What's in My Hospital Bag for Baby #2: Everything I'm Packing After My First Birth

After one birth, one unexpected hospital transfer and plenty of lessons learnt, here's everything I'm packing this time around for labour, postpartum, breastfeeding and baby.

If you'd told me during my first pregnancy that I'd eventually be writing a blog post about packing a hospital bag, I probably would've laughed.

I never packed one.

We were planning a home birth with Bailey, so instead of packing a suitcase, I was gathering birth supplies around the house and imagining welcoming her into the world from the comfort of our own home. A hospital bag simply wasn't part of the plan.

Well... birth had other ideas.

Although I laboured at home for most of the time, we ended up transferring to hospital later in labour. Everything happened so quickly that there wasn't a neatly packed bag waiting by the door. Instead, PJ and I were frantically running around the house throwing random things into bags while I was having full-blown contractions. We'd manage to grab a few things, another contraction would hit, we'd stop everything, I'd breathe through it, and then we'd try to remember what we still needed before the next one came.

Looking back now, it's actually quite funny. At the time though, it felt incredibly chaotic and is definitely not something I'd recommend.

One of the biggest things my first birth taught me is that birth doesn't always follow the plan you've spent months preparing for.

This time around, I'm still hoping for the birth I've planned. But I've also learnt that being prepared for different possibilities doesn't take away from that plan—it simply gives me one less thing to think about if things change unexpectedly.

So this week, for the very first time, I'm packing a proper hospital bag.

Not because I expect to need everything in it, but because I'd much rather have it sitting by the door untouched than find myself scrambling between contractions again.

If you're currently packing your own hospital bag, hopefully this gives you some ideas. These are the things I'm bringing based on what I learnt from my first birth, what I actually used afterwards and what I'm doing differently this time.

For Labour

After giving birth once already, there are a handful of things that I simply wouldn't want to labour without this time around.

At the very top of that list is my TENS machine. It was honestly the holy grail of my labour, and I genuinely don't think I would've made it to 9.5 cm without it. It'll be one of the very first things I reach for once contractions become established. I'll also be packing my labour combs again. They're such a simple little tool, but having something else to focus on during contractions really helped me.

Labour is incredibly physical, so staying hydrated and keeping my energy up is another big priority this time. My water bottle, electrolytes, honey sticks and plenty of snacks are all coming with me. Whether I actually feel like eating is another story, but I'd much rather have them there than wish I'd packed them later.

One thing I'm really looking forward to this time is putting together a labour playlist. Because I'm planning to give birth in hospital, I want to create an environment that feels calm, familiar and as much like home as possible. Music has always helped me feel grounded, and I know having those familiar songs playing in the background will help me settle into my own little bubble.

The rest is pretty simple. A comfortable breastfeeding bra, comfy undies, hair ties and a claw clip are all packed and ready to go. I'll also be bringing my essential oils and labour tincture. Will they magically make labour pain-free? Probably not. 😂 But if they help me feel even a tiny bit calmer, then they're definitely coming with me.

For Those First Days After Birth

Looking back, postpartum was probably the part I was least prepared for.

I spent so much time thinking about birth that I barely gave those first few days afterwards a second thought, and recovery hit me much harder than I expected. This time, my focus is firmly on comfort, healing and making those first few days feel as gentle as possible.

Afterpains absolutely humbled me after Bailey was born, so a heat pack is completely non-negotiable this time. I'm also packing the instant cooling perineal pads from Frida Mom, as well as my own homemade padsicles using maternity pads and witch hazel. I have a feeling I'll be very grateful to have both options.

A peri bottle is another absolute must-have. Nobody really prepares you for that first trip to the toilet after birth, and having warm water gently rinse everything makes such a difference when you're swollen, sore or dealing with stitches.

Comfort is definitely the theme of this section, so I've packed disposable underwear, maternity pads, my donut pillow, soft pyjamas, a robe and fresh clothes. I've also got all my usual toiletries ready to go because those first showers after birth honestly feel like magic. And yes... I'm even packing a little bit of makeup. Not because I feel like I need it, but because if brushing my hair and putting on a tiny bit of mascara helps me feel a little more like myself, then I'm all for it.

