Birth Bag Packing List
Here is a list of the items I packed in my hospital bag, versus what we actually used! I know Everyone will be different based on what your hospital supplies for you, but this is just from my personal experience. I was induced and had a 29 hour labor, THEREFORE I used a lot of “pass the time” items that most moms in active labor will not need. Once I got my epidural it was nice to have my ipad with Netflix so I could try to kill some time while I was chained to my bed. I will be posting my birth story later for anyone who is interested in hearing about it, but for now I hope this helps give you ideas on what or what not to pack.
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Comment below with anything I missed that you think is a must-have!
Tips:
- The tv in most hospital rooms play from the little remote chained to your bed. It was so hard to hear what was going on so I really enjoyed having my ipad and headphones.
- My hospital DID NOT feed my husband, he didn’t leave my side once from Sunday to Thursday so he pretty much survived off the snacks that I brought and any food that guests brought for him.
- You never know what kind of labor you are going to have. I was in perfect health up until my 36 week appointment and then was told I had to be induced for gestational hypertension 3 days later. If I had already passed the 37 week mark, I would have been induced on the spot. I always think its better to overpack and not need it than it is to under pack and wish you had it.
- Pack your stuff in a rolling suitcase! It is so much easier to get around and you can pack your goodies on top when you leave. (by goodies I mean free pads, underwear, diapers, and anything else the hospital lets you take home). On our way out, my husband carried the baby in the car seat and I was able to roll the suitcase no problem.
- Pack the birthing items in a separate hospital bag (I used a small tote) so you don’t have to go digging through your overnight bag during labor.
- The professional photographer in the hospital was charging about 4x what any other photographer charges in our area. We went to JC Penny’s and got some really amazing photos done for $100 and that included about 30 high resolution digital photos.
- My hospital provided me with an amazing hospital grade pump when baby wouldn’t latch so I didn’t need my personal pump. However, feel free to pack it in your hospital bag if you want help setting it up and a nurse or lactation consultant can help you out.
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Everyone kept telling me “Less is More!” and even though I believed that was true, it was so hard to limit the items on my list. Looking back, I should have called the hospital and found out what items they provide and that would have cut down my list right there.
I don’t think I would have known what to bring vs. what to leave until actually going through it myself because every mom is different. I thought I would want to put on a little foundation to feel “normal” but I didn’t even pull my makeup bag out of my suitcase. On the other hand, I thought I wouldn’t want any tight clothing but felt like such a slob going home in my husbands sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt because that is all I brought. Now, I look at the first photo of the three of us standing outside our front door as a family and I look like a homeless person. You know yourself better than anyone else so if you think it’s better to pack light – you are correct.
If you think it’s better to be prepared for the apocalypse like I was – you are also correct. At the very least, all you need is your insurance, id, and a car seat to bring baby home in. Everything else on this hospital bag list is just there to make your stay a little more comfortable.
Items on my packing list
(Along with the links to some of my favorite items). Almost everything I got off of amazon because I registered there and I’m obsessed with 2-day shipping. (I know, I went a little crazy)
#1: Baby’s Car seat – they won’t let you leave the hospital without one!
