Thank you for this… you posted at the perfect time for me. My first arrived 5 weeks early and I didn’t have anything packed! Now I’m at 32 weeks with #2 and if she’s anything like her sister, I should probably be ready soon. Can’t believe I never thought of packing a swaddling blanket- love that idea. And I’d love to get some postpartum mama cloth too! So much to do….

This is a good list. I would also add some hard candy and snacks to my bag for before and after delivery. Sometimes all I need is a little something to get me through to the next meal.

Perfect timing! I’m due in a month and started packing yesterday. This was a very helpful article!

I think I had so many things in my bag but never used them. Definitely need the goin, home outfit though.

My wife and I had a home birth, so everything we needed was in the same room with us. For a home birth you need a birthing kit. We read articles about having all the things we needed for that.

I need to do this soon! This is my first baby, Ive been reading up on what to.pack!

Definitely music and snacks for after. Even some fruit or Gatorade to replenish after all those hours or hard work!

i didnt have nursing bras, idk why i just totally spaced that one. i pretty much had toiletries, some clothes for me and my son, and glasses. i loved those postpartum panties, lol i would keep telling my nurse i needed more so i had a little stash for when i came home.

I had so much packed and only used a couple of things. But at least I was prepared for this one. My first two I was sent to the hospital from work and had to send someone to pack things for me!

I didn’t have a hospital bag the first time. I’m due in 11 days, and I’m still unprepared. There’s a lot of things I still need to buy for my bag. I’m going shopping Saturday!

Super helpful!!

Great ideas!

I’m packing light, since we’ll be at a Birthcenter : )

Snacks, pillows from home, flip flops if you need to shower at the hospital- protect your feet!

I didn’t use hardly anything in my hospital bag except my makeup! Lol.

Baby is due in a few weeks. I still haven’t gotten my bags together. Great article!

Make a small pack of things to pamper yourself with too!!! We ended up having to stay an entire week and a razor was all I wanted after the 5th day. You never know if something is gonna come up… So if you use it within a weeks time I would probably pack it or at least. Travel size version

Great ideas!

I will show this to my daughter. She is due in about 6 weeks and we were just talking about her needing to pack her bag and what to put in it. Thank you. This will be helpful.

I just threw some clothes, soap, shampoo, and deodorant in a bag. It was enough for me! I did not prepare the bag ahead of time.

don’t forget the champagne and chocolate!

Great list. I am due in June with our second child. One thing I didn’t think about was a nursing cover. With my first it ended up my husband standing in the hallway with male friends that came to visit. A lot of my friends did not feel uncomfortable if I was nursing my son. I felt like I brought a lot of things I didn’t use. I actually just use the mesh underwear they gave you in the hospital. I guess better then ruining my own.

A sleeping mask was nice to have.

Great List! I brought way too much with me that we didnt use for my first and not really enough for my second. Here’s to hoping a third time will be a

I home birthed my twins, and intend to with this next one in a couple of months, but if I ever have to do hospital, I will defiantly bring my own water and Recharge (like Gatorade but natural). I drank gallons that first birth and some hospitals can be brats about bringing you water. Ice chips don’t cut it for me. I want to drink when I need to, not be put on an I’ve because I got dehydrated when they wouldn’t bring me water. Also, some books/supplies for the older children incase they have to come with me until the planned baby minders can get them

I would pack some snacks too or ask family to bring them for you. I remember I was starving after the baby was born! And the hubby was too;

Great ideas! I have 4 weeks to go and really need to start packing a bag soon! I am going to bring snacks this time and I have heard some people say to bring depends disposable underwear instead of using the hospital’s lovely under-roos might have to try it!

Wish I had this. I had to send my parents to our house for stuff I forgot!

You have a great list, but you forgot a camera! Though I suppose many people will use their smartphone. Can’t have enough pictures of cute newborn baby and family. I would also pack some favorite snacks.

I had Chapstick and it was a great accessory.

