Hey everyone, one of my most asked questions recently is what are you packing for the hospital especially now with all the new pandemic regulations. To answer your question, if there was a person who packed like there was a pandemic before there ever was one…it’s me! Ask anyone who knows me, I comes a lot of baggage! Literally though. I’ve been this way since I was a kid so you may not find some of these items necessary, but I’m going to share everything with you. Also, I had a lot of help from my friends Kathleen Barnes and Krystal Faircloth who both had babies within the past year. So I feel extra prepared.
| Shop My Look |
Tabby Dress (wearing sz 4) — similar dresses here & here | Pearl Headband (similar here) | Kailyn Gold Statement Earrings, Heart 14k Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace in White Diamonds & Cross 14k Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace in White Diamonds | Bracelets c/o Julie Vos
**Important Information:
In case you are unaware of the new Labor & Delivery Department policies during this pandemic, you may only have one visitor at the hospital and that visitor is not allowed to leave them room until you have been discharged with the baby. This means you have to pack absolutely everything you might need including extra clothing if you end up having to stay longer. This changes a lot of things because it also means that Blake isn’t allowed to leave and grab food or something we left at home. We also won’t be able to have our families see the baby or have our photographer come to snap a few photos. Fortunately, they will at least be providing the visitors with cafeteria meals and I have my fingers crossed that one of the nurses won’t mind grabbing a photo of the three of us as a new family.
Expecting moms, if you’re reading this, we’re going to be ok! We will make it through this chaotic time. Here is one positive way to look at this situation…moving forward everyone is going to be the cleanest they’ve ever been and just in time for your baby to arrive and no one will blame you for all of your specific rules when it comes to visiting with your baby.
This quarantine will not only help flatten the curve of covid-19, but it will also help prevent other viruses from spreading too! Did you think about that? Now you don’t have to worry about people passing around any other kind of illness to you or your baby!
Now if we had a choice, would we choose to have a world crisis going on in the middle of pregnancy or when our baby is born? No! Of course not! But yet here we are so how can we make the best of it? How can we still make these moments feel special? I’ll remind you again that at least everyone is being super cautious, which is very ideal when it comes to newborns! You can take this time to pray, nest, work on the baby room, write the baby book, fill up your registry and finish thank you cards. If your baby is already here, soak up all the extra time together at home. While everything else in the world may be cancelled… here are some things that aren’t:
Love
Relationships
Self care
Family
Laughter
Hope
Be kind, hopeful and positive and send those vibes back into the world and I have a feeling that we’ll come out of this even stronger and more connected than before! We’ve all experienced natural disasters and we’re all in this one together. Stay strong friends! I hope to serve as a beacon of light to you all during this time by continuing to share my life’s journey and things that bring me joy!
Scroll through this post to see everything we packed and why!
MZ Wallace Crosby Traveler Bag
What I’m Packing for Myself:
Wallet & ID card for registration
2 pairs of nursing-friendly pajamas | I’m packing this one from Target and this one from Nordstrom. I also like this short sleeve one from Pink Blush Maternity.
Laptop & Charger | The laptop will come in handy when we want to watch Netflix.
My personal pillow & pillow case | Kathleen suggested a colored one so I know which one pillow is mine when it’s time to leave.
Blanket & Sound Machine | I can’t imagine that I’ll sleep well at the hospital, but I figured I would bring as many comfortable things as possible to make it feel more like home. We sleep with a sound machine every night so I’m bringing the baby’s portable sound machine to use to drown out the sound at the hospital.
My own towel | This was also something Krystal and Kathleen suggested to have a little more comfort and luxury from home because the hospital towels are kind of small.
Slippers | I don’t ever want my bare feet to touch the hospital floor so I’m packing slippers, socks and shower flip flops!
Cozy Robe | I’m bringing a cozy robe to keep warm and that’s what I normally wear around the house with my pajamas.
Pretty Robe | I’m also packing a pretty robe to throw on to snap a few photos with the baby that Blake will take of course since photographers will not be allowed in. This crochet trim robe is cute and comfy too
Outfit to wear home + Baby Name Necklace | I’m packing a couple of flowy dress options and sandals to wear home. I really like this blue dress and this coral dress.
Goodie Basket for our Labor & Deliver nurses | I wrote a little thank you card and put together this basket with candy, chocolates, bars, coffees, gum and Kendra Scott jewelry (not pictured) to thank the nurses who will be assisting with my birth experience. I’ll probably ask of the nurses to take to their station so they don’t feel awkward coming in and out of my room to grab goodies.