If you've followed me for a while, you'll know how much importance I now place on postpartum nutrition. I'll be packing plenty of snacks, electrolytes and breastfeeding/NORA tea to help support hydration and replenish some of the minerals your body gives so generously during birth.

Breastfeeding & Feeding

Given everything we experienced with Bailey's feeding journey, this is probably the section I've thought about the most.

The first time around, I went into motherhood with absolutely no idea what breastfeeding would look like for us. I naively assumed we'd just figure it out as we went. Instead, we navigated tongue ties, nipple damage, pumping, combination feeding, breastfeeding aversion and just about every twist and turn I never expected.

This time, I know I can't control how our feeding journey unfolds, but I can prepare for a few different possibilities. I'll be packing nursing bras, nipple butter, Silverettes, nipple shields (just in case we're dealing with oral restrictions again), a passive milk collector and a few syringes to collect either fresh colostrum after birth or some of the frozen colostrum I've collected beforehand.

There'll also be breastfeeding tea and, of course, snacks... because if there's one thing breastfeeding taught me, it's that you can go from perfectly fine to absolutely starving in about thirty seconds.

Hopefully I won't need everything.

But if our first journey taught me anything, it's that I'd much rather have it sitting in my bag than wish I'd packed it later.

For Baby

The funny thing about babies is they actually need far less than we think.

I remember spending so much time researching all the things I thought Bailey would need, only to realise that those first few days are actually incredibly simple. They don't care what brand they're wearing, whether you've packed the cutest outfit or if their socks happen to match. As long as they're warm, fed and cuddled, they're pretty happy.

This time I'm keeping it nice and simple. I've packed a few zip suits in newborn and 0–3 months, singlets, socks, mittens, a beanie, swaddles, nappies, wet wipes, nappy cream and a dummy or two. I've also packed a going-home outfit... although knowing babies, she'll probably decide herself which one actually fits. 😂

And of course, the car seat is already installed. Definitely one of those jobs I wanted ticked off well before labour starts.

PJ's Hospital Bag

I feel like partners always get forgotten when people talk about hospital bags.

The first time around, PJ was so focused on supporting me that he barely thought about himself. This time, we're making sure he's packed too.

He won't be staying overnight because he'll head home to Bailey once we're both settled, but he'll still be there for labour, birth and those first precious hours afterwards. We've packed him a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, water and phone chargers, plus a pillow just in case he gets the chance to sneak in a little rest.

I'm also throwing in a pair of swimmers. Whether we end up using the birth pool or not is anyone's guess, but I'd much rather have them sitting in the bag than wish we'd packed them.

The Boring but Important Stuff

Probably the least exciting part of packing a hospital bag... but definitely one of the easiest things to forget.

Our Medicare cards, hospital paperwork, birth preferences, wallets, chargers and all those little practical bits are packed and ready to go.

After last time, when we were trying to remember everything while I was stopping every few minutes for another contraction, it feels really nice knowing all of this is already sorted.

Things I'm Not Packing This Time

One thing I've realised is just how easy it is to overpack.

After reading what feels like every hospital bag checklist on the internet, it can almost feel like you need to bring your entire house with you. This time, I'm trying to keep things simple.

I'm not packing ten different outfits for baby, a suitcase full of "just in case" items or things I realistically know I'll never use. I've also looked into what my hospital already provides, so I'm trying not to double up unnecessarily.

I'd much rather have a bag that's organised, easy to find things in and filled with things I'll genuinely use than spend my time digging through things I never needed in the first place.

If there's one thing this pregnancy and motherhood has taught me already, it's that you can prepare as much as you possibly can... and birth will still do its own thing.

Maybe this bag will barely get opened.

Maybe I'll use every single thing inside it.

Who knows.

But one thing I do know is that this time, I won't be packing it between contractions.

And honestly... that already feels like a win. 🤍

Love,

Charlie

Shop what’s in my Hospital Bag

Browse the products that helped me feel more comfortable, supported and prepared during and after labor & delivery.