Every New Mom’s Hospital Bag Must Have Items

As a second time mom, here is a list of all the items you’ll want to bring in your hospital bag for you, baby, and dad. Plus, some items you don’t need to bring that are totally optional and something you would never think of bringing! 

In this post, I will be sharing every new mom's hospital bag must-have items including a hospital bag checklist. 

While every hospital is different, your hospital should have everything you need for the baby except a carseat (and they won’t let you leave without one)! They have diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, soap, towels, swaddles, breast pumps and mine even had clothes for the baby. However, there are many things that you can bring to make the stay much more comfortable for you and the baby, especially if you are picky like I am. 

• Weekender Bag or Carry-on Suitcase 
• 2 Pair of pajamas - these are great and breastfeeding-friendly 

You’ll want to pick pajamas that are loose and comfortable, but also not expensive ones that you are in love with as there are a lot of messy things that can happen in the few days that you’ll spend in the hospital. Make sure to pick breastfeeding or pumping friendly pajamas if you are planning to breastfeed. We had a lot of nurses coming in and out and I would have preferred to have a button down or nursing shirt so that I wasn’t completely exposed every time someone walked in the room. 

• Going home outfit 

Some moms opt for very loose fitting clothing and some opt for tighter clothing. If you are having a natural birth, tighter clothing might feel better as there is a lot of loose skin. But, sometimes, you can be sore and would prefer something looser. If you are having a c-section, you will definitely want something loser to avoid rubbing as much as possible. 

• Non-Slip socks 

Non-slip socks with grips on the bottom are extremely helpful when you are getting out of bed and walking around as the floors are very slippery and freezing. Initially, I brought fuzzy socks, and while they are great when you are laying down, I was terrified to walk around in them or with the baby in my hands because it was so slippery. 

• Slippers
• Shower shoes
• Labor and delivery gown

This is definitely optional, but a good option to have. My hospital didn’t let me wear the hospital gown while I was giving birth, but it was perfect to change into right after as you are still hooked up to the IV and have a lot of tests being done. As soon as I was done in the delivery room, I wanted to change out of the gown because it was a mess. 

• Robe 
• Disposable underwear 

Nursing Items

• Nursing Bras 
• Breast pump recommendations 

The hospital will have hospital grade breast pumps as well as manual pumps, but some choose to bring their own. Like most first-time moms, I thought that breastfeeding would come naturally and be the easiest thing in the world. However, with a premature baby I was faced with having to produce milk despite him being unable to latch. So, I tried every pump that there was. 

The spectra - this pump is great all around except for that fact that you have to be sitting to use it. 

The Madela - this is my overall top pump because the suction was great, it is mobile, the battery lasted long, and it lasted me for about a year. 

• Nipple Cream 
• Nursing Pillow 

Toiletries

• Peri Bottle - the hospital provides one but this one is a lot easier to use because of the angle on the spout 
• Travel Shampoo and Conditioner/Dry Shampoo 
• Travel Body Wash 
• Travel Lotion 
• Face Wash
• Body and Face Moisturizer 
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Chapstick 
• Hairbrush, hair ties, hair clips 
• Makeup - some people don’t care about their makeup at all while it makes others feel so much more put together. 
• Glasses, contacts 

Optional Things That the Hospital Should Provide 

• Dermoplast Spray 
• Tucks Tucks Cooling Pads
• Pads
• Perineal Ice Packs Perineal Ice Packs
• Pillow and Blanket 
• Extra Long Charging Cable 
• Sound Machine with Night Light - This will help so much while the nurses are coming in and out all night long and turning on the really bright lights and waking everyone up Night Light and Sound Machine
• Portable Fan 
• Breastfeeding Snacks 
• Gum 
• Tylenol and prenatal vitamins

Dad’s Hospital Bag Packing List

• 2-3 Outfits, underwear/boxers, and socks 

• Sweatshirt 

• Pillow/Blanket

• Extra Long Charging Cable 

• Toiletries (Toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, deodorant)

• Contacts, glasses

• Water Bottle 

• Snacks

• Cash and dollar bills for vending machines

• Slippers

• Eye mask and ear plugs - This time around I am bringing my husband and eye mask and ear plugs. Your first night in the hospital is filled with nurses checking in every few hours and waking everyone up, turning on all of the lights. While they are doing their job, this does not help with the sleep deprivation of a crying baby that is also waking up every few hours. In my opinion, it is a lot better to let the other person sleep when they can. Rather than having the both of you wake up every time the baby cries or someone comes in. That way, when you get home, your partner is able to help out and let you take a nap.

Baby’s Hospital Packing List

• Carseat - This is the most important item for your baby. The hospital will not let you leave unless you have your car seat. The best thing to do is watch videos ahead of time on how to install your car seat and do it in advance. There is nothing worse than the struggle to figure out how to install a car seat, let alone doing it with a newborn baby. 
• Newborn Outfit 
• 0-3 month sleeper 
• Sleep gown
• Newborn swaddle Swaddle

Optional 

• Going home outfit - You can opt in to bring a separate outfit to take pictures of baby going home. I brought a separate outfit that was a sleeper with legs instead of a gown so that baby could be strapped in the car seat. 
• Picture outfit - All hospitals are different, but ours offered newborn picture services. I was definitely not expecting this at all and didn’t have an outfit prepared. 
• Pacifier - My baby did not like pacifiers and I was hesitant to introduce one since I didn’t want to have to worry about any nipple confusion. 
• Folder for paperwork - Prepare to have way more papers than you ever imagined when you are leaving the hospital. I was not expecting this and ended up having so many important papers that ended up folded in my bag. 
• Nail file - Many babies come out with long nails, and you want to avoid them scratching their face. I brought these nail files: Baby Nail Files

The most important thing is that you feel prepared and not stressing out about what you need to order and bring to the hospital when you are in labor. With my first, I packed at 35 weeks and went into labor shortly after. This pregnancy, I packed at 28 weeks so that I could check it off my to-do list and not have to worry about it. I feel so much more prepared and so much better doing it earlier and being ready. There is already so much to do when you are planning and preparing for your newborn.

You can always contact the hospital that you are planning on going to in order to see what supplies they provide and even to get helpful tips on what to bring. Before birth, you can also request to schedule a tour to see what the rooms look like. This helped me feel more prepared and to know what to expect because I had never been to a hospital before. 

When you reach out to the hospital, they will have you become pre-registered so you can upload your documents and answer questions before you are in active labor. You should still plan on bringing your insurance and ID, and any paperwork you may have like a birth plan.

Tags: Hospital Bag Must Have, Hospital Bag Checklist, Hospital Bag, Hospital Birth, New Mom, Packing, Parenting, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Parenting 101