Well, I’m 37 weeks pregnant and fast approaching the finish line for welcoming this sweet baby into our arms and home. This will be our fifth child – my third pregnancy, in addition to our two children we were blessed with through adoption. By this point, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what the most helpful and necessary things are, at least in my own experience, to have prepared for baby coming and postpartum recovery. I asked over on Instagram if you guys would be interested in all the juicy details and it was a resounding YES!

When I was pregnant with my first, there were so many lists out there of what all the best things to get and have were. I found it quite overwhelming the sheer volume of items (with hefty price tags!) to purchase on these lists. We’ve always lived in pretty tight quarters and operated on a tight budget, so it just wasn’t practical to go on a spending frenzy for every last baby gadget and accessory. I’ve narrowed down the lists to my core items that I find most helpful and essential. Though I’ve added a lot of links to the items we’ve used so you can check out the products, I suggest always looking to borrow or purchase these items second hand before you think about purchasing new. You can usually find all of these items in really great condition second hand and you will save yourself so much money going this route. Once you are done with your baby things, pass them on to another mama in need or sell them to recoup some of your costs!

I hope this round-up is helpful for all my expectant mama friends out there, or just anyone who is curious on the subject. I won’t be sugar coating anything, so if you are sensitive to the physical realities of birth this might not be something you want to read!

Table of Contents:

Pregnancy Must Haves

Postpartum Care Must Haves

Baby Must Haves

Hospital Bag Packing Lists

Pregnancy Must Haves:

Maternity clothes – You will definitely need some maternity clothes to accommodate your growing bump, however they can be outrageously expensive new (especially for something you’ll only wear for a few months). I would always suggest looking first to borrow from someone you know (ask around your social circle, someone probably has a friend or relative with some clothes to pass on!), or buying second hand (check your local buy and sell sites). You can often find entire lots of used maternity clothes for the price of one or two items new! Once you’ve exhausted second hand options, fill in any needs by buying new if you need to (always check the sale/clearance section first!). Think about the basics you would usually wear and look for some good maternity items to fill those gaps. Look ahead to which months you’ll be 5-9 months pregnant in: those are the months you will most need maternity clothes, so look for items that fit the weather of those months in the area you live. My favourite brands for maternity clothes were H&M, Motherhood, Old Navy, and Thyme Maternity. A few more tips – look for flowy pyjama dresses with button front openings at the chest; these will serve you well for pregnancy and breastfeeding once baby comes. For underwear, just buy a few pairs of your favourite underwear in the next size up to what you usually wear, you don’t need maternity specific underwear. Make sure to have at least 2 pairs of comfortable joggers or lounge pants – this is what you will likely live in around the house! Long open front cardigans will be your friend – you can throw them over any shirt & jeans or dress to make a complete outfit and they will get you through transitional seasons when none of your coats fit. If you don’t already have some, choose ones that are not maternity specific so you can wear them after baby comes as well! A pair of leggings is also a great staple to have to throw on under flowy tunics and dresses. I’ll link a few of my favourite maternity clothing items below, but again – always look for second hand or borrowed before you purchase anything, you will save yourself so much money!!

• Maternity Jeans - H&M was my go to for jeans, I liked this pair for a stretchier, legging style fit jeans, and this pair for a thicker more traditional dark denim jean.

• Long sleeve striped top - I loved having a striped long sleeve shirt, such a classic and very versatile look!

• Basic T-Shirts - Nice to have a black and white T-shirt. I would recommend sizing up in these shirts from H&M, they fit on the small side.

Pregnancy Pillow – this was an absolute lifesaver throughout my pregnancies. You will grow increasingly uncomfortable the larger your bump grows and it is so nice to have a supportive pillow to make it a bit easier to get comfortable at night. I loved the Snoogle pillow – it is a C shape which supports your back, between your legs, and under your bump. It doesn’t take up too much bed space which is nice for your partner – some pregnancy pillows take up 2/3 of a Queen size bed, which seems a little overkill to me! This is something I would recommend buying new, unless you have a close friend or relative to borrow one from – it’s a pillow that will be cradled close to your entire body every single night, you kind of want to know where and from who it’s coming from! I bought mine new and have used it through three pregnancies – worth every penny.

