You’ve reached the exciting phase of pregnancy where you’re ticking off items from your third-trimester to-do list and contemplating what essentials to pack in your hospital bag for the impending labor.
The prospect of going into labor can be daunting, and the last thing you want is to scramble to pack amidst contractions. I strongly advise getting your hospital bag ready during the third trimester, ensuring preparedness for when the moment arrives.
For first-time moms, deciding what to include can be challenging. Some tend to overpack, while others may find themselves underprepared. I definitely overpacked for my hospital stay with my son. Drawing from personal experience, here’s a comprehensive guide to what to pack for mom, baby, and your birthing partner.
Table of Contents
Mom
Important Documents: Don’t forget your driver’s license, health insurance card, and debit or credit card. These essentials ensure smooth admission into the hospital. While meals are typically provided for the breastfeeding mom, having money for your partner’s meals can be a lifesaver.
Birth Plan: If you created a birth plan for labor and delivery, make sure you bring a copy of it to share with your nurse. By having a physical copy, the nurse can ensure that it gets followed and can hand it off to anyone else involved in your care.
Prenatal and Other Medications: Contrary to popular belief, prenatal vitamins are not just for during pregnancy. The extra vitamins are also recommended to take postpartum and throughout your breastfeeding journey, so be sure to pack these in your hospital bag. If there are any other medications that you must take on a daily basis, make sure to pack those as well!
Toiletries: Pack all your essentials for taking a shower, washing your face, skincare, haircare, etc. While the hospital does have basic toiletries, they are not the best. If you’re anything like me, you might be picky about what products you use. I recommend stocking up on travel sizes of your favorite products so that you are not lugging around full-size bottles.
I recommend bringing travel sizes of your shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, hair brush, hair ties or clips, face wash and other facial skincare, LOTION, hand lotion, CHAPSTICK, makeup for doing professional pictures with your newborn, deodorant, and oral care such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc.
Shower Flip Flops: As a nurse myself, I do not trust the shower floors in hospitals. Pack a pair of flip-flops to wear in the shower for postpartum so you can keep your feet clean.
Extra Long Phone Charger: The outlets closest to mom’s bed tend to be used by medical staff for their equipment. Bring an extra long phone charger so that you can plug your phone in to charge and still be able to reach it.
Pen: There will be A LOT of people coming in and out of your room postpartum and A LOT of paperwork to fill out. It’s also a good idea to have something to write on as you will be fed a lot of information after birth that you may want to write down. If you’re anything like me, you will be completely out of it after giving birth and not in a place to remember a thousand different things.
Pajama Gown with Buttons: I recommend getting a gown to sleep in that also has buttons on the front. Postpartum, your nurse will be doing cervix checks, so the gown allows for easy access. I also recommend the buttons in the front as they make it easier for breastfeeding.
Lounge Clothes: For the next few weeks, you will likely want to be dressed as comfortably as possible. Bring a cute matching lounge outfit for postpartum so you can feel a little better while still being comfortable.
Jacket: Hospitals are freezing cold. I have yet to visit a hospital that is not. They do this as an infection prevention method. I highly recommend bringing a zip-up jacket to keep you warm while maintaining easy access for breastfeeding and skin-to-skin.
Socks with Grips: Another note on hospitals being freezing, pack a pair of socks to keep your feet warm. I recommend ones with grips on the bottom so that you don’t slip when you get out of bed.
Going Home Outfit: Pick a cute but comfortable outfit for going home in. It’s unlikely that you’ll want to stop anywhere on the way home with your newborn, but you may want a cute video of your new family leaving the hospital.
Nursing Bras: As your milk supply starts to come in your breasts will become engorged and tender. You’ll want to bring bras with you to give you a little more support and hold your ladies in place. Nursing bras are designed specifically with the breastfeeding mother in mind so that they easily unclip so you can access your breasts.
Nursing Pads: Since your milk will likely start to come in while you are still in the hospital, you may want to pack a few nursing pads with you. These get placed in your bra and prevent milk from staining your clothing.
Nipple Cream: I highly recommend bringing this with you as you will want to use it as soon as you are done with your first nursing session. While your nipples may still be fine, it’s important to start using this as soon as possible to prevent future cracking or blistering.
Nursing Pillow: If you feel comfortable using a normal pillow or rolled-up blanket to help position your baby during breastfeeding, you may not want to tug this along with you. However, I find that using a nursing pillow is extremely helpful in getting your baby in an optimal feeding position. It is also great for first-time moms who may want to experiment with different feeding positions to find what works best for them.
Granny Panties: I don’t feel as though this is a necessity, but I know a lot of people prefer this. Personally, I used and went home in the disposable underwear that the hospital provided me with. However, some people find that having their own underwear is more comfortable, so whatever suits your fancy!
