Leading up to Katie’s birth on June 20th, Bo and I packed and repacked our hospital bag multiple times, trying to ensure it held everything the three of us would need for our stay in the hospital. While we hoped and expected that we’d be there no longer than two days since the plan was for a vaginal birth, we packed the bag as if we’d be there for four days in case I required a c-section.
During my third trimester, I put together a comprehensive list of hospital bag items which included suggestions from other bloggers, friends, family members, baby books and a Brooklyn Mom’s Facebook group I joined a few weeks before giving birth. Now that I am a new mom, I wanted to share an edited list which includes only the items we used while in the hospital.
Toiletries:
- Dry shampoo
- Face wipes
- Deodorant
- Lip balm
- Shower Favorites for first shower after delivery – body wash, face wash, shampoo & conditioner
- Body Lotion
- Hair ties, barrettes or headbands
- Basic makeup essentials (mascara, blush, foundation, concealer, eye liner, and lip gloss)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash
- Dad’s toiletry bag
Snacks
- Large water bottle
- Coconut Water
- Kind bars, trail mix (high fiber snacks)
Electronics
- Extra long phone iPhone charging cord with wall adapter
- iPhones
- iPad
- Kindle or Book
- Nice Camera with CHARGED battery
Nursing Stuff
- Boppy
- 2-3 Seamless Nursing Bras
- Nipple Cream
- Nipple Pads
- Heavy Pads
- Nursing friendly pajamas
- Nursing friendly outfit
Clothes
- Kimono outfit for baby to go home in
- Blanket, hat and outfit for baby’s first pictures
- Button down shirt for easy access to husband’s chest for skin to skin time
- Flip flops or slippers you can throw out
- Cozy socks with grip
- Pretty robe
- Going home clothes for me – comfy pants, easy shirt
Other Stuff
- Pillow from home for me and husband
- Washcloths
- Lavender oil to put on washcloths
- Car Seat
- Health insurance, driver’s license
- Two full-size blankets for mom and dad’s beds
- Fridababy Fridet (so much better than squeeze bottle hospital gives you)
- Extra bag for stuff hospital gives us
Your turn – Any questions? What items am I missing?
My friend said bring your own towels! The hospital ones can be scratchy, stained and small!
What a great list, though!!
Great idea! Never even thought of that! 🙂
Wow! That’s a lot of stuff. I think I took a camera, an outfit for myself, going home outfits for the babies, carseats and blankets plus some toiletries. I thought everything that the hospital provided was fine.
Every hospital and person is different, which is why I don’t want to suggest people depend on what the hospital provides.
It really is crazy how different each hospital is. The hospital where I delivered my son provided everything you can imagine for baby and all recovery/comfort/medical items for mom (e.g., witch hazel pads, dermoplast, etc.), but the towels were definitely small and itchy and the toiletries smelled… hospital-ey to me. It’s definitely a good idea to ask other moms about your specific hospital!
I was incredibly happy to have some special luxurious shower products and my makeup and hair products because I felt pretty gross after delivery. To each their own!
Exactly – I couldn’t agree more! I was impressed with most aspects of NYU but agree that I was thankful to have my makeup, shower products and pillows!
A good list to save. Thank you!
Thank you for this list! I will be sure to check back on it again when I’m packing our hospital bag in a couple of months. Congrats again! 🙂