Toothbrush, hairbrush, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and nursing bras. Everything else was not really touched.

Love this helpful and practical hospital packing list! I’ve referenced several different lists that seem to be a bit overkill, but I feel this list includes what are true necessities for both mom and baby. I didn’t bring my boppy to the hospital, and I sure wish I had!

I was also going to mention that you forgot to mention a camera, and extra batteries for it. A few snacks are a good idea, for yourself and for hubby.

Well with my second (knowing all the things I packed and didn’t use…) who was 38 weeks when born, I was packing my bag after my water broke. I packed one of my last clean pairs of pants (all the other ones had gotten soaked with various embryotic gushes, a couple of shirts and a bra. I packed a couple of pair of panties, socks and toiletries. I packed a variety of preemie and newborn clothes (she was too long for the preemie clothes my son -who weighed more- wore for a month after birth). I packed a Sudoku book, my cell phone and charger and a deck of cards for entertainment during labour and afterwards. Most importantly I packed our camera. That was it.

I’m planning a homebirth, but thinking of packing a bag just in case. I like to be prepared and don’t want to end up at the hospital without my stuff! Thanks for the list.

You should definitely add a camera to your list!

Good List! I Wish I’d Brought A BreastfeediG Pillow With Me When I Had My Baby So I Could Have Practiced With It.. Next Time!

I also brought the baby book along so I could get a copy of hand/foot prints right away.

I packed one outfit for myself and a couple sleepers for baby. I also had installed a carseat in the car beforehand. That’s it. Thankfully, I didn’t need to use a hospital bag, as I had an uncomplicated delivery at home with my midwife and close family nearby.

This reminds me that I should probably get to work on my own bag, considering that I’ve reached 37 weeks. But I don’t feel especially motivated when my last two babies’ births seem to indicate that I’ve got another month left. Since my daughter was born at a birth center, we brought some frozen chicken soup to eat after she had been born, plus some snacks (gummy worms, applesauce, juice, yogurt). I’ll probably toss in a book that will be easy to get interested in quickly. I definitely want to bring my nursing pillow this time around. I’ve forgotten it for both of my previous babies, and it was such a relief to start using it once I was home! I really want some mama cloth because after using my moon cup for several months before getting pregnant I can’t stand the thought of using disposable pads again, but we’ll see if I end up getting some or not.

My boy (my first) was born on his due date, but I was still surprised! The one thing I wish I would”ve brought is my nursing pillow. Breastfeeding for the first time, sore back, uncomfortable bed…I will definitely bring it next time around!

Looks like a pretty good list! I would add EMAB nipple cream, a camera, and a robe or comfy hoodie. And cute hats/blankets for baby Good luck!

I packed vitamin water (labour is thirsty work, and hospitals are dry!), lip balm, and brought my own pillow. Slippers, camera/video for first pics with baby & visitors. Depending on your hospital, pads & diapers. Cute sleepers & receiving blanket/swaddle for baby.

i was so nervous about packing a hospital bag but then I didnt do it until after I went into labor and in between contactions. I packed very little. I made sure to take my baby memory book, chap stick and phone and charger. wasnt as big of a deal after all!

Most of these lists seem like overkill to me. I never had enough maternity clothes to pack ahead of time. Plus we came home same day, so I just tossed a few things in my backpack after labor started.

My must haves were comfy pj’s and nursing tank for breast feeding and hot pack for labor pains.

I only wore hospital gowns while there. Didn’t want to ruin my own clothes. Didn’t even pack any clothes. Wore the same clothes home that I arrived to the hospital in.

For me all the clothes I brought were two walmart bought nursing tanktops and a pair of my husbands oversized sweat pants and Hans comfort panties. I wore that home bc I could have cared less what I looked like just what my little girl was wearing. But don’t skimp on your bathroom stuff. That first post labor shower is like being in heaven!

tablets are great for when you can’t sleep, or want to upload a quick photo!

