What I ACTUALLY Needed In My Hospital Bag

You may remember from this video and this post that I showed you guys what I was packing to bring to the hospital for my delivery. Well, now that I’ve gone through it, I have gotten a bunch of requests to let you know what I actually needed to bring.

This is a great question because some stuff I definitely didn’t need, some stuff I 100% did, and some stuff I had no clue I needed and had to go get!

So I will go item by item to let you know my thoughts and you can refer back to the post here if you need!

• Toiletry bag: mini toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lavender + peppermint massage oils, hair ties
  • I did not use any of the oils
  • I purposely didn’t bring body wash because I figured the hospital would have and they did NOT so had to go get that
• Phone charger
  • extra long one was key because all the plugs are nowhere near the bed
• Peri bottle
  • did NOT need this – they give you a squeeze bottle at the hospital that works way better and you can take it home
• Mama Mio Skincare Lucky Legs Cooling Gel and Pregnancy Boob Tube
  • did not need!
• Baby bottles
  • did not need!
• Haakaa breast pump
  • did not need!
• Back massager
  • did not need because I had an epidural
• Stool softener (I got Senokot)
  • I should have taken this earlier on! Don’t wait for the hemorrhoids to come!
• Tylenol
  • didn’t need, the hospital obviously had
• Stretchy mesh underwear
  • DID need. The hospital did not give me any extras and the day I went home I had to use my own.
• Padscile inserts
  • Didn’t need to bring with me but good for after
• Adult diapers
  • DID need. Again, the hospital didn’t have
• Pads
  • Once again, DID need to go home in
• Baby diapers
  • NEED! This could just be an Ontario thing, but they really don’t give you much, as you can see.
• Nursing pads
  • Did not need, milk doesn’t come in early enough that you will leak in the hospital unless you are there for longer
• Swaddle blankets
  • Needed to bring the baby home with
• Outfit to bring baby home in
  • Bring multiple sizes (NB and 0-3). The one we brought was too small on her gigantic feet haha
• Hand cream
  • like maybe, can’t remember if I needed or used
• Breastfeeding pillow
  • YES! Could have definitely used this while I was there.
• 2 pillows and different coloured pillow cases
  • 100% AND a warm blanket which we did not have! We were freezing and so uncomfortable. Our family had to bring us extra blankets.
• Slippers
  • Nope, I just wore flip flops
• Flip flop sandals
  • see above
• Tucks
  • Didn’t need in the hospital but after yes
• PJs with buttons (mine are really old from Gap)
  • Yes! For everyone who said you just wear the hospital gown the whole time, well after I showered I was SO happy to have a fresh pair of PJ’s and a fresh robe to put on after!
• Breast pump – I have the Medela
  • did not need at the hospital
• Reusable water bottle
  • only if the straw is bendy! I brought one with a hard plastic straw that DC ended up using and had to use the hospital styrofoam cup and plastic straw so i could sip from lying down
• Snacks, snacks, snacks
  • yes, yes, yes
• Washed and sterilized pacifiers
  • YES!!! Was the most thankful we had this for the first night of clustering! Bring 2!
• Sleep mask
  • I got made fun of for packing this, but guess what? We needed 2! One for me and one for DC! We both used them and were thankful we packed them.
• Extra bag
  • This isn’t something we packed but definitely needed for dirty clothes and any gifts we received at the hospital

So obviously this will all depend on your hospital and where you’re from. I was pretty surprised about the lack of items we had access to but as long as the medical care we received was great (which it was) that’s all that really matters. As always, let me know if you have any questions!

xoxo