For anyone who missed it, I wrote a whole blog post before giving birth about what to pack in my hospital bag. I wanted to pack enough, so that I had options as well as my own personal items. The hospital provides a lot for you, but each hospital is different and I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible. Below, I have copied my original post but have written in bold next to each item whether or not I used it and if it was helpful or not. Hopefully this is helpful for any mama’s to be out there.
For Mom:
Clothing:
- Robe– Love this one from Pink Blush Maternity. Decided to go with black to keep me fully covered. I ended up not wearing this, but I have used it a lot since getting home.
- Night Gown– Can’t rave about this brand enough! Functional buttons and the softest material I’ve ever slept in. I was in my hospital gown the first two days (nurses made me wear that when I checked in until I was in the recovery room). After that, I wore this gown majority of the time. Really comfy, not restricting, and easy for breastfeeding.
- Underwear– Whatever you prefer. I know the hospital provides mesh undies as well! I actually wore the provided mesh undies the whole time in the hospital and the first couple days at home. Didn’t use any of the undies I brought but good to have just in case.
- Nursing Tanks– Grabbed both the Auden brand (from Target) and a few from A Pea in a Pod (which I think are even softer and roomier). I didn’t use these until I got home, since I was in my night gown most of the time and my milk wasn’t in yet, so I barely wore a bra. Once I got home I definitely used these! I prefer the tanks from A Pea in a Pod- much softer and stretchier.
- Nursing Bras– Got both regular and sports bra to have options. Auden brand from Target. I wore my Auden sports bra from Target in the hospital for when I left the room to walk around. Very comfortable. Since getting home, I ordered a 3 pack of nursing sports bras on Amazon too. I have been living in all of these! All linked below.
- Socks-Linked some grippy socks, which I’ve heard are great for the hospital. I personally didn’t use my socks because I didn’t buy any grippy socks before going to the hospital, so I just wore the ones they provided.
- Slippers– Linking both a pair from Amazon and Ugg slippers that have good soles for walking inside the hospital and outside. I wore my slippers the whole time once I was in the recovery room. Before that, I was mostly in the bed with the grippy socks on.
- Maternity Yoga Pants– I’ve been wearing these my entire pregnancy and definitely will afterwards. You can fold over or wear over a bump. Will be a good option for after delivery. From Pink Blush Maternity. Personally I didn’t feel like wearing pants in the hospital. Good to have in case I got cold, but I mostly wore pj shorts and night gown in the room and a maxi dress when we left the hospital.
- PJ shorts and PJ shirt– Love that these are functional buttons and super soft. Also, linked another favorite pair of PJ shorts. All from Target. These are a great option as well. I definitely recommend bringing a back up pair of PJ’s in case things get messy. These have been amazing for breastfeeding in the hospital and at home.
- Joggers– I threw in some joggers that I had from Old Navy to wear either at the hospital or when we leave. Like I mentioned above, I didn’t wear any of the pants I brought. Glad I had them just in case. I recommend maybe just bringing one pair of comfy pants.
- Oversized nursing friendly tops– I’ve added a few options here (both long and short sleeve) button downs. I ended up wearing the short sleeve button down top but not the long sleeve. Good to have a “real shirt” to change into other than PJ’s. We also had a photographer from the hospital do a photoshoot that we were not aware of beforehand. Would have been good to have a real pair of clothes to look decent for those photos ;).
- Shower Shoes– Any flip flops will do, but I love these from Target. Great for the pool too! These were a must for me! (Germaphobe here!)
- Nursing Pads– Haven’t used these yet, but my sister raves about both options that I’ve linked. Great for post-partum leaking. I didn’t need these in the hospital yet, since my milk wasn’t fully in yet. BUT ever since I got home, I haven’t gone a day or night without them! If you plan to pump or breastfeed, I highly recommend buying these before you have your baby, so you are ready to go when you get home from the hospital! I also later ended up buying disposable pads too because I was doing SO much laundry washing the other pads. Both are great though. All linked below.
- Going home shoes– Any that your prefer. I will probably throw in my Tory Burch Flats and some tennis shoes. I decided against bringing the nice shoes and just wore my target flip flops with my Amazon maxi dress (linked below) when we left the hospital.
- Amazon Maxi Dress– This dress has been my top seller ever since I got it at the beginning of my pregnancy. It is non-maternity, but worked for me in my true size from before I was showing, to 41 weeks, and even 2 days post partum. Wore this home and it was super roomy for my post partum belly and the black was great to cover everything up! 🙂
- Getaway Expandable Tote Bag – Click here to shop my Getaway bag. My pattern is sadly sold out, but I’ve linked a similar option. I swear by this bag! Whether it’s work, travel, or hospital bag, it is a MUST in my opinion. It was definitely helpful to bring to the hospital!
Click the images below to shop.
