So most of you know I have two kids, which means I have packed two hospital bags. I must admit, with my first I didn’t really know exactly what I needed especially since I planned to have him vaginally and ended up delivering him via emergency C-section. My second baby was a planned C-section, so I’ve really done it all and can cover all the bases here! I always error on the side of being prepared, but I am not an over packer. Having too much stuff stresses me out, but I definitely didn’t want to feel like I was missing anything and wanted to be as comfortable as possible. We fit all of our things into 1 suitcase, my diaper bag and a tote bag for snacks, drinks and last minute items. I’ve done my best to compile a list of what you ACTUALLY will need and what will be helpful to you during birth and during your hospital stay after your beautiful babe arrives!
My best tips after doing this two times:
1. Make a handwritten list or type one and print it out of all the things you need to throw in last minute like toiletries you use everyday or phone chargers. Place it on top of your packed bag so your husband can run around and grab those items while you’re in early labor. This is also helpful for planned c-sections since you will likely be heading to the hospital in the early dawn and will want to bring your own pillow/makeup/toothbrush/etc. You can find the list I used further down in this post.
2. After 36 weeks, keep your bag in the trunk of your car. Especially when you go to doctor’s appointments. You never know when you’ll go into labor, and you may not be able to go home to grab your bags first. I was sent straight to labor and delivery with my first born after my 41 week appointment because I was showing signs of preeclampsia and needed to be induced immediately. I am SO glad i had my bag in the car since our house was about 30 minutes away and there was no way my husband was leaving me at that point!
3. Use packing cubes like these! That way, you can separate your things, dad’s things and baby’s things. It makes things SO much easier to find and helps to keep the hospital room clutter free. I also like the laundry bags to keep dirty clothes in because things tend to get a little messy during child birth. Also, if you don want to throw your shoes away, you can put them in a bag to contain germs and wash them when you get home.
4. Bring this portable charger and wireless headphones. There will probably be lots of downtime while you’re waiting for babies arrival and even after your baby arrives because newborns sleep a lot. You will probably also want to take lots of photos and listen to some calming music on your birth playlist. So you’re going to want to make sure your phone stays nice and juiced up. My second was born during the Covid 19 pandemic, and the AirPods were so handy to make phone calls and FaceTime family who couldn’t come to the hospital to see Charlotte (especially when I had a sleeping baby on my chest).
5. BRING. A. HUGE. WATER. BOTTLE. WITH. A. STRAW. During labor, you cannot eat. If you’re like me, your labor could last 30 hours. It’s like running a marathon and you’re going to need to hydrate!! Having I straw makes it so much easier because you don’t have to lift up the huge water bottle when you’re exhausted from laboring.
6. Bring a medium sized zippered pouch (bonus if it’s clear) you can keep on the tray next to your hospital bed for things you want easy access to. I used and loved this one. I also found this less expensive one at Target. I used mine for lip balm, my phone charger, mints, gum, my ID and health insurance card, a pen to write in the baby book, hair ties, makeup wipes, etc.
7. Bring a portable fan. During labor, you’ll want a portable fan to cool you off. This one is awesome because it doubles as a stroller fan for baby on hot days! We use ours all the time.
8. Bring your AppleTV + HDMI cord. The hospital you’re delivering at likely has wifi, so you can bring your AppleTV along to entertain you! Just plug-in, hook up to wifi and enjoy all your usual shows!
9. Stay organized and don’t overpack!! Bring what you think will make you as comfortable as possible, but you really don’t need bags and bags of stuff! We brought one small suitcase, one tote bag for snacks and drinks and my purse which is also my diaper bag. I always feel way less stressed when I don’t have too much stuff to worry about or clutter up the room! Keep it simple!
