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Trying to figure out what to pack in your hospital bag for mom? As someone who just went through it, let me share what I actually used from my hospital bag and what I wish I had brought with me!
If you’re working on your hospital bag for mom, these are the things you need to keep in mind to bring along with you. I packed a TON and used a fraction of what I brought with me. And not that I’ve gone through labor and the hospital stay that follows, I know what I wish I would have brought, and what I’ll absolutely be bringing along with me next time around. Learn from my mistakes!
This post is all about packing the hospital bag for mom.
First things first – don’t be like me and wait to pack the hospital bag for mom!! I ended up going into spontaneous labor with my water breaking, more on there in my positive birth story here, and my bag was only partially packed.
I went into labor during my 37th week, so next time I’ll have things packed much earlier. Honestly, I’ll probably have it packed in my first trimester because I left way too much for my third trimester this time around and I was big and tired. Anyways…
I was frantically packing and definitely brought way too much, the water breaking and contractions and stress made me do it!
However, from what I packed, this is what I actually used:
1. Extra long charging cord
Outlets are typically in hard to reach places in relation to your bed, so having one that can reach is really nice. Keep things charged for all those pictures you’re going to take!
2. Shower wipes
I wasn’t really sure what the shower situation was going to be like, so I grabbed some shower wipes to have on hand. I was really glad I did because I ended up not showering while there. I was scared to honestly because of how bad I tore, I didn’t know if standing for that long would be too much.
Even if I did shower though, these would still be nice to have to freshen up.
These have been really nice postpartum too! Postpartum body odor is something else! Having these around the house or in the diaper bag to freshen up when needed has been great, especially in the summer!
3. Stroller fan
The stroller fan was truly the star of my labor. SO so nice to have!
It has the bendy arms to attach to a stroller handle, which I used for the rails on the hospital bed while I was pushing. Highly recommend!
4. Nursing bra
I wore a nursing bra or tank the whole time I was there as my top. If you’re breastfeeding, you’re doing so quite often, so having easy access is a must.
This has been my favorite I’ve tried. $10, comfortable, easy to use, and washes great. I’ve since purchased a few more and it’s the only one I wear just about!
5. Normal things you’d automatically be bringing like changes of clothes, toiletries, wallet, Chapstick, etc.
Also, this is the weekender bag I used. LOVED it! Have used it a bunch since too.
Looking back, this is what I wish I had brought with me:
1. Nursing pillow
Number one thing I wish I would have brought as a new breastfeeding mom!
It’s hard to figure out positioning when it’s new to you, and even harder with the hospital pillows. I wish I had my nursing pillow which makes it easy to figure out how to set up and where to place baby.
Plus, then lactation consultants could have shown me the different positions using it rather than trying to with the hospital pillows which didn’t work all that well.
I’ve since used this pillow a ton and still hiiiighly highly recommend it. Game changer for breastfeeding when you’re new to it, or when you’re more comfortable with it. LOVE this thing. Pro tip – grab an extra cover!
2. Depends
While the mesh underwear they give you at the hospital isn’t that bad, using depends for your postpartum bleeding would have probably been a bit easier to deal with. I’ll bring next time on personal preference, but if you don’t it won’t be that big of a deal imo.
3. Nipple cream
If you don’t bring this, it’s totally okay, because they should provide you with some. However, I would have rather used the nipple cream I have at home than what they had at the hospital.
At my hospital they provided lanolin. Worked well but really thick and stained my nursing top. Also I got mixed messaging on whether or not I had to wipe off or not.
I wish I would have just brought my own and been sure of if baby could consume!
I linked the Earth Mama one, but I also use and really like this one by Honest. You don’t need both, and you don’t need a ton either. I have about 3 (2 Honest, 1 Earth Mama), and I could have easily just had one. After a few weeks you barely use it.
Earth Mama you need to rub in between your fingers to soften it before applying, and Honest is already very soft. Just comes down to preference. Both non-toxic and safe for baby.
4. Silverettes
If you’re breastfeeding for the first time, or the first time in a while, it can be quite the painful adjustment for your nipples (no matter what the lactation consultants and nurses might tell you, and no, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re doing something wrong!)
While at the hospital, one of the lactation consultants recommended Silverettes and I’ve never placed an Amazon order so quickly.
A bit pricey, but imo, so so worth it. Help to heal you up and create a barrier between your nipples and shirt or bra, so no unnecessary rubbing going on that already super sensitive, and possibly hurting, area.
Click here to read more on Silverettes and why they are a breastfeeding essential for me!
What I was told to bring but didn’t (and my thoughts!):
1. Robe
This is personal preference, but I didn’t want to bring a nice robe that I knew was going to get pretty gross from labor and all that comes with it. I’d rather just wear the robes they have that are designed for what you go through during birth and in recovery. That worked just fine for me.
2. Your own pillows and blankets
My husband brought his own, since he was sleeping on the futon thing in our hospital room. I used what was at the hospital. I honestly didn’t want to bring my own and get hospital germs on it or the various bodily fluids that were coming out of me lol. I know it could be washed, but I just didn’t feel like dealing with that.
3. A cute going home outfit
Comfy was key for me during my stay and on the way home. And I also didn’t want to get anything gross, so I just stuck with my comfy clothes to go home in.
People like to spring for a cute going home outfit for themselves and for baby. IMO, everything for baby is cute, so you don’t need anything specific. But that’s your call!
The most ridiculous thing we brought:
Both my husband and I brought our laptops to the hospital. I wasn’t expecting to start my leave until a few days later when my induction was scheduled, so there were a few things I was planning to wrap up that week. Baby had other plans! I messaged my boss I was in labor and was going to try to work and she essentially was like…”wtf don’t do that just go have a baby.” lol
I still thought I would! But even though my labor progressed slowly, there was no time (or desire!!) to pull out my laptop. It was the last thing on my mind – same for my husband!
Hopefully this helps you when it comes time to pack up the hospital bag for mom. And remember – do it EARLIER rather than LATER!!
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