Vitamins and Supplements – If there is any chance you could fall pregnant in your current lifestyle, you should already be taking pre-natal vitamins (and of course you will be taking them throughout your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey). They are proven to provide essential nutrients needed during the critical growth periods of your baby, especially in those early days, so it is ideal if you are already taking them before you find out you are pregnant (which can often be 6+ weeks after conception). I’ve been on prenatal vitamins for several years now. I’ve tried a few different varieties – some success and some super fails. I suggest looking for one that has the recommended amount of folic acid and other necessary vitamins for baby’s growth and development in utero. Start with a small bottle and make sure your body tolerates the vitamin before committing to a larger bottle. Many prenatal vitamins can cause nausea, insomnia, and other unpleasant side effects depending on the person, so it may take a few tries before you find the right fit! If you aren’t able to find any prenatal vitamins that your stomach can tolerate, ask your doctor about prescription prenatal vitamins that do not cause nausea, they should be able to point you in the right direction! My go to prenatal vitamin for years was this one from Platinum Naturals. I liked that it had fish oil combined with the prenatal vitamin so I only had one vitamin to take. For some reason this pregnancy, I had not one but two bottles, each from a different online distributor, arrive with vitamins that had punctured and spilled all over the whole lot making them smell horribly of fish oil so that I was not able to use any of them (due to the nausea the smell caused and the concern of spoilage). This left me on the hunt for a new prenatal vitamin, and the first few I tried all made me feel very ill. I finally settled on the Kirkland prenatal vitamins I found at Costco (though I must take them at lunch time or later or they make me feel sick), and a separate fish oil supplement (read about why fish oil is important in pregnancy here). I also take a calcium + vitamin D gummy (see this article for more information about why calcium is important during pregnancy/breastfeeding) and and a vitamin C once a day (for immune support, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis). You should consult your doctor about any supplements you plan on taking during pregnancy and make sure to get the go ahead from him/her before you take anything! The only other supplement I take regularly is collagen peptides, which I add to my smoothies and baking for it’s high protein content and other health benefits for skin, hair, and bones (see my full post on it here). Collagen peptides are widely believed to be safe and beneficial during pregnancy, but again, make sure to check with your doctor about any supplements you plan to take during pregnancy!

Moisturizer – Your skin is going to stretch. A lot!!! Especially your stomach, chest, and hips. Stretchy skin = itchy skin, and moisturizer will be your best friend! I used different moisturizers in each pregnancy; I don’t think it really matters what you use as long as you keep your skin hydrated and moisturized – use what works for you! Of course, you want to use something that is pregnancy safe (be aware of these skincare ingredients that are NOT pregnancy safe). This pregnancy I’ve really been enjoying the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, which I found at my local Costco. I apply it once a day and it gives lasting hydration for a full 24 hours, plus it’s gentle enough to use on my kiddos skin as well. I personally haven’t gotten stretch marks from any of my pregnancies, but this is most likely due to my genetics – it will be different for everyone! Before having kids, the idea of getting stretch marks may terrify you, but I can guarantee it will be of the least importance to you once you’re holding your sweet little babe in your arms. Do the best for your skin by keeping it moisturized, but don’t sweat the inevitable changes your body will go through, it’s all part of the journey of motherhood.

SIC Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler – Hydration is a major necessity of pregnancy and breastfeeding, you’re going to need to be drinking a ton of water, every day! I found myself so much more likely to keep up with my water once I had one of these cups that keeps the water ice cold all. day. long. Just fill with water and a couple ice cubes and this tumbler will keep it ice cold for at least 24 hours. It’s magical! I keep a stainless steel straw in the opening (it will not be spill proof to tip upside down this way, but I don’t need it to be). This is my absolute favourite water cup. You could also go with the YETI cup, but this brand is quite a bit cheaper and performs just as well in my opinion. I’ve had mine for several years! Of course, you don’t need to have this exact cup, just make sure you have a water bottle of some sort that you love drinking from to make it easier to stay hydrated!

Postpartum Care Must Haves:

This is the area I focus most of my time and energy towards. The reality of childbirth is that your body goes through quite a traumatic experience. For me, it really made such a difference to both my mental and physical recovery to have healing, soothing remedies at my disposal, prepared in advance for when I got home. No one can fully prepare you for what you will experience in child birth – it is completely unique for each mama and it will change you in ways you could’ve never anticipated (both in wonderful and painful ways). Do yourself a favour and make the whole thing a little less traumatic by being prepared with your own arsenal of postpartum care remedies – you will be soooooo glad you did!

Stock your freezer! I won’t go into this much here since I made an entire dedicated blog post about it, but this is a top priority in preparing for postpartum recovery. I can’t tell you how much it helped to have homemade meals and nutrient dense snacks on hand in the freezer for after baby arrived. Trust me, you will not feel like (or even be capable of) cooking in the first days and even weeks after giving birth. Check out my Ultimate Freezer Round-up – everything I stocked my freezer with before baby, for tons of recipe ideas that go beyond your usual casseroles, along with everything you need to know about how to freeze and cook/serve them from frozen!

