Hospital Pack List
I was that person who packed wayyyy too much for my hospital stay when having my first child. But honestly, I’m the person who has overpacked for every single trip I have been on (and had to pay for oversized luggage at the airport on more than one occasion). I made a list for one of my friends who is now pregnant of the things I would pack if I had to do it over again, so I will share it here too. I thought I was going to change outfits more and look cute- but the truth is- I mostly lived in the hospital gown they provide and only changed into the gown I brought on day 2 (which I do recommend the gown and will post an affiliate link here for that and a few other things I was glad I brought) The hospital provides most of the items you will need during your stay, so packing as little as possible will cut down on your stress during this time.
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For mama:
Phone charger with long cord (we also got the USBC plug for faster charging- both linked) https://amzn.to/3Wb2Dm2 https://amzn.to/45RleH3
Socks (if you want your own- they will probably provide the ones with grips on them)
nursing bras (my favorite one which is great for pumping or nursing is linked. Personally, I would buy 2 so you always have one even when the other is washing) https://amzn.to/3xNeFsg
always discreet disposable underwear (I wore the mesh underwear the first day and then switched to these and wore these at home the next week) https://amzn.to/3LhIFQh
pajamas/robe (I didn’t use but I know some who do)
toiletries (they had jetted bathtubs at my hospital and it felt so good to take a bath the night after I gave birth)
deodorant, facewash
hairbrush/ponytail holders/clipee
toothbrush/toothpaste
comfy outfit/dress for going home
coconut oil in small container (I exclusive pump so I used this inside the flanges when I pumped instead of nipple cream)
house shoes (my favorite ones linked- I have plantar fasciitis so I live in these literally all the time!) https://amzn.to/4eRQEkA
shoes to wear home
pillow and blanket (I loved having my own but probably wouldn’t bring your nicest ones to the hospital- also would recommend brighter color pillowcases instead of white so they don’t get mixed up with the hospital ones)
trash bag for dirty clothes
glasses/contacts/case/solution
Bath towel/wash cloth (they have them…but I have worked in a hospital before sooo…I wanted to bring my own)
Snacks (our hospital brought food whenever you called the kitchen any time of day so we didn’t eat much of ours, but not all hospitals do this)
Paperwork (if you have any short-term disability or other paperwork that your doctor needs to sign)
nursing or pumping cover
For baby:
car seat (leave in car until it’s time to go home) (We love the Doona! It makes getting the baby out places so convenient) https://amzn.to/3WdGsLS
a couple of outfits, socks, hat (but we preferred the hat the hospital puts on them because it fit better)
swaddle (they have a blanket they use there, but I was not good at swaddling with a blanket so I preferred the velcro ones (my favorite linked) https://amzn.to/45VwQbW
blanket (for going home)
paci (our hospital did not provide them and if you are breastfeeding, they recommend not giving them one for a few weeks, but most bottle-fed babies will take one earlier) (Of course all babies have their own preference but I will link our fave) https://amzn.to/4cOjMr4
Burp cloth (also doubles as a bib- favorite one is from walmart, parent’s choice brand and called burp 2 bib)
Pediatrician information (they are going to ask and will make sure you have a follow up appointment before you leave the hospital)
letter board (not a necessity but I took ours to use for a picture of him in the hospital) https://amzn.to/3RZJnp7
