What's in my hospital bag: Updated List

WHAT’S IN MY HOSPITAL BAG: UPDATED LIST

As y’all can see by the title, today’s post is going to be an updated list of my post from the end of September. In that post I listed everything that I bought and brought with me to the hospital. This was a combination of research I did, blogs I read, and advice my friends gave me. There were some things I used and some things I didn’t. However, this is not to say that you need to go by my updated list. In my opinion, the original post is important as well, because maybe there are things on that list that are a must have for anyone reading this updated post. I do apologize for any spelling/grammar errors, but I’m writing this with a newborn and I’m tired, so my brain might not be functioning properly. Let’s get into it!

HOSPITAL BAG ESSENTIALS: UPDATED LIST

In the original post I broke down my hospital bag. The first category was about the essentials, the second was about my extra bag, and the third was things that really aren’t necessary but I wanted to bring anyway. First I talked about the essentials I needed so here is where I will go over what I did and didn’t use.

Phone Charger: I was told to get a charger that had a long cord, and my chargers usually have longer cords to begin with, and I never ordered a separate one specifically for my hospital bag. However, my husband helped me finish packing my hospital bag, because if you read the birth story, you would know that baby came three weeks early so I wasn’t fully prepared haha.
Medication: I bring my medication everywhere, specifically for my epilepsy so I had this prepared. However, the hospital I went to was able to provide all of this. I’m sure they probably charge an arm and a leg for it though, so I told them I brought my own, thanks though. I think I should make a separate post on just my experience at the hospital because ooofff, it was bad. Let’s just put it this way, I didn’t get a wheelchair, I walked out of the hospital.
Going Home Outfit: My going home outfit was super simple. It was a black maxi and flip flops. I know some people get all dressed up and even do their hair and makeup, especially if they have a photographer. That’s not what I wanted to do. I put my hair in a ponytail, didn’t put on any makeup (I didn’t even bring it with me) and that was that.
Pajamas/Nightgowns: While I did bring these with me, I never used them. It was more comfortable for me to stay in the hospital gown. It also had to do with having to heal. If you go through a vaginal birth, I don’t recommend bringing pajama pants, I highly recommend night gowns if you aren’t ok with the hospital gowns. Anyway, I just stayed in the hospital gown the whole time because the last thing I wanted to do was change into a nightgown. Some of my friends told me they did this because they’d feel more comfortable, and like they were at home, but with how exhausted and in pain I was, I couldn’t care less.
Toiletries: loofa, soap and travel size body wash, hand lotion, face creams, shampoo and conditioner, chapstick, toothbrush with toothpaste and mouthwash, and a hair brush. I still recommend all of these toiletries and I did use them. After you give birth whether it’s by vaginal or C section, you’re going to want to shower eventually. I couldn’t wait to get a shower.
Scrunchies/Hair Ties: I still recommend scrunchies and hair ties. It was more comfortable for me to have my hair in a ponytail while I was in labor. It got so hot for me at one point and so uncomfortable that I’m glad I had my hair out of my face. I bought these scrunchies, and this Betsey Johnson one.
Stool Softener: The hospital I went to provided this for us, but I brought my own just in case. This was a life saver. I had a second degree tear, so I had to get stitches and I was terrified of busting open the stitches. I mean at least I was at the hospital so if that did happen, they’d be able to stitch me back up, but I didn’t want that to happen haha. It helped with that first time going number 2 and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I was still taking it after we left the hospital until I felt like I didn’t need it.
Breast Pads: I did bring these with me, but I didn’t need them. My milk didn’t come in until later on so at the hospital I had colostrum, but I wasn’t leaking like I do now. I do highly recommend them if you’re going to pump or breast feed after you give birth.
Nipple Cream: I brought this cream with me, but again I didn’t need it. I had trouble breast feeding at the hospital and the lactation consultant there didn’t help much, but I needed the cream after the hospital. This is when I was trying to breast feed with no direction and my nipples were bleeding and cracked so I needed it.
Maternity Bras: I ended up having to buy more maternity bras after the hospital because I went from a C cup to Double D’s. The bras I had originally bought were comfortable until my milk came in lol. However, I didn’t need these while I was at the hospital. While I was at the hospital I let it all hang out lol. I don’t think I ever had that many people see my breasts just out in the open. The funny part was, that once my water broke and I didn’t want to go to the hospital right away, I was washing the extra two bras that came in the mail in the washing machine haha!
Maternity Underwear: Well, this was another thing that I never used. I used them after the hospital, but not while I was there. It just wasn’t comfortable because of the healing process.
Adult Diapers: So many people suggested that I purchase adult diapers. This is because of the mesh underwear the hospital supplies. I’ve heard how much they suck for lack of a better term and let me just say, they were absolutely 10000% correct. During the healing process I wore only adult diapers at home, and when I’d go out, so that you couldn’t see the lines from them if I was wearing a tighter dress, I wore the maternity underwear on top of the adult diapers. I probably spent a decent amount of money in diapers for myself this entire time, but it was 1000% worth it.
Maxi Pads: I brought maxi pads, and to be completely honest, they were really helpful. Because of the healing process, I added maxi pads into the diaper as a backup, and it truly helped. Then once they started giving me ice packs then I didn’t really need the maxi pads all that much. Once I got home though they were very helpful.
Snacks: Well, I never got a chance to grab snacks, however, my husband and I managed with the snack machine. They also had a coffee machine for us to use so we really didn’t need snacks. I was also completely out of it most of the day, and once Scarlett popped out, about two hours later it was time for lunch so it’s not like I didn’t have food available.
Towel: The hospital of course provides towels, but it was very refreshing to have my own.
Slippers: I bought slippers specifically for the hospital and they were super comfy and made me feel a little cute, or however cute you can feel after popping out a human being haha. They were black fuzzy slippers, and my husband even borrowed them while I was sleeping and it was the funniest thing waking up to him wearing them.
Flip Flops: Because I’m weird when it comes to taking showers in places like hotels and hospitals with bare feet, I brought flip flops. I do not regret my decision whatsoever.
Car Seat: This is common sense as to why you need this, but I’m so thankful that we installed it into the car two weeks before baby decided to make an early appearance. Can you imagine having to figure that out while I’m going into labor?! Although, what I will say is the hospital didn’t even check the car seat to see if it was done right, so that’s something else that they didn’t do. I should really just write an entire post about the hospital and our experience there. There were three nurses who were absolutely amazing and made the visit bearable, but the rest of the stay there was horrible.

