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Shockingly, when I entered the hospital to give birth to my first little boy, my bag wasn’t really overflowing with mommy and baby goods.  Some would say I actually packed rather lightly as a first time mom about to embark on the whole “charade” that is bringing a baby into the world, and the recovery that happens afterwards within the confines of those hospital walls. 

It’s not as though I am usually some high-maintenance woman - I can be, but we shouldn’t confuse can and am here, thank you.  It’s more so that I am a known hypochondriac, over-thinker, and paranoid over-packer.  I can’t help it.  Vacations?  Two suit cases packed full of every possible shoe I may need… sneakers, sandals, flip flops (yes there is a difference), flats, wedges, stilettos… 20 different outfit choices for a 7 day trip (because what girl doesn’t like to have options?)… ALL of my makeup, high straightener, curling wand, blow dryer, brush, toiletries… extra this, extra that..

You name it. 

I bring it.

But when I went to pack my hospital bag, I was surprised to see how much space I had in my average sized weekender bag. I remember the nurses complimenting me for being a first time mom who didn’t bring four suitcases in tow with her.

I remember that making me feel really good.

And while I sought the advice of my sister (two time mommy) on what was actually necessary to bring to minimize the amount that my husband would reluctantly end up be hauling down the L&D halls, I realized after my perfect baby was born just how little thought I had ACTUALLY put into the individual items I chose to bring with me… and the “free” products that I so willingly slathered on my torn lady-bits the hospital provided for me, and even those that they offered for my baby… All of a sudden, all those compliments I had received for being such a great, light hospital bag packer were moot.

So for Baby Number 2?  I kept my bag to a minimum just as I did the first, but I did some more research and I ended up bringing a few extra things - rather than allowing the hospital to provide them for me.

To some I realize this is just a dumb decision that cost me a lot of free diapers and wipes, but it was something I felt like I needed to do for my new, innocent and perfect little baby after all the research I had done on body-related items and their accompanying toxins, parabens, etc. since having my first.  And although it did cost me a bit more - I regret NOTHING I bought in excess, and I will 100% be doing the same for my next baby.

This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list of items you should bring with you to the hospital - just a few items you may want to consider packing/swapping out for other conventional items you would have already put in your bag, as well as a few swaps for some of those not-so-natural hospital “freebies”.  Please don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste, phone chargers, baby clothes, car seat, comfy clothes to change into and leave the hospital in, and one of my own recommendations: your own pillow 😉 (and whatever else you may need!)

So - if you got through the rambling above…

Here is my All-Natural Postpartum Care Kit Essentials for MOMMY:

 

*Please Note* - I went into labor naturally and had vaginal births with both my boys.  Unfortunately, not all of these items will be as relevant to you mama’s out there who have had or will have cesareans.  That is an entirely different beast, but I promise, a lot of the items on this list will work for you and your baby if you are looking to limit the amount of toxins you encounter in the delivery/recovery room 🙂 

However, if your doctor recommends you take a specific drug or topical agent for a particularly bad tear or cut you may have received, please follow the advice of your doctor.  I myself am not a 100% holistic and natural person - I do my very best - but I received an epidural for both my boys, and had to have antibiotics during my second pregnancy because I was GBS positive (bring some probiotics!).  I always listen to the professional advice of my GPs and OBGYNs, and get supplements approved beforehand*

*Also - be sure to remind your nurses of any items you won’t be using that the hospital provides.  I wrote everything on my Birth Plan, but also reminded each nurse as the time came up.  They simply removed the other items from my room, and didn’t ask any follow up questions.  Easy easy.*

 

Hospital “Freebie” Safe Swaps 

Let’s just dive right into the items the hospital will provide for you when your poor vagina has been tore up from the floor up (the actual process of birth may be beautiful, but that situation ‘down there’ I can assure you - is not… just ask my husband, he saw the whole thing).

