Last time I gave birth I watched so many youtube videos about what to bring in my hospital bag before I packed my own. I thought I had everything I needed and wanted! Let’s be real, you never know what you’re really going to need until you live it. So now that I have some experience, I wanted to put together a hospital bag checklist for second baby, and what to bring in your hospital bag for baby #2. And ultimately this works for all you first time mamas out there of course!
I ultimately want to keep the hospital bag things to a minimum, not overpack and keep the essentials. But if you’ve ever packed for a weekend trip with me, I love to have choices lol. What will fit and be comfortable ya know? What if I end up needing a c-section?
It’s incredible the changes your body goes through in such a short period of time. And let me tell you, I am SO looking forward to that huge relief of no longer having a baby in my belly! This pregnancy has been a lot more heavy on my body! So let’s get into it – when to pack hospital bag for 2nd baby and what should you really bring in your hospital bag?
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When should I pack my hospital bag when pregnant?
- It’s typically recommended to have a hospital bag packed sometime around 36-37 weeks from what I’ve read. I’m going to pack mine this week which is around 37 weeks!
- Of course if you have a scheduled c-section or induction it might be a little different timing wise!
What should I bring to the hospital for labor?
- You typically don’t need too much in the way of yoga balls or peanut balls or things like that. Most hospitals have this for you now – ask your providers what they have!
- Comfy clothes to labor in whether that’s a comfy bra and undies or shorts until your water breaks
- I ended up wearing a hospital gown at some point. It likely depends on the hospital and I think some women buy hospital gown style dresses these days too!
- Usually you can only eat snacks up until a certain point – usually before the epidural if I remember correctly. I didn’t bring much for labor snacks last time, mostly snacks for Mike.
- Your birth plan if you have one, your insurance cards/ID etc.
- Your mantras and playlist if you prepared any of those things, although I don’t think I used any of them first time around!
What kind of bag is best for a hospital bag?
- I would definitely say small rolling suitcase instead of a duffle bag or the shoulder bag. It will be easier to roll in, shove a pillow on top and organize inside!
What to really pack in your hospital bag for baby #2?
So having done this before, I know exactly what to bring in hospital bag for baby #2. Here is the checklist below that I will be following this time around!
Comfy Clothes
- Comfy leggings – high waisted will still be your friend as you’ll still be quite swollen
- Bike shorts in case I get hot, and a loose pair of high waisted pajama shorts too as I want options
- Non-slip socks (I bought a pack off Amazon and love them still!)
- Slippers if you want! But beware you may leak fluids and pee on them after delivery, the socks are easier to wash!
- A couple nursing bras like the pull aside kind from Kindred Bravely or whatever is most comfortable. You can check out my favorite nursing friendly bras here!
- A nursing friendly shirt/tank top/cami
- Cardigan or sweatshirt in case it’s cold, open front is easier to nurse or do skin to skin in!
- Cute robe for a couple photos – also easy to layer over a bra or tank for nursing and wear home
- Last time I also had these adorable nursing dresses from Amazon that got ruined from the lanolin they gave me. Don’t use that stuff anywhere near your clothes! It stains forever 🙁 but I enjoyed having these pull aside cozy dresses. Easy to do diaper and mesh undies under without shorts!
Towel
- Definitely bringing my own towel this time. Those scratchy towels at the hospital are no fun and definitely not big and cozy!
Toiletries
- Bring you’re own toiletry bag filled with your own favorites to make you feel more comfortable
- Shampoo/conditioner for that first shower postpartum
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Your fav face moisturizer and face products so you can feel like a human
- Your fav lip balm
- Hair brush I didn’t have one last time and my hair was a legit NEST after delivery. It was a nightmare in the shower later. Pack the hair brush!
- Deodorant
- Anything else that relaxes you and makes you feel more at home
- Shower sandals! You may or may not have a shower in your room. I had to go to a separate shared shower last time.
Breastfeeding essentials:
- Nipple balm – I loved the Earth Mama one last time, although this time might try the warm salt water soaks earlier on per my lactation consultant last go around
- I will be 100% avoiding the hospital lanolin – it will RUIN YOUR CLOTHES
- Silverette cups are 100% coming with me this time – I wish I had them earlier last time. You can read more about them here – I did a whole post for you!
- Comfy nursing bras or tanks as per the clothing section!
