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Hey Y’all!

Long time no speak! It’s been quite a while since we connected here, but if you follow me on Instagram then you know much has changed since my last post. Including, not one but TWO babies–well almost two babies. We’re officially 38 weeks, so the countdown is on until we meet the littlest Hyman. Since we don’t want to find ourselves in the same predicament with Emerie, we’re working on getting our hospital bag together ASAP. Here is what I’m packing (and not packing) as a second time mom. If you want to jump straight to browsing what I’m packing, click here.

Hospital Bag Necessities

I learned from my first birth in March of 2022 that there are many things that the hospital will supply you. However, when it comes to postpartum recovery, comfort is a matter of necessity. Keep reading to see what essentials will make it to my bag and which didn’t make the cut.

Self-Care Items in my Hospital Bag

Even though a hospital stay isn’t my idea of a vacation, I’ll be backing my standard toiletry bag that I do take on vacations in my hospital bag. Inside you’ll find my preferred body wash, face wash, moisturizers, and a loofa first and foremost. Secondly, I’ll bring along any of my daily skincare products that I see fit such as serums and masks. Honestly, I did the bare minimum during our first stay, but I feel a bit more prepared for what to expect this time. Also, I regret not taking more photos with our girl when she was first born. This time I would like to pull myself together enough for a few shots with our newest crew member.

• Preferred Body Wash
• Face Wash
• Face Moisturized
• Body Moisturizer
• Face Spray
• Toner
• Serum
• Loofah
• Chapstick

Comfort Items in My Hospital Bag

Our last hospital stay lasted five days and by the end of it, we were so uncomfortable and miserable. Though nothing will replace our home and our bed, I am packing items in my hospital bag that will hopefully increase my comfort. That will include a comfy, stretchy robe, a nightgown/night shirt with buttons for skin to skin, cozy loungewear, a satin lined bonnet, warms socks, compressions socks, and my favorite lumbar pillow. The latter is a hospital bag must because the hospital bed was so harsh on my back last time. The only thing is remembering to pack it since I use it daily around the house. Fingers crossed!

The hospital will typically supply you with slip resistant socks, However, this time I’m packing my own super warm, cozy slip resistant socks in my hospital bag a well. I’m also packing a pair of compression socks. I didn’t swell at all during my last pregnancy, but postpartum was a different story. I was swollen for about two weeks after giving birth. This time I plan to utilize my compression socks immediately.

I will also be packing a fan in my hospital bag again. Labor can get hot and postpartum is no different. Especially after delivering the placenta and the extreme fluctuations in hormones that can bring on. I already run hot, so I’ll have my bedside fan with a clip attachment just in case I need it more up close and personal.

• Stretchy Robe
• Nightgown/shirt
• Loungewear
• Bonnet
• Warm Socks
• Compression Socks
• Shower shoes
• Towel
• Lumbar Pillow
• Fan
• Wireless Headphones
• Extra Long Charger

Incontinence items in my hospital bag

Again, everyone who has or is close to giving birth in a hospital is probably aware of the mesh underwear provided postpartum. In my opinon, those work just fine. However, they were not my preferred. My mom brought a bag of incontinence underwear toward the end of our last stay and they were a game changer. This time, I’m going in with my incontinence underwear packed in my hospital bag. Again, this is just a matter of preference and not a necessity. If you’re fine with the standard mesh underwear and pad combo, then you’ll be good to go.

• Incontinence Underwear

Breastfeeding items in my hospital bag

I can’t lie, breastfeeding threw me for a loop the first time around. However, I was committed and stuck to it for 9 months until Emerie self-weaned. During that time, my supply never quite met her demand even though we got close at times. This time, I’ll be packing a few breastfeeding items in my hospital bag to get a jump on our journey. I plan to have my Haaka manual pump on hand, syringes to collect colostrum, and a lactation massager to encourage letdown. I initially thought I’d bring my electric pump to immediately help with encouraging production, in addition to latching baby on demand. However, as a chronic over packer, I’m trying to keep my hospital bag as light as possible. Plus, I’ve found the Haaka can be just as effective in some cases. I also can’t forget to pack my silverettes in my hospital bag to help with any residual discomfort. The pain of breastfeeding made me want to tap out by day two last time, but now I feel better equipped to speed healing where possible.