 

 1. Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray: Safe Swap for Dermoplast, or Benzocaine Aerosol Equivalent 

This item was heaven sent.  It’s just as good as any benzocaine aerosol, only it is non-toxic, has a lovely cucumber scent, it’s made of organic ingredients, and it made my second degree tear (I’m just trying to be real with you all) down there feel as if it simply… wasn’t.  Why spray something that could potentially cause irritation, when you’re already pretty irritated down there?  And in such a sensitive place. 

My nurse called this “Fairy Spray” - and while I initially thought she was going to give me a hard time about swapping out the hospital recommendation for my own product, she ultimately ended up admitting that if/when she has her own kids, she would probably use a product like this rather than the one provided in the hospital. 

I loved it.

2. Earth Mama Perineal Balm: 

Another safe swap for that benzocaine spray (although I wouldn’t totally omit a spray-type product for this type of relief; this product is simply an add-on, if you think you’ll require it).  This particular product isn’t something I believe Earth Mama had in their portfolio when I gave birth to Micah, but according to their website, it is a 100% organic salve that provides a little extra cooling relief for those places down under that may need a bit more focus.  Sold.  Going in the next bag 😉

 3. Thayer’s Skin Irritation Witch Hazel Pads with Aloe: Safe swap for Tucks Hemorrhoid pads or equivalent witch hazel pads

Many hemorrhoid pads not only contain fragrance - which by now we all know is a blanketed term for potentially thousands of harmful/toxic ingredients - but they also contain parabens.  Again - it could just be me, but in this sensitive area, I would rather use something less toxic but effective.  Another bonus to Thayer’s paraben-free formula? Organic witch hazel to soothe your lady bits. 

An obvious second choice is to buy some good quality, organic witch hazel and mix it with luke warm water via that lovely peri-bottle (a hospital “freebie” you should take with ease - although, if you did want to swap this out too, you could always pick up the FridaBaby MomWasher Peribottle.  It allows you to control the water direction and pressure!  If you’ve already tangoed with the postpartum peri, you know how beneficial this could be…)

Keep in mind, these pads are just an added witch-hazel element - both the Earth Mama products above contain the soothing ingredient, and I found myself not needing the pads as long as I did with my first postpartum experience, but some mamas really like their extra benefits - including staying a bit cooler for longer.

 4. Earth Mama Nipple Butter: safe swap for Laninsoh, Medela or other lanolin nipple cream

If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, nipple cream of some sort is almost always necessary in those first few weeks.  Sore nipples are no mama’s friend, especially when you’ve just potentially endured hours of labor and the exiting of your sweet new baby. 

A lot of people would argue with me in favor of the natural qualities of lanolin - and they would be right.  Lanolin is a naturally occurring wax secreted from the glands of wool-bearing animals, specifically sheep.  Doesn’t sound so bad, right? Not quite.  Sheep are so often used for their wool, that they are often sprayed with PESTICIDE to keep bugs at bay and to keep their lovely hair from being ruined by mites.  All of a sudden, natural lanolin doesn’t sound like the best option when it comes to the vessel you use to feed your baby with.

Earth Mama Nipple butter is a dream: it kept any cracks or sores from progressing, and was comfortable to put on.  It is 100% organic, paraben- and lanolin-free and is the first non-gmo verified nipple butter - this product isn’t sticky and is the only nipple cream I recommend.

Ingredients: Organic Olive (Olea Europaea) Fruit Oil, Organic Beeswax (Cera Flava), Organic Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Seed Butter, Organic Shea (Butyrospermum Parkii) Butter, Organic Mango (Mangifera Indica) Seed Butter, Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Extract

5. Dr. Formulated Once Daily Prenatal Probiotic - Garden of Life  *great for vaginal & cesarean delivery

*This isn’t really a “hospital swap” - but I find it kind of important so I’m just going to put it up here 😉

As I mentioned in the beginning, I had a [necessary… ;)] epidural for both my pregnancies.  It wasn’t until I tested positive for GBS in my second, that I realized I needed to bring a probiotic with me.  As if the use of anesthesia wasn’t enough to spark question into my mind, it actually didn’t hit me that a probiotic would be a beneficial supplement to have until my body - and my baby, mind you - required antibiotics during my labor/delivery (all of which tend to wreck havoc on your stomach). 

