I’ve been hesitant to share how I’m preparing for my healthy, low waste baby because this is our first! Throughout my entire pregnancy, I’ve been struggling to balance my desire to share my research with you, my amazing community, and my desire to only ever share information based upon my own experience. Because I always want to provide the most doable, approachable and fun tips, it’s much easier for me to share once I’ve actually gone through the experience! And, as of now, I don’t yet know exactly what I’ll need or use or forget or even regret purchasing/using!

Despite my trepidations, I’ve received many messages asking how I’m preparing for the arrival of our baby- from nutrition questions to what I’m packing in my hospital bag to whether I plan to continue living low waste with a baby (spoiler: I’m even more committed to continuing this lifestyle!). To answer these questions, I’ve put together a Prepping for a Healthy, Low Waste Baby Series. This series will include a few blog posts scheduled to come out pre-baby. After we have the baby, I’ll update these posts based upon our experience!

The first post in this series is finally here: What I’m Packing in my Hospital Bag.

I hope that the items I pack help us (and you!) feel calm, prepared, and confident, and help us avoid some waste. The MOST IMPORTANT takeaway from this post (and from all my content) is to remember that we can’t anticipate everything. No one is perfect; no one has the “perfect” diet and no one avoids all waste all the time. However, just because we can’t be perfect, doesn’t mean we can’t try! I’m all about trying.

So, here’s a roundup of what Rob and I are packing for the hospital. I’ll update this list after we have the baby with more commentary and advice! And, I’d love to hear from you if you think I’ve forgotten anything. (This list does include affiliate links! Thanks for supporting me and the brands I work with).

Healthy, Low Waste Hospital Bag Items

For Me & Rob (aka for expectant mamas & dads):

- Toiletries

• Travel Size Plaine Products Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash

  Use code abbysfoodcourt10 for 10% off

• Indie Lee COQ10 Toner + Squalane Oil + Rosehip Cleanser

• By Sarah London Body Oil

• By HumanKind deodorant

• Toothbrush (use code ABBYSFOODCOURT5 for 5% off) + Toothpaste

• Chapstick (my sister says this is a must!)

- Tea lights battery operated + essential oils (to support a calm environment)

- Cell phones + 2 chargers

- Headphones

- Snack Naked Snacks :)

• Energy balls

• Sourdough bread

• Naked Fruit & Veggies (hopefully from Local Roots!)

• Dried Fruit

• Vegetable broth

• Georgia Grinders Pecan Butter (Rob’s fav)

  (I wanted to surprise Rob with this, BUt he’s totally going to read the post :) )

  code ABBYSFOODCOURT20 for 20% off your purchase

- Water bottles + GoPure Pod Water Filters (use code ABBYSFOODCOURT20 for 20% off filters)

- AFC bamboo silverware (2 sets)

- AFC eCoffee Cup (2 cups)

- Comfy clothes for Rob!

- Birth Plan

- Pillow cases + blanket (I was told this was needed for the particular hospital we’re going to!)

For Me (aka for expectant mamas):

- Clothing:

• Comfy Pajamas + 1 more outfit

• Robe

• Hatch jumpsuit to go home in

• Flip flops (for the shower)

• Grippy socks/slippers

• Lively Nursing bra (use code AMB-abbysfoodcourt for $10 off)

• Nursing tank top (from my sister :) )

- THINX super absorbency period underwear (use this link for $10 off your purchase)

- Reusable Organic Cloth Pads (from Package Free Shop)

- Breast pads & nipple cream

- Crystals from my friend Heather!

- Makeup (I’ve been told it’s great to have makeup for impromptu photos)

- Birthing Ball!

- BINTO supplements

- Hair ties

For Baby:

- Blankets & hat

- Brora booties

- Outfit to go home in

- Esembly Reusable Diapers + Accessories (I’m bringing these without any expectations. If we’re able to use them, great. If not, I’m totally fine with using disposables while at the hospital and waiting until we’re home to tackle reusables!)

- Accessories: wet bag, reusable wipes, pail pouch, wipe up wash

- Glass bottles from Mason Bottle (use FOODCOURT25 for 25% off)

- Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash

- Dyper Disposable Diapers + Babo Botanicals Sensitive Wipes (in case we need them)

- Car Seat (check out my post on Non-Toxic “Big Ticket” Items for Baby to learn more)

Mason Bottle Glass BottlesCan you think of anything that I’ve missed? I’d love to hear from you!

And, check out the other content in my Prepping for a Low Waste Baby Series: Non-Toxic “Big-Ticket” Items for Baby.