My hospital bag will also include two breastfeeding bras— one unstructured and one structured bra that resembles more your typical bra. I’ll use the soft bra for sleep and the structured bra for the trip home. Packing the structured bra is not necessary, but I prefer it for the support. However, I have to admit that the nursing bras I just purchased have plenty support.

• Haaka Manual Pump
• Lactation Massager
• Silverettes
• Syringes
• Nursing Bras

Hospital Bag—Preferred Items

The next items on my list are completely optional and a matter a preference. Some mamas like to immediately jump back into their routines to feel like themselves while others prefer take it easy while adjusting to their new normal. The later was definitely me last time so no shame in that game (or either, honestly). This time I plan to try for the former, but it’ll honestly be up to the needs of my body as I recover and our new baby.

Vanity Items in my Hospital Bag

My last birth was a whirlwind and a long ordeal all at once. So, after 49 hours of labor and three additional days in the hospital, I was over it. This time we’re praying for a much more expedient birth and an exponentially shorter hospital stay so that we can get home to our girl. With that, I’m hoping that I’ll be in the space to put on a little makeup and do my hair. For that reason, I plan to pack my makeup bag with the minimal necessities. I definitely won’t be going all out but I’m thinking I’ll do a little something for photos.

I’ll also, of course, pack a going home outfit in my hospital bag. Last time I wore this dress home but had to wear running shoes because my feet were so swollen. It was not a look–trust me! This time, I’m go for something more casual but cute that will pair well with my trusty flip flops. I’ll also pack a few jewelry items in my hospital bag, including the necklace I just got that includes baby girl’s initial along with the remainder of the Hyman crew. Yes, we have a name but we’re not sharing just yet.

Last time I went into labor a few days after washing my hair. So, I went in the opposite of how I planned with my hair out. This time, I’m hoping to avoid that and instead will wear my bonnet (listed above) until time for pictures and departure. Last time I transitioned back to wigs when postpartum shedding started to ramp up. This time, I’ll use wigs for protective styling from the start.

• Makeup Bag
• Jewelry
• Cute going home outfit
• Wig
• Camera
• Tripod

Postpartum Shedding Supplements in my Hospital Bag

Another thing I plan to get a jump on very soon after deliver is postpartum shedding. By three months postpartum last go around, my edges were almost completely gone. This time I’d like to give them a fighting chance. As a result, I will back Baby Blues vitamins, prenatal vitamins, biotin, rosemary oil, and JBCO in my hospital bag. My plan is to start treating my edges and scalp immediately from the inside out.

• Baby Blues Postpartum Hair Vitamins
• Prenatal Vitamins
• Biotin
• Rosemary Oil
• Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Items that won’t make it to my hospital bag

Here are some of the items that the hospital supplied that I don’t feel the need to double up on. First up is the cooling pads to aid in swelling and discomfort. Those were top notch and I actually still have one left over from my last visit. I’ll be using those this time around a well. Next is a peri bottle. I was dead set on the infamous Frida peri bottle last time but never got around to buying it before I went into labor. It worked out because the squeeze bottle the hospital provided did the trick. I also won’t be packing a stool softener or pain medication. The hospital provided both on a schedule throughout my stay and honestly, my first poop postpartum wasn’t that scary. They also sent me home with a prescription pain reliever. However, I used my own Colace once back at home and will do the same for the first week or so postpartum.

• Cooling pads
• Peri Bottle
• Pain Medication
• Stool Softener

Conclusion

My hospital bag is packed and now we wait, not so patiently, for baby girl’s arrival! What were some item you packed in your hospital bag that were absolutely necessary? What was a miss? Is there something you plan to pack in your hospital bag that’s not listed above? Let me know in the comments!

Talk soon!