It’s absolutely nuts to me that I’m already at the stage of my pregnancy of having hospital bags prepped and ready to head out the door for the hospital… but here we are, at 37 weeks pregnant today, all packed and ready for go-time! After asking you guys for your recommendations on what to pack in our hospital bags on my Insta stories (which was SOΒ helpful, thank you!!), I feel fully prepared and confident that we have all the necessities in ourΒ hospital bags packed for this soon-to-be mama, baby and husband! Hopefully this can be a helpful resource for you or someone you know that is expecting to reference at some point. π I created a graphic check list at the bottom of the post that is very Pinterest-friendly, so feel free to pin it!
Mama’s Hospital Bag
As someone who has always been an over packer, I may have packed a little bit more than just the “necessities”… but I know I will feel right at home and as comfortable as possible with these items in my bag. π
- Carry-on sized luggage bag: All of my stuff will be packed into this since it’s spacious and has wheels for easy transportation.
- Nursing-friendly nightgowns: I am bringing 3 of these in case they get dirty (this one, this one and this one). I heard it makes your nurse checks way easier if you are wearing a gown vs. shorts/pants.
- Nursing bras
- Warm slipper socks and slippers: Since my feet tend to get cold, I am bringing a pair of slipper socks, as well as an old pair of slippers to walk around in that I can throw away after we leave the hospital.
- Barefoot dreams cardigan/robe
- Sleep mask
- Extra long phone charger
- Nipple pads
- Travel sized coconut oil (for nips and dry skin)
- Body lotion
- Hand sanitizer (the hospital of course will have this, but it’s likely attached to the wall – so having a small travel sized sanitizer bedside will be helpful prior to holding the babe!)
- Depends SilhouettesΒ (these were a top recommendation!)
- Toothbrush, travel sized toothpaste and travel mouthwash
- Glasses
- Contact case & travel sized contact solution
- Deodorant
- Skincare
- Makeup wipes
- Travel sized micellar water & cotton pads
- Cleanser (use code TAYMBROWN for 20% off)
- Day moisturizer (use code TAYMBROWN for 20% off)
- Eye creamΒ (use code TAYMBROWN for 20% off)
- Hydrating overnight mask (I wear this as my night time moisturizer when my skin is feeling dry, and hospitals tend to be pretty dry – use code TAYMBROWN for 20% off!)
- Lip balm
- Makeup bag (yes, I plan to put on a little make up when we have visitors so I can feel human haha)
- Shower essentials
- Travel sized shampoo & conditioner (although I likely will not wash my hair, I want to bring some just in case I need it)
- Travel sized loofah and body wash
- Shower shoes (cheap flip flops that I can dispose after leaving the hospital)
- Hair care
- Brush (I swear by the Wet Brush!)
- Dry shampoo
- Invisibobble hair ties
- Travel sized hair dryer (may not need this, but just in case – this one is super light and compact)
- Postpartum body shaper
- Going home outfit (planning to wear this top & these joggersΒ – I’ve been told looser fitting clothing and dark bottoms are a must!)
- Barefoot dreams blanket (definitely a luxe item to have with, not a necessity to bring though)
Baby’s Hospital Bag
- Diaper bag
- Car seat (we did a ton of research on car seats, and this was the most recommended and safest one that we found!)
- Car seat cover (because we live in MN and it will be the dead of winter when he arrives!)
- Hat (our hospital provides a handmade beanie made by grandmothers in our town so we will use one of those π )
- 2 SleepersΒ (love this footie pair and this gown pair)
- Mittens
- Baby book
- Visitor outfit (love this onesie with these leggings!)
- Going home outfit and blanket (thinking we’ll put him in this onesie, these pants and this hooded bunting)
- Swaddles (1 wrap swaddle and 1 muslin swaddle blanket)
- Baby Nail Trimmer
- Nuks (bringing this WubbaNub Nuk)
- Nursing pillow
Dad’s Hospital Bag
- Duffle bag
- Toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, body wash)
- Shower flip flops
- At least 2 Outfits
- Lounge wear
- SlippersΒ and/orΒ slip on shoes
- Snacks
- Laptop or iPad
- Phone charger
The check list graphic below is Pinterest-friendly, so feel free to pin it by hovering over the graphic and clicking the “Pin It” button!
Hope you guys found all of this helpful! Thank you so much for reading, and best wishes if you are expecting! π
Hello! Just wanted to let you know of this amazing spray for after delivery if you have the baby natural it’s called Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray. It was a life saver. If you can get it that would be great! You will love it.
God bless
Hi Denisse! Thank you so much for your rec – I have been using that spray and itβs been great! xx
Iβm due in less than a week and have my bag packed already (thank you for some extra tips). Is there anything you didnβt use or must-haves that I should bring with me? Thanks.
Hi Amy! Eek, you are so close to the biggest adventure of your life!! π The only thing I didn’t use were the postpartum girdle (too tired to care!), the extra socks (I just used my slippers), and the Depends underwear – I used the hospital provided mesh panties & pads, but I used the Depends at home for about 5 weeks postpartum, so I would still stock up on them anyway! Good luck, mama! xx
Hey Taylor!
I’m expecting in a month and was wondering if you have used that postpartum body shaper (I saw you didn’t wear it in the hospital, but when you got back home :)) and if you thought it was worth it? Thanks so much in advance!