10 Hospital Bag Must-Haves for Labor and Delivery

Oh, the hospital bag. Depending on who you ask, you will get a vast array of answers regarding what to pack in "preparation" of your labor and delivery. Assuming, that is, that you will have it with you when you go into labor. Which, let's be honest. We can try to plan all we want, but God and our physiology usually have other ideas. Either way, it's good to go into the experience of birthing a baby with a general idea of what may aid in making this pivotal time in your life easier or more comfortable. Here is my personal compilation of what I feel are the most necessary items to have with you when your little one (LO) makes her grand rendezvous.

1. Comfort Items

Music, your favorite blanket, a special stuffed animal you picked up for LO? Anything goes! A birthing ball (a large, rubber yoga ball) or hand stress balls may be a good choice to keep you in the zone during labor, especially if you would prefer to minimize medical interventions. I always encourage women to bring their own gowns and robes, as well as their own disposable diapers. The hospital pads can be rather cumbersome and chafe around the edges--and nothing is more cold and medical than a hospital gown! Comfort is everything around this time, so don't feel bad going over the top with (non-slip) fuzzy socks, slippers, massage lotion, essential oils, your own pillow, hot and cold packs (just no electric heat!), and Boogie Boo Bear, who you've slept with since you were three. Although there may be much that you cannot control, aim to do what you can to ease stress and discomfort by pulling out all the stops for relaxation--and also for motivation! Consider having two different playlists ready to go, one to pump you up(!) and one to chill you out.

2. Food You Will Actually Eat

This is a big one. Right after birth is not the time to decide to start that diet you've been putting off. Pack what you will eat, even if it means chips and cookies. Ideally, your snacks will have protein, good fats, dairy, iron, whole grains, and vitamins. Perhaps a trail mix with dark chocolate, cranberries, cashews, and almonds. Or pita, carrots and hummus. Chips and guacamole. Apples and peanut butter. Greek yogurt and berries. Fruit and cereal. Balanced meals are also offered through the hospital so you won't have to think too much about your main meals. But in between, you'll want to make sure you have snacks on hand that are appealing to you. Otherwise, you won't eat them. And believe me, especially if you are breastfeeding, you will need them!

3. Hygiene Items

This one seems obvious, right? Except it's the one thing I did not have with me when I arrived at the hospital! Luckily, I was able to send my parents out for an emergency Target run so I didn't kill everyone around me with dragon breath and pit stench. Make sure you have the obvious: medications, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, brush/comb, hair ties, headbands, changes of clothes. Here's a few items, though, you may not have thought of that may prove extra handy: antibacterial hand wipes, face wipes, wisps to-go disposable toothbrushes, and shower shoes! You may very well be fairly confined to your bed for the first few hours or days, so any hygiene you can apply without walking to the bathroom will be a fabulous luxury! Keep in mind that hand wipes, however, are much preferable to hand sanitizer, as infants are very sensitive to smells and the sanitizer will likely be overwhelming, or even upsetting, to them. I remember my LO cried hysterically every time we changed his diaper for the first few days. We finally realized it was because of the smell of the hand sanitizer we were using. Poor guy! As well, encourage visitors to wash their hands traditionally rather than slap on the sanitizer. And lastly, you will have enough to worry about without contracting athlete's foot. Lean on the safe side and bring your shower shoes. You won't regret it.

4. Hydration

Let's talk hydration. We all know drinking water is important. But you may experience all kinds of hydration issues during labor and after birth. Have that chapstick on hand, baby. Lanolin is also a must for sore nipples that often accompany first-time breastfeeders. Lanolin, also called wool wax or wool grease, is a balm that is made from wool-bearing animals. It is very healing for breasts as well as safe for infants to breastfeed on. You can find this near the nursing pads in the baby isle at your local pharmacy or department store. The most popular brand is Lansinoh and it comes in a lavendar tube. You may also want to bring some frangrance-free face and body lotion to help rehydrate your skin. Remember that babies can be extra sensitive to fragrance of any kind. They want to smell *you*! Oh, and babies won't need anything on their skin at all for awhile, not even a bath! But your nurse will teach you all about that one he's in your arms.

