All the Things in the Hospital Bag – 3rd Time’s a Charm 

Anticipating labor and delivery can be both EXCITING and scary. It can even be neither, maybe you simply have peace! 

If you are anything like most women, you want to be as prepared as possible for all the mom stages – especially for your baby’s birth and beyond. 

Your first time will be a trial-and-error. You’ll see what works best for you and what doesn’t. 

I over packed my hospital bag for my first birth. I was able to pack more wisely for my second birth, since I was more familiar with what our hospital provides.  

After reflecting on the first birth, I realized that I like packing the bare essentials for my husband & I and our new baby.  Some moms like to pack for every possible scenario – if that’s you, that is great!

It helps to know if you’re more of a minimalist or maximalist so you can have a packing plan that best fits your needs, wants, and desires.

I listed the things that I found useful and planned to use with our 3^rd baby due to be born in January 2024. I did not have a chance to finish packing since baby was born in December 2023, a month before the due date – that was a SURPRISE!

I will share all my birth stories soon – hopefully that will provide some ideas & insights that can help you with your new baby journey.

My Hospital Bag List

1. Mom Things  

• ID & Insurance Information
• Slippers/Flip Flops for Shower
• Comfy/Nursing Friendly Going Home Outfit

Optional – Hospital Supplies

• Clothes for Hosptial Stay (button down pjs or robe or anything comfy & nursing friendly) 

I usually just wear the hospital gown the whole time. It’s less of a hassle for me and I don’t normally have visitors.

• Comfy Non-slip Socks

You can take your own if you want. I don’t because they’ll probably get dirty. So, I just use the hospital socks and they’ll give you more at your request.

2. Breastfeeding/Formula 

• Haakaa Silicone Colostrum Collectors Set

You can bring any colostrum you collect prior to labor in a cooler.

I used these to collect & feed baby any colostrum from pumping at the hospital. These collectors are more efficient than the hospital syringes. They collect nearly all the colostrum from the pump bottle & reduces amount of wasted liquid gold (a.k.a colostrum).

• Nursing/Pumping Bra
• Nipple Balm

So far I like the Tiny Human Supply Co, Nipple Crack Organic Nipple Cream the best. Even though I was unable to breastfeed or pump for very long, I used this butter on my very sore nipples due to manually pumping. The relief was immediate.

I have tried the Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter and the Motherlove Nipple Cream with my first 2 babies. They didn’t help at all. You may have to try them out to test which best works for you.

Optional – Hospital Supplies  

• Breast Pump

The Lactation Consultant at the hospital can assist with using yours. You can request a breast pump from the hospital to use during your stay.

• Preferred Nursing Pillow

The nurses help prop regular pillows to assist with breastfeeding, but you can practice with your own, if you want.

I’ve only tried the Boppy nursing pillow so I am not sure what would be the best option. I, personally, don’t really like the Boppy because it slips and slides (maybe cause I’m fat).

• Preferred Formula

The hospital usually provides formula, but you can bring the one you prefer. You can even call the hospital to confirm which formula they offer.

**I would recommend having a Lactation Consultant visit you at home, if you need the extra assistance. I will elaborate more in my birth stories to come. **

3. Dad Things

• Change of Clothes (going home & during hospital stay) 
• Underwear
• Slides/Shoes for the Shower
• Book/Tablet (for any possible down time – maybe he can read to you!)
• Credit/Debit Card for Parking
• Cash for Delivery 

We usually order delivery for the both of us since only mom gets the complimentary meals. So, instead of paying for hospital food for dad, we just order out.

Our favorite places to order from are Giordano’s and Portillos!

Optional – Hospital Supplies  

• Pillows & Blankets

We usually use the pillows and blankets the hospital provides to keep our packing at minimum. However, for comfort you can bring your own favorite pillow and blanket.

 4. General

• Phones & Chargers 

You’ve probably heard and read many moms agree that you must make sure to pack long cord chargers.

• Snacks & Mint/Gum 

Take your favorite snacks, including nourishing snacks – like trail mix or protein bars.

5. Baby Things

• Car Seat

We made sure to practice setting it up in the car at least a month before the due date. The discharge nurse will ask to see it & will make sure baby is secure.

We have the Baby Trend Travel System car seat, which was a gift from my manager at my previous job. It’s been used for all our 3 babies so far.

