items: Soft Toilet Paper, Adult Diapers (Many people prefer these over what the hospital provides), Donut Pillow, Breast Pump

What I Didn’t Use: There was no way for me to know what my experience would be like, so I actually didn’t use a bunch of items on this list. Stool softener and pain meds (the hospital provided and I was in too much pain to even consider digging through my suitcase for my own), Tucks pads (just didn’t need), nursing pads (turns out I don’t leak), the haakaa (doesn’t work for me), my robe and cute pajama set ( I would have used, but I was bed bound and couldn’t even get myself dressed).

For Baby

  • Baby Nail Clippers

  • Swaddle + Hat (for pictures)

  • Letterboard (for pictures)

  • Stuffed Animal (for pictures)

  • Baby Book (to add ink hand and footprints)

What I Didn’t Use: I didn’t wind up using the baby nail clippers, but they took up no space in my toiletry bag, so I was happy to have them. I also didn’t use the baby book since sadly, our hospital only does digital hand and footprints.

Going Home

What I Didn’t Use: Good thing I didn’t end up packing actual shoes, just my slippers, because my feet were so swollen that’s all that actually fit me post birth. As for items I didn’t use, we opted not to give our baby a pacifier while in the hospital, so that plus his pacifier clip were unnecessary. I also didn’t need a tote bag for hospital goodies because I honestly didn’t get much, but apparently that’s not typical.

xx Esther

See this social icon list in the original post