Although this would be most useful to take daily during your pregnancy, it doesn’t hurt to introduce a probiotic into your daily supplement intake around the time you deliver and immediately after - especially if you plan on taking pain-relieving drugs, getting an epidural or require antibiotics.

Strengthening your gut health will without a doubt omit all those drugs your body is taking in more quickly, and will help to reduce those pesky drug side effects (your body’s natural ability to cleanse itself will help with things like that first post-delivery bowel movement [anesthetic drugs and antibiotics often have a constipation-effect - not a fun symptom, ever, but especially when you’ve just squeezed a ‘watermelon-sized’ human out and may have required a few stitches…]).

Baby got a probiotic, too… but, I’ll mention that below 😉

[*6. Organic Cotton Absorbent Pads]

This item I personally don’t find to be as important of an item to pack yourself (although these pads do sit right up there on your sensitive lady bits down stairs - I don’t mind using the hospital variety.  If we were using tampons - that would be an entirely different story, but we all know those aren’t allowed for a while (and would you really want to use them if they were?))

However, if you wanted to swap the conventional pads the hospital provides for you - you could always pack your own organic cotton pads for the not-so-pleasant weeks-long lochia you are to expect post-baby.

My suggestion?  Use the pads the hospital provides - you run through them so quickly in the beginning anyway - and then purchase a pesticide-free variety once those run out (and they will…).

 

 

 The following are recommendations for toiletries I also recommend you pack in your bag…

and here is why:

 

Although I do use natural, non-toxic items in my everyday life, I found it especially important to use them after I had my baby for that first shower post delivery.  Remember: anything that goes on you, is ultimately going to end up on your baby, so be cautious of those everyday care items you bring with you to the hospital (and always).  We want to keep baby as pure as possible, for as long as possible - and, we don’t want anything with harsh chemicals or fragrances to irritate baby 🙂 

5. Organic/Non-toxic Shampoo and Conditioner

I recommend Andalou Naturals or Innersense Beauty - both have a 0-1 rating on the Skin Deep site, and are better performing than some other natural hair products.

6. Organic/Non-toxic Lotion

Especially important if you are using this on your arms, hands or chest.  I really like the Andalou Naturals lotion.

Hint: I didn’t want to bring full-size products to the hospital with me - that would have taken up precious space in the bag - so I bought these silicone travel containers and brought only what I thought I would need (and I ended up with a lot extra… admitted over-packer, here).

 

7. Natural Belly Oil

Unfortunately, now that your belly has some shrinking to do (that’s not the unfortunate part) it is still subject to even more stretch marks as it tightens back into place (there it is).  I have an entire blog post on my favorites HERE 🙂 This is one of them:

8. Natural Face Wash and Moisturizer

For all those kisses, and face to face and cheek to cheek moments with your new baby!

I recommend Acure Radically Rejuvenating Cleanser (and you can get it at Target!) for a good non-toxic face wash - I’ve been using it for nearly four years now.

For moisturizers, I love 100% jojoba oil - it’s low on the comedogenic scale, it leaves your face insanely hydrated, AND you can even use it in your hair to maintain those split crazy ends you may have developed from laying in a hospital bed for 48 hours…

I’ve also been introduced to Crunchi face products by @GlamandGreenn - follow her on Instagram and join her private Facebook group for more insight into safe products!  The Nightlight cream has changed my life (easily my favorite face cream - ever.  It genuinely performs better than ANY brand I’ve ever used), and their Daylight facial cream is lovely!  All their items are fantastic, non-toxic, and free of all those cancer-causing chemicals the EU  bans, but America doesn’t care to regulate… just saying.  Buy HERE!  >>>> a GREAT brand to buy non-toxic makeup from for this occasion, as well 😉

And if you are looking for a natural eyecream that works like magic… look no further. The 100% PURE Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream wakes up your under eye area, which is ideal for post-delivery pictures with your new bundle of joy - It is the honestly the most amazing eye cream I’ve ever used (easily a new ride or die product for me), it smells like a cookie, and all of 100% PURE’s items are exactly as they are branded (PURE).