I stressed about packing our bag, but in the end, I really didn’t use anything in my bag except the clothes we put the baby in to go home and a change of clothes for me. I did give birth at a birth center, though, so our stay was only 5 hours after he was born, and 14 hours total.

Food!! When we had our little guy I am so glad I packed some snacks. It was a long day and when we had our guy the hospital cafeteria was closed so it was nice to be able to have some things other then what they give you like gram crackers and apple juice. Also hard candy was a life saver.

snacks, camera & chargers. And a magazine or 2. Once I got my epidural, it got much less exciting, and the hospital’s cell reception was laughable for being in a big city. I packed 2 going-home outfits for the baby, in different sizes, which turned out to be a good thing since she was small & fit newborn clothes perfectly. I had been told not to bother with NB clothes, and that’s all that would stay on for the first month.

Very good list!

I didn’t pack my nursing pillow to the hospital, but I wish I had. Using all the pillows in the room only worked so well, and hubby didn’t like me stealing his pillow when he was napping, lol.

Lip balm and snacks (dried mango)

Thanks for this! It’s a good reminder that I need to get my own hospital bag ready!

Thank you for this! I’m due in 25 days, but most likely will be induced at anytime now. .. I should have packed a long time ago!

I’m fortunate to have a hospital with a wonderful maternity center 4 blocks from my home. It’s easy for my husband to go back and forth but I found the most important thing to bring with us is lots of snacks for my husband. Even when all is going well it can be a long time and I can’t deal with a hubby who us hungry and therefore crabby.

I didn’t pack mama cloth last time, but next time I hope to!

I have two fancy hospital towns too. I’m excited to wear them!

We WAY overpacked for our first Butler did much better the second time around! We did 2 bags this time: one for labor & delivery & one for the stay that we left in the car & hubby brought it in later. If you have older kids some toys & movies to help entertain them!

I love your list! I’m all about simplicity. I stuck to the basics with mine and I unfortunately didn’t get to use most of what I packed bc of my unplanned csection. I looked into getting my own robe but I’m glad I didn’t. After surgery, the last thing I wanted to do was try to change clothes. Thank you for sharing and I’m def saving this. There are a few things I’d love to look into for number 2!!

Of all things I forgot underwear and had to have someone go get them for me. That was embarassing! I was also glad I brought the boppy nursing pillow because I was almost too exhausted to hold her at first.

I packed lightly but was sure to include the baby book, camera, baby nail clippers, and all of my regular toiletry items. All of my children have had those super long, razor sharp newborn nails and they don’t have clippers or mitts at the hospital. I feel vain when packing my make up, razor, lotions, etc., but I don’t like being uncomfortable while stuck away from home so long!

Very helpful. I think I took too many items in my vag. Didn’t bring enough baby clothes though. If you’re CDing there are tons more things you will need to bring!

My hospital bags were very minimal. I didn’t want to be carting around a big bag! We just brought clothes for me, clothes for dad, clothes for baby, swaddling blanket, my DSLR camera, and that’s about it. The hospital provided everything we needed for baby and we were only there for 24 hours! Next time we’ll be doing cloth right away so we will bring that as well.

Very helpful and informative, thank you for sharing this!

I will give birth late next month and am thinking about this more and more lately! Last time I just packed the bare necessities, and it was fine for me (clothes, toiletries, socks, and boppy). This time I might be more high maintenance.

I just had a baby boy 7 weeks ago and wish I had seen this beforehand! I really wanted my nursing pillow the whole time I was there as well. Next time!

I packed a very similar bag (minus the tablet- we don’t have one). A few other things I brought were a camera, good snacks, car seat manual (I was a first-time mommy), and birth plan! Good luck!

The only other thing I can think of, is if you have older kids that might come and visit. Pack them something to do, coloring books, reading books, cars etc. And some cash. My hubby always got hungry, or my older kiddos would want something out of the vending machine, so a little extra cash on hand for the cafeteria isn’t a bad idea. Maybe a comfy pillow for yourself? And maybe a snack, like granola bars. Your list is great I’ll be needing to pack mine in about 3 months! Good luck mamma

So good to know!!!!!

