What I packed in my hospital bag as a second-time mom (what I used, skipped, and forgot)

1. Your own essentials

Cozy favorites, untouched PJs, and the one essential I still underestimated.

Pillow, a cozy blanket, warm socks, slippers, a robe, and comfy PJs. I packed brand new sets from Caden Lane and Petite Plum, and they’re beautiful. Also perfect for nursing. caden lane petite plum

Here’s the truth, though: I lived in the blanket. I barely wore the pjs, and two sets went home with the tags still on. With a natural birth, you can lose a lot of blood, and the last thing you’ll want is something brand new and cute, even if it makes your photos prettier. Pack the soft, forgiving stuff you won’t mind ruining.

What I underestimated going in and going home: adult diapers for when your water breaks. Apparently only about 10 percent of pregnancies start with the water breaking on its own, and somehow I went 2 for 2 on this. You’d think I would have learned!

2. Postpartum essentials

The recovery must-haves I was glad to have, with extras waiting at home.

These are non-negotiable. Order yourself a Frida Mom kit, a Mom Cozy, or whatever brand you prefer. I ended up using and liking both. frida mom kit  Get extra disposable underwear, because you’ll be wearing it for about two weeks (you’re welcome).  Undies The cooling pads and peri bottles are must-haves. The hospital may give you some, but it’s best to have a supply waiting at home too.

3. The funny item

A toddler’s water gun, a plan to keep my husband awake, and absolutely no energy to follow through.

My toddler’s water gun. The plan was to use it to keep my husband awake. Spoiler: I was too tired and anxious ever to pull it out. When my contractions kept starting and stopping, I actually told him to go home. He was much more useful there, walking our dog and caring for our 3-year-old, who missed her mama. water gun 

I still recommend packing one, though. 10/10 😉 If nothing else, use it for the content/photo opp.

4. Toiletries

A little skincare, the everyday basics, and a few things that helped me feel like myself.

Pack all your favorites. I used my skincare for my dry summer pregnancy skin and loved these face wipes. face wipes Fine-tune your cosmetics and anything else that makes you feel like yourself, and don’t forget the basics: toothbrush, deodorant, hair clip, brush. Oh, and an extra long or portable phone charger.

Hopefully you’ll have the energy to do makeup for videos after the birth. I was pretty wiped out and didn’t capture as many as I’d hoped, because my mission was to get home to Lily as fast as possible. Looking back, I wish I’d captured a few more sweet moments on video, so that’s my gentle reminder to you.

5. Custom baby sets and a birth announcement card

A tiny outfit, her first little introduction, and keepsakes I’ll treasure forever.

I got these from Caden Lane, linked here. I loved them and absolutely recommend them. caden lane birth stats

6. A baby nail file

The tiny essential I forgot, and the little scratches that reminded me.

Do not forget this one! I forgot mine, and her nails were so long. She scratched herself right after arriving and had a little wound in her first two weeks of photos. Also bring a few pacifiers. Here are the ones I packed. nail file  pacifier .

7. Something cozy to go home in

Soft sweats, a little extra room, and black for the ride home.

Think sweats, and think black. There will still be a lot of bleeding and discomfort.

8. Feeding backups

Formula, a Haakaa, and a little peace of mind, just in case.

I’ve been told some hospitals have restrictions on formula, so in case breastfeeding is a challenge, I packed my own. I use HiPP, a German organic formula. I didn’t want to rely on hospital formula, which was Enfamil for my first baby. I also packed a Haakaa silicone pump to catch extra milk , and a nursing pillow can be helpful too. haakaa 

I barely used any of it in the hospital. My baby latched easily this time, and I fed her for an hour right after birth. It was so much easier the second time around than my first. Still, it’s good to think these things through ahead of time, based on your preferences. More on this in an upcoming post!

9. A portable speaker

A little music to bring some good vibes to the hospital room.

My JBL speaker was great for good-vibe music, and it’s an essential for the hospital stay and beyond. Speaker link

10. Snacks, electrolytes, and protein bars

Snacks in the bag, electrolytes on hand, and DoorDash to the rescue.

I didn’t eat a single bite of hospital food or snacks this time. Thank goodness for DoorDash! I treated myself to really good meals (shout out to Maru Coffee, Leora burritos and smoothies, and Jon N Vinny Pizza) during my 25-hour labor, and I’d do it again.

11. Gifts for the nurses

A little thank-you for the nurses who helped me through it all.

The nurses provided so much incredible support during my three days at Cedars-Sinai. Keep in mind that nurses cannot accept cash, but they can accept gift cards! Next time, I’ll definitely pack little gift cards and thank you notes to share with them. During this stay, we treated the team to DoorDash food deliveries, which they were especially grateful for during the late-night shifts.

The takeaway

Pack for comfort, leave room for the unexpected, and give yourself a little peace of mind.

Packing early gave me peace of mind, and it was worth it. Pack for comfort, pack for the unexpected, and skip what doesn’t serve you on this list. I’m so grateful for this experience, and I hope this helps you feel ready for yours. 🤍

Next up on the blog: My 25 hour labor without an epidural!

Love and light, 

JoAnna