Created byMelissa Hochberger

Parent of 3New York, NY

Melissa H's Hospital Bag Guide

Recommendations (26)

Summer Fridays

Summer Friday's Jet Lag Mask

$72.00

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Same as lip balm, pick your poison to help combat that dry hospital air. I love Summer Friday's Jet Lag Mask because it can be used as a daily moisterizer, a moisterizing mask or even just an eye cream. ”

Peter Thomas Roth

Peter Thomas Roth 24k Gold Under Eye Patches

$75.00

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I don't wear makeup so my "makeup" bag for the hospital was moisterizer, lip balm and a pack of eye masks. It is such a small thing, but putting on eye masks each morning in the hospital and during the newborn phase really did make me feel more like a functioning human -- and I really do think they helped me look semi-awake in the early days even when I was running on no sleep. I linked a few different options at different price points -- have used and like them all! ”

Comrad

Compression Socks

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Swollen ankles post-delivery were worse than any pregnancy swelling I had! I had these on hand from flying during my pregnancy and I really got my moneys worth wearing them post partum. You can even sleep in them! ”

YISHU

Multi-Plug Extension Cord

$9.98

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Hospital beds are always so far from an outlet (with only a single plug available since you'r'e hooked up to so many machines) -- a multi plug extention cord comes in clutch for you and your partner (so you don't have to fight about who gets to charge their phone right now). And now you have an extra to use at home! ”

Parima

Parima Travel Jewelry Case

$13.99

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“My fingers got very swollen at the hospital so having somewhere safe to put my rings was nice -- just one less thing I had to think about. ”

Laneige

Lip Sleeping Mask: Nourish & Hydrate with Vitamin C, Antioxidants

$24.00

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Hospital air dries you out. Bring your lip balm/chapstick of choice. When my lips are chapped, my go to is Laneige's Lip Mask -- it works wonders overnight. ”

Freedom Moses

Freedom Moses Women's Moses Two Band Slides

$40.00

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“If you decide to get out of bed and move around at all (no judgement either way), you may want to pack a pair of slippers or slides to wear. My feet got very swollen so something that I could easily just slide my foot into was key. ”

Stoney Clover Lane

Stoney Clover Lane Women's Classic Large Pouch

$78.00

Fabric: Technical weave Neon color is brighter than it appears in still photos, Gold-tone hardware Length: 10.25in / 26cm, Height: 7.75in / 20cm, Depth: 6in / 15cm Zip closure Textile lining

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Big SCL fan so I have a bunch of these on hand and love to use them as the baby gets older for organizationi in the diaper bag, when traveling and even in the stroller. ”

Simple Modern

Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler

$24.99

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I got my first Simple Modern 32oz bottle during my first pregnancy and it has not left my side since. I will be bringing this to the hospital with me when I give birth to baby #2 because it is huge, stays cold, and has become my ESWB over the years. ”

eberjey

Eberjey Gisele Tencel Modal Sleepshirt

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I was NOT putting pants on in the hospital and stayed in the same XL t-shirt for the duration of my stay the first time around. Knowing that it's not the ideal vessel for breastfeeding, I'll probably opt for a button down shirt dress situation like this for the next time. ”

Z Supply

Z Supply Flare Jumpsuit

Buy from Z Supply

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I still did not want to put pants on when I left the hospital so I was glad I thew a romper into my bag at the last minute. I basically lived in onesies during the fourth trimester. ”

Sephora Collection

Mini Blue Aventurine De-Puffing Facial Roller

Buy from Sephora

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I underestimated the amount of pufffiness that would ensue from the IV and all of the liquids that get pumped into you during labor. Having a face roller on hand that I could use to ~try~ and help the puffiness go down quicker made me feel a little bit better and more myself! ”

Living Proof

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Dry Shampoo

Buy from Sephora

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Longtime fan of Living Proof! I didn't want my first post-delivery shower to be at the hospital so I just survived off of dry shampoo for a few days. ”

Gyusity

2pack 10ft iPhone Charger

$12.99

Buy from Amazon

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“As previously mentioned, the plug is always so far from the bed and it could be hard to have to sit up and reach for a cord so make it easy on yourself and get an extra long charger. Bring for both you and partner -- no arguing over who gets to charge their phone first. Also useful for home when you're nap trapped and want your phone handy but it's almost out of battery. ”

Stoney Clover Lane

Stoney Clover Duffle Bag

Buy from Stoney Clover Lane

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“For the aformentioned items you will be going home with (laughing face emoji) ”

Schylling

Stress Ball

$3.44

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I threw this in my hospital bag last minute as a joke but it was atually entertaining during labor before I got an epidural. ”

