9 Hospital Bag Essentials You Need If You're Giving Birth During The Holidays

Hypnobirthing practitioner, doula, and author of Feng Shui Mommy Bailey Gaddis recently attended a birth the day after Thanksgiving. "The mom had me set up a mini Christmas tree in her hospital room with a 'Baby's First Christmas' ornament hanging on it," Gaddis tells Romper.

Sounds cute right? In fact, the Christmas tree served a powerful purpose during the birth. "She used the tree and ornament as her focal point during the birth, saying it helped her look beyond the pain of birth and focus on the joy she would feel sharing her first Christmas with her daughter," Gaddis explains. "And, because this mama is such a lover of the holidays, she had me run out to buy candy canes she could suck on for a jolt of refreshing energy."

Speaking of candy, what's better than peppermint to refresh you after you give birth, or popcorn to string on a needle and thread while you wait for your baby to arrive?

Many hopsital bag essentials list — like this one from the impeccably stylish Lauren Conrad — suggest whipping up some cookies for the nurses. Make them holiday cookies, and you're sure to get a cheerful smile (also, super-quick ice chip delivery). Baking cookies is also a great way to pass your early labor before you head to your hospital or clinic.

Dr. Megan Davidson of BrooklynDoula has seen mothers bring all sorts of special decorative notes into their holiday-season births: an electric menorah if the birth falls during Hanukkah, tiny knit Santa hats or tiny Santa outfits for the baby, and lots of holiday treats, like cookies baked by grandma, are some examples she cites. She's even seen Christmas lights to help set the mood, and small wrapped presents (now that's some serious advance planning).

As far as decorations go, you should check with your hospital to see what they'll allow. My hospital allowed electric candles, but not actual ones, as well as air fresheners and diffusers. Lots of air freshener brands make holiday scents, so test out a few to bring with you. If you're timing contractions in early labor, try simmering cinnamon, allspice, oranges, and cloves on the stove and bringing your homemade potpourri in a jar.

No, you don't have to wear that scratchy green thing this season. Thanks to the internet, labor gowns abound. Order one in a festive color (with ruffles) from boutique Pretty Pushers. It's hospital-approved.

Don't forget a warm flannel robe, slippers, and other comfy wintery things.

Newborns need hats to regulate their temperature in the early weeks, and that's even more true in the winter season. If you have a friend who knits, get them knitting. Otherwise, there are lots of adorable holiday newborn hats for sale. On Etsy, you can even get them personalized with your baby's name.

There's a special place in my heart for the iconic swaddling blankets they use at the hopsital — and there's actually an interesting story behind them, according to Quartz. But these too you can make more festive, with your favorite holiday colors and themes.

Remember that besides swaddling, you'll also need a going-home outfit for baby. Something soft and cozy will fit with your holiday birth theme, like this sleeper from Burt's Bees.

It's winter — and it's dry out there. After giving birth, you can expect chapped lips and hands. Pack cinnamon spicy hand creams to soothe dehydrated skin, like the Burt's Bees Mani Pedi Holiday Gift Set.

Bring a phone speaker dock, or even your Alexa or Google Home device, and create a holiday playlist to keep it merry. (Consider bringing an alternate playlist in case the holiday music winds up annoying you during labor, because, well, you never know.) My favorite is Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas album.

You'll be taking plenty of (non-flash) photos of your newborn, so bring something to dress them up, like this holiday-sweet infant headband from Jane.

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