In my experience, the hospital provides all of the necessary medical recovery things you will need. I will include all of the things I like to have at home for postpartum recovery once we leave the hospital in a separate post. The things I like to bring to the hospital are mainly things that make my husband and I more comfortable and for convenience.
Also, I do like to treat myself by bringing a new set of PJs or a robe to the hospital so that I feel more like “me” and to make the hospital stay more enjoyable. This can be whatever you want it to be! Think beauty products, slippers, new airpods, etc. Newborns sleep A LOT in the first few days, so there is a lot of downtime in bed post-birth (especially for c-section mamas).
If you plan to breastfeed, I would HIGHLY recommend requesting a visit from a lactation consultant if your hospital has one since you’ll be there already! I would look into it beforehand, but it should be covered by your insurance. You can also request a belly band from your hospital (also should be covered by insurance) which helped me immensely post-surgery. It helped me feel supported and comfortable when I first start moving around post-surgery.
- Pajama dress and/or soft robe (button-up for skin to skin and nursing and dark colors are best!)
- Lululemon align leggings to wear home
- Oversized shirt or sweatshirt to wear home
- 2 or nursing bras (can’t hurt to have backups!)
- Grippy socks
- Shoes that are easy to slip on to wear to and from the hospital
- Slippers for hospital stay
- Shower shoes
- Toiletry bag & shower essentials
- Airpods: These are handy for facetime or phone calls after baby is born or listening to an audiobook tor music to relax
- Long phone charger or portable phone charger – lots of phone calls and picture taking!
- Separate bag to keep all of your essentials by your bedside– this one is important! I like to bring my own pen for baby book and birth certificate, lip gloss, air pods, wipes, hand lotion, hair ties or clips, makeup wipes, rose water spray to refresh face, eye balm, portable phone charger
- Big water bottle or jug- I’ll be bringing my Stanley!
- Speaker to play calming music for labor and recovery (can also use to play white noise because the hospital is loud)
- Pillow – the hospital pillows and bedding are so uncomfortable to me! I didn’t bring my own pillow to my first two births because it seemed unnecessary and bulky but I will definitely be bringing my own this time around
- Nursing pillow– Another bulky item that I wish wasn’t worth bringing, but for me, it is!
- Your favorite blanket – again, the hospital bedding is scratchy and uncomfortable, so having my own blanket makes me feel more at home and relaxed
- Hospital gown – I’m bringing my own this time around! The one my hospital gives me is horrible, scratchy and makes me look green in photos so I’m bringing my own this time!
- Silverettes for nursing boobies
- Tuck’s wipes
- Nipple butter
- Prenatal vitamins – if you don’t bring your own, they will give you the generic hospital kind so no biggie if you forget! I just like mine 🙂
- You probably won’t need your breast pump, but if for some reason you do (NICU baby) the hospital usually has one you can borrow
- Peppermint gum – absolutely helps with any nausea from medication!
- Stool softener – they will probably give you this in the hospital, but if you are having a c-section, start taking this a couple days before you deliver. Trust me!
- Camera to take first photos of baby + compact tripod for first family photos!
- iPad, kindle or whatever will be entertaining during the downtime
- Car seat (Install in the car before heading to the hospital if you can!
- Coming home outfit + hat
- Something to announce baby’s name if that’s something you’d like t0
- Baby book to write down details and collect hand and footprints
- Pacifiers if you plan on offering
- Special receiving blanket
- Portable sound machine
- Bows
- Extra clothing, underwear, socks
- Toiletries and shower stuff (mainly toothbrush and deodorant!)
- SNACKS & DRINKS- nobody likes a hangry support person! I like to bring a couple of my husband’s favorite treats, like candy and chips, because there is a lot of down time and it’s nice to have munchies
- Pillow & blanket to make the little pull out couch more comfy
- Headphones & iPad – we like to bring our iPad to watch Netflix after baby is born. Headphones are great if only one person is watching
- Long phone charger or portable phone charger
