What’s in My Maternity Hospital Bag - Essential Items For Your Stay!

I received some of the items featured here at no cost to be included in this article. However, these are items that are truly in my Maternity Hospital Bag.

Today marks my 33rd week of pregnancy and I am definitely getting antsy! There are so many things on my To-Do List before baby arrives, that I decided to tackle something that I didn’t have a chance to do with my first pregnancy. That was to put together a Maternity Hospital Bag! My daughter surprised everyone by her 4-week early arrival and this time, I am getting prepared early!

Trying to pack a hospital bag while having contractions, wasn’t the most fun thing and thankfully my sister-in-law had given me a pre-packed bag as a baby shower gift. I had my husband grab that and I threw a few things together in another bag before heading to the hospital.

This time around I wanted to be more prepared and bring things that I wish I had the first time around. Check out my list of must-haves below!

1. A Bag – Something that will store all your necessities. I actually received this bag as a birthday present earlier this month and think it’s super cute! I love anything that’s hands-free and it’s a diaper bag too!
   
2. Nightgown – We all know how drafty and well, icky those hospital gowns are. Sure your doctor and the round-the-clock nurses will need to be able to check how you are healing, but by wearing your own, you know it will fit, have something familiar from home, and feel more comfortable. I recommend something with buttons down the front for easy breastfeeding, or a specifically designed nursing nightgown.
   
3. Nursing Bra – Speaking of nursing, I nursed my daughter for 10 months and there’s no better time to start then in the hospital! I found these comfortable wireless nursing bras from Charley Maternity called Flourish and Buddy and they are perfect! Pair them up with a nursing-friendly nightgown and you are all set! They will carry you through your nursing journey in comfort and style.

4. Bathrobe – This was something I completely forgot about the first time around. I wished I had a bathrobe to keep me warm and be more discreet for family visitors. It would also be great for walking around your room, or when making a trip down the hospital hallway.
   
5. Deodorant & Dry Shampoo – After all, us ladies need to feel fresh and clean, even if perhaps we don’t have the energy after labor to jump in the shower. Family is visiting, people are taking pictures, and you don’t want to feel all nasty. I am all about natural products and Cleo & Coco is the brand to deliver! Their Charcoal Deodorant gives you all day odor control and is aluminum free! Love it! Plus, their Dusting Power & Dry Shampoo will leave you feeling shower fresh during these delicate times. Whether you are at the hospital, or at home, you will be loving these products for everyday use! (Make sure to enter my Cleo&Coco Giveaway starting 10/28/18!)
   

6. Toothbrush and Toothpaste – I am big on brushing my teeth and definitely want to make sure I have a disposable toothbrush and toothpaste sample. Something I won’t mind tossing out in my hospital room before heading home is definitely best.
   
7. Swaddles – Some hospitals will allow you to bring in your own swaddles and clothing for your baby to wear. I chose to pack this adorable, 3 Premium Cotton Muslin Blankets set by Swaddle Designs. They are too cute and soft for baby’s delicate skin! I love how there is an instruction tag on each blanket showing you step-by-step how to swaddle your baby. When my daughter was born, my husband and I had no idea how to swaddle and had to keep asking the nurses to show us how. Now we can leave the nurses alone and do it ourselves! Plus, these are also great for covering up while breastfeeding when family happens to drop in.
   

8. Swaddle Sack with Wrap – Your baby is used to being confined to your belly for the past 10 months and when they are out in the big wide world, still like to feel like they are back inside the womb. Swaddle Designs has adorable Convertible Swaddle Sacks with Wraps, which are perfect for nighttime sleeping. They are a safe alternative for blankets, as you should never have loose blankets around your baby. The convertible style allows you to either leave the arms up, or down, and there are fold over mitten cuffs, if needed. Plus, another handy feature is their 2-way zipper design, which allows for easy diaper changes! I got the cute hedgehog design and it’s 100% cotton knit, which means it’s soft and breathable for your little one.
   
9. Pacifier – My daughter insisted on picking out a pacifier for her new little brother. We made a special trip to the store and she picked out these green Avent pacifiers. After all, they were her favorite for a long time and wanted to make sure her little brother was going to be happy.
   
10. Pacifier Clips – For those of us parents whose babies use pacifiers, you know how much time you end up spending cleaning them once they fall out of their mouth. Well, no more my friends! I found these oh-so-cute Tulamama Pacifier Clips that will not only keep you from going to the sink about a hundred times a day, but they will give you peace of mind too. They are BPA free, FDA and CPSC certified (and more)! They can even be used for teething as the beads are made from food-grade silicone! I got an adorable beige and blue pacifier clip. Say goodbye to all the pacifier pick-ups, Mom and Dad! Hurray! (Get 35% off your order with this exclusive Love, Mrs. Mommy discount code: 3PLWHIZP. Good till 11/25/18.)
    

11. Baby’s Take Home Outfit – Be sure to pack a take-home outfit for your new new little peanut. Even if your hospital doesn’t allow you to change your baby’s clothes while they are in the hospital, you will need a take-home outfit. My daughter and I went shopping and found this cute “Little Brother” onesie at Target!
    
12. Mommy’s Go Home Outfit – There is a distinct possibility that you are not going to want to wear the clothing you entered the hospital in. My water broke… big time (!!)… with my daughter and there was no way I was going to wear those shorts back home… Yuk! It’s best to be prepared and bring a change of clothing.
    
13. Camera – This is a biggie! Don’t forget to pack a camera! You will never get those precious moments back again and take all the pictures you want. Make sure to bring your camera, charger, batteries (if needed), extra memory card, and anything else you need to make sure you can document your delivery, first moments together, and family visits.
    
14. Hair Brush and Makeup – Whether you like to wear no, a little, or a lot of makeup – make sure to pack your must-haves for all those photos you are about to take. And don’t forget a comb or brush to help keep your locks looking picture-ready, too. Whatever you want to bring, this is your time to shine and to celebrate this special time in your lives!

All these items will help to make your hospital stay more comfortable and will help you to feel more at home. By giving these items a quick pack in a bag, you will feel better prepared and can focus on the most important thing at hand… your baby!

Wishing you a safe and healthy delivery! Enjoy those baby snuggles!