Nursing bras, nipple cream, nipple cooling pads | I heard all of these items are vital when it comes to breastfeeding and since we don’t know how long we’ll be in the hospital for I figured I’d bring them all with me.
Dermaplast | This is a numbing pain & itch spray for your you-know-what after you give birth.
XL long phone charger & wall piece | It’s nice to have an extra long cord that reaches from the wall to the hospital bed. Don’t forget the wall piece too.
Tripod for self timer photos | Since we we aren’t allowed to have any visitors including the hospital photographer, we’re bringing our tripod for self timer photos to be able to capture special moments with all three of us.
Post pregnancy panties | I know the hospital gives you some postpartum underwear, but I’m bringing and extra pair just in case!
Plastic bags for dirty clothes & zip lock bags for anything I want keep from getting germs at the hospital.
Travel Size Toiletries + Makeup Bag + Aquaphor + Shampoo/Conditioner + Curling Wand + Wet Hair brush + Hair Spray + Hair Dryer | I never leave the house without Aquaphor because I use it for everything especially as lip repair. I plan on doing my makeup at some point to take some photos with baby because I’m sure I’ll look a little rough after giving birth.
Ponytail holders, Bobby pins, Dry Shampoo | I’m definitely packing dry shampoo in case I decided not to wash my hair in the shower at the hospital. I’m also bringing ponytails and bobby pins to keep my hair out of my face.
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins | Their prenatal includes 12 essential nutrients with high quality ingredients your body can actually absorb. I love the no-nausea capsule design so I can take my in the morning or night. Other prenatal vitamins made me nauseous or just made my stomach hurt. @ritual prenatal vitamins are vegan certified and have no shady additives, fillers or colorants. They feel gentle and easy on my stomach while helping support every stage of pregnancy. They offer free-shipping are delivered straight to your door with their easy monthly subscription service. Take 10% OFF your first 3 months with code: HAUTE
Young Living Essential Oils & Diffuser | I’ve been using YL oils for about 7 years now and I never travel without them. At the hospital, I’ll probably mainly use lavender to keep me calm, peppermint in case I get a headache or feel nauseous and peace & calming oil well for peace and calming of course! I like that I can diffuse these oils during labor with my diffuser.
Thieves Hand Sanitizer | It’s my favorite because it doesn’t dry out your hand.
Yoga Ball | If I had room and/and or extra hands I would pack my yoga ball because it’s been a life saver during these last few weeks of pregnancy, but we don’t have the room so I just hope that our hospital has one. I also plan to use it for as long as I can with my contractions at home before going into the hospital. I’m not currently planning on doing a natural birth, but I know a lot of people highly recommend the yoga ball for natural births. A doula also told me that that it helps position the baby for birth and prepares your body for labor. Plus it gives your hips a nice stretch!
Colace | I’ve heard that you should start taking stool softener right after you deliver to ensure that your first postpartum bowel movements comes gently and easily. TMI I know, but it’s important to know!
Large Refillable Water Bottle | A few of my friends told me their hospital provided this for them, but just in case I’m bringing one with me especially since I like a straw.
Door Wreath & Gold Paint Pen for Black Board | I was so excited that The Sweetest Grace made me a special door wreath that all of my visitors would enjoy as they walked to see the baby at the hospital after he was born. It has a little black board in the middle where we could write his weight and birth date, but now the new rules we won’t have any visitors so I will actually be leaving the wreath at home and will hang it on our front door once it’s safe for us to have visitors at home. If you’re reading this post in the future when the pandemic is not an issue, I highly recommend a sweet little door wreath for the hospital to make the room feel special.
Letter board | Since we aren’t bringing the wreath I’m packing a little 10 x 10 letter board
Wooden Marker | I ordered this wooden marker with monthly milestones and I am bringing the one with his name on it to the hospital to make the photos feel more special.
Boppy pillow & Cover | I figured it would be nice to have my Boppy Pillow for breastfeeding at the hospital.
Breast Pump + Supplies – I’m so glad that Krystal from a A Pinch of Lovely mentioned to pack this because I won’t know what I’m doing when I get home, but this way I can have lactation nurses can help me with the pump and show me how it works.
