Minimal: What I Packed in my Hospital Bag (for the 3rd baby)

I am a minimalist and when I was having my second baby, I asked people on my Instagram what they packed in their hospital bag and I found the responses SO overwhelming. Now I'm having my third and I'm putting no pressure on it and packing like I'm going to the cabin for a few days — comfy stuff and only the things I will actually use. Moral of the story is, unless you have specific things that you need/want, you really don't need that much stuff so stick to the essentials. Do that and you'll be golden.

Slowly add

I took the designated hospital bag out when I was about 35 weeks and slowly started throwing things in over the course of a few weeks. And then made a list of the things you can't throw in until the last minute (like a toothbrush) and added those items once I was in labor. So, let's get into it…

1. SNACKS!

I love chia seed squeezers and have packed these for all 3 of my pregnancies. They're no hassle, essentially hands free, and give me a little energy boost during labor. My husband is the snack king so he will handle the rest of the snacks. But, having healthy snacks that you like that are also easy to eat is a must have. You know there will always be something yummy nearby and if you go into labor in the middle of the night you can't order something from the hospital kitchen.

2. Electrolytes

I'm also obsessed with LMNT. I drink it literally everyday throughout pregnancy because they're amazing for muscle aches and sleep.

During labor and postpartum I drink them too because you need so much liquid to produce breast milk. I used to use a different brand but my midwife said there was too much sugar in it, so this brand has no sugar but a lot of salt, potassium, and magnesium.

The citrus salt flavor is my fav because it kind of tastes like a margarita with salt around the rim, but grapefruit is also another top flavor for me. If you use this link, you'll get a free sample pack with any purchase.

3. Clothing

When you're laboring, you're going to want a comfy bra (because you really can't wear pants). I loveee the Kindred Bravely (I am an affiliate with them so the code “HeyShayla” will get you a discount). The Sublime Plunge bra is one of my favorites. At first I didn't think I would like this style but turns out, it's so freaking comfy! It holds you in surprisingly well and is a great option for laboring.

All of the Sublime products are amazing. I have some other Sublime styles, including the nursing/pumping one and I love it. You can easily disconnect the straps and pull the bra down which makes it so simple. After having my first baby, I had a major oversupply and pulling the bra down meant it would just get wet so I would get looser ones and pull them upwards instead and that worked well too.

If you're a little bit more modest, you might prefer a labor gown over just the bra. Frida Mom makes a great one. It's not very cute but it does the job. It's comfortable and you can easily pop the buttons off and pull it down to breastfeed. I got it in a kit that was like a $100 and gives you everything you need for postpartum. I would highly recommend this kit.

When you pack pants and an outfit to go home in, don't pack yoga pants. You're going to be waddling out of the place in a diaper and nobody wants that look. Grab yourself some joggers or sweatpants.

I'm someone that tends to get cold. So while a lot of people said they needed to pack a fan, I need socks, slippers, a sweatshirt.

Any nurse or healthcare professional I have talked to has said whatever you bring (clothes, a pillow, blankets), don't bring your nice one. For example, last time, I brought slippers that were at the end of their life but I hadn't thrown out yet so I used them for labor and then finally tossed them afterwards.

4. Sleep items

One sort of “boujee” item I'm bringing is an eye mask. I just feel like this would come in handy at a hospital. Plus, I had major adrenaline after my second and couldn't fall asleep so I'm bringing things to help with that, if it's the case again.

Magnesium helps me sleep so I'm going to bring that as well.

Whether it's a specific blanket, pjs, supplement, etc., anything that you think will help you sleep better and more is worth packing.

5. A long phone cord

Obviously you'll want a phone charger. A lot of people recommend a 6 ft or longer so it can reach to the bed.

6. Essential oils

I will bring some essential oils too like lavender and peppermint.

Last time, my hospital put essential oil patches on my shoulders and had candles lit and it was a very nice environment. I'm going somewhere else this time which is a bit stressful, but I'm sure it'll be just fine.

7. Something to record

I'm bringing like a phone holder so we can record parts of the day.

With my second, I wanted to get a birth photographer and my husband was like uhh no that's weird. My husband offered to take photos and videos and he did. And it was amazing. He caught the whole thing birth. It was like a 17 minute video and it was so cool.

So, I'm going to bring what we need to have a camera set up. It feels a bit strange to document it like that, but it's such a weird and cool thing and I just want to be able to relive it.

8. Download a contraction app

Contraction timer is the app that I use and it's super simple. You literally press the button when a contraction starts and stop it when it's over. It's literally a timer but then it tells you how far apart they are and how they have changed/gotten closer together.

For me, it helped me know my contractions were about 60 seconds long so when I was having one, I was like okay, I just need to get through the next 60 seconds and I could kind of count down to power through them.

9. Headphones/Hypnobabies

I would recommend doing Hypnobabies (and having the app + a pair of headphones during birth) to everyone, but especially anyone doing an unmedicated birth.

The Hypnobabies course is amazing and about $200 but it takes you through everything you're going to experience through labor, the different options you have, and just want to know about the process. It's a birthing course. And then, they have audio that trains you in relaxation techniques that you listen to before and can listen to during.

The entire premise is that you don't fight your contractions because that's what causes pain. Instead, they teach you to let the contractions wave over you. Giving you ways to relax your mind and in turn, your body is the point and it's wildly helpful.

