This post was in partnership with Bobbie but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"I’ve spent the better part of the last three years either pregnant or postpartum, which I think makes me uniquely qualified to share a few essential products for labor and delivery. Nowadays, it’s very common to pack a suitcase to the brim out of fear you’re going to miss something during your hospital stay. However, the hospital really does provide moms and new babies with so much stuff.
When I had my firstborn, not once did I find myself missing newborn essentials like diapers, lotion, or basic onesies. So when I started packing my hospital bag for our second baby, I focused on items to make our stay more comfortable and that were personalized to our specific needs. With these experiences in mind, here are the items I wish I’d brought in my hospital bag the first time around.
Bobbie
I was physically exhausted from the labor journey, so the nurses offered us formula to supplement with until I had the energy to bodyfeed. I wish I'd done research before the baby was born and brought a formula with me to the hospital. I would have chosen one that's easy on tummies and similar to breast milk, such as Bobbie's Organic Infant Formula.
Bobbie is the only female-founded and mom-led infant formula company in the United States, which immediately made me feel like me and my kids were in good hands. And even though I went on to breastfeed my son for more than a year, I would still recommend bringing an organic formula you can trust for instances like the one I had.
Amazon
I was not a fan of the standard hospital gown provided for me during my first delivery. I found it very scratchy and uncomfortable, so I made sure to bring my own for my daughter's delivery.
Target | Auden
These are my all-time fave nursing bras. They offer great support without all the extra fuss of other nursing bras. Plus, they're easy to pull down for skin-to-skin.
Target | SwaddleMe
I just couldn't get the hang of the origami-like swaddling the labor and delivery nurses are pros at, so these saved me with our second child. Just one zip and you're done!
Amazon | Boppy
Figuring out the right position to breastfeed a newborn felt a lot like holding a floppy fish. I highly recommend bringing a Boppy nursing pillow to help ease into the whole ordeal.
Source: Ally Pagar-Wolf
Target | Fridababy
It's true what they say, the hospital nose sucker really isn't the best. NoseFrida is the way to go.
Etsy | BellsandBalloons
Using designated pouches for both you and baby's toiletries will help you feel a lot more organized, especially in the middle of the night when you're elbows-deep in a suitcase wondering where the heck that chapstick went.
Pro tip: If you're planning on bringing makeup to the hospital, keep your chosen items in a makeup bag those last few weeks of pregnancy. It was much easier to throw an already-prepped pouch into my hospital bag instead of rummaging through products during contractions.
Lou Lou and Company
I spent way too much time deliberating on a coming home outfit for my son. It took me weeks to piece together a cute little 'fit that he basically grew out of during the car ride home. I highly suggest getting a newborn bundle that already includes a swaddle blanket and accessories to save time.
PinkBlush Maternity
And of course, Mama needs a coming home set too. It's important to bring an outfit that will be comfortable for your new soft belly.
PinkBlush Maternity
This is one purchase I got right the first time around. I still wear the nursing robe from my first delivery every single day.
This post was in partnership with Bobbie but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.