Nursing Balm – this is an absolute essential for breastfeeding mamas. Apply it EVERY time after nursing, right from day 1, and you will greatly decrease your chances of developing chaffing, cracked nipples. I had so many mama friends warn me of the pain and injury that comes with breastfeeding, especially at the beginning, that I was literally scared into being super diligent with nursing balm. I didn’t ever experience any kind of bleeding/chaffing/cracking. This could be genetic I suppose, but I do think that using a nursing balm diligently, before there was a problem, was a large contributing factor to my success! I make my own, using this recipe, but you can also purchase a similar option here. I think another contributing factor to my breastfeeding success was being educated on the proper latching methods and what problems to look out for. This book from La Leche League was an invaluable read and really set me up for breastfeeding success, I would highly suggest reading it before your baby comes! If you find yourself in a lot of pain or experiencing nipple injury when you begin your breastfeeding journey, make sure to reach out right away to a lactation consultant for help – you do not need to suffer needlessly! Often the problem is an improper latch or a physiological problem that can be easily addressed (such as a tongue tie on baby, very frequently missed and easily fixed!).

Padsicles – the name might gross you out a bit, but these will be your best friend the first few days home after giving birth. They’re basically healing ice packs for your lady region (which will be in varying degrees of trauma after a vaginal delivery). I found it most helpful to use one first thing in the morning, and last thing in the evening. About 10-12 (enough for 5-6 days) was a good amount to have on hand. You will still wear some sort of absorbent pad or underwear (we’ll get to this next!) underneath, as these are not meant to absorb any extra liquid, just to act as an ice pack. There are several easy tutorials you can follow online. I followed this method from Pregnant Chicken, except I like to brew a tea pot of Herbal Sitz Bath (we’ll get to this also!) and pour that over the pads before proceeding with the rest of the ingredients. If you prefer not to use disposable pads, you can also make padsicles with reusable pads (or even reusable baby wipes folded in thirds) and proceed with the “recipe” in the same way!

Depends and heavy pads – You can expect to bleed/discharge continuously for 4-6 weeks after giving birth as your body sheds the lining it built up in your uterus for baby over the course of pregnancy. The first 2 weeks will be the heaviest. I like to have Depends (adult diapers) on hand for the first week or two – they are a lot easier to work with than the mesh underwear/pad situation the hospital will send you home with as they are one piece and decently comfortable. You can stick one of your handy dandy padsicles right in and the Depends will wick up any extra moisture without leaking. I personally found that I could switch to wearing normal underwear with a more reasonable sized pad after the first 7-14 days, so you will likely only need a small pack to get you through the worst of it.

Herbal Sitz Bath – I always make a big batch of Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath from Mommypotamus before my baby comes. I use them as I mentioned to earlier to make Padsicles, but they are also wonderful to have on hand for a healing bath each day (which does wonders for both your mental and physical postpartum recovery!). You don’t have to use all the herbs she lists, even one or two would be great! I couldn’t find all the herbs listed, but I was able to find a few of them, plus a few others she didn’t list (comfrey, elderflowers, and red raspberry leaf) from my local health food store. They have been wonderful to have on hand for making not only these Sitz Bath herbs (which make great gifts for expectant mamas), but also beautiful herbal bath salt blends to use or give away anytime! If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making your own blend, you can also purchase them ready made – I love the Earth Mama brand for all things pregnancy, baby, and postpartum care! I use my sitz bath herbs while taking a bath in my bathtub, but you can also purchase a Sitz Bath if you prefer to use them that way (I have never tried one before).

FridaBaby Mom Washer – your hospital may send you home with a Peri bottle to use when you get home (it greatly reduces the stinging while urinating), but I found the design of this FridayBaby Mom Washer greatly superior. It has a long neck so you can easily spray where you need without a mess. This is such a lifesaver for postpartum recovery. Without it I was almost in tears each time I had to go to the bathroom the first few days home. With this handy tool at my disposal it completely solved the problem! I’ve used it through all my postpartum recoveries so the price has been absolutely worth it.

Tucks Wipes – These are soothing, cooling, and healing – much better than toilet paper which will feel like sand paper after you’ve given birth. Use these in leu of toilet paper for the first week or two. You can even stick one on top of your pad to give some relief throughout the day as well. I swear by them!