Related: The best maternity nightgowns.

EXTRA BAGS: UPDATED LIST

This was the second category that I discussed in the first post. This was a mix of necessary items and a few extra items. Now we will revisit it after being in the hospital so let’s get to it!

Breast Pumps (both my manual and electric ones): I bought this manual pump, and this electric pump. Before you buy them outright though, call your insurance company. While I’d love to get the affiliate commissions if you purchase through my links, all of this gets very pricey after a while. And, the tip I got was some insurance companies will either send you a free breast pump, or at a discounted rate. My Spectra was bought at a discounted rate. After doing a lot of research and reading reviews, I chose the Spectra as my electric breast pump. The manual breast pump is a backup, or something I can bring with me in my purse if I’m ever rushing around and forget to pump, I have a manual one. Both of these were in my hospital bag because I wanted to ask the Lactation Consultant how to properly use both of them. Well, the consultant visited me the first day I was in the postpartum ward to say she was running late and that she’d come see me the next day. The next day she was running late because someone had called out so she was helping as working as a nurse so when she did come into my room, it felt so rushed. She didn’t show me how to use my pump, but one of my night nurses (who was absolutely amazing) showed me how to use it. I find it really disheartening that the consultant was so rushed. She only showed me one position which is laying down and obviously I cannot breastfeed that way if I’m out shopping and have to go in the car or something. It’s ok though because I ended up seeing an actual Lactation Consultant who isn’t too busy to show me how to use my boobs properly. Anyway, because of my experience, I would’ve left my pumps at home. Especially because the manual pump was more of a way to collect milk instead of take it out like a traditional pump would.
Bebe’s stuff: baby diapers, going home outfit, blanket, toy, etc. I know the hospital provides diapers and things like that, but I wanted to bring my own just in case. I’m glad I brought two going home outfits because the weather is tricky around this time in Florida. I ended up going with the warm weather outfit though. I didn’t need any toys or a blanket, nor did I need diapers. We actually took the diapers that were provided to us because after our experience and after my husband paid for our visit while we were there, I think we can take a handful of diapers.
Makeup: In my original post, I said that I might bring CC cream and a few things just to brighten up my face, but I ended up not bringing any. I’m glad I didn’t bring it with me because with how I felt, I definitely would not have wanted to do my makeup whatsoever.
Non Slip Socks: I didn’t need these haha. I washed them when I got them and I haven’t used them since. There was no point in me buying them because I preferred my slippers. However, for you, you might prefer these socks. You might not like slippers and are looking for socks that you won’t slip in. They didn’t work for me, but they may work for someone else.

NOT ESSENTIAL, BUT I’M BRINGING IT ANYWAY: UPDATED LIST

This portion of the post is not essential whatsoever. I either brought these items with me or wanted to bring with me.

An extra bag: This was because one of my friends said that anything in the room is ours to keep for example when it comes to diapers, wipes, that sort of thing. I didn’t need an extra bag because there wasn’t that much for us to take home. Thankfully an empty canvas bag doesn’t take up a lot of room in my bag.
Pillow: I’m so happy I brought a pillow with me. The pillows at the hospital were not comfortable. I would’ve been fine with the pillows at the hospital, but bringing a nice firm pillow with me was exactly what I needed that added a little extra comfort.
Blanket: Obviously the hospital provides their own blankets, however I wanted my own. First of all the temperature in the room was so strange, it was either super cold or super hot no matter what you changed the thermostat to. The blanket was perfect and then it helped my husband because he was sleeping on the couch which just so happened to be under the vent. So the one night I gave him my blanket because it was so warm.
Things for nurses: I was so upset because this was the last thing that I still had to get prior to going into labor. I actually had plans to go to Target the day after Scarlett was born to pick up snacks and drinks for the nurses. Which means, make sure you don’t leave this to be the last thing on your list if you’re planning on bringing snacks/drinks for the nurses.

ANYTHING TO ADD?

If you’re reading this, and you have anything you’d like to add, please leave it in the comments section. I think any new mom should have all the support and information she needs. This is my first baby, so I’m a newbie. I’m going to link everything from my original post below in case you’d like to see any of the items I spoke about in this post.

Related: The birth story