Not my sexiest blog post but I hope this is helpful for some! I’m not really sure why the hospital bag portion of preparing for birth stressed me out the most! I wish I had a trusted resource to tell me exactly what I needed! The internet is flooded with a ton of crap and advice that is just so over the top. Having gone through it has changed my perspectiveon what you need to bring. (spoiler alert: it’s not much but you’ll see that I packed a LOT)

I want to preface that after delivery we ended up opting in to stay at The Waters Pavillion Suite. The suites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost per night was around ~$715 dollars extra. We were on the fence but after being in labor for almost 36 hours and pushing for almost 5 (more on that later lol)… I said give me the mf upgrade.

I can’t compare what it’s like vs. staying in the normal postpartum room but I think our stay at Waters Pavillion was 10/10 and worth every penny. It’s a 2 room suite (watch the video on their website for a visual) – Steve enjoyed this part after sleeping on a tiny couch for two nights in the delivery room, upgraded food menu (get the chocolate chip cookies) and a more dedicated level of medical service. We had 2 dedicated nurses for every shift. 

They had everything I needed for postpartum care and more! I didn’t need to bring any of that and they also sent us home with plenty supplies as well. 

Anyways!!! Here is my packing list below and some more context of what I used and did not use. Let me know if you have any questions! Happy to answer if you send me a DM 🙂

Mom 

• Slippers 
• Compression Socks – these are my favorite  
• Going Home Outfit – guess what?! No one sees you and it literally doesn’t matter what you wear home from the hospital! Unless you are trying to take a photo for the instagrams. I wore this set from Target and looked a hot mess 🙂 
• Robe – I ended up staying in a hospital gown the entire time and did not change into my robe but this has been my go to postpartum.  
• Pillows – Loved sleeping on my own pillow
• Bath Towels – Steve used but I used the ones they provided 
• Nipple Cream 
• LANEIGE – again more on this later but being in labor for so long… I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink and my lips were not OK. This temporarily saved me + ohhhhh and the ice chips :/ lol
• Postpartum Items – I ended up not using any of these in the hospital! They lieterally provided everythingggggg. Did you know everytime you go to the bathroom its like doing a 20 minute arts and crafts project?! LOL
  • Frida Mom Hospital Packing Kit -​​ This kit comes with probably most everything you need! Peri Bottle, 4 Underwear, 4 Instant Ice Maxi Padsicles, Witch Hazel Pad Liners(24ct pack), Perineal Healing Foam, toiletry bag, caddy
  • Diapers – I ended up not using these 
  • Cotton Briefs – LOVE these
  • Tucks Cooling Pads – still using 2 weeks out 
  • Stool Softener – ok TMI but the first BM wasn’t as horrible as everyone made it out to be
  • Organic Pads – Loved these and reordered! 
  • Earth Mama Pospartum Recovery Kit 
• Recovery Waist Band – this has been a game changer but you could wait to use it until you get home
• Nursing pads 
• Nursing bra – I got this one in 3 colors. I am exclusively pumping so this works fab for me. 
• Nipple Shields 
• Eye Mask – THE GOAT 
• Personal Toiletries 
• Pumps/Pump Parts – didnt need! The hospital has a great pump for you to use 
• Nursing Pillow – we did this pillow + this cover – LOVE the look 🙂 
• Supplements
  • Arnica for recovery 
  • Vitamin C 
  • Glutathione 
  • Sunflower Lecithin + Pump Princess – for helping clogged ducts and increasing milk supply! 
  • Postpartum Recovery Vitamin Pack – I’m currently writing this 17 days postpartum and I am feeling pretty great! I started taking these the day after I delivered. It included an anti-stress blend to support pp anxiety. 

Baby 

Since we were in the NICU for 11 days we left the hospital without our bebe 🙁 But this is all we needed when we left the NICU. 

• Going home outfit
• Baby hat 
• Swaddle/Blanket 
• Pacifier – We got a few different ones but so far, Jack likes these best! 

Dad

• Peanut ball – some hospitals have these but i prefered to bring my own 
• Extra empty bag for hospital stuff 
• Car Seat 
• Snacks + Drinks – LMNT, MUSH, Bomb Bars 
• Any paperwork needed
• Insurance cards
• Photo IDs
• Pillows
• Extra Long Phone Charger
• Personal Toiletries 
• 2-3 outfits 
• Camera + Laptops/Chargers
• Heating Pad – Love this one! I just had to get a new one bc my old one died! But we ended up not using this. 
• Essential oils – lavendar + lemongrass 
• Water bottle