Baby Book for Footprints | This didn’t even cross my mind until Krystal mentioned it so I’m so glad she did so I don’t have to worry about losing his foot prints or wrinkling the paper. I also have a book that I can write letters to him in while we’re at the hospital and my thoughts and feelings are still fresh in my mind.
| Shop My Hospital Bag |
1. Letter Board | 2. Essential Oil Diffuser | 3. Pillowcase Set | 4. Heirloom Baby Book | 5. Barefoot Dreams Throw Blanket | 6. Bath Towel | 7. Seamless Mesh Knit Underwear | 8. Collar Nightgown | 9. Beats Pill+ Portable Wireless Speaker | 10. Flip Flop Sandals | 11. Nursing Bra (5 pack) | 12. iPhone Charger 6ft | 13. Plush Fleece Slippers | 14. Yumi Kim Robe
| Shop My Toiletry Bag |
1. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo | 2. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | 3. Toiletry Bag | 4. COCO&CO | 5. Wander Eye Mask | 6. Hydro Silk 5 | 7. Women’s Shave Gel | 8. Aquaphor | 9. Oribe Blowout Travel Set | 10. Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion | 11. Wet Brush | 12. Makeup Wipes | 13. Method Body Wash | 14. Deodorant | 15. Crest + Scope Toothpaste | 16. Oral-B Toothbrush | 17. Toothbrush Case
| Shop My Postpartum Essentials |
1. Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads | 2. Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags | 3. Dermoplast Pain & Itch Spray | 4. Breast Gel Pads/Nipple Relief | 5. Nipple Cream | 6. Bio Oil | 7. Kind Bars | 8. Gatorade Orange Drink | 9. Peeled Snacks Tropical Blend Dried Fruit
Happ Diaper Bag | Heirloom Baby Book | Monica & Andy Hospital Cuddle Box
What I’m Packing for the Baby:
A few going home outfits | I’m packing a couple different options because we don’t know which ones are going to fit him
Baby Hats | I love this little hat with the ears
Monica & Andy Hospital Cuddle Box | This box includes a hat, newborn outfit, blanket and swaddle
Baby Blankets & Swaddles | We’re packing extra in case we have to stay longer!
This outfit is included in the Monica & Andy Hospital Cuddle Box
Baby Mittens | They say that sometimes the baby’s nails are long and they tend to scratch their faces so the mittens will help prevent that.
Baby Gowns | love this grey one for photos. I also like this organic kimono gown for easy diaper changes in the middle of the night.
Wooden Name Plate | Pacifier | Modern Pacifier Clip for Baby | 2 Button Baby Nightgown | Sage Baby Gown
Pacifiers | A lot of people suggested these soothies!
CAR SEAT!
I’m told that the hospital provides you with diapers and wipes, but I’m packing my HONEST Wipes just in case.
| Shop My Baby Bag |
1. Organic Cotton Socks | 2. Soothie | 3. Formula Dispenser and Snack Cup | 4. Short Sleeve Bodysuit | 5. Soundspa On-The-Go | 6. Dr. Browns BPA Natural Flow Bottle | 7. HONEST Wipes | 8. On-The-Go Wipes Dispenser | 9. On The Go Gray Bag Dispenser | 10. Stroller Blanket | 11. Elephant Plush Pacifier Holder | 12. Happ Diaper Bag | 13. Faux Leather Tote | 14. ToteSavvy Original 11-Pocket Diaper Bag | 15. MZ Wallace
What I’m Packing for Blake:
Pillow + Colored Pillowcase | I did the same for myself!
Blanket | I want Blake to be as comfortable as possible on the couch since he’s not allowed to leave with the new hospital regulations.
2-3 Changes of Clothes | You never know how long you may need to stay in the hospital after birth so we’re both bring extra clothes since we’re not allowed to leave no one is allowed to bring us anything
Extra Pajamas
Travel Size Toiletries like deodorant, toothpaste, body wash etc…
iPhone charger | make sure you each have your own charger to be able to stay in touch with your family!
Large Refillable Water Bottle
Lots of people suggested an air mattress for Blake, but he said he was fine with couch.
Snacks | We’re packing plenty of snacks in Blake’s bag like gatorade, peanut butter crackers, snack bars and dried fruit. **Update: If you’re delivering during these time of specific hospital policies, our doctor suggested that we pack a cooler with cold coffees and foods we like in addition to the pre-packaged snacks because Blake won’t even be allowed to leave the room to go the vending machine for drinks or the gift shop for a coffee. So we are packing our cooler with fruit, cold Starbucks and drinks and sandwiches. You never know how long your food may take from the cafeteria or if you’ll like it or not so it’s nice to have some backup food packed that you know you’ll enjoy. I also packed myself some junk food like Oreos, M&M’s and Doritos since I’ll finally be allowed to have those snacks again after delivering with gestational diabetes.
Beats Pill Speaker with charger | A lot of people told me they liked listening to music during labor.
Side Note! We originally packed our belongings in duffle bags, but once we realized that we needed even more items given the crazy circumstances we transferred everything into rolling bags to make it easier on ourselves when we check in.
Please let me know if there is anything I left out that you think we should bring.
