When should you pack your hospital bag?
🤔🤔🤔 Everyone is different, but I like to do it 1 month before my due date. If you want more information on c-sections…check out my blog on how to have a gentle c-section.
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Here are my top hospital bag items (many of them are available in my Amazon shop here):

FOR MAMA:

✔️ 3 ft long cord phone charger so it can plug in & reach the bed. I also bring my Tech Wellness headphones (use code DRORGANICMOMMY) with the iPhone adaptor along with my organic Belly Armor blanket.

✔️ I tend to get really hot in the room so I like to bring a portable fan.

✔️ Toiletries (headband & hair ties are essentials, too). I bring a bath towel and 2 wash cloths from Coyuchi. I pack my Simply Organic Bamboo sleep mask which is very helpful when trying to get some rest.

✔️ Chapstick. I like Primally Pure, use code DRORGANICMOMMY10

✔️ 4 sets of pajamas for mom, at least 1 shirtdress, & a going home outfit (I like this maxi dress because typically you will be swollen), also- flip flops. I also like the Ingrid and Isabel maxi dress.

✔️ Lavie warming lactation massager helps with common breastfeeding challenges like clogged ducts, mastitis, engorgement, and tenderness.

✔️ Silverette Silver Nursing Cups

✔️ Haakaa colostrum collectors

✔️ Motherlove nipple cream or Earth Mama nipple cream just in case.

✔️ Hospital underwear are super comfortable and use organic @get_rael pads. Ask nurses for extra, they are a lot more comfortable than other underwear brands and I like that it covers the C-section scar.

✔️ I also bring a pillow from home for myself that I know will be comfortable, but bring a pillow case you don't really care about.

✔️ Belly Bandit compression socks. In my experience it takes 12-14 days for the swelling to go down so I like to get a head start with these socks. Oh and a belly band- key for helping you get your waist back, plus it really helps with pain. You can ask the hospital for a belly band. If you are having a c-section make sure to wear the band covering the c-section scar.  I also like to bring these grip socks. because they are thin because I am hot in the hospital. I also pack these super comfortable All Bird slippers.

✔️Belly Bandit support band helps provide support to my belly and back.

✔️ WeNatal Vitamins ) or Needed Prenatal Vitamins (use code DRORGANICMOMMY). You still need to keep taking your prenatal vitamins after giving birth because you will be depleted, so don't forget! I also bring my Seed probiotics.

✔️ Snacks for the hospitalI like to bring own food. Warm nourishing foods are best. If possible, bone broth and soups are great. Overnight oats and chia pudding are easy breakfast ideas to bring and keep in a cooler. I also like to bring my own water so it’s filtered or can bring mountain valley. Eat Mama Meals is a good options. Here are some of my favorite packaged snacks

✔️ If you are going to stay for a few days at the hospital and feel more comfortable having your own bedding, I recommend bringing a Coyuchi pillow and a Simply Organic Bamboo twin sheet and comforter.

✔️ I use these packing cubes (use code DRORGANICMOMMY) to help organize all of my items so they are easily accessible.

FOR BABY:

✔️ A few Willaby Swaddles and Willaby baby blankets I use one to line the baby bassinet in the hospital and have three more to wrap the baby over the next couple of days. I also use one as a blanket over the car seat belts for the the way home. I make sure to add 2 going home outfits for baby because your baby might have a blow out and ruin the first outfit. I also include a NatureBabyNZ and L’ovedbaby hat.
✔️ Though the hospital provides diapers, I like to bring my own diapers by Kudos (use code: DRORGANICMOMMY.) * I also don't allow them to wash the baby with soap at the hospital.

✔️ Ninni Pacifier

✔️ Nursing pillow- The one I recommend is My Breast Friend with Organic Cover. The pillow is not organic but this cover is. One of the reasons I like this pillow is because it makes it easier to learn how to set up the baby to nurse properly.

✔️ Baby organizer from Pearhead to store all of the baby’s documents and important paperwork.

WHAT TO PREPARE BEFORE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL:

✔️ Make sure your car seat is installed correctly. Here is my Instagram carseat highlight for tips and reference.

✔️ Have a birth plan. Include a backup plan if your birth results in a c-section or if you have a planned c-section.

✔️ If you have other children, bring gifts from new sibling to older children.

✔️ Don't forget your hubby/partner! They will need clothes too! 

✔️ Tip about parents nails- I recommend to have them short and not polished when baby is born and up to three months.

✶ What are/were your go-to items?