Tips for Packing your Hospital Bag
Our founder Nikki is a mom who has learned a thing or two about a successful hospital birth, and pulled together all her tips for what to pack. We're all about staying prepared and getting ahead, so you can have the most enjoyable experience possible. Looking for a bag to efficiently store it all (including snacks) that looks pretty at the same time? Try the Ayla Bag!
- Focus on Essentials. It's easy to get caught up in bringing everything you think you might need, but first focus on essentials.
- You will need a few basic toiletries: like a toothbrush, hairbrush, hair elastics or headband and lip balm (those hospital rooms can be dry and there is nothing worse than chapped lips)!
- If you think you might want to freshen up for some photos with your newborn, you may want to bring a small makeup kid, lip gloss or any other items.
- Pack a comfortable going home outfit! Trust us when we say comfortable! Something loose fitting and easy to get into.
- Don’t forget important documentation such as ID, insurance cards, birth plans or prescription medications!
- Personal touches. You may want to bring a few of these items from home to make you feel more comfortable and at ease.
- Consider bringing your own pillow (the hospital pillows aren’t always the most comfortable) and this will add that extra touch of comfort
- Essential oils or favorite smelling lotion or cream: smell can be a powerful relaxant and can help you feel more at ease during your delivery.
- Your own birthing gown or nursing robe. Let’s be honest, the hospital gowns don’t always make us feel like our most glamour selves…Consider bringing a birthing gown of your own or a nursing robe for once baby is born. Here is a link to one of our favorites.
- Cozy socks! There is nothing more comforting that a nice pair of warm socks!
3. Important extras: The essentials you'll definitely want, but probably forget.
- Charging cords
- Camera
- Snacks or chewing gum
- Headphones and your favorite music, or a portable speaker
- A blank journal if you wish to record your thoughts and feelings while you recover!
- Good book, a few magazines or a tablet with your favorite tv shows to help keep you entertained.
- Ear plugs! Sometimes hospitals aren’t the most quiet places when you are in need of rest. This parenting hack is one you don’t want to forget!
4. Don't forget about dad, or whoever's coming along: give them more to do and more to eat than hit the vending machine or get fast food.
- Pillow or blanket from home
- Credit card or cash
- Cell phone charger
- Change of clothes
- Snacks
5. For baby: the star of the show will need a thing or two.
- 1-3 outfits and a going home outfit
- A small black or white stuffed animal since those are the first colors they see
- A cute baby blanket for pictures
- A Car seat that meets safety guidelines! (Maybe post a link to current guidelines)
- Nursing pillow
6. What not to bring: like we said, no need to waste any time or space.
- Diapers and wipes: take advantage of the stash that the hospital provides!
- Skip the postpartum underwear and take advantage of the hospital ones provided
- Bottles and bottle nipples and pacifiers: take advantage of the ones offered form the hospital
- Candles. Most hospitals discourage against candles but you might want to consider a spray or diffuser for essential oils