My Go-to Hospital Bag Must Haves
Yay!!! The day is ALMOST finally here to meet your new little bundle! Congrats, I am so excited for you!
Whether you are a first time mama or this isn’t your first rodeo, I made a quick list of my go-to items for your hospital bag.
For Mom:
- Pajamas that open in the front (2-3 pair)
- Usually a nice button up top or nightgown for easy access for breastfeeding and skin-to-skin
- Slippers or flip flops
- Have you ever really seen a hospital floor? As a nurse, I sure have and I wouldn’t suggest walking barefoot on it. Bringing some kind of footwear to wear that is easy to slip on and off is key
- Nursing Bra (if breastfeeding)
- My favorite go to nursing bras are from Kindred Bravely
- High waist underwear
- Comfortable clothes to go home in
- Leggings or loose pants with a t-shirt or sweatshirt
- A small bag of your go to toiletries
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, face wash etc. The hospital always has some kind of shampoo and body wash but it is nothing like the quality of your own.
- Hair products
- It could just be remembering to bring a few hair ties and brush or your favorite dry shampoo.
- A small speaker
- A lot of women like to create their own labor playlists to focus, or even distract, them.
- Pillow and blanket
- If you forget everything but this, you will still be thankful! Hospital pillows are really squishy and rough and so are their blankets. Bring one (or even two) from home to be as comfortable as possible.
- Breastfeeding pillow
- My two favorites are the Boppy feeding pillow or the Brest Friend
- Robe
- Any soft and silky kind is great! Steer away from those thick fleece ones, postpartum hormones tend to make you extra hot/sweaty!
- Snacks
- Anything that is small and easy to grab!
- Reusable water bottle
- Make sure to stay HYDRATE before and after you have your baby!
- Phone Charger
- Want to keep that phone charged to take all the cute pictures of your new babe!
For your spouse:
- Their own pillow and blanket
- Medications
- Any prescribed medications should be brought with them in addition to a little Tylenol, Advil and Tums. The hospital is not legally allowed to distribute any medications to non-patients.
- A few days worth of clothes
- Some button up shirts to help with skin-to-skin
- Pajamas
- Slippers/flip flops
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks
- Toiletries
- Phone Charger
For the baby:
- A velcro/zip up swaddle or swaddle blanket
- Portable sound machine
- A few newborn or even preemie outfits
- Most babies are small! sometimes even newborn outfits are too big!
- 3-4 onesies, zipper pjs or gowns
- Gowns are always my go to favorite for easy newborn changes
- Pacifier
- Car seat