Tylenol – you will very likely be in a decent amount of pain and discomfort for the first few days (or even weeks, depending on how your labour and delivery went) postpartum. I always make sure to have Tylenol on hand before baby comes. It is safe for breastfeeding and you can take it as often as you need (up to the recommended dosage), to help ease your recovery. I would usually take one in the morning and one in the evening for the first few days, and that would be sufficient for me. If you end up having a C-Section (which I did with my first), you will also want Tylenol on hand for after you finish the course of stronger pain meds the hospital sends you home with. You do not want to go cold turkey without any pain meds after you finish the meds they send home, or you will be in for a very unpleasant transition (I know from experience!). Switch to taking Tylenol every 4-6 hours once you are done the course of your prescription pain medication, and gently wean off from there after a few days (or whenever feels comfortable for your body!).

Postpartum Abdominal Wrap – If you know that you will be having a C-Section delivery, this is an invaluable item to have! It provides much needed support and compression to your sore midsection postpartum. You lose a lot of abdominal strength from a C-Section because the incision goes through your abdominal muscles. This makes day to day tasks quite painful and difficult. After my C-Section, I would wear my abdominal wrap whenever I was up and moving, doing any tasks around the house. It really helped reduce my pain and give me the support I needed to do the tasks at hand. I did not find it comfortable to wear while sitting or sleeping, so I would simply take it off during these times. I also never wore it out of the house as I found it quite noticeable under your clothing (unless you wore something very loose). Don’t fret if it doesn’t fit you immediately after giving birth. Your midsection will shrink rapidly over the course of the first week or two after giving birth, so just keep trying every few days and it will eventually fit (do try to get the size that suits your body best, of course). I didn’t use it much in my VBAC recovery, so if you aren’t planning on having a C-section, you might want to wait to order one until after your delivery in the event you end up with an emergency C-section. Or, if you know someone who has one already it would be nice to borrow it just in case!

Baby Must Haves:

• a safe place for the baby to sleep: this is a matter of personal preference, it could be as simple as a dresser drawer with a thin, snug pad for the first month or two! Some prefer co-sleeping which either involves your own bed or a co-sleeper (I am not this type so I can't offer any recommendations in this regard!). Personally, I prefer to use a bassinet in my room for the first 6 months, and then transition to a crib and mattress in another room. To get the most bang for your buck, I suggest looking for a crib that converts to a twin bed frame, and a crib mattress that is dual sided (one for infant, the other for toddlers) and Greenguard certified for minimal off-gassing. You can purchase sheets online, but I ended up sewing my own with cotton flannel material using this tutorial for bassinet sheets and this one for crib sheets. You can also make your own change pad sheets! It saved me a lot of money making my own and I could choose exactly which prints and fabrics I wanted. If you travel at all or are planning to take baby on overnight visits, a pack'n'play is also super handy to have. I also like to use my playpen as a safe play area for baby while I need to be out of sight for a few moments (to shower, care for another child's needs, etc.), and it's handy to have an extra bed when you babysit a little one or have company come over.

• a carseat & stroller - (if getting second hand, make sure it is within the manufacturer's expiry date). I loved the Graco Snugride 30 carseat because it is safe, affordable, super lightweight (something you'll be very thankful for the bigger baby gets!!) and easily converts to attach to all the major baby brands, like my BOB Revolution stroller. This stroller was an investment, but at the time of our first baby we were living in an RV on a raw piece of land while we built our house, so it was absolutely essential I had a rugged terrain stroller if I wanted to be able to take baby for walks. I've now had this stroller through all my babies and though it is a bit bulky to pack up, it functions like a dream and can go anywhere you can. If you will use your stroller strictly in city settings, another popular option is the City Select stroller, which you can add additional seats to in the future if needed instead of having to buy a whole new double/triple stroller. I highly suggest looking second hand for a stroller to save yourself some money!! I should mention while I'm here, that for each baby I've sewed my own carseat blanket (using this tutorial) and it is one of my absolute favourite baby items. The last thing I wanted to do was have to bundle my baby up in a bunch of bulky gear; this handy blanket has slits in the back for the carseat straps to slide through and you can swaddle baby right up in it so they are nice and warm and snug being transferred to and from the vehicle. Once inside you can easily unwrap the blanket so they aren't overheating while you grab groceries or do some shopping. Apparently blankets like this can be deemed "unsafe" because it is considered "adding" something to the carseat, but I don't see how it's any different than if you put an extra sweater on baby... all that to say, proceed with your own discretion!

