21 Comments

I love this and the "why it is important" descriptions you included. I would add lip balm as lips get so dry, gum or mints, and I brought my own yoga ball!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for reading and for these great suggestions.

Expand full comment

Amazing list! Thank you so much for including links!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!! I want to make it as easy as possible for busy people!

Expand full comment

Nipple balm for those who plan to breastfeed! I love love love the Mama Earth Organics brand, and it can also stand in as lip balm, cuticle cream, etc for those dry hospitals 🙌🏼

Expand full comment

I ended up using the rest of my lanolin as diaper cream- it worked wonderfully!

Expand full comment
author

I love products that have multiple uses!

Expand full comment
author

Great additions. I was also thinking about a small humidifier.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for this list, about to have my third baby and this is the most practical list I've seen. A couple of essentials I'd add are: hair tie for long hair (easy to forget) and face cloths for cooling me down during labour. Also, I can't believe some hospitals won't let labouring mothers eat! Is this a US thing? I can understand if you're having surgery, but I don't know how I would get through it with no snacks. Here in the UK, you are very encouraged to back snacks and I found coconut water and granola bars very uplifting! Best of luck with your 4th x

Expand full comment
author

Love the hair tie and cooling clothes addition. Yes many US hospitals do not allow you to eat especially if there is a concern you may need a c-section. It is ice chips, ice chips, nice chips!

Expand full comment

So many great things - thanks for sharing this list! I’m a few weeks behind you (congratulations!) and starting to pack my bag, so this is a great refresher. I’ll be adding 2 other things to my bag: (1) a way to trim baby’s long fingernails since the hospital doesn’t provid any, and (2) compression socks, especially if you are having a c-section.

Expand full comment
author

Compression socks are a great one!

Expand full comment

This is the best packing list I’ve seen! Will share it with friends who are pregnant

Expand full comment
author

Please share! I so appreciate the support

Expand full comment

So exciting!! Congratulations!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Breast Friend for the win!! Absolutely the best, I love how it secure it is when they are newborn. Also, I was so swollen (c section) that maternity clothes were just as tight after delivery, so keep things loose!

Expand full comment
author

Laura, great points especially on the clothes. I would also add about loose shoes or flip flops in case your feet are swollen!

Expand full comment

Yes- late pregnancy I bought a pair of Chaco Chillos slides and they were perfect because of how adjustable they are.

Expand full comment

Consider for your hospital bag:

- Raisin bran. Eat as much as you can stuff into yourself after the birth because there's no such thing as too soft. Just saying.

- Lipstick. It took me until the fourth kid to remember to bring a little lipstick so I didn't look washed out in the new baby photos. Revlon Colorstay stays on.

Expand full comment
author

Love these! Thank you for sharing!

Expand full comment