What I Packed in My Hospital Bag as a Second Time Mom

Baby Merrell #2 is due in about five to six weeks and I optimistically have my bag packed and ready to go,hoping that this baby decides to come early (rather than his/her older brother…who was eight days late). Having done this once before, I packed very differently for this baby in comparison to my first delivery.

Packing and preparing to pack are two of my favorite things to do (however, unpacking is another beast entirely). Packing a hospital bag for the birth of your baby can be a little tricky! This is my second time at this particular rodeo, so I’ve got a better list this time than I did last time.

I’ll do my best to leave links to everything I can in this blog post.

WHAT’S IN MY HOSPITAL BAG: FOR MOM

Clothing

Last time I labored, I did it in the hospital gown and I hated it. I didn’t feel comfortable or covered or like I could move around all that easily. I also didn’t know what I was going to want to wear postpartum and I was uncomfortable pretty much the whole time I was in the hospital. Even my coming home outfit wasn’t comfortable last time. This time, I have an outfit for L&D, an outfit for the postpartum ward, and an outfit for when I am discharged. I’m pretty confident these will be much more comfortable options this time.

Labor and Delivery

• 3 in 1 Labor, Delivery and Nursing Gown – I hated laboring in the hospital gown. I both felt like I was drowning in and that my butt was totally exposed while I was moving around the room. This time, I bought a labor gown that I hope will be comfortable enough that I won’t have to think about what I’m wearing. I’m also planning to labor unmedicated, so being as comfortable as possible is important to me.
• Auden Wireless Nursing Bra – I’ll be bringing one of my old nursing bras (from when Calvin was little) to labor in. It’s wireless, supportive, and has been washed so many times that no matter what gets on it, I’m sure it will come out fine.
• Grippy Socks – I have very small feet, so I’m bringing my own grippy socks rather than use the hospital-issued ones.

Postpartum

• Larken X Nursing Bra – last time I had a baby, I had to nurse and pump and use formula to feed him. So this time, I decided to invest in a comfortable bra that could be used for nursing or for pumping hands-free. This bra checks all of my boxes and I love it for pregnancy.
• Nesting Olive Classic House Dress – I don’t plan on having almost any visitors in the hospital, so I’ll likely only be in a bra and mesh underwear most of the time. But if I do need to throw something on, this is it. It is bump-friendly, flattering during postpartum, and the buttons in the front are actual snaps, so they make nursing and skin-to-skin access a breeze. I am actually in love with this company and have one of their robes as well.
• Bombas Ankle Socks – I got a bunch of Bombas ankle socks for myself for Mother’s Day and I love them. The fit and they’re supportive and so comfy. I’m just in love with my socks and I am excited to bring them with me everywhere. I also HATE being barefoot.

Discharge/Going Home

• Fabletics High-Waisted Powerhold Leggings – after giving birth, I am the kind of person who likes a lot of support and compression on my belly to help hold everything in place. I don’t like the loose, empty, sloshy feeling in my belly that comes after baby moves out of the womb. These leggings really help me feel held together.
• Boots – it’ll be November and I’ll be wearing boots to the hospital so I’ll wear them home from the hospital
• Thin, Loose Black Hoodie – this is a thrifted piece that I love. It is breathable, athletic material, it’s loose and flowy, and it looks good on me pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, postpartum, and always. It’s a real keeper.