10. Invest in a comfy robe, Lululemon Align leggings and a couple of good nursing bras.
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CLICK BELOW FOR A PDF DOWNLOAD OF MY HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST
Here is a detailed list of everything I brought to the hospital for my husband, my baby and myself:
Mom:
- Small zipper pouch for easy access to the following items:
- Makeup (if that’s your jam)
- Brush/curling iron/straightener/blow dryer (if that’s your jam)
- Slip on shoes (place by bag)
- Blanket
- Pillow w/ colored pillowcase so you don’t accidentally leave it at the hospital
- Toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, body
- wash, face cleanser, makeup wipes
- Towel
- Coming home outfit (Loose and comfortable + high-waisted)
- Nursing bras/tanks
- Socks with grip
- Slippers
- Pajamas
- Robe
- Shower sandals (cheap throwaways from Target or Old Navy)
- Face mask (if your hospital requires do to Covid 19)
- Huge water bottle with straw
- AppleTV/HDMI cord
- Laptop/iPad for entertainment
- Diaper bag (fully stocked for ride
- home just in case)
- Car Seat
- Car seat cover
- Nursing pillow
- Muslin blankets/swaddles
- Name sign or letterboard for photos
- Hats/ Bows
- Coming home outfits: one newborn size and one 0-3 months just in case!
- Gift for sibling
- White noise machine
- Baby book to get handprints/footprints
- Snacks: Chips, pretzels, protein bars, trail mix, crackers, apples,
- Drinks (gatorade, water bottle, soda- whatever hubby is into).
- Laptop to play games/watch movies + shows
- Blanket
- Sleep mask
- Pillow (with patterned/colored pillowcase so you don’t leave it behind)
- Toiletries
- Change of clothes
- Face mask (if your hospital requires due to Covid 19)
- Towel
- Insurance card/drivers license
- Blankets
- Camera + charger (if you are bringing in addition to phone)
- Journal (if you keep one)
- Pillows
- Toiletries
- Makeup bags (if you choose to bring makeup)
- Curling iron/blow drier/straightener (if you choose to bring those items)
- Phone chargers
- AirPods
- Laptop/iPad
- Slip-on shoes
- Coming home outfit
- Prenatal vitamins
- Lip mask
- Deodorant
- Face masks (if needed during Covid-19)
- If sibling sleeps with a “lovie” or a pacifier, don’t forget to send that along with him.
Phone charger (portable or extra long)
Lip mask/balm
Hand lotion
AirPods/wireless headphones
Handheld mirror
Phone
Pen
Insurance card/drivers license
Gum/mints
Prenantal vitamins
Hair ties/clips/scrunchies
Portable/USB chargeable fan
Silk eye mask
Baby:
Husband:
Throw-in Last Minute:
Last minute for sibling (if applicable):
Things You Probably Don’t Need
1. Diapers, wipes, supplies + multiple outfit changes for baby. Check with your hospital first, but most hospitals provide diapers, wipes and pretty much anything you will need in those first few days. Skin to skin is so important with newborns, so I like to keep my babies in their diaper to do that then swaddle them in their blanket for sleep in their bassinet. They will need an outfit to come home in.
2. Tons of clothes/pajamas for mom. If you give birth in a hospital, you will likely labor in a hospital gown. If you have a c-section, you will definitely give birth in a hospital gown. In the first few hours after birth, you’ll probably stay in your gown until you’re allowed to shower. you can then change into your own clothes. You’ll want something soft, nursing friendly, and dark in color because as I mentioned earlier, things get messy. For all my c-section mamas, button-up nightgowns and bathrobes worked best for me. There was no way I could have possibly put pants on or anything with a waist band. You’re going to be changing your pad/mesh underwear a lot so pants would just be inconvenient. And painful in my opinion. You will need a going home outfit. Think loose, nursing friendly and comfortable!
3. Postpartum supplies like pads, mesh underwear, adult diapers and peri bottles. The hospital provides all of that for you! Again, double check with your hospital, but this is pretty standard.
4. Your own hospital gown. This might be your thing, but I didn’t feel like I needed one.
5. Underwear. You will not need normal underwear. Trust me on this one.
6. Your own pillow. Some of you may want to bring your own, and if you do, use a colored pillow case so you know which is yours so you can bring it home. I did not bring our own and the ones at the hospital were just fine. To me, it just seemed like one more thing to grab last minute, carry in from the car and worry about bringing home. I WILL say, bringing a soft blanket is totally worth it! You will be doing lots of cuddling and the blankets at the hospital are not coy.
