It’s been six weeks since we welcomed our second daughter, Rosie, into the world and already those early hospital days feel like a blur. Looking back, if there is one thing that I did that really helped me heading into labour and delivery, it was having a well packed hospital bag. The lovely gals at Luxury Labour Bag Co. sent me their Classic Mama and Baby Combo, which has almost everything you need as you prepare to welcome your bundle of joy. It was reassuring to have it all packed and ready to go (I shared it in my last pregnancy update).
We hadn’t planned to be back at the hospital unexpectedly within three days of being home (Rosie was jaundiced) but I was incredibly thankful that I still had my Luxury Labour Bag packed. I ended up keeping it in our car in the weeks that followed while we went to various doctors appointments and tests. Everything turned out to be okay (Rosie is thriving!) but it was very reassuring to know that I was covered for an unexpected overnight stay.
These Luxury Labour Bags are such a great idea, whether you’re having a baby or looking for a unique gift idea for a mama-to-be. You could add this to your registry for yourself or if you’re looking to do a group gift for a baby shower, how about pooling in together to surprise the expectant lady. When I worked at an office, I would have loved to give this to my co-workers as a thoughtful and useful gift idea. These bags take the uncertainty and stress out of packing, and the bag is delivered right to your front door.
The mamas behind Luxury Labour Bags really did think of everything! Inside the pre-packed bag there were so many things I would have had to gather on my own, along with some I never even thought of. I love that whenever possible they support products designed and made by other women-owned, Canadian small businesses and select items that are natural and cruelty-free.
- Socks (your feet can get cold while in labour or late at night in those cool hospital rooms)
- Disposable maternity underwear (great for both natural and C-section deliveries)
- Natracare maternity pads and nursing pads
- Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea, nipple butter and perineal spray
- Huer natural vegan fruit jellies (perfect for a hit of energy – I was so happy to have these as a pick-me-up right after I delivered.)
- Water cup with straw (It’s important to stay hydrated during labour and afterwards, especially if you’re breastfeeding)
- Canvas laundry bag (this was so great for bringing everything home)
- Herschel Novel Duffle Bag
- Flip flops (a must with hospital floors and showers)
- Argan oil (for massage and to moisturize your skin and hair from the dry hospital air)
- Toiletries bag including: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bamboo toothbrush, natural salt toothpaste, coconut water makeup wipes, hand sanitizer, natural deodorant, lip balm, hairbrush and hair ties (which work as a great reminder on your wrist as to which side you last nursed on)
- Folder for your important documents (you come home with so much stuff!)
- Pen and notepad (to record your little one’s feeding and diaper activity, jot down medical notes, or write a note on that first night to tuck into their baby book)
It all came with everything we needed for those first few nights with Rosie:
- an adorable Westcoast Baby Nesting kit containing a bamboo newborn kimono, hat and blanket. (the outfit was perfect for letting the nurses check on her vitals, doing bloodwork, changing her diaper, etc without needing to completely unwrap her – such a good idea!)
- natural diapers, water wipes (so soft and no chemicals) and Bum Bum Balm (an all natural Canadian-made diaper balm)
- Footprint and handprint kit to add to her baby book 🙂
Everything fit into this grey Hershel Novel duffle bag they sent with it, with plenty of room to add in a few more things from home:
- clothes and housecoat (although Luxury Labour Bags also has a deluxe version which includes a nursing nightie and robe)
- small makeup bag (it was nice to put on a little mascara and blush before we had family come visit)
- bath towel (the hospital ones are always so small and scratchy)
- phone, camera, ipad and charger
- cord blood donation bag
Garrett packed his essentials in his overnight bag and we packed Lucy’s little backpack for when she headed to her grandparents when it was go time. It was so nice to have everything set up in the hallway ready to go.
Having a baby can be such a joyous time but it also brings stress and uncertainty too. Great products like Luxury Labour Bags help make this transition to motherhood easier – giving you more time to think about all those newborn baby snuggles to come.
*Luxury Labour Bags is currently having a Black Friday Sale with up to $50 off of one of their bags!*
Disclaimer: Luxury labour Bags kindly sent me a bag to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
