What’s In My Hospital Bag

**NOTE: Updated this post to reflect what I actually used, what I didn’t need and wished I brought!

We are currently in week 36 so the countdown has begun and baby boy only has 4 more weeks until his appearance! I wanted to pack ahead of time in case of an early arrival so we can be prepared. I am a first-time mom so I am no expert, but I did a ton of research on this topic and made sure to ask friends and family for their advice. Below is a checklist of everything we packed for the hospital for Dan, baby and I!

FOR MAMA

I had a lot of people tell me that you want to bring clothing items that are dark colored and wouldn’t mind if they got ruined due to there being extra bodily fluids. So everything on my list for clothing (Robe, Pajamas, Camis, Pants, etc.) are black or dark grey for that reason! This duffle bag was a perfect size to bring! I put all the toiletries/snacks in Dan’s bag since he wasn’t needing to bring much.

TIP: Try and use packing cubes. I divided up my nursing items, underwear/socks/slippers and other items so I can easily find them. – The packing cubes were a huuuge help. I was so out of it with everything going on that looking for things were just not possible. I highly recommend labeling or putting things in packing cubes/ziplock bags to easily find it all.

• Robe & bringing this one for pictures – Robe is a MUST! I ended up sleeping in mine and used the nice robe for when we had visitors. 
• Pajama Sleep Dress – I’m bringing this since it has buttons and will be easy to nurse in – Didn’t wear these, honestly just stayed in my robe
• Joggers – These were great to put on when we had visitors!
• Pajama Top – Has buttons so will be easy for nursing – Didn’t wear this
• Going home outfit – I’m bringing this nursing-friendly pullover and these maternity leggings for comfort with sneakers – This was a perfect going home outfit because I needed the comfort. The pullover came in handy when I had to nurse a few times before we could leave the hospital.
• (2) Nursing camis – Didn’t wear/need these
• (2) Nursing bras – Used one for when I went home. For the hospital stay I just used the nursing sleep bra below because it was much more comfortable.
• Nursing sleep bra – this is another MUST have, it’s so comfortable to wear throughout the day/sleep in and perfect for the round the clock hospital feedings
• Nursing cooling pads/regular nursing pads – I only used the cooling pads because I instantly started to get sore. These were a life saver!
• Nursing pillow – Must have – used this for feedings and the lactation consultants in the hospital also showed me how to properly feed with it. 
• Earth Mama Nipple butter – Used this during my stay as well
• Cardigan – Didn’t wear this
• Flip flops – Must have for the shower! Was so happy I brought them!
• Slippers – Didn’t wear them
• Comfy Socks with grips – Must have! I wore these socks the whole time I was there, and they were much better than the ones the hospital gave me.
• Regular long comfy socks – Didn’t wear them, just used the grip socks
• Everyday Makeup Essentials – I did do my makeup for when we had visitors.
• Travel size toiletries: face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, dry shampoo, toothpaste – Must have! The hospital did provide some toiletries but it was nice to have my own.
• Face wipes – This was great for a quick way to freshen up when we had visitors.
• Deodorant 
• Toothbrush
• Hair: brush, ties, travel blow dryer, travel straightener – Make sure you bring multiple hair ties! I brought a couple with me and good thing I did because I ended up losing some in all the craziness.
• Chapstick – I heard this was a MUST have! – Definite must have!
• Frida Postpartum Kit – This kit has everything you need for postpartum care from mesh panties, to ice maxi pads, cooling witch hazel pad liners, and healing foam, etc. (I know the hospital will have a lot of this stuff, but bringing in case I want to use them instead) – My hospital DID provide: Ice maxi pads, witch hazel pads, Dermoplast, maxi pads, and mesh panties so I didn’t use the kit until I got home.
• Peri Bottle – MUST HAVE! Hospital did provide one, but this one by Frida was SO much better!

FOR BABY

I put all of baby boy’s stuff in his diaper bag to bring with us.

UPDATE: The hospital did provide some basic white clothes for baby, but I am so glad I brought everything I did below. The only thing I wish I did bring was our Halo Sleepsack . It was hard to wrap him in the blanket swaddles since he was moving around so much and the Halo Sleepsack would’ve just been easier to wrap. That swaddle has been a MUST have for us during this newborn stage since he sleeps SO much better with it. We bought ours in a newborn size.

• 1-2 pair of pajamas
• 1-2 hats
• 2 pairs of mittens
• 2 going home outfits (Packed a newborn and 0-3 month outfit just in case one doesn’t fit) – this one I found on Etsy and it’s adorable!
• blanket
• 2 Swaddle Sets – this swaddle set comes with a matching hat and then I will be using this swaddle with his picture prop – These blanket swaddles were great for pictures and when we had visitors, but was not good for sleeping at night. He kept coming out of them and it was hard to wrap. Looking back, I wish we brought his Halo Sleepsack as mentioned above.
• Car seat
• First picture props
• Pacifier
• 2 Onesies – Packed a newborn and 0-3 month outfit just in case one doesn’t fit
• Nail clippers – Did not use, just used mittens
• White Noise Machine – This was great to have to block out hospital noise since we had so many people coming in and out of our room
• Baby book – I bought this one since it has a section where you can put baby’s footprints!

FOR DAD

UPDATE: Dan needed all of the below.

• 2 changes of clothes (boxers/socks)
• Pajama pants/sweatpants/athletic shorts
• Outfit for in hospital photos – something casual
• Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower items (I know he will use most of mine so we can have more space for other items)
• Laptop/Electronics
• Blanket from home

GENERAL

• Portable Bluetooth Speaker – I am making a playlist to have during labor – 100% recommend if you want something to calm you during labor.
• 10ft cell phone charging cable – These long cell phone charging cables were a must have! I brought two, one for me and one for Dan’s phone.
• Yeti – I heard this is a lifesaver to keep the ice chips cold! Honestly forget to bring this to the hospital, and wouldn’t say it’s a must to bring.
• Clipboard Padfolio – Bringing this to hold paperwork/notes from hospital – I am SO glad I brought this. We received a lottt of paperwork and it was nice to have it stored all in one spot.
• Small clip on fan – Using the one we bought for baby’s stroller to clip onto the hospital bed. – Didn’t use this because I literally was shaking from the epidural and fluids they gave me. This might still be good for someone else dependent on the situation/labor.
• A lot of snacks for both hubby and I! I’m bringing protein bars/shakes, nuts, and crackers – YES, YES, YES! Make sure to have a lot of snacks for after delivery and during for whoever is staying with you!
• Sugar-free hard candy – People have said this comes in handy when your mouth is dry from labor – My mouth was so dry during labor, so I did use this. But I wouldn’t say this is a must to bring – you can just drink a lot of fluids to combat it.
• Bath Towel from home – 100% YES! At our hospital they had small, thin towels so I was happy to have a nice one from home. Make sure to bring an extra one for your significant other/whoever else is staying with you!
• Pillows – Bought these cheap pillows off Amazon and will just leave them at the hospital – Another huge MUST HAVE. I am so glad we brought these for the hospital stay. The ones at the hospital were very thin and not comfy at all. Highly recommend buying these ones off Amazon, they even come with pillow cases. We just left the pillows there after.
• Snacks/Gifts for Nurses – I am just doing a basket of snacks as a thank you! – We honestly didn’t have time to make these baskets, but our hospital had a recognition program that we did instead to recognize the nurses that helped us.
• Camera – Really important to get some good photos!

***I would make sure to bring an extra bag with you to take all of the free stuff home in if you don’t have room! We just left that extra bag in the car and put everything in it before we left!

I hope this helps some of you mamas-to-be with ideas on what to pack for the hospital! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!