As I’m approaching my 6th baby delivery, I’m sharing my “Hospital Bag Checklist For Mom” so you have all the prepared essentials!
Nearly 10 years ago when I went to the hospital to deliver our first baby, I remember reading these extensive lists of what to bring to the hospital for labor and delivery. And although helpful, these extras really weren’t necessary as I took a more (somewhat) minimalist approach of what to bring for babies number 2-5 (and now nearly 6). I also realized there were items I wish I had brought to make my time in labor and delivery a little easier or more convenient. For example, I could’ve skipped all the extra outfits for myself and instead packed an extension cord so all my devices were easier to reach! You live and you learn. Here are my favorite hospital bag must-haves!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
Hospital Bag Checklist For Mom And Baby
- Nursing Bra – Even if you skip bringing any item of clothing and decide to live in the hospital gown during your stay, and you plan on breastfeeding, bring a comfortable nursing bra! You’ll be feeding your newborn so often, that a nursing bra for easy access is a must-have for your hospital bag. I love this one from Target- it’s so comfortable, lightweight, wireless, and still offers support.
- Nipple Cream – If you are planning on breastfeeding, having a natural nipple cream to help with soreness is key! Especially if you’re a first time mom, it can be quite a surprise how quickly you can get sore from your new little peanut’s latch. This nipple cream is amazing. It’s all natural- free of petroleum, preservatives, and lanolin, it smells nice, and it’s super effective. I love the natural key ingredients in this product- shea butter, mango butter, calendula extract, beeswax, olive oil, and cocoa butter. I’ve used it for all 5 of my newborns (and definitely going to for this next baby!), and I highly recommend it.
- Cloth Nursing Pads – In the very beginning stages of nursing, when you’re breastfeeding around the clock and susceptible to being pretty sore, I’ve found it super helpful to have these cloth nursing pads tucked into a nursing bra. They’re much softer than the disposables (which, trust me, helps a LOT with sore nipples), they’re washable, and they protect your nursing bra from the nipple butter oils as well as leaks (remember your milk supply takes a few days to truly kick in). As time goes on, and you get more accustomed to breastfeeding and less sore, a disposable nursing pad might be preferred- I’ve liked both of these: one and two.
- Nursing Pillow – I’ve always skipped bringing extra pillows to the hospital because I didn’t want the extra bulk to bring with, however, a solid nursing pillow makes your life SO much easier when first breastfeeding your baby. The support is so much better than any regular pillow, and I honestly couldn’t imagine nursing in the newborn stage without one! A nursing pillow is a definite hospital bag must-have! I’ve always used the Boppy and loved it. It comes in an organic option, original without cover, and many patterned options. I also suggest getting an extra cover like this soft white penny dot cover to make laundry easier once you’re home!
- After Birth Contraction Supplement – Before I delivered my babies, I never even knew that after birth contractions were even a thing. I figured once the baby is out, contractions were over. Oh boy was I wrong. This doesn’t effect everyone, and it didn’t even effect me horribly the first time, but every baby after that my after birth contractions were HORRIBLE. Nearly just as painful as labor contractions. I discovered this Wishgarden Herbs AfterEase Organic Supplement during my last delivery and it helped so much. (I also looked up easy acupressure points that I could do on my own during these postpartum contractions and I feel like the combo helps a TON. Look up acupressure spot Li4.)
- Travel Bottles For Toiletries (And Toiletries!)– You can find little sets of travel bottles from Amazon/Target and many other places, but I like using the empty travel size bottles for all of my toiletries to keep packing light for my 2 day stay in the hospital. Plus, I like using as many natural products that I can (and avoiding the hospital’s products). I usually fill up and pack small bottles of my favorite natural shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, toothpaste, night cream, coconut oil/almond oil (for makeup removal), face wash, baby shampoo (I love knowing my baby’s first bath is with natural ingredients and free of anything questionable!), and baby lotion. I also always pack a little of my favorite organic all-purpose balm that’s especially helpful for any cuts, dry skin, or anywhere your skin gets particularly stretched/sore during delivery. (And if you don’t feel like washing your hair until you’re home and in your own shower- this dry shampoo, and this spray conditioner help spruce up your hair in the meantime).
- Additional Toiletries/Essentials – LIP BALM (your lips can get very dry in the hospital and this one is my must-have, can’t live without, lips haven’t been chapped in years thanks to this, lip balm), contact solution, contacts and contact case, glasses and glasses case, and eye drops! (Sometimes your eyes can get very dry due to the hospital, hormones, or dozing on and off- I highly suggest bringing lubricating eye drops just in case!). Sometimes your eyes can also get pretty red/irritated during the end of pregnancy or after delivery, so I also pack a small bottle of red eye relief eye drops just in case I need it, especially for pictures with my new babe!). Deodorant, hand sanitizer (to keep nearby and for any visitors- plus this coconut and lemon one is gentle on hands, effective, and smells amazing), hair brush, and a small makeup bag of my everyday makeup essentials (to help me feel a little more put-together after pushing out a small human).