• feeding supplies - I exclusively breastfed my babies for the first 6 months so I didn't require a lot of feeding gear. I found a haakaa style pump extremely handy to have on hand as it collects the let down on the other side while you nurse, rather than letting it go to waste! I was able to build up quite a freezer supply of breastmilk just from using it in this way, which came in very handy anytime we needed a babysitter. These bottles were the only ones my babies would take, but you may need to experiment with a few brands! If you plan on bottle feeding often, it is handy to have a bottle warmer to safely heat your bottles (you don't want to be microwaving your precious breastmilk, or any bottle for that matter!). I loved having a stretchy full circle cover to use for breastfeeding in public, and it doubles as a carseat cover (this is not essential, you can easily get away with a swaddle blanket, but I did find it very convenient and enjoyed the hands free use of it). A boppy pillow is nice to have for the early months as it saves your back from hunching over while breastfeeding. You can also use it as a tummy time prop for baby or to nestle around them for safety when they're first learning to sit up! You can buy cute washable covers for them, but I just sewed my own with some fabric I had on hand (using this tutorial)! I didn't ever have the need to use formula, so I can't recommend anything specifically in that arena, sorry! You'll want a high chair of some sort for when baby is old enough to eat solids (it's also a great safe spot for them to play while you work away in the kitchen!). I went with a wooden design stand alone baby high chair because I knew we would likely have at least a few babies that would use it, thus making the initial investment worthwhile. Knowing it would likely be a long-term fixture in our kitchen, it was important for me that the high chair blended in with our decor. I have very much enjoyed the one we purchased! Ones that strap on to a kitchen chair like this are also a great option, or these handy ones that clip on to a table/island top. Many people swear by the Ikea high chair also, it is incredibly affordable and it functions both as a stand alone high chair, and a portable high chair by taking off the legs.

• diapers and wipes - You can go with cloth or disposable. I tried my hand at cloth diapers and enjoyed it at the time, but as our household has gotten bigger and busier I must say I appreciate the ease of disposable diapers and wipes. Cloth diapers and wipes are an investment up front (unless you find an affordable lot second hand), but they will definitely save you money in the long-term, and are known to be nice and gentle on baby's skin. Cleaning and maintaining them is somewhat demanding, so that can outweigh the benefits for some. I use the PC Dry Comfort Diapers and the Kirkland Wipes because they are the most affordable while best performing options I have found (and I've tried quite a few!). I have found my babies fit Newborn size diapers for only a couple weeks and then are into size 1, so I only get one small pack of Newborn size, and a larger case of size 1 diapers before baby comes. I wouldn't suggest stockpiling newborn size diapers as most babies won't end up staying in that size for long!
• clothing - while it is fun to have a few over the top cute outfits for photos and outings like church, you will soon find that the easiest and most comfortable item for your babies to live in is the good ol' sleeper. The sleepers with zippers are the easiest (better than fussy snaps) and I typically go for breathable cotton fabrics. It's also nice to have a few sleeper gowns for easy nighttime diaper changes - that newborn baby will be up every three hours around the clock to feed, so it's just easier to be able to swoop up a sleeper dress to do a quick change without having to fiddle with a onesie. The majority of my baby clothes have been made for my by my fabulous seamstress friend @workofherhandsco, given to me as gifts or hand me downs from friends, or purchased second hand at the thrift store. My favourite brands have been Carter's/Oshkosh, Joe Fresh, Children's Place, and Old Navy. Before baby comes, get a head start by washing all of your baby clothing and linens in a gentle, non-scented laundry detergent (any 'free and clear' laundry detergent will do, I use this one from Costco). Baby's fresh skin is very sensitive and unwashed clothing/linens straight from the store, or things washed in scented detergent can make your little one breakout in a rash. As for footwear, I wouldn't bother with the vast majority of baby shoes. You'll only want to put something on their feet when you go out to keep them warm, and when they start standing up to their feet and toddling around. I absolutely love the Padraig Cottage slippers to put on their feet in the winter when we go out - they are so adorable, durable, warm, and actually stay on! If you expect to have more than one child, get a gender neutral colour that will work for subsequent children, they will certainly last through multiple children and you will get your money's worth out of them (I find we get the most use out of size 5 which fits around 1-2 years old)! For everyday around the house and going out in the warmer months, I swear by Robeez or similar brands of soft leather slippers with an elastic around the ankle. They protect baby's feet from any sharp things that could be on the floor provide some grip and warmth as well. They will not come off unless you take them off! I usually have a set in every size going up as we get so much use out of them.