5. Breastfeeding Stuff

We already touched on Lanolin, but what else is good to have to help breastfeeding get off to a good start? One that I always recommend is "breast shells." Breast shells are round, plastic pockets which slip under your (nursing!) bra, which leave pockets of air around the nipples and areola avoid fabric irritation which may prolong nipple soreness, and thus allow for speedier healing times. The most important to bring, though, is a basic knowledge about breastfeeding! Did you know that babies do not latch onto the nipple (ouch!!), but onto the areola and skin around the areola? Did you know that you should touch the tip of the nipple to the babies nose or philtrum (space between the nose and top lip) to encourage LO to open wide so you can get a "good, 140 degree angle latch?" Did you know that baby's lips show protrude outward and his tongue along the bottom of the breast? Are you familiar with/ have you practiced "laid back breastfeeding," "sandwich hold," "football hold," and "cross-cradle hold"? If not, it may be time to hit up your local breastfeeding class--or YouTube!

Bonus tip: Be sure that your nursing bras and tops are very loose and comfortable to avoid "clogged/plugged milk ducts" and the infection called "mastitis" that can accompany them. Yikes!

6. Breast Pump

Have you obtained a personal, double-electric breast pump yet? Most insurance carriers provide partial or full coverage of these kinds of pumps! Search your local area for a medical supply store such as Medi Serv or Freeland Brown and they should help you run your insurance and see what you are eligible for. Be sure to bring this to the hospital with you. Have your nurse (or lactation consultant if you have access to one) help you set it up, learn how it works, and start pumping. Just make sure that you have the right size "flanges." These are also called breast shields, or the parts that fit onto the breast. Most pumps come with a size 24, but flanges are available in a wide variety of sizes. The more correct the size, the more milk you will be able to pump, and the more comfortably you'll be able to pump it. The more milk you express (meaning, the more that comes out) in the first couple of weeks, the more stable your supply will be in the long run. It's time to get pumpin'!

7. Don't Forget About Dad!

Make sure to pack double of the hygiene items (#3) and snacks (#2) for dad! Keep in mind that the hospital pays for all of your meals as the mother, but will usually only pay for a couple of meals for the father. Hopefully one day, this will change. In the meantime, plan accordingly.

8. LO's Car Seat

Make sure your baby's carseat is correctly installed and you know how to use it. Find a SafeKids workshop in your area so that a certified carseat specialist can install your base, teach you about carseat safety, and familiarize you with your carseat. Local fire stations also sometimes provide this service. As a general rule, always buy your carseat new. This is because you cannot know for sure if a secondhand car seat has been in any wrecks, which can warp the base and frame, rendering it deficient. The seat could also have a recall on it, have a part missing, or a variety of other safety hazards. On that note, be sure to register your carseat (and all purchased baby products!) with the recall card it comes with. That way, you will be alerted if there are any recalls on your make or model.

9. Baby Things

Oh, they're just so cute. The little hats, onesies, mittens... But what do you really need? As a general rule, simpler is better. We could never get those baby mittens to stay on, or we would misplace them. And our LO outgrew them in exactly one laundry cycle. I happen to be a big fan of the plain white, Gerber long-sleeved onesies with built-in mittens. They're cheap, they're soft, and they're effective. Also, lose the buttons. You know, the ones that run all the way down the front and the legs. The last thing you want to be doing at 3am with a crying baby is trying to unpuzzle a maze of endless snappy buttons. That's just a recipe for disaster. Opt for zippers or simpler styles instead. For baby hats, I found that it's good to dish out a little more money for a good quality hat. We had a ton of baby hats, but we only put LO in one, which was deliciously soft and actually stayed on his head. The others would fall off or were otherwise rough and ragged-y. Sleep sacks and swaddles are also fabulous, but LO will definitely have his preferences for which ones he likes and dislikes. Opt, therefore, to bring one each of a few different types and styles. Then let him decide which is his favorite.

10. An Open Mind

The most important thing to bring in your hospital bag, or lack thereof, is an open mind. As great as it would be to be able to plan your labor and birth, it rarely turns out as you might expect, or hope. Instead, aim to place your trust in God, and also in your body. Release your fears and anxieties to the Lord and keep your focus on the end goal--meeting that precious little bundle for the first time. And remember that bonding doesn't always happen immediately. Sometimes it takes time, and that's okay! Take it one day, one moment at a time, practice acceptance with whatever comes, lean into your faith and your people for help, support, and encouragement, and let go of any preconceived notions about what childbirth may or may not be like. If you find you are having excessive worry or stress about labor and delivery, considering talking with a doula about providing birth coaching and labor support to you and your partner. This can dramatically improve a mother and father's birth experience to be more positive and empowering. Reach out today and see if Polliwog may be a good fit for your family. A blessed birthing to you.