What You Really Need in Your Hospital Bag

If this is your first baby, knowing what to pack in your hospital bag can be quite overwhelming. I looked at SO MANY lists before packing my own bag. Some were so excessive and others felt like an excuse to make a blog post, missing some really key details. This transition in life is super exciting, but can also leave you with more questions than answers. I’ll share with you my hospital bag must-have’s as well as other items that may be helpful to consider as you pack your own. Ideally, I’d recommend packing your hospital bag by the start of your third trimester — before you get too tired and are still riding that second trimester wave of energy. 

Definite YES to: 

• Cloud Slides or Shower Sandals
  You’re going to want a pair of sandals that you don’t mind getting wet in the shower. I really dislike showering away from home, but believe me, you’re going to want to shower at the hospital and that first one will make you feel like a million dollars. You don’t need CLOUD branded slides (there are plenty of dupes out there), but the extra cushioning feels amazing. My husband put his foot in one out of curiosity and now wishes he had a pair for around the house. 🙂

• Additional Bag for Hospital Items
  If you haven’t already heard it ten times, make sure to take home all of the things from your hospital stay. You may not use it all, but the nurses provide a lot of items you never knew you needed for healing. Your own bag will most likely be full so bring an extra tote for all of the miscellaneous necessities. 

• Robe or Comfy Jammies
  We checked in on a Friday and left on Sunday. Although our stay was rather short, you may want to change into your own clothing at some point. I used the hospital gowns most of the time because, let’s face it… you’re going to be leaking everywhere. Wait until you get a handle on things before putting on your own comfy jams. I ordered a robe and a few pajama sets from Kindred Bravely that are comfortable long after delivery.

• Going Home Outfit for Baby (No Swaddles in Car seat)
  You will need to pack an outfit for baby to go home in. Just remember, he/she will not be able to go in the car seat in a swaddle so ideally, whatever you decide to bring, make sure it is appropriate for the car ride home. I’m a huge fan of these sets by Lou Lou & Co. If it’s cold outside, also bring a warm suit and/or cover for baby’s car seat.

• Toiletries
  I usually keep a mini travel kit in my suitcase to avoid having to pack up all of my regular sized product every time we go out of town. I highly recommend putting together a mini shower kit if you don’t already have one made up so that all of your favorite products are ready to go when baby decides it’s time. The easier you can make things on your future self, the better.

• Grippy Socks
  These are great for the hospital and practical for those slippery floors! Our hospital provided a pair, but I recommend packing a pair or two of your own just in case.

• Nursing Pillow
  If your plan is to breastfeed, bring your nursing pillow. Most of them come in plastic, portable cases so all you need to do is wash the cover in a baby safe detergent before you leave.

• Intimates
  If you plan to breastfeed, bring several nursing bras. It’s important not to keep the same bra on for too long if you are nursing your baby and you never know how long your hospital stay will be. If not breastfeeding, you will want to make sure you have some comfortable sports bras with you. The hospital will provide you with mesh underwear so don’t sweat it if you don’t know what underwear to pack. If anything, buy an inexpensive pack that you’ll feel comfortable in that you don’t plan to wear again in the future. Don’t go into it expecting to fit into your pre pregnancy size immediately after delivery.

• Insulated Water Bottle 
  The labor and delivery nurses will be in and out a LOT and they will always bring you more water. They are angels. Some of them are more frequent than others so I really enjoyed having an insulated water bottle with me to keep it cold until the next refill. 

• Packing Cubes 
  If you’ve never used packing cubes before, they are amazing! It was so nice to have my intimates, pajamas, and baby clothes organized into separate cubes for quick access. I love this set from Mark & Graham.

• Phones and Phone Chargers with Long Charging Cable

• Contacts and/or Glasses

• Travel Blowdryer (if your hospital doesn’t stock them)

• Going Home Outfit for Mom

• Baby’s Car Seat

Other items you may be considering:

• Feminine Care Products for After Birth
  The hospital will have ALL of these things and even send you home with more! You do not need to pack your own. I will say, I’ve used the hospital kits and even the “ice pack diaper” hack, and after all of that, I still prefer the FridaMom Postpartum kit. It feels like a spa day. Is it necessary? No, but it may be worth adding to your registry so you can use it as soon as you get home. 🙂

• Baby Things
  Diapers, wipes, onesies… the hospital literally has all of the baby things. You don’t need to bring your own. If it gives you peace of mind, you can call them ahead of time to confirm what will be available in the room. 

• Cute Outfit to Photograph Baby In
  You may see this noted on other lists and this is totally your call. Our hospital gave us a white Halo swaddle to use while we were there so any photos I took of Leo, I took while he was swaddled. It was neutral and non-distracting so it worked just fine for my tastes. 
  
  I had the best intentions of taking a photo of Leo in a cute Lou Lou & Co. swaddle and cap, but did not end up putting him in it. Honestly, the stay was a whirlwind and it just wasn’t where I put my focus. Do I wish I had taken more photos while we were in the hospital? Of course, but you are only human. Love on that baby first and foremost and give yourself grace when it comes to all the rest. This is what a motherhood photographer is for 🙂

• Breast Pump
  If you plan on pumping, the hospital brings a pump to your room. It’s not necessary to bring your own unless you’d like help from the LC learning to use it, or even sizing you for the correct flanges. 

• Makeup
  Lots of opinions about this. This is one you might really need to think about. Is makeup a big priority in your daily life? Would you rather be caught dead than at Target on a Saturday with NO makeup? Will you be taking lots of photos with family and friends while in the hospital? If you answered yes to any of these, then you might want to consider packing it. 
  
  Everyone and their mother told me I was going to want to have makeup with me to take a nice photo with baby. Well, guess what? I never put makeup on in the hospital. I wear makeup most days and only on weekends if we go out for dinner or if I know I might want to take a lot of pictures somewhere fun. I didn’t find it to be a priority at the hospital. I labored for over 36 hours so it took every last bit of energy I had to get in that shower, LOL. I did not have it in me to put on a face. 
  
  If you DO pack makeup, I highly recommend buying travel size versions of everything you use regularly so that you don’t have to worry about grabbing it when you start going into labor. It will give you peace of mind knowing that everything is all ready to go. Another way to look at it? If you go into labor away from home and your husband has to grab your bag, would he know what else to grab that you were just planning on throwing in last minute? No offense to men, but I wouldn’t count on it. If it’s your first, he’s going to have a lot running through his head and so will you!

• Snacks
  Pack a few portable snacks, but don’t go overboard. Even if you don’t like the hospital food, you can always order pizza or GrubHub. We brought WAY too many snacks and only used a few things. 

• Anything you might want to put baby’s footprints on

Checklist for Dad:

• 3-4 comfortable outfits
• Pajamas
• Pillow
• Toiletries
• Shower Flip flops
• Gift for Her or “push present”
• Insulated Water Bottle