• swaddles/sleep-sacks - My babies have been all about the swaddle. My first would not sleep unless fully swaddled until an alarmingly late age... I don't think I'll admit it for chance of being mom shamed (it *may" be deemed unsafe to swaddle a baby past a certain age... but you'll soon find out you have to go with your own mama gut and make the call that works best for you and your baby!). Needless to say, while I did enjoy having a few large cotton muslin swaddles (it's nice to have a few around for using as a receiving blanket, nursing cover, carseat cover, play-mat, you name it!), my absolute go-to was the Halo SleepSack Swaddle. It quickly and securely swaddles a baby in seconds and stays put. You can unzip it from the bottom to do a quick diaper change in the night without un-swaddling their arms (shhhhh don't wake the baby!!), and once baby prefers to be arms free you can use it as a sleep sack instead. Pure baby magic. I've made sure to have one in each size/stage and have gotten a TON of use out of these. I absolutely swear by them! They come in cotton or micro-fleece in several prints and colours for either gender (micro-fleece is nice for winter months, while the cotton ones are great for summer). A splurge I purchased for my first baby is the Woolino Baby Sleep Sack - a sleepsack made from 100% Merino Wool that you can use for baby from 2 months old - 2 years old. We were living between an RV and an almost built house when I had my first baby and I was anxious about baby being warm enough at night, and not too hot during the day. My research dive brought me to this sleep sack and it has lasted me through all my babies, they each wore it every night (and nap!) until it would not fit anymore (well past 2 years old!). It washes beautifully and still looks brand new. For me, it's been absolutely worth the price and I love the peace of mind knowing my baby's temperature will be regulated nicely wearing it. See if you can score one second hand to save yourself a bit of the pricetag!

• bathing & cleaning - at the very least I would highly suggest getting an inexpensive bath sling for bathing your newborn; babies are so tiny and slippery and can't hold their heads up, so it's just really nice to have something to lay them on that will contain them and keep their head out of the water while you bathe them. If you have a large sink, this should fit right in there. Mine is quite small so I also have a baby bath tub I rest the sling in and bathe my baby right up on the counter by the sink. So much better than having to bend over into a big bathtub, let alone wasting all the water to fill it. Once your baby outgrows the sling, they can sit right in the baby tub (or in your sink!) until they're big enough to use the regular bath tub. I use unscented castile soap to bathe my babies - super gentle with no additives so I know it's good and safe for my precious baby's gentle skin! Plus you can use it for all sorts of other cleaning purposes around the house. You can definitely get away with using your regular wash clothes and towels for your baby, but I have appreciated having these hooded towels and soft baby wash clothes to wrap my babies up in and help them retain warmth coming out of the bath! Plus they're just ridiculously cute :). I swear by the Aveeno Baby Eczema Care lotion for my babies, it is the only one that has soothed and cleared up their dry skin and doesn't cause any irritation. I use it to moisturize my baby's skin after each bath. In between baths, I like using the Mustela Micellar Water to clean baby's face and neck (which get yucky really quickly if you have a baby that likes to spit up!). This product is widely touted by mamas for preventing/treating baby acne and I have to say I agree! My first baby had really bad baby acne which he would scratch and pick at (it cleared up on it's own eventually, as baby acne does, but was not fun in the meantime!). I used this on my other babies and they never developed any baby acne. Works for me!

• other baby gear - there are so many routes you can go with swings, saucers, bouncers, bumbos, etc. If I had to narrow it down to my top baby gear items it would be a play mat/activity gym (great for the early months before baby is sitting, baby can play on their back and have tummy time here) and a bouncy chair (so handy and entertaining for baby and also small and lightweight enough to carry around the house wherever you go). I also really appreciated having a change table and change pad. As I mentioned earlier, I sewed my own washable covers, but you can also purchase them online! It saved having to bend down constantly to change baby's diaper on other surfaces, and I used the open shelves below to store all of my baby clothes/diapering supplies in pretty baskets. I kept my change table in our living area so I didn't have to constantly go upstairs to baby's room to change them; it was so handy to have everything I needed for them nicely organized and close by, and I even used the contour change pad as a place for my newborn to nap while I was in the room (never unsupervised and not once they begin to move or roll, of course). Again, look for these items second hand if you can, you can usually find some great deals!

Hospital Bag Packing Lists:

These are the essentials I make sure to have packed for a hospital labour and delivery. I have had all my babies at the same hospital, so I am quite familiar with what they provide and make sure not to double up. If you aren’t sure what your hospital provides during your stay, ask to take a tour (these are likely suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic) or call and ask for specific details so you know how to plan.

