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Labor & Delivery: Life Savers 👩🍼
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items Here’s a comprehensive list of all the essential items that were in my hospital bag and helped make my labor experience as smooth as it could possibly be. Planning is key! You’ve got this, sweet friend 🤍
Sections
3
For mom
For baby
For dad
For mom
My sweet friends, I cannot recommend this cotton L&D gown enough. It was literally a lifeline - so much comfier than the hot, scratchy hospital gowns! I wore it through my whole labor and delivery and felt comfortable in it the entire time. They ...
Kindred Bravely 3-in-1 Labor & Nursing Gown
I own two of these in cotton and love them. I packed them for the hospital and they were perfect for me.
I also used them heavily in the early days of postpartum. They have great options for various types of coverage, especially in those early days...
Maternity & Nursing Bras
This one is a personal choice. I wish I knew about it beforehand - I would’ve carried it to the hospital with me to help me with the painful experience of breastfeeding. I only found out about it 2 weeks into breastfeeding from a friend. Even then, t...
Medela Contact Nipple Shields & Case - 24MM, Contact Nipple Shields with Case - 2PK
After tons of research, I landed on this pump and couldn’t be happier. It ticks all the boxes for me - handsfree, can use on the go around the house, battery lasts well, easy to assemble and use, came with nipple measurements and flange sizes. It als...
Momcozy Breast Pump Hands Free Mobile Flow | M9, App Discreet Control with Personalized Multi-Modes & 15 Levels, Wearable Breast Pump 24mm
This little kit was an essential in my hospital bag. It held me steady through the nerves of recovery and the kind of discomfort I couldn’t have imagined. Every item pulled its weight, and I’ll never forget that.
Frida Mom - Women, Newborn Baby Hospital Packing Kit - Labour and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit - Hospital Bag Nursing Gown, Socks, Peri Bottle, Disposable Underwear, Ice Maxi Pads, Pad Liners, P, One Size
Please make sure you have at least 2 packs of these at home or in your bag, ready to use after discharge.
U by Kotex Clean & Secure Overnight Maxi Pads with Wings, Extra Heavy Absorbency, Unscented, 24 Count
A friend told me that a cup like this was key in the L&D room and I 100% second it. I researched and found this one on Amazon which is leak proof and has been versatile to use while being fairly light weight in my opinion.
Simple Modern 40oz Trek Tumbler w/ Handle & Straw
Highly recommend taking this in your hospital bag. When you can’t eat anything at the peak labor time and until after the baby arrives, having electrolytes will keep you hydrated and give you some energy.
Liquid I.V.
Must-have! Even as someone who gets cold so easily, this fan gave me life in that warm L&D room.
Honeywell HT900C TurboForce® Fan / Air Circulator, 7" Air Circulator Fan
Instead of buying a long phone charger, I opted to get a long extension cord - it was more versatile for future use. It worked out perfectly for my needs. I plugged in my phone, the fan, my spouse’s phone, and a nightlight.
onn. 8 FT./2.44 m 6-Outlet Surge Protector, Integrated Circuit Breaker
A hospital bag essential.
I used these to pack everything in my hospital bag and labeled everything for my partner’s benefit. It really helped us organize our stuff so that we weren’t frantically looking for something amidst all the overwhelming stuf...
shiyou-8 Set Packing Cubes Luggage Packing Organizers for Travel Accessories
I wore this home after delivery, and it was the easiest, most comfortable thing to put on my postpartum body - which was dealing with all kinds of discomfort inside and out. I still have this and wear it at home from time to time because it’s so vers...
Ekouaer 3-in-1 Maternity Nursing Gown
I discovered this lip balm well after I gave birth in Aug-2024. In hindsight, this is the lip balm I would’ve liked to pack in my hospital bag as an essential 🤌🏼
The Kissu Hydrating & Plumping Lip Mask
I carried 2 pairs of disposable house slippers I had lying around and they were the best decision I made. Both my spouse and I used them for the majority of the time. I’m glad I used the disposable ones because I had to throw them when my water broke...
5 Pairs Non-slip Disposable Slippers for Home & Spa
An inexpensive pair of slippers that are sturdier than the disposable ones and can still be thrown if you’d like without feeling bad about it!
RockDove Women's Two-Tone Memory Foam Slipper
A grippy pair of flip flops is a must. It’s perfect as a backup non-fabric pair of slippers and especially so if you’re showering at the hospital.
Reef womens Bliss Nights Flip-Flop
For baby
Honestly, I underestimated the art of swaddling 🫠 My spouse and I really struggled - both at the hospital and at home. I wish I had been ‘influenced’ into buying this one because it would’ve saved us a lot of trouble.
Miracle Blanket Swaddle Wrap - Natural Beige
This is the swaddle I packed in my bag - it is quite large and basically gives you all the liberty you need to swaddle your baby in any way you’d like!
mushie Muslin Baby Swaddle Blanket Organic
If you’re anything like me and want good quality cotton clothes for your little one right from the start, this is such a solid pick 🌿 I swear by NEXT’s cotton pieces - they were all my bub wore for the first 3 months! (My SIL and BIL first gifted us...
Buy White I'm New Here Baby 100% Cotton Sleepsuit and Hat Set (0-6mths) from Next Canada
I had this in plain white with “Hello World”…super cute! It’s what I ended up putting baby girl in when bringing her home for the first time 🥹
Buy Grey 100% Cotton Hello World Two Way Zip Baby Sleepsuit (0-9mths) from Next Canada
Buttons and newborns usually don’t mix in my books, but for this sweet little set, I’d bend the rule (love the 2025 detail!). If I were having a baby this year, this would be the outfit tucked in my hospital bag for the ‘bringing baby home’ day 💟
Buy White Born in 2025 Baby Sleepsuit & Hat Set (0-9mths) from Next Canada
Again, great quality!
Buy White 100% Cotton Baby Scratch Mitts 3 Pack from Next Canada
I picked up a set of neutrals similar to these in 2024 - the exact ones aren’t around anymore since stock changes. I was specific about wanting 100% cotton and they were perfect for indoors. I got knitted and fleece ones separately for the outdoors d...
Buy Neutral Baby 100% Cotton Beanie Hats 3 Pack (0-12mths) from Next Canada
I used this on my baby girl all of 2024 fall and winter (lasted her from month 1 to 7) along with another fleece beanie - both were my staples. Comes in good color options too!
Baby Brannan Bear Beanie | Gap
The plain white ones were out of stock so I linked my next most favorite ones :)
Buy Neutral Baby Socks 5 Pack (0mths-2yrs) from Next Canada
For dad
Slippers for Dad are a must! Please make sure you pack a pair. This pair is decent, comfortable, and cheaper than most Amazon options.
EGNMCR Mens Slippers ,Women Men Slippers Home Couple Shoes Indoor Outside Soft Soled Slippers, Gifts for Men - Walmart.ca
Get them a pillow to be comfortable for the stay! We carried whatever we had at home and then threw it. I’ve linked here what seemed to be the best option at Walmart.
Sertapedic Won't Go Flat Bed Pillow, 300 Thread Count Pillow
If you want to go the extra mile for your partner’s comfort, a twin air bed is a great option! We didn’t use one but my partner did say that sleeping in the hospital chair was near impossible. In hindsight, we might have considered this…oh well, next...
INTEX 64101E Dura-Beam Twin Air Mattress