As a first time mom, I was so curious and anxious as we waited to meet our little dude. In getting ready for him to get here, I started to pack up our hospital bag because It was something that helped ease my anxiety over the whole situation. I created a hospital bag checklist from all of the awesome info that my most trusted friends and family have given me. It helped me a TON to feel prepared, and feel like I had a better idea of what to expect…and it made my stay at the hospital SO MUCH BETTER. Hopefully this hospital bag checklist helps you to feel a little more prepared as to what to bring to the hospital when you’re having your baby too!
I actually packed in two bags. One bag had everything that Cam & I wanted to bring, yes I said Cam. I think every woman thinks of what they might want, but if your husband is able to stay at the hospital with you at all, having some goods for him will help a lot too! We live pretty close to our hospital, but not knowing what our situation was going to be like, we wanted me make sure we were set for both of us.
I also packed a bag for the baby. I know the hospital has everything the baby needs for the first few days as far as supplies go, but I wanted to make sure I had an outfit and swaddle we wanted for his pictures, as well as a hat and a pacifier. I brought two different outfits because I wanted to make sure what we had for him fit him.
I also know so many people who told me over and over again that you don’t really need to bring anything, and that the hospital has almost everything for free…which I completely get. However, I can promise you that I am not the just show up and see what the hospital has for us type person. It helps me to feel so much less stressed when I feel prepared in any situation, even if I don’t end up needing or using every single thing I pack. I think what we people WANT or need at the hospital probably depends on how long they plan on staying there. I knew we were going to stay two nights, and I’m happy to report I was REALLY happy with everything I brought with me, & I think I used just about everything.
MY HOSPITAL BAG
- light robe – I am bringing the black light weight one I LOVE from Cozy Earth (I have a %40 off discount code: CEMUNCHERCRUNCHER for all things Cozy Earth)
- a comfortable outfit to wear home – I brought just a black shift dress that I knew would fit comfortably no matter how I was feeling
- button down PJ’s to change into so you can still nurse & be comfy or a nursing nightgown. I am bringing the Cozy Earth black button down PJ’s & THIS nursing nightgown/house dress (The nightgown was a game changer)
- slippers to wear around the hospital – I wasn’t a fan of walking around the hospital getting my socks filthy, so I brought some slippers that had a sole on them like THESE
- comfy socks
- soft towel to use to shower – the towels at the hospital are tiny and rough, and YES I showered every day at the hospital. It helped me so much to feel a little bit more like myself.
- flip flops like THESE to wear in shower
- own pillow – I was SO happy I had this. It’s hard enough to sleep at the hospital, but to have your own pillow makes it so much better. Be sure that your husband has his too! His sleeping arrangements aren’t much better.
- own soft blanket – this was another thing that both Cam & I were so glad that we brought
- mom Frida disposable briefs – Ok, THESE are something I am %100 sold on. The hospital WILL give you mesh underwear that you can line with their diaper pads/tucks pads/ice packs etc, & it’s fine & free. HOWEVER…I will tell you this, it is one size fits all, and it’s not comfortable. I wore what they gave me for the first day and a half, & then I swapped with the mom Frida disposable briefs, and THEY WERE A GAME CHANGER. They fit so much better. They hold everything in so much better, & they are WAY more comfortable. I actually ended up buying some more for when I got home because I loved them so much. I would actually recommend the whole Mom Frida Postpartum Recovery kit. I think at first glance you might think…well the hospital will give me all of that, but everything in the kit is SO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT THE HOSPITAL HAS. It is WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Can I say that loud enough? I think childbirth is one of the most uncomfortable situations that women will ever go through, and ANYTHING to improve the discomfort is worth it. Now, that being said, I used it when I got home too, which has been awesome. GET THE KIT.
- other disposable underwear – now I also purchased THESE disposable underwear & I loved them. They were super easy to use, and it was nice to have options to help determine what I wanted to wear. I know a lot of people wore Depends and were totally happy with them, but I just liked the fit of these ones better.
- comfortable nursing bra/nursing sports bra – if you are planning on nursing it helps to have some good nursing bras that are still super comfortable. I wore THIS ONE for the first few days, & then I wore THESE ONES when I wanted a little more support.
- long iphone charger
- shampoo & conditioner
- brush
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- floss
- face wash
- moisturizer
- makeup remover wipes
- makeup
- shaving cream
- razor
- deodorant
- scrunchies/hair ties/headband/bobby pins to keep hair out of your face during delivery
- chapstick – This was the NUMBER one thing people told me to bring, and I was so glad I had it!
- snacks – THIS IS HUGE. Our hospital served food from 7-7, but we ended up going to bed after midnight or 1 every night, so having some of our own snacks was awesome, especially for my husband.
- stanley cup or hydroflask
- stool softener (my hospital provided one to me as part of my medication, but I wanted one just in case)
- nipple cream – I bought this one. It was highly recommended
- boppy (if nursing)
- eye mask if you have trouble sleeping – I didn’t remember to pack this and I REALLY wish I would have. There are so many monitors/lights/people coming in and out at night, it would have been super nice to have
- sound machine or sound machine app on your phone
- fire stick/tablet/lap top so you can relax when you have some down time
- an extra bag to bring home all the stuff the hospital gives you, the treats people bring you, etc.
BABY’S HOSPITAL BAG
- cute baby outfit for pictures (I’d recommend bringing two that are different sizes so you have something that fits them)
- swaddle or blanket for pictures
- pacifier
- car seat
- letter board, “hello my name is” tag, or something with the name you are choosing for photos