I was lucky enough to have a push pack (pre packed hospital bag)…so I tossed in some clothes, nursing pillow, etc and was pretty well set…easy!

The nursing pillow is a must!! Really ladies, for me was very helpful in the long night feeding my baby girl.

I packed:
-comfortable clothes (sweats) for wearing in hospital
-could extra socks and underwear
-shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, hair brush and hair ties, glasses
-my own pillow
-camera
-snacks for hubby
-extra clothes for hubby
-sleep gown for baby (best thing ever for hospital, it is like a really long shirt with elastic at the bottom and covers their feet)
-going home outfit for baby

Glad I ran across this list. I am 31 weeks and will need to be considering packing a bag very soon. This gives me a great starting point. Thanks!

Dont forget snacks I didnt have one packed, I thought I’d have plenty of time. whoops. lol.

This is unbelievably helpful right now!! We are getting very excited Thank you!

I hardly opened my hospital bag, but I had a rough delivery. Neither baby nor I wore any of the clothes I packed until discharge, and we didn’t use any of the music/movies we brought for entertainment.

Very helpful. I’ve got 2 months to go!

With both of our children I overpacked my hospital bag, definitely had a lot I didn’t use and the one thing I didn’t pack and should have were PJs for Daddy. Go figure, lol.

I always purchase duplicates of all vital make up and bath products… I don’t want to be rushing to throw stuff in the bag at the last minute!

Saving this for later

I definitely over-packed! I had a huge suitcase, and didn’t use most of it!

Chapstick, lavender oil, my own pillow!

I think bringing a good nipple cream is a must! Lanolin just doesn’t cut it.

I packed more than I needed… My one regret though is not having started cloth diapering from day 1 at the hospital!

My husband quickly packed my bag. After my home birth turned emergency c-section, I looked through the bag for the giant, comfy, cotton undies I’d bought for postpartum use. He had packed a bunch of thongs. I cried.

Love this list. I would also put some apple sauce and granola and/or protein bars in my bag. Both of my children were born during the 10 o’clock hour, and by the time all the after the baby come out stuff is done an hour later, the hospital cafeteria was closed, and I was starving after not eating any solid food all afternoon and evening

Lots of snacks!

Forgot to add newborn cloth diapers!! this is a great list, I almost forgot about mama cloth. Due in about 2 mos and can’t wait to use the thirsties diapers we bought!

I’ve finished packing my bag but this just reminded me I have to get hubbys clothes in there too!

This is so helpful! I’m working on compiling a bunch of different lists, and this one is definitely going in there.

I was so disorganized for the 1st one. Next time I will probably be the same as hard as I try not to be.

Good list. I’ll be referring to it in a few months.

I’m definitely bringing my own Halo swaddle sleepsacks next time. For both of my first two kids I couldn’t sleep because I had to keep getting up and checking that the hospital blanket they were swaddled in hadn’t moved up over their faces (they were movers and shakers from birth). Bring whatever you need for mama to rest easy!

Good reminders! Planning a home birth but still need to get going on getting some more of these things ready!

Lotion and chap stick! I can hardly believe how much the hospital dries me out!

Great suggestions!

Great list! THANK YOU! A hospital bag list is one of the most helpful blog posts on the internet!

I ended up packing about an hr before we left for the hospital, but that’s not what I recommend. I was working up until the last minute and didn’t have time before hand, but I thought I would have time during early labor. Turns out I had a precipitous birth in ~3.5 hrs and barely made it to the hospital on I time. I ended up using my gym bag so all I had to add as was a change of clothes and an outfit for the baby. Didn’t even stay in the hospital for 24 hrs so just ended up showering at home anyway.