Mama’s hospital bag list:

• Snacks are key! You could be in the hospital for anywhere from 24-60+ hours depending on the nature of your labour and delivery, and usually you are not provided meals until after you have the baby. You will want some good snacks to keep you going along the way! My go to's are: Lara bars, RX bars (my hubby prefers these), dark chocolate, smart sweets, crackers/veggie straws/chips, tea bags, trail mix (I just mixed some different nuts and chocolate chips in a container), arrowroot cookies (or cookies you like), dried fruit/fruit leather, juice boxes or bubly (great energy boost during labour when not allowed or don’t feel like eating)
• Empty reusable water bottle/tumbler and coffee/tea to go mug - nice to have for hubby to get you drinks that will stay warm/cold and not spill or create a bunch of garbage
• Nursing bra - get a few soft and comfortable nursing bras for the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Your chest will expand rapidly as your milk comes in, so you will want something soft and flexible to accomodate the growth. After about 6 weeks, your milk will have regulated itself a bit more so you will have a better idea of what chest size to purchase for a more permanent, molded cup nursing bra. Bravado is my favourite brand for nice nursing bras that don't give you a weird shape, like this one. You'll just need one of the soft style nursing bras I mentioned for your hospital bag!
• Nursing pads - if this is your first baby, you likely won't need these during your hospital stay as it will take a few days for your milk to come in. However, with subsequent pregnancies I found my milk came in a lot sooner and I needed the nursing pads right away. Some moms don't have problems with leaking, but nursing pads were an absolute must for me! I tried reusable pads but they were never absorbent enough for me, so I use disposable ones (if you are less "leaky" you might be able to get away with the reusable ones!). Pack a few in your hospital bag and keep the rest for when you get home!
• Robe - pack a comfortable robe that you like to wear, it is so nice to have to throw over your hospital gown and will make you feel (and look) a little more "human", especially when you have visitors. You will get a lot of use out of it in the weeks to come at home as well!
• 1 going home outfit - even after giving birth, your tummy will resemble about a 6 month pregnant bump, so make sure you pack stretchy, comfortable, accommodating clothes. I like to pack a soft pair of maternity joggers/lounge pants, a nursing tank top, and a long cardigan or zip up hoodie.
• Nursing Balm - we talked about this in the post-partum must haves section, make sure to pack it in your hospital bag and use it after every time you nurse!
• Lip Balm - your lips tend to get crazy chapped during labour/delivery due to the stress and dehydration your body goes through, lip balm is essential!!
• Hair tie/scrunchy - I swear by silk scrunchies because they don't cause breakage or leave behind a kink, so you can really stretch out your days of styled hair and prevent damage. You definitely won't want to worry about your hair being in the way during labour so make sure to pack one or two of these!
• Slippers/flip-flops - pack an old pair of slippers and/or flip-flops (great for wearing in the shower!) that are easy to slip on and off for you to walk around your hospital room and ward in. Don't bring your favourite house slippers, you won't want to wear them again at home after you've walked around the hospital in them!
• Toiletries - keep it light, but you will want a few essentials to help you feel a bit more 'human' through and after the ordeal of labour/delivery. I like to pack a sample size shampoo and conditioner, a couple reusable makeup remover pads, makeup essentials (for me its brows, mascara, BB cream, and blush), dry shampoo, a brush/comb, toothbrush/toothpaste, face cream, body moisturizer, and deodorant. If you don't have doubles of these items, pack what you can and then make a list on a sticky note with items you want to remember to add when the time comes to pack-up (stick this to your toiletry bag). This way you won't forget to add these items, or if someone else needs to grab your things for you, they can easily see what else you need.
• 2 pairs of Depends - most hospitals will provide you with some very precarious mesh underwear that you insert giant pads into to wear postpartum during your stay. I find Depends much easier to deal with and more comfortable, so I pack a couple in my hospital bag and use the rest once I get home!
• Electronics - a phone charger is a must and any other electronics you regularly use and rely on (tablet, earphones, photography camera, etc.). Music can really enhance your labour environment, so I encourage you to make a playlist on your phone ahead of time filled with songs that soothe and encourage you to listen to during labour and after in the recovery phase. Again, if you don't want to pack your electronics now, add the items to a sticky note on the outside of your bag so you remember to pack them when it's time to go!
• Birth plan (if using one) and prenatal records - If you have a birth plan already laid out it will be helpful to bring so your labour and delivery team know your hopes and expectations (just be prepared to be flexible, knowing that plans may need to change depending on how your labour and delivery go). If your doctor provides you with your prenatal records, keep those with you at all times to bring to the hospital with you in the event you go into labour.