Click the images below to shop.
Toiletries:
- Make up– I plan to just bring my regular make up bag. I didn’t wear make up until we were in the recovery room. I put on mascara one day and then a little bit of make up the day we left, just to feel myself again. Like I mentioned above, if I knew we were going to have a photoshoot, I would have used more of my make up.
- Make up wipes– I love these Neutrogena make up removers. These are always a must in my opinion. I had on makeup when I first got to the hospital so I used these to take that make up off and then again in the recovery room.
- Dry Shampoo– Grabbed this Bastiste Dry Shampoo to bring because nothing drives me more insane than greasy hair! I used this probably once or twice. However, I did shower almost every day to make myself feel better.
- Shower Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, lotion. Travel size would be ideal. These are all a must for me. They didn’t provide any of this and I always need my own shower stuff.
- Tooth Brush and toothpaste– Obviously whatever you prefer. Travel size toothpaste would be ideal. Definitely, yes!
- Towel and wash cloth: I’ve linked a dark set to hide any post birth fluids (so pleasant, I know, but the truth!). I know the hospital has these, but I prefer to have my own. So so glad I brought my own dark towel and wash cloth. Austin didn’t bring his own and said he wished he did. The hospital towels were extremely small and very thin.
- Towel wrap: I also threw in a velcro towel wrap just in case. The easier the better after birth! I didn’t use this, but it would be super helpful. I recommend either this or a towel, maybe not both.
- Brush– Whatever brush you prefer. I bought an extra one to throw in my bag ahead of time, so I didn’t forget it. This is also a must for me!
- Lip Balm: I am obsessed with this Aquafor Lip Balm. Super healing and goes on looking like a light gloss too:). I don’t think I used this until maybe the recovery room, but it’s always a must-have for me in my purse!
- Depends: I know most people choose to use the mesh undies and pads the hospital provides (which I may also do), but I’ve heard these are also a good option to have, especially at night time. Definitely good to have these. I used them at night when I got home. Didn’t use them in the hospital because the nurses set me up with what they offered.
- Nipple Cream: Obviously haven’t used this yet, but I know it will be so helpful for breastfeeding. I used this a couple times in the hospital and definitely when I got home. It is most helpful in the beginning stages when your milk hasn’t fully come in since your nipples are pretty dry.
- Perineal Spray: If I delivery vaginally (which is the plan), I have heard this spray is so helpful and comforting for healing after birth. I have used this almost every time I go to the restroom. It is cooling and helpful for healing! Definitely recommend this and/or Tucks wipes!
- Cardigan: Click here to shop my cardigan shown in the pic below. Threw this in my bag in case I am cold. Good to have, but I didn’t use it because it was too complicated for me to have a lot of layers on with everything going on with my body. The least amount of layers, the better!
Click the images below to shop.
Misc:
- Snacks: Trail mix, bars, beef jerky (for hubs), other easy grab-n-go snacks. This is mostly for husbands. I wasn’t able to eat majority of the time in labor. Once in the recovery room, we had family bring us food and coffee and there was also a 24 hour cafe where we could get food. I recommend bringing a few easy snacks too!
- 10 ft phone charger: Grabbed this 3 pack off of Amazon. Always good to have back ups. This is also a must for both you and husband!
- Pillows: We are both bringing our own pillows. I’m so glad we brought our own pillows! It made the hospital bed more comfortable. It was also helpful to have a different color pillow case other than white but not 100% necessary.
- Boppy and cover: This will be great for holding baby and learning to nurse in the hospital. I mostly used a regular pillow in the hospital especially during the night to feed her. I would say this is helpful to have for feeding and when visitors hold your baby but not 100% necessary until you get home.
- Nursing/Carseat cover: Got mine from Copper Pearl. Unfortunately can’t link, but they are so cute! We didn’t use this in the hospital, but I’ve used it whenever we go anywhere to cover carseat and to feed in public.
- Laptop and charger: For shows, work, journaling, etc. If anything, this would be good for hubby. I was too busy either with baby or sleeping to use the laptop. Austin did get a little bored though, so this would be helpful!
- Headphones: Great for blocking out noise or when trying to rest. I didn’t use these because I would have had to constantly take them out with the nurses coming in and out and needed to hear baby cry once she was born. Austin didn’t use them either because he needed to hear when I called his name! Haha! 😉
- Sleeping mask and earbuds: Grabbed this set off Amazon. Life changer when trying to sleep, especially in a busy hospital. Definitely used this eye mask every time I went to sleep. Super helpful for quickly falling back to sleep between nurses coming in and out and between feedings once baby was born.
- Extra bag: We will probably throw an extra tote in the car for everything that the hospital gives us. We ended up leaving our extra tote in the car, but we shoved everything from the hospital in our other bags;). We didn’t have an overwhelming amount from the hospital to bring back, but I asked the nurses for some extra ice packs and mesh undies before we left.