I definitely over packed for both baby and me when I went to the hospital. I’ll say that the most important items I packed were nursing bras and my own comfy pjs. Going home outfits for me and baby were also key

would’ve been nice to have a list like this before i went to hospital. i had no idea what i would need & packed very random most of it never came out of the bag

Snacks! for me and DH

Nice list. I will be giving birth at home again for our second. But this is still good to look at and make sure I have these items out and ready for birthing day

very helpful tips here. We have baby #2 coming soon.

I packed a ton of stuff with my son, but I ended up not using about 99% of it! Next time around, I’ll pack just my toiletries, coming home clothes, and maybe just one comfy pair of PJs.

This post came at the perfect time! I have a few things to add to my bag.

Great list, thank you! Took some notes so I can get working on my bag. Delivery will be here before I know it.

I packed way too much last time and hated dealing with a big bag of stuff that I didn’t need. So this time around I will be taking the bare minimum. You have made a good list.

medela lanolin, lansinoh breast pads, and at least 2 super comfy one-size-too-big sleep style nursing bras.

I pack most of the same items, though I also include coconut water for the electrolytes during labor and honey sticks to suck on for energy during labor. They are easy to down when a nurse’s back is turned and you just need a little something! I also bring my own pillow so I can sleep more comfortably. And don’t forget your CAMERA!

This is such a helpful post! I never thought if bringing the nursing pillow along – I’ve used it in childcare with older babies, but now that I’m thinking about it, I definitely don’t know how to use it actually nursing. Thanks for the idea!

great list. Planning for our first in July so reading a lot of different types of these posts to see what I will need/won’t need!

A nursing pillow and snacks!!! Im always starving after giving birth!

Bring something you are comfortable in!! If thats a hospital gown, great – but I wanted sweats or pants or something that was mine!

It’s been a long time since I’ve packed a birthing bag. This was a good refresher!
Thanks

We went with iPod instead of tablet, and Velcro swaddle sack instead of blanket but close!

I packed some breast pads and slippers too.

Eeee! Time for me to get my bag packed too!

I packed my breast pump, some new born cloth diapers, 3 newborn outfits, my nursing pillow, rash cream, Vaseline (since i had a boy), soothie paci, 3 night gowns for me (i had to have an emergency c-section), milk storage bottles, receiving blankets, baby socks, baby hats, sleepers for baby and alcohol pads for baby’s naval. i may have over packed mainly because i got too excited and because i didnt want to forget anything like i did with my first son.

I have way more than I think I’ll need. I have a cord blood collection kit, 2 sports/nursing bras, 3 pairs nursing/maternity pjs, 2 going home outfits, 2 outfits for baby ( 1 newborn, 1 0-3 months) makeup, toiletries, chapstick, my iPod, flip flops for the hospital shower…. I think we can all see where I’m going with this… too much stuff!!!

Lots of snacks for labor coach and me the next day.

I was just talking to my doctor about this yesterday. I printed a list off to help me and I think that just made it more difficult!

I will bring more pairs of clothes this time and definately better undies for the post partum pads!

I’m just getting my bag prepped and packed, so this is great!

This is very helpful! 38 weeks with baby #1!

Good list!! Just curious….didn’t see cloth diapers on the list. I wonder how many people start cloth diapering in the hospital…hmmmm.

I just needed clothes. Didn’t need things to keep busy because I was only there an hour before the baby was out.

Always nice to see what people pack for the hospital. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for this! Headed to the hospital this week, hopefully!

aromatherapy supplies!

Thanks for this list! Very helpful!

Thanks for the tips! I’ll be packing my bag soon!

Thank you for posting this information! I will be keeping this list handy for my bag!

We’re starting to think about packing our bag. 5 weeks to go! It’s helpful to know what other moms are packing!

Thanks for helping me get into the mindset! Need to start thinking of this for delivery of #2. I have a great blog post topic recommendation!!! What to pack for first born when I am at the hospital giving birth!lol

this is so helpful. i will be packing soon and needed lots of ideas.

Thanks for this post! It’s always nice to hear what other mamas are doing and get some fresh ideas.