(You can also buy it at DermStore - I’m pretty sure you get a discount on your first order!)

9. Natural Deodorant

You wouldn’t want to rub all those pesky antiperspirant-related chemicals all over your baby, would you?  Aluminum-free, non-toxic options are all listed on another blog post I did a while back.  You can read about that HERE.  Also, a newer, wonderful option I’ve discovered is the Earth Mama Deodorant.

10. Natural Body Wash

I bought a small travel-size Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Soap, and packed it in my bag.  We regularly use Dr. Bronner’s as our body wash in my home (for the last 6 years), and my husband even uses it to wash his hair (I don’t recommend it for anyone with hair longer than like… mid-neck - but it is a good option for your own partner if they happen to have super short hair).

I also recommend, you guessed it, Earth Mama Wellness Wash (and you can get a small travel 50 ml bottle for $4.99).

 

11. Organic Prenatal & DHA Supplements

If you plan to breastfeed, it is important to continue taking your Prenatal vitamins and DHA supplements that you took during pregnancy.  Along with those amazing immunities your baby gets from you, he/she also receives vitamins and minerals from your breast milk, as well.

As far as vitamin brands go, I am a Garden of Life enthusiast, if you will.  I am drawn to their supplements because they don’t use synthetic ingredients - all the vitamins, minerals, etc. that are put into their prenatals come from whole, organic fruits and vegetables.  They don’t use synthetic folic acid - they use REAL folate, from REAL, whole foods.  The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, and many companies have been found to not even put the marketed mineral on the label IN THE BOTTLE… it’s pretty crazy.  With Garden of Life, I trust their products whole-heartedly: they are organic and non-GMO verified.

Here are my favorites:

• Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal Multi: These don’t make you sick, as some vitamins can tend to do, and they have the highest concentration of folate, iron & calcium.  The downside: these are rather large pills - and you take them 3x a day: I found it easy to take these pills, until the nausea set in… at that point it wasn’t that the pills made me ill, it was the actual act of swallowing them that made me want to gag.  But once the first trimester queasies passed, it was fine again 🙂
• Garden of Life myKind Organics Once a Day Prenatal: large pill like the Multi, but you only take one once a day.  The downside: smaller concentration of those crucial vitamins & minerals (still great, though).
• Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal Multi Gummies: it’s the gummy-version (you get to eat 4/day)… and they’re yummy.  This is great for those of you who may struggle with taking capsules - especially when you’re suffering from morning sickness symptoms…

And my favorie DHA supplement (heart and brain-healthy omegas):

• Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA

 

For Your Partner:

 

 A lot of these options can be referenced when it comes to the items your partner brings to the hospital, as well.  Because when you think about it, they are going to be snuggling that precious new baby, too, so the same concept applies to them and their overnight bag 🙂

 

Let’s move on to baby…

 

Natural Postpartum Care Kit Essentials for BABY:

 

1. Earth Mama A Little Something for Baby Gift Set - Natural Baby Wash, Lotion, Calendula Oil, Diaper Balm & Organic Face Balm

This little giftset has every travel-size item your baby may possibly need while in the hospital. 

The diaper balm is my absolute FAVORITE diaper balm of all time - it is the only one that ALWAYS successfully works for my babies.  One of my best girlfriend’s called it “hippie cream” when I bought it for her daughter, but she admittedly came around to the product, and happily uses it.  It is petrolatum free (petroleum is for cars… not babies), and comprised of organic coconut oil, tea tree, lavender, and other soothing oils.