Toiletries

• Travel Shampoo and Conditioner – I didn’t shower last time and I think I regret it. I don’t know if I’ll actually take a shower at the hospital this time, but I’m giving myself the option and I’m bring my own shampoo and conditioner to use if I choose to.
• Eyeliner and Mascara – this is really the only makeup I ever wear. No foundation or concealer because I like my freckles. I bring it so that I can look and feel a little more like myself and love the newborn pictures we take as much as possible.
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste – I brush my teeth at least twice a day. It’s good for my mouth and good for my wallet.
• Deodorant – I started using Native deodorant about a year ago and I love it. I love the clean ingredients, the plastic-free options, and it smells so nice.
• Gold Bond Powder – last time I was postpartum I was so hot. I was sweating and that made me break out in hives and it was a whole awful mess. This time I’m hoping that using the Gold Bond powder and coming prepared with some anti-itch ointment will help me be more comfortable.
• Chapstick – always have this with you, especially when in a hospital.
• Hairties and Bobby Pins – I chopped all my hair off and now it takes both hair ties and bobby pins to keep my hair up. Oh well, consequences.
• Contacts/Solution/Case – I’d like to be able to see my new baby and I have horrible eyes.
• Glasses/Case – see above explanation about contacts.
• Brush and Comb – basic toiletry
• Travel Flat Iron – your girl cut bangs and didn’t grow them out and they do not behave without a little flat iron action.
• Cortizone Ointment – see above my reasoning for Gold Bond powder.
• 1 Depend – I don’t like the underwear and pads that the hospital provides. I’ll use them while I’m actually a patient at the hospital, but once I’m being discharged I plan to wear a Depend and a pad since that’s what I use at home to manage postpartum bleeding. It’s much better for me.
• 1 Always Extra-Long Overnight Pad – this goes with the above Depend to prevent leakage.
• FridaMom Peri Bottle – this peri bottle has a hooked neck that allows you to actually aim the stream of water when you are using the restroom postpartum. If you haven’t heard the hype about these peri bottles, you should get one, try it, and then join the hype.

Other

• Phone and Watch Charging Cords – necessity while traveling. Bring a long one in case the outlet is far away.
• AirPods – for listening to music while in labor. I don’t want to use a speaker.
• External Battery – an external battery allows me to charge my phone without having to always be within cord distance of an outlet. This one is a tiny little tank that works beautifully.
• Gifts for L&D and Postpartum Nurses – I plan to put together a couple of gift bags for my nurses and aides on the Labor and Delivery and the Postpartum floors. They will have chapstick, mints, a facial mask, and some chocolate.
• Letterboard – this is for taking a birth announcement picture with Baby’s name, birth date, weight, and height on it.
• Thin Accordion Folder – having a baby comes with a lot of paperwork. Some of it is informational, some of it is government paperwork, some of it is consent forms or insurance forms. There is a lot to try and organize. Having somewhere to keep all of it organized helps me.
• HydroJug – the hospital will provide a 32 ounce plastic mug when I arrive, but I prefer to have a jug that can hold more water and that can close so I can set it down anywhere without worrying about it tipping over and spilling all over me. (This item isn’t actually IN my bag. I’ll have to grab it separately when we leave for the hospital).

WHAT’S IN MY HOSPITAL BAG: FOR DAD

Clothing

• Change of Clothes – I will have a change of underwear and socks, t-shirt, basketball shorts, and sweats for Colter. That should be plenty of options to keep him comfortable for a couple of days.
• Crocs – Colter’s main regret last time was that he spent a lot of time on his feet and didn’t have a change of shoes. His crocs with be comfortable and easy footwear to give his feet a break.
• Hoodie – Just because I was broiling alive last time, doesn’t mean Colter was. I think he mostly slept in his hoodie last time.

Toiletries

• Contacts/Solution/Case – basic toiletry
• Glasses – basic toiletry
• Eye Drops – Colter sometimes struggles with dry, itchy eyes when tired.
• Deodorant – keep him smelly nice if he’s going to be all up in my space.
• Advil – Colter is also prone to headaches when tired and/or stressed. Having a new baby brings on both of these.
• Chapstick – everyone has at least one tube of chapstick.
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste – please and thank you

Sleep

• Pillow – home pillows are significantly better than hospital pillows.
• Sleeping Pad – I don’t know how big or comfortable the pull-out couch will be for Colter, so I figured having an inflatable sleeping pad might make him more comfortable if his sleeping arrangements are rough otherwise.

Other

• AirPods – for listening to music, podcasts, or videos on his phone.
• Roku Stick – previously we used my laptop and an HDMI cord to watch Netflix on the hospital TV. This time, we plan to bring a Roku Stick with us and hook that to hospital internet for a less bulky option.
• Snacks – I get no food during labor, but lots of food in postpartum. Colter has to bring most of his own food or get it from the cafeteria (which closes at night).

WHAT’S IN MY HOSPITAL BAG: FOR BABY

Last time I packed a bag for the hospital, I had never had a baby before, so I brought all the wrong things. I brought a ton of socks and burp cloths and white onesies and nothing practical. I didn’t bring any legit clothes to bring him home in, I only brought an outfit that he couldn’t go into the car seat in. It was silly. This time I’m bringing picture clothes, practical clothes, and that’s about it. While in the hospital, the baby will be in a diaper and a blanket and will only need clothes for pictures and the drive home anyway.

