*This guest post from The Stork Bag archives was contributed by Arika B.*
I have a problem. I am a chronic over-packer. So when it came to delivering my first child my bag was absolutely full of a million things I didn’t need, and as it turned out, a couple key items that I did. From a recent new mother to a mommy to be, here are the top 5 things you will want to have in your bag for the big delivery day!
1. Lip Balm!
Hospitals are notoriously dry, and while I was in the hospital I couldn’t get enough of my lip balm to prevent painful chapped lips! You also lose a lot of fluids during delivery. Some hospitals provide you with some, but just in case they don’t, it’s a really good idea to bring your own. The Stork Bag recommends organic lip balm made from shea butter or coconut oil, formulated without any harmful chemicals.
2. A Big Fluffy Towel (and Shower Supplies)
After labor, there are few things in this world that can make you feel more human than a shower. I will always remember that first shower after I had my son, it was glorious! But then, I realized that the towels supplied were basically glorified wash cloths—they were thin and I swear I needed about 5 of them to wrap around my head. Okay, that’s definitely an exaggeration but you will thank yourself if you remember to pack your own towel! Plus, there is nothing like your own towel. On that same note, it’s a good idea to bring your own shower items like shampoo and conditioner. Anything that will help you feel like yourself again goes a long way!
3. Breastfeeding Pillow
Whether or not you plan on breastfeeding, a pillow like the Boppy Pillow or My Breast Friend is great to bring to the hospital with you. I personally had the Boppy Pillow and loved it. It made it easier for my family to cradle the baby for long periods of time and was key in my breastfeeding success. If you’re bottle feeding, it certainly helps make everything a lot more comfy! Your partner will love being able to get involved too. This is especially true, if you have a tender C-section incision.
4. Comfortable Clothes
I greatly overestimated how I would feel post-delivery. I expected my stomach to magically shrink down, and was really surprised at how much even soft elastic waist bands bothered me. Things really hurt down there for quite a few days. I practically lived in a night gown with a henley style snap closure at the breast. I suggest long maxi dresses, depending upon the weather in your area at the time of your delivery.
5. Various Sized Outfits for Baby
Now, I’m not saying pack your babies entire wardrobe (although it is tempting! So many cute baby things!). But I speak from experience when I say that having one outfit that is Preemie sized, one newborn, and one 0-3 is a good idea. I thought for sure that I would be covered with the latter two, but my little man was petite. Perfect, but petite so he needed an emergency outfit from the gift shop in a preemie size. The doctor’s are not always right when they guess the baby’s size.
These are the things that I found super useful at the hospital. In truth, I didn’t need half of what I packed. What was your experience? What did you find most useful when you delivered?
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