The Earth Mama Baby Wash is also my most reliable natural baby wash.  I love the Lavender Scent, but the Sweet Orange is lovely, as well (a third option is their no non-scents variety - which is most ideal if you’re concerned about baby’s sensitivity to any oils/smells).  Most hospitals use a travel set from Johnson&Johnson… and although J&J has reformulated their baby items after numerous scandals and lawsuits (cancer-causing ingredients in their products…), there are still several ingredients I simply wouldn’t want on my baby.  So for baby’s first wash - I recommend a baby wash that is gentle enough for your newborn, but natural and pure - just like them.  

REMEMBER: Earth Mama Baby Wash is PURE Castille Soap - which means it is NOT tear-free.  Whomever gives your baby their first bath, it is important to remind them of this!

All the other items in here can be used for dry patches, eczema baby may have, or even if baby comes out with a little bit of baby acne.  I brought all these things with me when my second was born, and I wouldn’t have changed a single thing - I was relieved to know that anything that could potentially be used on my baby was safe and non-toxic (overbearing? maybe.)  Another bonus of buying the giftset: travel size items that can be used when taking baby out of town for vacation.

2. Water Wipes - or Natural Wipe Alternative

The greatest wipes - with only two ingredients: Water & Grapefruit Seed Extract (for freshness).  Doesn’t get much more pure than this.  You can read my blog post about making your own baby wipes HERE.  It isn’t the fanciest post, but it will explain why some other name-brand wipes (like the ones they provide in the hospital) may not be the best option for baby, as they are comprised with lots of chemical ingredients and fragrances that could irritate baby.

 

3. Newborn Probiotic *super beneficial for babies delivered via c-section, too!

I mentioned that I myself took a probiotic after having received both an epidural and antibiotics in my second labor and delivery, but I also gave my newborn probiotics, as well - and for the same reasons.  Since the baby gets some of the effects of the epidural, but mostly was absorbing the antibiotic I received for GBS, I knew I wanted to give him a better chance at ridding those drugs out of his system as soon as was possible with a probiotic.  Probiotics are always beneficial for babies - they can help with constipation, tummy troubles like gas, hiccups & bloating, and have even been glorified for helping with infant colic (linked in major parts to the health of their gut) - overall, they’re great for immunity.

I’ll be honest in that I still haven’t found a probiotic that I absolutely LOVE for newborns - most varieties I am fond of (those without extra ingredients other than the powerful probiotic strains) are powder form - which isn’t exactly helpful unless you are immediately bottle feeding your baby (I exclusively breastfed both my boys - SAHM life).

The brand I purchased when I had Micah was Probonix - it does have a few extra ingredients, but it is formulated with native probiotic strains specific to infants, and it comes in drop-form, and is also flavored.  He took this no problem, and I cannot say whether it is related or not - but he spit up a LOT less than my first-born did. 

Mommy’s Bliss Everyday Probiotic Drops are a good option, as well.

 

4. Toxin-Free Diapers

I know. I know.  Diapers are expensive, and this just seems extra.  I get it.  And this is the one item I am willing to back down on, but since most hospitals provide Pampers or Huggies - which are comprised of some toxic ingredients, such as irritating fragrance (my first born had skin irritation to Pampers) - I did, in fact, bring my own diapers with me to the hospital.  I realize they provide them, but when the time came for me to pack my hospital bag, I recognized that my goal with all the items I chose to put in that little weekender bag was to keep baby as safe, pure and perfect as was in my control - so I made the judgment call to bring my own diapers, too.

The brand I purchased was Bambo Nature. This amazing article shares their trial of multiple diapers on performance: Bambo rated top 2 in being most absorbent and high-performing. What’s more: they are chlorine-free, perfume-free, dye-free, latex-free, and are remarkably biodegradable.

I also like The Honest Company & Seventh Generation 🙂

 

 

 (If you have a Thrive Market membership - that is where I got mine 😉 )

AND that’s it!

 

Remember - use your best judgment in determining what is best for you and your baby.  If you choose to take all my recommendations, choose some, or even none - at the end of the day, our biggest goal as mamas and daddies is to protect our children, and there is no one right way.  This was what I did, and will do again - but, as I mentioned, I am not a doctor, so do what is best for you and your family 🙂