Baby’s Hospital Bag Packing List:

• Newborn size sleeper(s), hat, and swaddle blanket - I like to pack 1 newborn size and one 0-3 month size sleeper so I have something that works for a small or bigger size baby. Look for zip up sleepers with fold over cuffs on the sleeves that you can use as scratch mitts (the ones that come separate will not stay on!). Your baby will likely just wear a diaper, swaddle, and hat while in the hospital so you really only need the outfit for going home. The hospital often provides swaddles and a hat while you are there, but I still like to bring one pretty swaddle blanket for taking pictures and a baby hat for the way home.
• Newborn diapers - most hospitals provide diapers during your hospital stay but you will want 1-2 for the ride home.
• Wipes - go with sensitive ones that are water based for baby's sensitive skin. Most hospitals provide wipes during your stay but you may want to pack a small amount in the event you need to change a diaper on the way home. I don't even bother packing any now that I live so close to our hospital!
• Car seat, mirror, and carseat cover - ensure that your carseat is within its manufacturer expiry date and install it in your vehicle in the month(s) leading up to your due date so it is ready when you are! We also like having a rear view mirror attached to the vehicle seat so we can see baby's face from the front driver seats at all times. Go ahead and install that now too! Especially if you are expecting baby in the colder months (but even just to protect from the sun and wind), it is nice to have a carseat cover. This one is great for cold weather, while this type works great in the warmer months.
• Newborn soother - Before I had babies I remember reading that soothers can cause "nipple confusion" and to wait to start implementing them. However, the first night in the hospital with my first baby, he was absolutely inconsolable the entire night long unless I had him latched to soothe him. The nurse gently asked if I wanted to try a soother after I was getting to the point of complete exhaustion, and I was more than happy to give it a go. Voila, he was soothed and slept perfectly (at least for a few hours at a time) with his little newborn soother in place. What a lifesaver! I always make sure to pack one in my hospital bag. I haven't had any issues cross over to breastfeeding by my babies taking soothers! They are such a handy tool to have to keep baby soothed and happy on road trips, during public gatherings where it is polite to be quiet (church, weddings, funerals, etc.), and as a self-soothing aid for sleeping. If your baby doesn't take to one right away, I encourage you to keep trying for at least a couple of weeks. Often they will take to it eventually, and if they don't and you feel you've given it a fair shot, don't sweat it! I always start my babies out with the silicone newborn style, and then switch to conventional soothers sized per their age once they'll take them (usually around a couple months old and up).

Husband’s Hospital Bag Packing List:

• toiletries - whatever your husband uses on a daily basis (deodorant, razor, toothbrush/toothpaste, etc)
• electronics - phone charger and any other frequently used electronics like earphones, tablet, special camera, etc.
• food/snacks - while you will be provided with three meals a day (granted only after baby is born), your husband will not, so make sure to pack hearty snacks like protein bars, beef jerky, trail mix, etc. Energy drinks and protein shake mix can also come in handy if he regularly enjoys such things.
• change of clothes/underwear - plan for at least one night, if you end up with a longer stay and you live near-by, your hubby can always zip home and grab more clothes if he needs them. If you live far away from the hospital, he might want to pack a couple days worth of clothes just in case!
• shower shoes and swim trunks - my hospital has a walk in shower with a sitz bath that has proved to be an effective pain management tool for me in my past labour and deliveries. It's nice for your hubby to be able to support you in there also, so shower shoes and swim trunks are great for him to have!
• compact sleeping bag & pillow - check with your hospital first, but bedding is often not provided for your spouse. My hospital has an armchair that folds down into a bed, and sometimes they have had bedding, but other times they have been out completely because of the high number of patients who get first priority on linens/pillows. My hubby just brings his compact sleeping bag and pillow so it's not an issue either way.
• coffee to go mug and reusable water bottle - to fill with drinks and keep them hot/cold and spill proof.
• reading material or other time fillers - there may end up being a decent amount of down time depending on how long your labour and delivery go (especially your first time around!). If your husband has a book he's currently reading, loves to do crosswords or whatever, or has something easy and portable he likes to do in his spare time, it may be worth bringing along to give him something to pass the time should you end up having more down time than you expect (as long as this won't be a bone of contention between you, haha!).

Sibling Overnight Bag Packing List:

If you have children already and plan to have someone watch them outside of your home, make sure to have an overnight bag packed for each child. I like to include:

• a set of pyjamas
• a change of clothes or two
• socks and underwear
• diapering supplies if needed
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• written/typed instructions for feed/nap schedules (younger ones), allergies/special diet requirements, and pertinent health care information (include provincial health care number or health insurance plan information in the event they need to be taken in for medical care)
• if they have any special sleep aides, leave a sticky note on the bag to remind yourself to throw those in before you go (ie. a special stuffed animal, blanket, sleepsack, etc.)
• be sure to bring weather appropriate outdoor gear so they can play outside wherever they are going

Wrapping it Up

That’s all I have for you for now, if I think of anything else I’ll try to keep this page updated! Leave any questions you have for me or recommendations of your own in the comments below and I’ll be sure to get back to you. If you are expecting a baby my thoughts and prayers are with you, especially during this current time of uncertainty. May you find peace and joy every step of your journey through motherhood, even amidst the inevitable ups and downs. God bless you, Mama!!