In some ways having a second child is easier than the first. Why? You know what to expect (generally). You know how things will generally progress and what you need to pack. It was much easier to pack a hospital bag this time around because I knew exactly what I needed. I also had some ideas about what else to bring to make recovery easier.
1. Comfy clothes and new lounge pants/pajamas
After giving birth, the first thing I want to do is shower and change out of that ugly hospital robe and into my own clothes. I have treated myself both times I gave birth with some new pajamas and lounge wear. Before Claire was born I got some flannel pajamas with a button up top (great for nursing). With Aveline, I bought a couple pairs of pants to pack. You aren’t at your best after birth and I know that I was pretty sore so pajamas and lounge wear were my clothing of choice! Having some new, cute pajamas are a nice little treat for yourself after birth! I got these floral pants and these joggers and love them both! The stretchy waist with both of them means they still fit right after giving birth.
2. Nursing tanks and bras
If you are planning on nursing and/or pumping, nursing tank tops and bras are necessary. I brought several with me to the hospital. They are even more important once your milk comes in and you are pumping or nursing several times a day. I splurged a bit earlier in my pregnancy and purchased some nice nursing bras from Macy’s and then the hooks kept breaking. I got this3 pack of nursing bras on amazon after birth and they have worked well and are actually cuter than the ones from Macys! Well, as cute as nursing bras can be anway. I ended up placing a small stitch to keep the two front flaps together a little better because otherwise I felt like I was falling out as it got closer to the time I was going to pump or nurse. But for the price you can’t beat them! At night, I prefer to wear a nursing tank top with a tee shirt over top. This three pack of nursing tanks comes in lots of cute colors and works well! However, I wouldn’t say they are supportive enough to wear on their own during the day.
3. Breast pump and pumping bra
The hospital where I gave birth has a lactation consultant visit you before you leave. If you are unsure about how to use your breast pump, they will help you learn so you may want to bring in your breast pump. I got a new pump for Aveline (the one I used for Claire I used to death), but it was the exact same model so I was very well versed in how to use it. If you are curious, I use the Medela Pump and Style and really like it. If you plan on pumping, I highly recommend a couple pumping bras so you can have your hands free. It can make all the difference when you spend a couple hours a day pumping! The Medela pumping bra is great, but can be a little pricey. I like this cheaper pumping bra, too. It’s nice to have a couple of them so you can throw one in the wash and still have one to use.
4. Nursing cover
If you are someone who wants to cover yourself up when nursing or pumping, a nursing cover is a must. When you are in the hospital, nurses, doctors, and other staff are constantly in and out of your room. So, having a nursing cover is a nice option if you don’t feel comfortable having it all out there. There have been times when I have had to pump in the car and a nursing cover has been a lifesaver! Personally I really like a multi-use cover that can be a carseat cover, nursing cover, or be worn as a scarf. This floral print nursing coverreally caught my eye and I love the price and how versatile it is!
5. Nursing pillow
Babies can nurse for quite a while at a time and if you hold them, your arms get really tired! I use a nursing pillow to help prop up and position my daughter when I am nursing or even bottle feeding her. Bringing a nursing pillow to the hospital is a great idea and it’s nice to have when you have your consultation with the lactation consultant so she can coach you on positioning your baby if needed. I have a boppy pillow that I used with Claire and am now using with Aveline. I have several Boppy coversthat I switch out as needed, too. That way if it gets dirty, I can just toss the cover in the wash and not the whole pillow.
6. Belly wrap
One of the ways I swear has helped me get back to my pre-pregnancy size faster is a belly wrap. I actually have two of them and sometimes wear them together. I had a lot of back pain after giving birth and wearing a belly wrap really helped alleviate it because it provided support. I brought mine to the hospital and put them on after giving birth. The draw back of ones like this one similar to what I have, is they only fit around the waist so they tend to roll up a bit at the top and bottom which can be annoying. But amazon has tons of options that go from hips to chest to help prevent that and they are under $20!
7. Slippers and slipper socks
Depending on how your labor goes, you may be walking around the hospital or your room to help your labor progress faster. I did that during my labor with Claire, but couldn’t with Aveline due to the need for continual monitoring. But after delivery I still appreciated having some slippers and nice thick socks to wear around the recovery room.Fleece socks like these are amazing and so warm! I also likeslippers similar to these because they are easy to slip on and have tread on the bottom so you don’t slip on tile floors.
8. Zip up sweatshirts
Lounge pants are definitely important, but I recommend zip up sweatshirts, too. Whether you give birth in winter or summer, hospitals can get chilly so they help keep you warm. And if you are nursing zip up sweatshirts are much easier to get to the ‘goods’. I got mine a size bigger so they fit postpartum and they were perfect! I even monogrammed mine with my Cricut to make them cuter!
9. Flavored water
Staying hydrated is so important during labor and after delivery. But drinking all that plain water can get boring so both times I gave birth my husband and I picked up a variety of flavored waters to bring. Having those available really helped me ensure I was staying hydrated. They are nice to have around after coming back home to help ensure you are getting enough water while you are recovering and nursing, too! Lately I have been loving the Nestle Splash. They have lots of flavors and are really budget friendly! (not sponsored)
10. Lotion
Hospitals are so dry! And your body is wiped after giving birth and losing all that fluid compounding the problem. Not to mention how often you have to wash your hands (10-12 diapers a day is no joke)! I know my skin is constantly parched. I brought some thick shea butter lotion from Bath and Body Works to the hospital with me and it helps! Back home I stash them all over the house, too. I have one in my purse, diaper bag, bedside table, each sink, and by the diaper changing stations we have.
11. Witch hazel pads
Witch hazel pads really help with healing and pain down there after giving birth. The first time around with Claire I made my own cooling pads by pouring a tablespoon of witch hazel into an overnight pad and freezing it. When I was in the hospital after having Aveline, they gave methese pre moistened witch hazel pads with 50% witch hazel and they were great! They help with shrinking swelling and inflammation as well as relieve irritation. These are even flushable and biodegradable, too. I went through two tubs after delivery.
12. Dermaplast spray
Another thing that helps with the pain and irritation is Dermaplast spray. Make sure you get the ‘Hospital Strength’ kind. The spray helps with pain and itching after delivery, especially if you get stitches. After a few days they can become itchy and this really helps to temporarily relieve the itch. My hospital provided a bottle for me, but I ran out and had to get more after returning home. It’s awesome and helps with pain so much! You can even use it on bumps, and scratches on little ones later on.
13. Lanolin
If you plan on pumping, nursing, or a combination of both, Lanolin is necessary. It helps to treat and prevent dry, cracked, or sore nipples and is completely safe to use when breastfeeding; you don’t need to wipe it off prior. I’ve even used it on severe diaper rash, dry patches of skin, or on lips, cuticles, elbows, and heels. It helps especially those first few days while your body is getting used to nursing and you can become especially sore.
14. Nursing Pads
Personally, I feel that we live in a disposable society so I try to be green whenever possible (although that does not extend to cloth diapers, sorry). Nursing pads are something that can be easily washed and reused. I find them more comfortable to wear that disposable ones too. Depending on how fast your milk comes in, nursing pads can help with any leaks you may have between feedings or pumpings. Even if your milk doesn’t come in that quickly, I find nursing pads are softer against your skin to help with any irritation you may have from nursing and so that lanolin doesn’t get on your nursing bra or tank.
This is not a sponsored post in any way. These are just products I like and have been using and wanted to share!
