I feel like a broken record saying this, but there are so many things I didn’t, and couldn’t, know about having a baby until I actually experienced them myself! For example, having never given birth before, I had no idea what all I’d need for the hospital stay after my baby was born. Sure, shampoo, conditioner, and several changes of clothes were a given, but what were the little things I was missing?
A few weeks before Lincoln was due I asked my Facebook friends what their must-have items were and their responses helped me put together the ultimate hospital packing list for childbirth. Whether you’re a new mom like me needing help for the first time, or have another little one on the way and need a refresher, here are all the items I packed for our three day stay, and some items I wish I would have included!
Hospital Packing List for Childbirth
* Items I packed but didn’t use
** Items I wish I would have had packed
Personal Items:
I wouldn’t worry about drying/curling/straightening your hair (I think I let my hair air dry every day) unless you’re in need of a pick me up.
- Shampoo/conditioner/body wash
- Body lotion
- Face lotion
- Face wash
- Face wipes (in case you’re too tired to wash your face)
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Hairdryer
- Straightener and/or curling iron*
- Makeup
- Nursing pads*
- Nipple cream
- Deodorant
- Glasses/contacts/solution
- Headband
- Ponytail holder
Clothes:
I stayed in my nightgown and robe the majority of the time.Â
- 2 pairs comfy pants with loose waistline
- Nursing tanks**
- Nursing bras
- 2 button down nightgowns (or deep V-neck)
- 2 robes (you’ll sweat your way out of and/or baby will barf on at least one!)
- Throw-away underwear 2 sizes up
- Cardigan/fleece/light sweater
- Loose pants/leggings/shorts to wear home
- Loose shirt to wear home
- Flip flops
- Slippers**
Extras:
- Pillows for both you and spouse/partner
- Baby book (they’ll put baby’s foot prints in it for you)
- Camera + charger
- Phone + charger
- Laptop + charger
- Energy bars/snacks
- Extension cord*
- Notepad/pen (you will be taking lots of notes!)
- Journal
- Boppy* (I used pillows)
- Money/change for vending machine/cafeteria
- Water bottle (the biggest one you can find)**
- Canvas bags to take home gifts/hospital goodies
For Baby:
Lincoln stayed in his diaper, wrapped in a hospital blanket for the majority of the time. If your baby is born in the winter, I’d take warm clothes/PJs, but Lincoln didn’t need them.
- 2 going home outfits (one newborn, one 0-3 months)
- 2 onesies*
- PJs*
- Baby nail file*
- Hat*
- Car seat carrier with infant insert (don’t forget to install the base in the car!)
- Receiving blanket
I will say that Ben thought I was crazy for taking in a wheeled suitcase and extra tote with all of this stuff, but I ended up using 90% of it. My motto has always been, better to be safe than sorry!
What essential items would you add to the list?Â
Faith@The Stirring Place 09.17.2013
I’m having my first (a boy) in about 10 weeks and am soaking all this in like a boss. Thank you, thank you. I’m also gonna pin it bc I can’t remember anything these days. ;)
Megan 09.17.2013
We just had #3 on Sept 8 – a surprise girl after two boys! – and all I think of now is newborns = sore boobs!! My suggestion, although this doesn’t need to be in the hospital bag, is to arm yourself for when your milk comes in (usually once you’re at home following a vaginal delivery). Even with a good latch, cracked nipples are absolutely horrendous. Having (Medela) nipple shields for during nursing and shells for protection when not nursing have been a life saver for me the last few days and have brought me off the ledge. Also, the lactation consultant suggested trying “all-purpose nipple ointment” (apno) which is a prescription compound of antibiotic, corticosteroid, and anti fungal agent. Your ob will need to prescribe it and it is only made at compounding pharmacies (hospital and some stand-alone pharmacies). It has a little more power than lanolin, which personally has never worked for me. These three things have been my saving grace, although I wish I had them the moment we got home, rather than having my poor hubby frantically race around. He’s pretty handy in the breast pump aisle at Target now! ; )
Jen 09.17.2013
I have a three week old baby girl and I wish I had this list a few weeks ago. I brought one of my swaddle me blankets and was happy to have it for my daughter. Easier than hospital blankets and the room was very cold! I was sweating like crazy after labor but my husband wished he would have packed a sweatshirt to keep warm in the hospital even though it was 95 outside. Bring snacks! I didn’t and after 32 hours of labor I was ravished!