Cauyuan

Cauyuan Eyeglass Case

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“My husband wears contacts and while he always throws in a few extra pairs when he travels, he said he preferred wearing his glasses in the hospital once the baby was born so he didn't have to worry about his eyes drying out or falling asleep in his contacts. If you are a contact person through and through, bring an extra travel case and mini bottle of solution! ”

MiraLAX

MiraLAX Laxative Powder, Gentle Constipation Relief, PEG 3350, Physician Recommended, No Harsh Side Effects

$29.97

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“My biggest tip to pregnant friends nearing their due date is to start taking a stool softener in advance. I am a devout Miralax fan and have been taking daily for many many years and I had ZERO bathroom issues at the hospital. The nurses even commented on how impressed they were (yes, I am bragging about this). Hospitals will typically give you colace if you prefer a pill. They all work the same but by starting it in advance, you're just prepping your body so when the time comes to go to the bathroom for the first time, it is already in your system and working its magic so it should be a more shall we say pleasent experience. ”

Bodily

Pregnancy Clothing

Bodily Everything Bra. Wireless Maternity & Nursing Bra

$48.00

- Ultimate 24/7 Comfort: The Everything Bra is super stretchy and lightweight, providing comfort and breathability, all day and night. It is designed to move with you from maternity, breastfeeding, and beyond. Our eco-friendly OEKO-TEX certified fabric is gentle on sensitive skin, offers a cloud-like cooling effect, and flexes with your fluctuating cup and band size throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. - Adjustable and Flexes With You: This maternity-through-nursing bra accommodates cup and band changes with a custom 5-row extended back closure and front-located slider straps for easy adjustability. - Convenient and Easy Nursing Access: Our one-handed, clip-down design features secure-snap clips that lock audibly. The elastic neckline of this wirefree bra provides quick pull-down access, which is especially helpful in the early days of breastfeeding. - Research-Backed Design: Developed with an IBCLC lactation expert to reduce the risk of common breastfeeding ailments such as clogged ducts and mastitis. With a wide, longline wireless band for gentle support, our design intentionally does not include molded cups, padding, and underwire to minimize compression and acute points of constriction to prioritize breast health. - Award-Winning Style: Our maternity and breastfeeding bras consistently earn spots on best of lists for all stages and uses. The Everything Bra has won several industry awards, including Best Maternity Bra by InStyle, Best Maternity Bra Overall by Forbes, Most Comfortable Nursing Sleep Bra by WhatToExpect, and Most Comfortable Postpartum Bra by Women's Health

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“My favorite were these random I found by accident from H&M but it doesn't seem like they make them any more so I will be trying Bodily with my next kid as I've heard good things about them! PSA -- take your bra off when you get to the hospital! No one told me and it was very uncomfortbale getting twisted with all of the IVs and sensors they put on you during labor. ”

Barefoot Dreams

Shoes & Booties

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Barefoot in the Wild Throw

Buy from Barefoot Dreams

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Their tagline should be "feels like a warm hug." Hospital beds suck (and so do the couches partners have to sleep on), so if you have an extra cozy blanket laying around, bring one for each of you so you can try to have a little bit more comfort. ”

AMACOOL

Stroller Accessories

AMACOOL Battery Operated Stroller Fan

$23.69

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1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“You'll likely want this for your stroller anyway so take advantage of it before the baby comes! A nice cool breeze while pushing sounds LOVELY. ”

Reach

Grooming & First Aid

Reach Ultraclean Travel Kit

$2.00

Buy from Amazon

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Brands don't matter here, more just a reminder to pack this for both you and your partner! I personally hate using other brands of toothpaste (I am very particular) so whenever I travel, I always bring my own. And this is no different! ”

Slip

Wraps

Silk Scrunchies

Buy from Sephora

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Slip silk scrunchies will make you feel ~fancy~ while you're in labor -- and I was on board with any small things that felt luxe. ”

Comfy Cloud

Mattresses

Comfy Cloud Luxury Pillow

$29.99

Buy from Amazon

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“Same as blanket, a legit pillow makes all the difference compared to the paper thin things hospitals call pillows these days. You neck/back will thank me later. ”

Unisex 2-way-Zip Sleep & Play Ribbed Footed Onesie

Old Navy

Footies & Gowns

Unisex 2-way-Zip Sleep & Play Ribbed Footed Onesie

Buy from Old Navy

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I was super sentimental and brought my son home from the hospital in the same outfit my parents brought me home in but if I was looking for something new -- this is what I would be getting! ”

Medela

Breastfeeding

Medela Purelan Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding

$7.28

Buy from Amazon

1 recommendation

Melissa HochbergerCan't live without“I didn't know much about nipple cream before I gave birth so I just used the Medela lanolin cream they gave in the hospital and it worked well for me. But if there is one you have previously used and liked / did reasearch on and want to use, bring it! The earlier you start using and the more you remember to apply it, the safer your nipples will be (IYKYK). ”