Adult diapers
- Yes. You will thank me later. I used Always last time and have some of these. I plan to try Rael organic cotton adult disposable diapers this time too – just ordered them!
- Fridamom mesh underwear are also great, but these and the hospital mesh undies although comfy you have to put your own pads in and I just didn’t love that combination. The adult diapers are just so much easier and less leaking!
- My friend who had a c-sectiom said she preferred the mesh undies better as they have a higher rise and were more breathable.
Maxipads
- Yes, the hospital gives you plenty. I may pack a few organic cotton ones in maxi and overnight styles as well and to have on hand at home.
Ponytail holders/scrunchies/hair clips
- If you have longer hair like me, you need something to hold it up! Bring a couple in case something gets lost or breaks!
Baggies or Jewelry holder
- A small ziplock baggie/case for any jewelry you might have to take off just in case.
Water bottle or straw cup you enjoy
- Rather than the plastic cups at the hospital! I will definitely be bringing my Owala water bottle this time!
Electronic devices
- Phones/iPad
- You just don’t know what time you will go into labor, how long you may end up at the hospital. So this time I am bringing the iPad too just in case I need any distractions!
Extra chargers for all the devices you bring
- You never know how long you’ll be there!
- Pack your chargers and dad’s too!
Fav snack for postpartum
- Pack some of your favorite bars, and snacks – hospital food is just not great.
- I absolutely lived on fig bars and fruit and nut butters last time postpartum! I already bought 2 boxes of fig bars and plan to pack some for the hospital!
- Honestly I don’t remember eating much in the hospital first time around mainly because labor was predominately all night long. I mostly remember my pumpkin spice cold foam cold brew Mike brought me the next day lol.
Eyewear and contacts
- Pack your glasses and cases for glasses if you are a glasses wearer
- if you are a contact wearer same deal – pack your contacts, case and solution!
Favorite pillow and a non-white pillow case for it
- I ended up laboring on my back and sides laying down last time because my sacrum was feeling so much pressure. Nothing else felt good to me – a comfy pillow from home can make all the difference!
What to pack for baby in hospital bag:
Outfit for baby to wear home
- I packed 2 outfits just in case, you really don’t need much for baby while you’re there!
- Baby hat if it’s also going to be cold outside although you usually get one in the hospital too.
Baby swaddle/blanket
- If you have one you want to use, take photos in etc.
- If it’s going to be cold outside a blanket is definitely a must!
Baby name sign
- If you got one for a cute pic in the hospital! We ended up doing our photos at home mostly last time but I love a fresh newborn picture all swaddled up with a name or welcome sign – definitely bringing one this time too just in case!
Sound machine
- I think I’m going to bring either the hatch or a small portable sound machine this time. For me and for baby to help us sleep in the hospital. It works at home and it may help us while we’re there too! Also might make me feel more at home since I’m so used to Dempsey’s sound machine through the monitor.
If you have a pacifier you want to use, pack em.
- First night postpartum in the hospital was really rough for me. I really needed a small break from the cluster feeding to rest. I asked about a pacifier. They asked me if I had brought my own and I was like… don’t you have them!? They had to go to a different floor and it was a hassle.
- I planned to breastfeed and had a successful 22 months of it with Dempsey. But, they didn’t seem to think this was a good idea. I get it, you don’t want to mask hunger cues in the beginning. But it’s a personal choice whether you use them or not!
Last but not lease, Infant Car Seat and base (installed in car)
- You absolutely need your infant carrier installed in your car. That way it’s ready to grab in order to bring baby home in! You can leave it in your car until you are getting discharged though! No need to drag it inside with you ahead of time.
What to pack in your hospital bag for dad?
- Comfy clothes x 2 outfits just in case
- If dad has a specific shirt to wear for pictures
- Comfy socks and shoes as well
- Pillow if he plans to sleep there too
- Snacks for sure – he at least can eat during labor!
- His electronic devices and chargers as well
Final thoughts on what to bring in hospital bag for baby #2
I hope this list helps you decide what to bring in your hospital bag for baby #2 or any baby whether it’s your first or 4th! I thought long and hard about this and know what I missed last time and what I want this time. You just don’t know how quick or long you’ll be at the hospital. Having some of your home comforts there with you during this life-changing time makes all the difference!
What did you pack in your hospital bag? Did I miss anything? Let me know!
xo – Sarah