- Herbal Perineal Spray– You will need this. Trust me. Your body goes through a whole lotta pressure, pain, and stretching down there, that any type of natural perineal spray will help soothe where you’re sore (and it’s free of all the questionable ingredients in the spray the hospital gives you!).
- Extra “Luxuries” That Help – I always bring an eye mask so I get the best sleep possible in the hospital – which can be tricky when there may be random lights blinking or light peaking under the door (I linked a few good eye masks in this post about Pregnancy Must-Haves), a natural lavender room spray (so my room smells more spa-like and less hospital-like), either slippers/sandals to walk around in (otherwise just rock the hospital socks!), and a mini portable fan because your hormones will be all out of whack and you’re very likely to be freezing one minute and sweating the next (this can happen for a couple weeks once you’re back home too).
- Scrunchie – Basic, but an essential for a hospital bag checklist for mom so you can have your hair tied back during all that hard work!
- Devices, Chargers And An Extension Cord! – Pack your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, (camera if bringing one other than your phone), whichever devices will fill your time in the hospital (you may want to relax and watch a show, or stay busy and get some work/organizing done, and of course take a ton of pictures when the baby arrives!), and be sure to pack ALL of the chargers necessary. It’s always helpful to bring an extension cord because you never know how close a free outlet will be to your hospital bed!
- Vitamins (Plus A Natural Laxative) – I always pack the same prenatal vitamins, fish oil, probiotics, collagen, and magnesium supplements as I take during pregnancy. My body has been in a groove of taking these and I don’t want to switch anything up right away. Plus, after labor and delivery your body is pretty depleted, so boosting nutrients via supplements is a great way to get your body back on track. Plus, the magnesium supplement acts as a natural laxative, which is a better option that the laxatives that the hospital may provide! (I go into more detail on each of these supplements in THIS POST). I simply divide up all of these supplements in a couple of snack size bags and place in the fridge so they’re ready to go as I head out the door to the hospital.
- Clothes For Mom – The only necessity is really just the outfit you’re going home in! The hospital provides hospital gowns, which is sufficient enough when you’re basically wearing a hospital diaper and breastfeeding every couple hours. However, if you want to spruce things up, especially if you’re having visitors, bring something comfortable, and include a nursing top if you’re going to breastfeed. Technically not even a nursing top, but I always pack this great Amazon find that’s a lightweight, loose fitting, button down top which is comfortable, easy to breastfeed in, and stylish enough to go home in! A simple robe works well for nursing and looks nicer than the hospital gown for pictures, but I would skip your “nicer” robe and keep that for home.
- Postpartum Belly Band– Not a necessity, but definitely helpful to provide support is a postpartum belly band. I’ve used expensive ones and inexpensive ones, and I think either can get the job done. It’s nice to leave the hospital with that extra support in your midsection.
- Clothes For Baby – Okay, this is where it’s easy (and fun!) to go a bit overboard bringing a closet full of newborn clothes with to the hospital because they are just too darn cute, but in reality, the “take me home” outfit is the only thing you really need. Having an extra change of baby clothes for pictures of course is adorable to have on hand, and a newborn hat (maybe a sweet headband for a baby girl!), is always a nice extra! The hospital usually provides a little hospital onesie that is easy for diaper changes, but if you’d rather have baby in his/her own little jammies, these baby kimono gowns are great for easy diaper changes. If you have a baby in the winter months, a nice wool hat is helpful for when you bring baby out into the cold for the first time.
- Swaddle – The hospital will have a swaddle blanket, but I prefer to bring my own for pictures- for both having the baby swaddled up or laying the baby on top of the spread out swaddle blanket (vs. the hospital blanket). A muslin bamboo swaddle is so soft and also very breathable.
- Pacifier – If you plan on using a pacifier, there are so many cute options in natural rubber (which I’ve always preferred!)- look into brands like Hevea, Natursutten, Frigg, and Bibs.
- Car Seat – Don’t forget to bring the car seat for taking the baby home! I’ve switched ours up over the years and my favorite has been the Nuna Pipa.
- Car Seat Cover (For Winter Babies) – You could always have a nice warm blanket to snuggly tuck your baby into their car seat for the winter months, but these winter car seat covers are easy, super warm and cozy, and you don’t need to worry about blankets coming loose.
- The Boring Stuff – ID’s , Insurace Card, etc.
- Snacks! – I always pack some of my favorite snacks- chocolate bars for a “you did it!” treat, trail mix, and I even take my kids’ fruit-veggie squeezies because it’s nice to get some simple form of veggies and fruit without relying on the hospital meny
- Extras – Consider extras that you may want that the hospital may or may not have. For example, our hospital always provides huge water bottles so I skip bringing my own, but definitely check on that because you’ll want to have a big water bottle nearby at all times. And the hospital will of course have diapers, but if you’d rather bring your own (I always do!) I love these diapers for the newborn stage!
All in all, the hospital will have most things that are necessary for your stay, but you’ll definitely want to make your stay feel a little more like home while you enjoy your first day or 2 with your little one! Sometimes it’s those “extras” that make your stay much more enjoyable! I hope you found these suggestions helpful! Now off to pack my hospital bag for the 6th time!!
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