- We like the Chicco Keyfit 30 here on Amazon
- Birth Bag:
- Lotion
- Chap stick
- Gatorade
- Bluetooth speaker
- (We love the Lectrofan Micro 2 because it can be used as a tiny little Bluetooth speaker, but it doubles as a non-looping sound machine for after Baby is born! Check out my full review of it HERE)
- iPad, charger, downloaded shows
- Robe
- Hair ties
- Fuzzy socks with grips
- Phone chargers
- Snacks
- Cash & change for vending machines
- Birth Plan
- Copy of my insurance and ID
- Copy of hubby’s Insurance (for baby)
- Registration Paperwork
- Important contact numbers
- Headphones
- hard candies (jolly ranchers, etc)
- gum
- Hand sanitizer
- Bathing suit
- Folder for all of your paperwork (before and after birth)
- Mommy & Baby Bag:
- Nursing nightgown (Ekouaer gown on Amazon)
- eye masks (My favorite on Amazon)
- Yoga pants
- Nursing tank
- Nursing bra (iLoveSIA on Amazon)
- Nursing pads (reuseable bamboobies , disposable Lansinoh – both on Amazon)
- Hoodie
- Slippers
- Flip flops
- Hands Free Pumping Bra (Check out the Simple Wishes one I use daily from Amazon)
- Foundation
- Mascara
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Tylenol
- Prenatal vitamins
- Makeup wipes
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Loofa
- Face wash
- Face lotion
- Deodorant
- Nipple cream (I love my bamboobies brand @ amazon)
- Hair brush
- Dry shampoo
- Towel
- Boppy (also on Amazon)
- Outfits for baby different sizes
- 2 Short sleeve Onesie newborn & 0-3 mo
- 2 Long sleeve onesie newborn & 0-3 mo
- 2 Footie sleeper newborn & 0-3 mo
- Going home outfit newborn & 0-3 mo
- Jacket
- 4 socks
- 3 Hats
- 2-3 Mittens
- 2 receiving blankets
- Cute fluffy blanket
- Burp cloth
- Bib
- Pacifier
- Hubbys Bag
- Boxers
- Basketball shorts
- Sweatpants
- Tshirts
- Sweatshirt (zip for skin to skin)
- Deodorant
- Blanket (not white)
- Pillow (not White)
- Headphones
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Towel
- Socks
- Slippers
- Shoes
- Laptop
- HDMI Cord (Netflix on the tv)
Items that we actually used:
Baby’s Car Seat!
- Birth Bag:
- Chap stick
- Electronics
- iPad, charger, downloaded shows
- Extra long phone chargers and/or portable chargers
- Headphones (to watch Netflix while Hubby was sleeping)
- Robe
- Hair ties (only the one I keep on my wrist)
- Fuzzy socks with grips (I had some major swelling so the hospital ones were tight, I was happy to have my stretchy fuzzy socks from home)
- Insurance and ID(Should already be in your purse)
- *Registration Paperwork (Completed online in advance)
- Snacks (Mostly for hubby)
- Jolly Ranchers & Caramels
- Fruit Cups
- Granola bars
- Gatorade (I was allowed to drink this)
- Mommy & Baby Bag:
- Nursing nightgown – Check out my review on the ones I bought here
- Nursing bra – I recommend these ones
- Slippers – Yes, feet were so swollen couldn’t wear anything else.
- Shampoo & Conditioner ( 2 in 1 makes my hair so greasy so I always bring my own)
- Face wash
- Face lotion
- Deodorant
- Hair brush
- Boppy – I only used this in the hospital but I’m glad I had it
- 1 going home outfit in newborn and 0-3 months
- 1 Hat (just because we wanted to, definitely not needed)
- 1 pair of mittens and socks(snow storm baby)
- 1 receiving blanketsfor photos
- Hubbys Bag
- Boxers
- Basketball shorts
- Sweatpants
- Tshirts
- Sweatshirt (zip for skin to skin)
- Deodorant
- Pillow (not White so hospital doesn’t think it’s theirs)
- Headphones
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Socks
- Slippers
- Ibuprofen
ADDITIONAL LISTS:
Things I didn’t pack that I wish I had:
- Yoga pants – I only packed huge sweatpants but wish I had yoga pants – I didn’t think I would want anything tight but I felt like a slob going home.
- A second pillow – the Hospital ones were so uncomfortable and my husband gave his to me.
Things you may want that I didn’t need:
- Nursing pads – If you are having a c-section and plan on being in the hospital longer, my milk didn’t come in until I got home so I didn’t need them. (reuseable bamboobies , disposable Lansinoh – both on Amazon. I use both at home depending on my mood)
- Flip Flops – I gave birth in the middle of a snow storm so I wore my slippers home, but I would have wanted them in the summer.
- Foundation or Mascara if you want a professional photo taken or want to just feel like yourself.
- Makeup wipes – I had a planned induction so I showered right before and didn’t put any makeup on.
- Towel – the hospital one sucked, but don’t know if I would take up the space.
What my hospital provided
- For Mom
- Mesh panties
- Giant pads
- Grip socks
- Dermaplast spray
- Peri bottle
- Spray on soap (for tearing)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Body wash & 2-in-1
- All meals
- Jell-o and juice
- Binder with all of my sons paperwork, test results, and other important documents.
- For Baby
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Swaddle blankets
- Halo Swaddle sack
- Hats for baby
- Burp Cloths