I personally am all about bringing corded headphones with for Hypnobabies because I like to be in the water while laboring and don't want to deal with an AirPod dropping out into the water or even the bed or the floor. Plus, I don't want to deal with AirPods potentially dying on me.

10. Items for postpartum healing

I have a video on all of the things mom needs for the first month. (Mom needs wayyy more than the baby in the first few months). But moral of the story is there are quite a few items you need for proper healing. I would highly recommend calling your hospital (or midwife or doctor) what's provided because mine gave me diapers, witch hazel pads, numbing cream, and lots of other things I needed. And then when we got home, we just went out and bought those things to replenish the stash.

While I had everything I needed postpartum at the hospital, I've heard of other people who got nothing from the hospital. If that's the case for yours, you will for sure want to bring some essential items.

If you're a first time mom, Frida Mom makes an AWESOME kit. It has pretty much everything and saves you the hassle of figuring out what you need and seeking all of those items out.

I also just went to Target and got large and extra large briefs and they worked great. Because the last thing you want is trying to peel a pad off underwear that are too small and the pad gets stuck to itself under the underwear and you're trying to rip it off, but instead the pad ends up ripping…and it just ends up being a mess. Just get yourself some wide crotched undies and avoid the hassle. And put a pair (or better yet, a few) in the hospital bag.

11. Belly band for right after baby

Your stomach is no longer full of this baby and all of your organs are sloshing around and it's uncomfortable. I asked the hospital if they had a belly band and they gave me one. And to be clear, it was not for aesthetic of trying to make my stomach look smaller. It was simply to wrap around myself and hold it all in place which felt way better.

I would recommend either bringing one or asking your hospital if it's something they have on hand and could give you.

12. Breastfeeding items – I didn't use them at the hospital

A lot of people to say to bring stuff for breastfeeding (if you will be doing that). Unless you're at the hospital for a long time, I didn't really get chapped nips or need boob pads or any of that until I was home. Because of this, I didn't bring nipple butter or any other items, but Earth Mama is my favorite. I've heard Frida Mom has a good one too. I'm a fan of the Haakaa as well, in place of a traditional pump.

If you choose to breastfeed, hopefully there is a lactation consultant at your hospital to help. But if not, you can always seek one out once you're back home too.

13. Outfit for baby

For some reason, I seem to always forget about an outfit for the baby until the last minute. I have an orange zip up that I brought all 3 of my babies home in. I also like to bring a blanket to throw over them because the zip up doesn't have feet on it and then I can make sure they're not cold.

14. Car seat installed

Not part of the hospital bag, but make sure your car seat is installed a few weeks before your due date (I recommend at or before week 37) so you can show up to the hospital with it ready in your car.

By the way, if you're interested in a non-toxic car seat, I have a list of the top seats, including the one we chose!

A few factors to consider

• How far you live from the hospital – We live about 5 minutes from our hospital so some of my maybe items might be a skip and if I decide I need them, someone can swing by our house on their way, or my husband could run and grab it. (Regardless of the drive, this is why I say don't freak out about the hospital bag – anything you need and don't have can be picked up by someone, bought at the closest store, etc.)
• Baby soap – If you're particular about the products you want to use on baby's skin (like soap), pack whatever items you think you'll use. We love Tubby Todd or Honest. We also don't usually bathe our babies right away so if that's your preference too, you might not need that.
• Environment – Hospitals are usually a super dry environment so lotion, chapstick, etc. might be good things to grab. Also, I might bring little battery candles or a diffuser to create a good ambiance
• Stuff for Dad – Dad really just needs a few things to wear and a toothbrush. My husband just hands me a super thin pile of clothes to stick in the hospital bag and we're good. Dad might also want a pillow and/or blanket too. But, the nurses at our hospital recommend either grabbing cheap ones or bringing old/worn ones that you can toss afterwards.
• Use a suitcase – My advice is don't pack a hospital bag, pack a hospital suitcase. Then you guys can roll it and not carry it, it just makes things a lot easier.
• Dad gift – When I had my first, I did a little gift for my husband as a little “welcome to parenthood” thing. It had some snacks, a coffee card, and shirt that said girl dad, and a little nip of Jameson (buying that 9 months pregnant might be the most awkward thing I've ever done).
• Stuff for other kids – When I had my second, we dropped our first off at my sisters so when we packed a hospital bag, I packed an overnight bag for her. With the third, I think we will have someone come stay at our house with the girls so we won't need one.

Things I THINK are unnecessary

• Shampoo and conditioner – If this is something you'd pack for the cabin, sure. For just a night or two, I'm fine just using what they have there.
• Nursing pillow – I say just skip it and use a regular pillow. If you have a nursing pillow and use it when you're back home, great! But, when you're at the hospital, a regular pillow will do just fine. If you're unsure, maybe you throw it in the car, keep in there, and have your partner run and grab if you want it

Keep it simple

For me, less is more. Just stick to the essentials. You have less to pack and drag in, and less to unpack at home while having a newborn. Start tossing items in your bag at 36 weeks. And, have a list of things you use daily to throw in right before you leave. And, put it all in a suitcase. That's my recommendation.

Most importantly, please don't stress about it! People make the hospital bag a huge thing and it doesn't need to be. Remember, it's just a night (or a couple) and newborns don't need that much!