• Going Home Outfit

I usually take 2 just in case one doesn’t fit, or one gets dirty, and I need to change the baby before leaving. You can take a newborn and a 3-month-old outfit – I do a combo of a onesie, pants, and socks and/or a footie pajama with socks, depending on the weather.

• Onesies/T-Shirts (about 3)

You can take these to keeps baby warm, when not skin to skin. The hospital may provide baby t-shirts during your stay. Hospital staff often swaddles the baby with their blankets.

For my next baby (whenever that happens), I would love to try Bonsie Footies for easier skin-to-skin contact without having to constantly fully undress baby.

• Blankets (1 or 2) for Going Home

The hospital supplies light blankets during your stay, and you can swaddle your baby in them (you can even take your preferred swaddle blanket etc).

• Preferred Baby Wipes

The hospital I go to uses dry wipes and they don’t work as well to clean baby first poop – even after soaking them in warm water.

I like using the fragrance-free baby wipes – like the Member’s Mark or Pampers from Sam’s Club.

• Hat/Beanie

I would recommend one to keeps baby warm on your way home, especially if you give birth in winter. Hospital usually supplies baby beanies & those keep baby warm enough in the hospital.

• Sherpa Onesie

I purchased the Baby Hooded Sherpa Jumpsuit from Carter’s. It seems that the white one I purchased is no longer available and other patterns are on clearance.

I love the sherpa onesie I purchased in 2021 for my daughter. I got the 18-month-old Infant Foxy Baby™ Sherpa Bunting onesie and I used it all winter. It was so much easier since I could just put into her car seat without having to remove or put on any puffy winter coats. I always brought extra blankets and layered her with warm clothes.

*Hospital provides pacifiers, diapers, bulb syringe, swaddle blankets, shirts for the hospital stay* 

6. Toiletries (for both parents)

• Shampoo/Conditioner

I liked the Satinique 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner. It smells great and I didn’t have to take 2 separate bottles. It left my hair so soft and fresh which felt great after labor and birth!

• Face Wash
• Body Wash

I tried the g&h Refresh Exfoliating Body Wash, which did feel good on my skin. We regularly use the g&h Nourish Body Wash at home.

• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste

We use the Glister Advanced Toothbrush and the Glister Multi-Action Toothpaste. I pack the toothbrushes in toothbrush covers from Walmart.

• Deodorant
• Hair Styling Products (i.e. leave-in conditioner, carrier oils, etc)
• Brush/Comb
• Hair Ties, Bobbie Pins, etc
• Lip Balm
• Face/Body Moisturizer (i.e. body lotion, butters, creams)

I like using Egyptian Magic or Sweet Bee Magic for my face. Since I have very dry skin, I am still in trying out other lotions, creams, butters but NatureWell Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Moisturizing Cream from Sam’s Club has worked well for me over the years.

Optional – Hospital Supplies  

• Preferred Peri bottle

The hospital supplies a generic one & it’s not as “comfortable” to use, especially if you tear 2^nd degree or more. It shoots the water straight and it can be a bit difficult to aim the water correctly at an angle.

I tore 2^nd degree in my first birth and 1^st degree on second birth so after using the hospital peri bottle and the Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle I highly recommend the latter option.

• Preferred Underwear/Diapers

I used diapers postpartum at home after all three births, specifically the Always Discreet Boutique Incontinence Underwear for Women. I liked that they are disposable, and I do not need to add a pad to it. 

I tried the Amazon Basics Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear for Women for my third postpartum. They are good enough but felt a bit too bulky. I used size large, the same as with the Always brand. I, definitely, prefer the Always Discreet Underwear.

My sister preferred the Thinx Period Underwear because it has a bit of cushion. She also used a pad with the period underwear for extra support – for her own peace of mind.

You can buy whatever hospital bag you want! Splurge or DIY it – Next time I think I will try a suitcase with wheels for easier transport.

I used one of those large tote bags that you can buy at Burlington when you’re checking out for your purchased items. My mom added sew-on snap buttons to the bag and BAM! I had my hospital bag. 

I pack the small items in makeup mesh bags. You can use packing cubes or travel storage bags to organize the clothes or other items as well. 

 If you have older kids, make sure to prepare their bag if you’re dropping them off with family members.