38 weeks pregnant and I finally finished packing my hospital bag… and Baby’s, and my husband’s… I am just thankful I haven’t delivered yet! While the hospital truly has everything you need for your delivery and recovery, I know I would be so much more comfortable with a lot of my items from home. Luckily having worked as a mother baby nurse the last 6 months I feel like I have a good idea of what I would want when I am admitted.
Mom's bag
- Pillow: hospital pillows are very flat and sometimes are limited, plus the pillowcases aren’t soft.
- Blanket: this is another item that may be limited and definitely not the best quality. Bringing your own blanket and pillow will be the closest you will get to feeling like you’re sleeping in your own bed (from what I hear the beds aren’t comfortable either, but of course that’s because they are designed for safety over comfort.)
- Towel: hospital towels are awful. At least the hospital I work at, we don’t have full size towels – just hand towels and they are the roughest material. I also know the water doesn’t get super hot so I definitely want to have a big towel for after.
- Toiletries: this will vary depending on what products you use. I am packing toothpaste (the kind my hospital has tastes awful), shampoo and conditioner (I am not sure I will wash my hair but just in case), dry shampoo, body wash, hair brush, scrunchie, mascara, cleanser, deodorant, moisturizer, eyeliner, and the Tula face filter blurring and moisturizing primer. I do like to pack travel sized items when I can to save space and keep bags lighter.
- Large water bottle: I plan on bringing my Stanley cup with me since it holds a lot more water than the disposable cups do.
- Slippers: I actually only plan on packing my slippers and no other shoes. The pair I plan on brining (linked here) are more of a moccasin style with grips on the bottoms and a covered heel. They are more likely to help prevent falls than the kinds without grips or a back. I also think they will be useful when taking walks around the unit.
- Socks with grips: your hospital should give you socks with grips to help prevent falls. However they are not the soft, fuzzy kind you probably are thinking of. I only plan on bringing one pair since that’s all I own, but if I had a second pair I would probably bring them.
- Two pairs of pajamas: I am bringing two sets of pajamas with long sleeves and long pants. I am always cold and I am sure I will be more comfortable the warmer I am. If you get hot easily I would plan on packing at least one short sleeve set. I also would recommend darker colors since you will be bleeding.
- Nursing bra: If you plan on breastfeeding, I would bring a nursing or pumping bra. I actually don’t think I will be wearing a bra most of the time I am in the hospital but will when I go home. If you don’t plan to breastfeed, I would recommend bringing a sports bra to help stop your milk supply and make you more comfortable.
- Going home outfit: I would recommend packing something comfortable or anything maternity or clothes that fit when you are pregnant. Your body will not look how it did pre pregnancy and you don’t know exactly how things will fit right away. I am bringing yoga pants and a sweatshirt along with my maternity coat.
- Phone charger: I would definitely recommend a charger with a long cord as well.
- Snacks: I work night shift at a smaller hospital and our dining services are closed at night. Even with the vending machines and floor stock the options are very limited so I definitely plan on bringing my own snacks. You can always order food too.
baby's bag
- Pacifiers: my hospital has these but if there is a specific brand you plan on using I would bring them. I packed two from different brands.
- Going home outfit: since my baby will be born in the winter, I wanted to make sure she has enough warm layers. I packed two onesies incase one gets dirty, two pairs of socks, booties, mittens, and a baby bunting suit (although I am not sure she will wear it since we can’t wear it in the car seat).
- Car seat: we went with the Nuna Pipa Lite, which is super lightweight and is easy to remove from the base. Some hospitals require you to bring in your car seat, the hospital I work at does not but I probably will have Ryan carry it up to the room so we can get her strapped in and covered to stay warm.
- Car seat cover: The one I put on my registry is from Amazon and is designed to keep babies warm and insulated. Since it is not safe to put a baby in a car seat with their coat on underneath the straps this sounded like the best option to keep her warm. I packed two newborn onesies, two pairs of socks, mittens, booties, and a fluffy baby bunting suit.
- Debut outfit/name sign: I actually ended up ordering two options for our daughter’s debut photo outfits and can’t decide so I am bringing both!
- Breastfeeding pillow: with hospital pillows being thin and limited, I always like when patients have their own nursing pillows because they are so much easier than layering and re arranging a stack of hospital ones. I registered for the Boppy so I am hoping I’ll like it.
- Portable sound machine/night light: I got the Frida mom one as a baby shower gift. This may be more for me than the baby so I can sleep better at the hospital.
Dad's Bag
- Blanket: even though the hospital bed is not the most comfortable, it will probably still be more comfortable than wherever your partner sleeps.
- Pillow: for increased comfort and sleep.
- Phone charger: would recommend one with a long cord.
- Toiletries: since you don’t know exactly how long you will stay at the hospital I would have your partner bring toiletries just in case.
- Lounge clothes/pajamas: Ryan is taking a pair of sweatpants, two t shirts, underpants and a sweatshirt.
- Big water bottle: I feel like this is just easier to keep in the room
other tips for packing for the hospital
- Do not bring anything valuable or very sentimental. I do plan on keeping my engagement and wedding rings on but do not plan on taking a purse or wallet (still make sure to bring your ID and insurance card though!)
- Keep in mind whatever you pack may get dirty. Although they should be sanitary, I feel like hospitals are actually really gross places between all the germs and bodily fluids. Plus you will be bleeding after delivery, so just know that whatever you choose to wear may get dirty. This goes for baby too – I’m leaving most baby items at home and plan on using the blankets and onesies the hospital provides. I feel like a lot of the times parents bring nice outfits for the newborns, they end up with a bunch of dirty laundry to take home and I don’t want to have to worry about that.
- Take home all the goodies! Diapers in the bassinet, pads, anything disposable we have to throw out when you leave (even if it’s unopened). Take what you can and worst case you can throw out what you don’t use later.
- While I plan to breastfeed, I do plan on asking for formula to take home just in case.
Check back later to see what i used and didn't use!
After delivery I will be sure to share everything I did and did not use in the hospital!