Sara 09.17.2013
Your own toilet paper and kleenex. Hospital grade stuff is awful! A beach towel to use during labor if you plan on getting in the tub.
Danielle 09.17.2013
Lip balm, saline nose spray, and hard candy/mints are absolute musts for me during labor!
Libby 09.17.2013
I packed my own towel to use for showering. The hospital ones are so small and scratchy. That first shower is so, so nice.
Kara 09.17.2013
This may be a dumb question – i’m packing mine now and thank you! for your awesome list… but did you all buy extras of everything (like your shampoo, face wash, comfy pants, robes, etc.) or did you throw everything like that in there at the last minute?
Iowa Girl Eats 09.17.2013
Good question! I have travel sized bottles for everything that I keep on hand for vacation/traveling. I just packed those!
Sandi 09.17.2013
Baby socks. My friends baby was big and the hospital blankets didn’t cover him well enough. It was freezing in that hospital and the poor little guy was so cold. I found socks for him late at night and took them to her.
Heather Romero 09.17.2013
We’re getting ready to deliver baby #2, so to my list I’m adding a Big Brother Survival Kit. Hopefully, this will keep my 3 yr old entertained while also making him feel special!
JeNae 09.17.2013
Poise pads, the biggest ones you can buy. They are sold by the Depends. A friend told me about them when I had my first, and let me tell you, I used them after all three of my kids. They are more comfortable and work better than regular maxi pads.
Alexa 09.17.2013
My Ben thought I was nuts too with a huge bag, I even packed an extra set of clothes for him! But, I used all of our things too. Yes to nursing tanks, and I also enjoyed my fleece robe after.
I need to post a pic of my little guy in his hoodie as well. Tell Lincoln he has a little homeboy in DC. ;)
Alexa 09.17.2013
My Ben thought I was nuts too with a huge bag, I even packed an extra set of clothes for him! But, I used all of our things too. Yes to nursing tanks, and I also enjoyed my fleece robe after.
Samantha 09.17.2013
I used maybe 20% of the stuff I brought. I agree with Sar! Bring DVDs! My labor was quick, but I watched a lot of Friends on DVD over the next 2 days. We live about 2 minutes from the hospital, so my husband actually slept at home and ran back and forth a lot since we have a dog too. I used as much hospital stuff as possible.
Nicole 09.17.2013
toilet paper! two rolls to be exact :)
Sara 09.17.2013
This sounds silly, but they told me to bring movies to watch while I was in labor, so that is exactly what I did! I watched about two seasons of Friends while I was in labor (I had to stay overnight to be induced). It was nice because I could just sit back and relax and stay calm. :)
I wish I would have thought to bring extra bags to carry all the extra stuff home.
Becky G 09.17.2013
I did use the nursing pads not for leaking but just so the lanolin didn’t get on my nursing tanks. Nursing tanks were awesome. I just had those, sweatpants, and open cardigans and I felt great. I’d also add change for vending machines. Hubby needed snacks and so did our 3 year old when he visited.
Suzanne 09.17.2013
Our best friends just had a baby a couple weeks ago.
They were surprised by her about 3 weeks early, and while they had Mom’s bag packed, they didn’t think about Dad. And because of how long labor took, Dad needed Mother-in-Law to get him a change of clothes…including his underwear…from their house because he didn’t want to leave Mom. So I would add to your list a change of clothes for Dad, just in case!
Congrats–Lincoln is beautiful!
Lindsey 09.17.2013
Great list, thank you! I am just starting to pack my hospital bag so this gives me exactly what I need.
One add on my list – a exercise ball, which I will use to labour with.
char eats greens 09.17.2013
Loose pants to go home in is KEY. I didn’t have those, so I was awkwardly figuring out where to wear my lululemon waistband so it wouldn’t hurt my c-section scar!!! Good list!! I definitely didn’t bring as much, but I still feel like it was overall, ok! haha
Jamie @lifelovelemons 09.17.2013
So prepared! What a great resource for mommies-to-be! Hope you’re enjoying tons of time with your little guy!