- Insurance Card/ID: Can’t forget these and your hospital registration forms if required. I did my registration online, so I didn’t need to bring my paperwork with me. I don’t think they asked for my insurance card either, but I always keep that in my wallet just in case!
- Envelop for baby birth certificate: I just threw a couple regular big white envelops for the important documents. You don’t get your birth certificate in the hospital (newbie here!) BUT we got a lot of papers and important info that we needed to keep in a safe place. The hospital gave us a folder with some forms, but it was helpful to have an extra envelope or two!
- Fan: Austin and I both can’t sleep without a fan now. Even though we probably won’t be sleeping in the hospital, it will be good to have air and noise! Austin used this fan by him at night and it definitely helped both of us sleep!
Click the images below to shop.
Baby:
- Onesies: I threw in 2 white onesies for the basics. The hospital puts baby in long sleep tees, so we didn’t use our onesies, but good to have one!
- Going home outfit: I will share the exact outfits we got after she’s born, since we got them monogrammed and aren’t sharing her name yet. If you are local, we got our monogrammed night gown and hat from Baby Braithwaite, which she wore when we went home. They have also been great for sleeping. The nightgown also buttons into pants.
- Bow/headband and gown: I threw in this adorable Posh Peanut gown and headband (can’t link this unfortunately). This is what we used for her announcement pictures, and it was so cute! The headband we got is a little big for a newborn, but it worked for pictures:).
- Swaddle Blanket: The hospital will provide swaddles, but I wanted to throw in this blanket because it was too cute. (Unfortunately, can’t link this exact blanket either, but linked a similar option). We swaddled her in this a couple times, but the nurses mostly used their blankets to swaddle her.
- Blanket– We got a precious monogram blanket that we want to bring for pictures when she’s born. My mom got a precious white and pink monogram blanket off of Etsy, and we used it for the photography pictures.
- Car Seat: We went with the Uppa Baby Mesa Carseat. We have loved this carseat so far!
- Baby Canvas for footprints: Such a cute gift from a friend and can’t wait to stamp baby girl’s foot. We didn’t have a chance to do this in the hospital, but we finally did it when she was two weeks at home! The hospital also stamps her feet on paper when she’s born.
- Paci’s– I tossed in a couple of the Avent brand for the hospital. We have other options at home too. I quickly learned that people have different opinions on using a paci that early with newborns. Our lactation consultant advised not using one until about one month if you want to exclusively breastfeed. The nurse said it didn’t matter, and they asked us if we wanted them to use the paci when she got fussy in the nursery (if she wasn’t hungry). They provide paci’s (usually Soothies) and used them when needed. She hasn’t had any problems with nipple confusion, and we still use paci’s (soothies/wubbanubs and Mam brand so far) at home. All that to say, the hospitals provide paci’s, but if you have a preference, I recommend bringing your own too.
- Socks: Baby socks for the little toes, of course! A couple pairs are good to have for baby!
- Mittens: Some hospitals may not let you use these on babies and some say it’s fine. Mostly for preventing scratches on baby’s face from their own finger nails. We brought these but didn’t use them. Haven’t used them at home yet but some of her onesies have the sleeves that fold over into mittens and that has helped her not scratch her face.
Click the images below to shop.
Monogram Hat & Gown: Baby Braithwaite
Daddy:
- Air Mattress: We were planning to bring this but after our hospital tour last night, we confirmed that they do have a couch and not much room for air mattress, so we will leave this at home. (Ask your hospital just in case).
- Sheets: Hospital provides these, so we will also leave these at home.
- Blanket: For husband to sleep. More comfortable to have your own. Linked Barefoot Dreams blanket, but may throw an older one in too just in case. This was great for Austin to have to sleep more comfortably. I didn’t use a blanket from home because I didn’t want it to get messed up with everything going on if ya know what I mean ;)!
- Pillow: For husband to sleep. YES!
- Athletic Shorts x 2-3: I’m sure this will be all Austin will wear in the hospital. This was true. Maybe more in case you stay longer like we did.
- Sweat Pants x 2: In case he gets cold and for lounging around. Also told to bring a sweatshirt. You never know how cold the rooms will be. Austin did end up wearing sweatpants.
- T-shirts x 3-4 (day time and sleeping): For Austin to wear during day and night. He wished he would have brought a few more since we stayed longer, than we thought. I recommend throwing in one or two extras in case.
- Toiletries: He will share shower stuff with me, but will bring his own personal toiletries.
- Slippers: For comfort in hospital room. He used these the whole time.
- Shoes: He will probably bring a pair of flip flops and tennis shoes. He brought tennis shoes to go home.
- 10 ft charger: This will be so helpful for us each to have our own. This was a must for him too to reach to his bed.