All of Baby Merrell’s stuff is packed in a classic Fjällräven Kånken backpack. We also don’t know if we are expecting a boy or a girl, so I’m prepared for both.

Clothing

• Green Zippered Sleeper – we do not know the gender of Baby Merrell, so I picked a neutral sleeper that will be paired with either a pink bow or a navy blue beanie depending on the gender. This is our birth announcement picture and coming home outfit.
• Pink Bow – for pictures to be paired with the sleeper on a baby girl.
• Navy Blue Beanie – for pictures to be paired with the sleeper on a baby boy.

Other

• 1 Burp Cloth – one will be plenty, but it will likely be needed.
• Car Seat – you have to have this installed properly in your car or they will not let you take the baby home.
• Car Seat Mirror – technically our second one since we’ll have two kids in rear-facing car seats.
• Infant Minky Blanket – late November baby is going to need a warm blanket in the car seat. These are my favorite car blankets for the kids. 30 inches by 36 inches of soft perfection.
• Pacifier – I am a pacifier mom. If the baby will take a pacifier, I will offer a pacifier.
• Rafe & Moose Swaddle – for taking pictures. Otherwise, we will just use the hospital baby blankets.
• Gift for Calvin from Baby – we plan on introducing Calvin to his baby sibling in the hospital and so we will have a present waiting for him from the baby.
• Promptly Childhood History Journal – this journal goes from pregnancy through age 18 of a child, and there is a page in the birth section for handprints and footprints. I plan to bring the journal so that I can have the postpartum nurses help me to get prints of baby’s hands and feet in the journal

WHAT WE’LL NEED TO GRAB FOR BABY TIME

Okay, so let’s say that I go into labor. My contractions are consistently 90 seconds long and 4 minutes apart for an hour, so we call my doctor and she tells us to go to the hospital. We hand Calvin and the keys to our car (with Calvin and Baby’s car seats installed) off to my parents. What do we need to grab on our way out the door?

• Mom and Dad’s suitcase
• Baby’s bag (Fjällräven Kånken backpack)
• Colter’s pillow
• Mom’s Hydrojug and straw
• Phones
• Wallets (with ID and insurance cards!!!)
• Colter’s car keys

I like that this list is short and to the point. I have a handwritten copy of it on the front of our fridge so that I can glance at it before leaving for check-ups and have it easy to see when it’s baby time.

SOME TIPS AND TRICKS

The first and best trick that I have is: when you are packing your bag (and do it all at once if possible) keep a notepad or your phone next to you and write down each and every item that you place inside of your bag. Once you have the bag all packed, put the list on the very top (somewhere you’ll see it right when it’s opened) and close the bag up. This way, when you are thinking about your hospital bag and worried that you forgot to include deodorant or your phone charger, you can open the bag up, grab your inventory list, and know exactly what you already have packed. If you do add something to the bag, make sure you add it to your inventory list as well. This list is a little bit different from a list of things you need or pack or what you intend to pack. This is a list of what you actually have physically packed in your bag. So if you don’t have a phone charger packed (even if you fully intend to bring one) DO NOT write it on your inventory list until it is safely packed away.

My second tip is to either pack a separate bag for dad and mom, and a separate bag for baby OR to pack everyone in one bag using a packing cube for each person. Either way, you should make sure that each member of your family has their own stuff in their own space (using multiple bags or packing cubes). It will make keeping everything organized much easier. Last time I packed all of our stuff in one bag, and though it was more compact, it was hard to fit everything back in the bag when we were being discharged. This time, I packed a bag for Colter and I and a diaper bag for the baby (total of two) and I’m hoping that I feel more organized this way.

Last, I recommend having your bag all packed by the time you are 32-34 weeks pregnant and that you keep it in the car that you drive to appointments with your OB. This way, if your doctor discovers something during an appointment that sends you immediately over to L&D to get checked, you already have all of your most important stuff in the back of your car, not back at your home waiting for you to go into full term labor.

Thanks for reading all about the things that I am bringing with me to the hospital to welcome this beautiful little blessing into the world. I am so thrilled and excited for this baby to join us in just a few short weeks! I will post an update with any changes I would have made to this list in hindsight.

Congratulations Momma!!