Snacks: After giving birth, you will be provided with room service meals, included in your stay. Snacks are good to have if you have specific dietary concerns or if your significant other needs food, as only mom’s meals are covered under the hospital stay.
Breast Pump: NOT NECESSARY, but recommended for first-time moms. It is advised not to start pumping until a few weeks into your established breastfeeding routine. However, when I gave birth to my son, I did bring my breast pump with me. As a first-time mom, I had no idea how my pump worked or what settings to use, so I had my lactation consultant in the hospital show me.
Water Cup: Another product that is not necessary, but convenient. The hospital will likely have large water cups that they can provide you with and will refill them for you. Personally, I like having my own cup from home as a comfort item.
Blanket and Pillow- The last item to consider bringing is your own blanket and pillow from home. The hospital has these, but some people prefer their own for comfort.
Baby
Car Seat and Stroller: If you forget everything else on this list, at least remember this on your newborn checklist! A car seat and a stroller are a MUST for taking your baby home, for obvious reasons. I recommend getting a travel system where the car seat can click straight into your stroller so you don’t have to wake your newborn when transferring them into the car.
Footed Onesies: Let’s rewind to my earlier point about hospitals being freezing cold! It’s a good idea to pack a few footed onesies for your newborn to keep them warm. I recommend only investing in the onesies that zip up as the button ones are very time-consuming during diaper changes. I also love these onesies as they have parts on the sleeves that cover your newborn’s hands and take the place of needing mittens.
Swaddles: The blankets that the hospital provides are stiff and not the most comfortable for a baby. I recommend bringing at least 2 swaddles for your baby. A normal swaddle blanket may take some getting used to for first-time parents. Another alternative is velcro swaddles, as they are much easier to navigate. However, keep in mind what size you purchase. My son weighed 6 lbs at birth and did not fit well in the Velcro swaddles until he was a little bit bigger.
Going Home Outfit: Pack a cute outfit for your newborn for the ride home! This is one of the most exciting journeys a person can experience, so make it memorable! You may also want to pack an extra cute outfit if you plan on taking newborn pictures while in the hospital.
Hat or Bows: Newborns lose heat fast through their heads. I highly recommend bringing a cute hat for your newborn or some of those thick bow headbands to keep your newborn warm. Your hospital may also have hats for your baby; however, I prefer something a little cuter.
Socks and Mittens: If you have the footed onesies that also have hand mitts, then you don’t need to pack these with you. However, having one pair of each may come in handy if you have other outfits that you plan on putting your newborn in.
Portable Sound Machine: Newborns love white noise. It reminds them of the noises they hear in their mother’s womb and can be very comforting. Having a portable sound machine is nice to have to promote better sleep and can even make for an easier car ride home.
Diaper Cream: Your hospital will likely have cream if your newborn develops a rash; however, the brand they provide is not my favorite. I opted for an all-natural diaper balm rather than diaper cream for my newborn.
Pacifier: Some parents prefer not to use pacifiers. I felt like this before having my son as well. However, after having to go under bili lights in the hospital and me not being allowed to hold him to comfort him, we introduced the pacifier. I loved the Nuk pacifiers as they promote healthy oral development.
Dad or Birth Partner
Photo ID: A MUST for your partner to be allowed to stay in the hospital with you.
Change of Clothes: Your hospital stay will likely be anywhere from 2-4 days long, so have your partner pack enough clothes for that length of time.
Phone Charger: It’s a good idea for your partner also to have an extra long phone charger. However, if you only have a standard-size charger for your partner, it will be fine since they will be capable of moving more than you will.
Toiletries: Your partner is less likely to want a shower while in the hospital, but they will still want their daily toiletries such as deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Snacks and Money: Back to my point from earlier, the hospital stay only covers meals for mom, so your partner will want to bring their own snacks or money for food from the hospital cafeteria.
Tip: Most hospitals will provide you with the basics for postpartum recovery and newborn care. This includes sanitary pads, numbing spray, witch hazel wipes, peri bottles, belly bands, diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, and baby blankets. If you’re still unsure, ask on your hospital tour which of these items will be provided for you! Remember, you’re already paying a lot of money for your hospital stay, so take advantage of freebies where you can! I asked my nurse to provide me with extra of these items so I could have some at home too!
Preparing your hospital bag is a pivotal step as you approach your due date. By having everything ready in advance, you can alleviate some of the stress and focus on the journey ahead. Remember, every mom’s needs are different, so customize your bag according to your preferences and necessities. With thorough preparation, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on this remarkable chapter of motherhood.
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