Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack + Free Downloadable!

Hospital Bag Checklist: what I’m packing for labor and delivery, postpartum care items, clothing, snacks, my going home outfit, and baby’s hospital bag! Natural and non-toxic products to help support me through labor and delivery.

Hospital Bag Checklist: what I’m packing for labor and delivery, postpartum care items, clothing, snacks, my going home outfit, and baby’s hospital bag! Natural and non-toxic products to help support me through labor and delivery.

I honestly can’t believe that I am writing this blog post! I have watched so many β€œWhat’s In My Hospital Bag” videos on YouTube throughout my pregnancy, and it’s honestly just surreal that I’m already at this point of packing for the hospital. It still feels a little bit surreal that Mr. Matt and I are going to be parents (not just Pawrents!) in just a few days or weeks. Baby Acorn could come at any time now and now that I’ve got my hospital bag packed, I’m feeling a lot more prepared.Β 

Speaking of prepared, Mr. Matt and I have also been working hard over the past few weeks on her nursery, which is really coming together. There are only a few more key pieces that I am waiting on to arrive before it’s officially finished. I can’t wait to give you a tour of the nursery – it’s a small room that we have completely transformed with all the calm nature-themed vibes and I love it so much. Stay tuned for the nursery tour video and blog post coming soon (maybe Baby Acorn will be here in time for the tour, who knows)!Β 

A few weeks back, I asked you HealthNuts on Instagram stories for recommendations and must-haves for what to pack in my hospital bag. You had some great suggestions, and I’ve included many of them! Incase you were wondering, here are YOUR top suggestions for what to pack:Β 

Everyone says that you overpack for your first baby, but you know what, I’m ok with that! I’m a first time Mom, and since I will be delivering during a global pandemic… I want to be prepared. I’d rather be over-prepared than underprepared, and I think Matt won’t actually be able to leave the hospital once we’re in there. So, if we forget anything we are out of luck! So I figure may as well be on the safe side and pack all the essentials to help me feel as comfortable and prepared as possible.Β 

Overnight Bag + Diaper Bag

Before we hop in, I just want to first give a shoutout to Fawn Design who gifted me this beautiful diaper bag and a weekender bag for my hospital bag. They are so beautiful, and I am very grateful for this generous gift! While these bags are made to carry baby items in, they are so beautiful that you could use them even if you don’t have a baby on the way.Β 

These bags are both functional and beautiful, and I know I am going to get so much use out of them. There is lots of space to pack everything neatly in, and they also have the cutest cosmetic bags and changing clutches (which comes with a wipes case and changing mat) so that you can be prepared to change a diaper anytime, anywhere! Am I prepared for that?? We’ll find out!!

Here’s a full rundown (and free printable checklist) of what I am packing in my hospital bag, as well as baby’s hospital bag. There are some must-haves, as well as a few nice-to-have essentials that will just make me more comfortable going into labor. Apparently, it’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag around week 37 or 38 – just in case you go into labor a little early. I know that most Moms end up in the hospital for at least 1 or 2 nights after delivery, so I have packed with that in mind!

Hospital Bag Checklist: what I’m packing for labor and delivery, postpartum care items, clothing, snacks, my going home outfit, and baby’s hospital bag! Natural and non-toxic products to help support me through labor and delivery.

Hospital Bag Checklist

I hope that you find this list helpful. I have included lots of natural and non-toxic products such as essential oils to help with labour and delivery, as well as postpartum care products that will help with healing (without the harmful toxins)! From disposable underwear and peri bottles to nipple cream and perineal spray… I gotcha covered!

Toiletries & Body Care

Makeup Bag

Especially when I’m coming home, I don’t know if I will be wanting to take photos butΒ I won’t be full glam, but a little CC cream and mascara goes a long way!

Essential Oils Bag

Of course, I am packing my favourite calming and bravery essential oils to help me through labour as well. This is what’s in my essential oils bag, and why I decided to include it! I plan to use these by inhaling directly from the bottle, adding some drops to my wrists and chest, and adding a few drops to my hands and deeply inhaling the aroma.Β 

  • Peace & Calming – Acts as a nervine and calmative to enhance relaxation! I’m guessing the more relaxed I can be, the more I can allow my body to open for baby to make her way into this world.
  • Tangerine – In my hypno-birthing course, they recommended using citrus oils for labor and delivery since they are so uplifting and calming.Β 
  • Lavender – One of my faves, I don’t go anywhere without it. Lavender is good for sleep and also acts as a nervine and calmative.
  • Peppermint – Incase I have any nausea during labor! Peppermint has been a must-have throughout my pregnancy for reducing nausea
  • Valor – This blend is known as the bravery and courage oil. It contains blue tansy, black spruce, camphor, frankincense, and geranium and has recently become one of my favourites for grounding and calming an overactive mind.

Postpartum Care

  • Claraderm – This is a cooling mist essential oil infused mist made with coconut oil for post birth vaginal care and healing. It contains 100% pure essential oils such as myrrh, tea tree, lavender, frankincense, helichrysum, roman chamomile to help revitalize the skin. You can find out how to get this 100% natural essential oil infused spray here!
  • Earth Mama herbal perennial spray – I wanted to include a few options that are non-toxic for perineal healing and this herbal spray that is made with witch hazel seems great as well.Β 
  • Lanolin cream –Β  I’m not sure if I will have sore or dry nipples in the first few days since I know it takes awhile for your milk to come in, but just incase I threw in this lanolin cream which everyone says is a must-have.
  • Peri bottle – Everyone says that this peri bottle is essential since the one they give you at the hospital doesn’t have the curved nozzle and is harder to use. This one came highly recommended!Β 
  • Disposable Underwear – Need I say more? Apparently, these are going to be essential, so I stocked up! They give them at the hospital too, but I’ve heard they aren’t very comfy and I like that these ones are not bleached.Β 

Hospital Bag Checklist: what I’m packing for labor and delivery, postpartum care items, clothing, snacks, my going home outfit, and baby’s hospital bag! Natural and non-toxic products to help support me through labor and delivery.

Clothing

Other Items

Hospital Bag Checklist: what I’m packing for labor and delivery, postpartum care items, clothing, snacks, my going home outfit, and baby’s hospital bag! Natural and non-toxic products to help support me through labor and delivery.

Tech

Snacks

Hospital Bag Checklist: what I’m packing for labor and delivery, postpartum care items, clothing, snacks, my going home outfit, and baby’s hospital bag! Natural and non-toxic products to help support me through labor and delivery.

Baby’s Bag

Putting together Baby Acorn’s bag was so fun (I mean how cute is everything)?! But since all her outfits are so cute, it makes it very hard to decide what to bring. I tried to keep it simple and just pack the basics. I also wanted to mention that a few of these items were generously gifted to me by a local shop called Merely Me.Β  I love that this small Canadian company has a focus on natural organic and quality clothing. Their newborn outfits, blankets, hats, and headbands are too cute and so soft!Β  It’s always great to support a small local brand when you can, and this shop truly has you covered for baby clothing and more.

If there’s anything else that you think I need or forgot, or items that you found useful during your labour and delivery – please let me know in the comments below. If you are a new mom, I hope that this helps you to prep! Be sure to download a copy of my free Hospital Bag Checklist as well, to help make packing easier. Be sure to tag me @healthnutnutrition and share on Instagram if you find my tips helpful when packing your hospital bag!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1 comment