If you click and buy, Change-Diapers may receive a small commission, thank you. I just got home from delivering baby number 2 and I must say, my hospital bag contents were quite different this time around. My bag was much smaller and what I chose to bring was very different than the first time. This time, I also used everything that was packed. The following four items were things I could not have lived without. Most of these items can also be purchased from your favorite cloth diaper retailer.
- The Fridet: This is most likely the best $16 I have ever spent. It is an ergonomic peri bottle to take care of your lady parts after delivery. Using the Fridet was about a million times easier for me than using the peri bottle that is typically given in the hospital. It is easy to control where the spray goes and it sprays in all of the right places easily. The flow is like a shower head instead of one stream. I loved that it was easy to use, easy to clean and easy to store away. Even once I am fully healed we will still use the Fridet. It would be great for spraying cloth diapers when we are traveling, spraying a toddler bum during potty training, or cleaning a menstrual cup on the go.
2. BALM! Baby Nipple Soother: I was not expecting to have my baby need to go to the NICU. For me, a baby in the NICU meant that I needed to start pumping to get and maintain my supply. Pumping with dry nipples that weren’t used to being used caused them to get sore fast. The BALM! Baby Nipple Soother was able to be used before pumping, allowed me to pump comfortably and was easy to clean after pumping. Not only that, but it is safe for baby, so when baby became able to nurse I didn’t need to worry about wiping it off. BALM! Baby Nipple Soother offers the perfect amount of soothing comfort without making the breast slippery for baby.
3. Saranoni Blanket: Saranoni Blankets are seriously the softest thing you will ever feel. It is almost like they are made from unicorn hair or something magical. I used my Saranoni Blanket during labor to keep my feet warm. I used it in the postpartum ward to keep warm as well. My baby also liked having the soft blanket draped over us during skin to skin time. We spread the blanket across the bed to get pictures of our baby while we were in the hospital too.
4.Essential Oil Rubs: I am not a very oily person. I bought my rubs premade from retailers who carry Lusa Organics and Fabula Nebulae. I am very sensitive to smells and wanted to do whatever I could to avoid becoming sick. I packed a couple of different options and kept at least one rubbed on my hand, wrist or under my nose throughout the labor and delivery process. The scents also helped give me something to focus on.
When packing the hospital bag for next time, these 4 items will find their way back into my bag. Were there any items that you felt you couldn’t live without during labor and delivery?
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
I couldn’t live without comfy postpartum pjs.
That Fridet looks super cool! I love all the other ways to use it as well. I think I need one!
Thanks for the tips! First time mom here. I know I’ll definitely be buying the fridet!
Very informative !! Wish I had this back when mine were due .
Thanks for this! We are on our way to he hospital sometime in the next 2 weeks! I do have a nipple balm and some essential oils packed. The other two items are great ideas!
I definitely overpacked my hospital bag. I didn’t need much in the way of clothes for me or baby.
Chapstick, water/food, phone/charger…probably more but it’s been 2.5 years now and my brain memory is fading lol
My good pillow from home, I had to have MY pillow to sleep
Hair bands, toiletries. I have got the peri bottle from the hospital though. It’s a life saver 🙂
My must have was snacks!!! I was so hungry afterwards!
I’ve had 3 hospital births and just had my 3rd homebirth, so I haven’t had to “pack” a bag in a while. The best things I appreciated were my phone’s spotify playlist and bluetooth speaker (and chargers), printed verses posted around the room for encouragement, drinks and snacks pre-made and ready to eat, cozy cute clothes for me and baby. frozen padsicles are great to make too. Google them for various recipes.
Cell phone charger and comfy leggings, slippers, and nursing friendly top are important. I liked being in my own clothes.
I wish someone had told me these things before my first baby.
I don’t have much in my diaper bag for the birthing center right now. I think a change of clothes, bathing suit for my hubby (for the birthing tub), a camera, some lip balm, and clothes for the baby is all that’s in there. I need to go and add a few things!!
Love the idea of a scent to focus on!
I did bring my own pillow which was the best idea ever but having a snuggly blanket would have been awesome too. Maybe for baby #3!
Your own pillow and blanket are a great idea. I also think comfy nursing tanks and Pjs are a must.
Good items to have. For my hospital birth I was glad to have a comfy and cute nursing gown and robe to wear and always loose clothing/dress to wear home in case fluids are given as you may not even fit in the maternity pants you walked in wearing lol
I wish I would have had this list before I gave birth, so helpful.
Love saranoni!
Socks and comfy clothes and phone charger.
We took two bags to the hospital – one for labor and one for postpartum. Only thing we used out of the labor bag were some crackers that my husband ate after baby was born – she came too fast! Having my own shampoo, etc. was nice. Otherwise I mainly just used stuff the hospital provided.
I couldn’t have lived without fresh contacts and an extra long phone charger
Nightgowns! It made me feel so comfortable to have my nightgowns after delivery
lip balm
A play list of favorite songs on the phone & the phone charger!
I’ve heard great things about the fridet! I will definitely try it for Baby #2.
Definitely bring lip chap and lotion!!
I wish I would have read this post before delivery… next time for sure!
I loved having slippers and a robe. I also packed pajamas and clothes for my husband (who was convinced he only needed the clithes on his back for our entire stay, but was so grateful when he found out I had gone ahead and packed his stuff). The hospital provided pretty much everything else we needed.
Lip balm, deodorant and charger
Essential oil rubs are probably the best thing on this list. Hospital provides the other four (not exact thing bust close enough)
Comfortable clothes, shower stuff, I also brought snacks
Chapstick, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, my pillow, charger.
The fridet sounds like a good upgrade. I will be taking A LOT of my essential oils for labor, delivery & postpartum care – I don’t know how I’d live without these wonderful things!
The fridet was hands down the best upgrade from having my first baby. I’m not sure if it was the fridet or it just being my second baby, but I truly believe this aided in me having a faster recovery from tearing.
Definitely take multiple pairs of socks! My feet were so cold!
Chapstick and deodorant! If there is a next time definitely a Saranoni. They are magic.
I would say my own showering stuff… along with my nightgown and bathrobe!
Lip balm!
HAIR TIE, hair brush. Socks!