Olivia Culpo stands firm in her conviction about her hospital essentials, refusing to apologize for her choices. Following the joyous arrival of her and husband Christian McCaffrey's firstborn, daughter Colette Annalise McCaffrey, on July 13, she gracefully addressed the criticism aimed at her meticulously curated hospital bag—which notably included flameless candles. On July 15, in an Instagram Story accompanied by a picture of her candles glowing softly on a shelf, Olivia playfully remarked, "Look what I still couldn't bear to part with! These have truly been wonders post-C-section." The 33-year-old emphasized that, despite some fans' skepticism towards her version of necessities, everything she packed proved invaluable. "I got a bit roasted for my packing list, but I used it all," she assured. "When you're recovering from a C-section and confined to the hospital for over three days, having your creature comforts is no laughing matter. Sharing this in case it brings comfort to another queen like me."
Indeed, Olivia delved into the specifics of her hospital luggage in a July 11 TikTok, revealing that it took two large suitcases to accommodate everything. "I'm such a pillow snob," Olivia confessed in her post. "I knew I'd need specific pillows; it's just a personal thing for me. I wasn't about to take any chances with hospital pillows. I needed my beauty sleep—I was becoming a mom!"
Beyond the extra pillows, Olivia also packed plush blankets and two twin-sized comforters for herself and the San Francisco 49ers running back, alongside two sleep masks, mini fans, aromatherapy spray, and, of course, her flameless candles. About the latter, the former pageant star admitted, "This is probably the most absurd item."
Unsure whether she would deliver vaginally or via C-section, Olivia wisely prepared post-birth kits for both scenarios. Naturally, the Culpo Sisters alumnus also brought her self-care essentials, including multiple pajama sets, makeup, hair and skincare products, and soothing items for breastfeeding. "A lot of this stuff leans more towards luxuries than essentials," Olivia conceded. "I'm fully aware of that. I wanted to make my hospital stay as comfortable as possible."
