My Hospital Bag Checklist & What I Actually Used During My Stay
I packed 20-ish items. Here's what I'd pack again, and what I'd leave home next time around.
I overpack to go on an overnight trip, so believe me when I say that no one who knows me well was surprised that before going into labor, I was obsessed with making sure I packed everything I needed for my hospital stay.
I binge-watched “What I Packed In My Hospital Bag” videos on YouTube. I asked my family and friends for their recommendations. I even posted a few question-and-answers on Instagram: What were new moms packing for the hospital, and what did seasoned moms consider must-haves versus unnecessary clutter?
I received an overwhelming response on social media and IRL. After reading through everyone’s recommendations, I curated a packing list that, I felt, would best suit my, Mark’s and baby Guerra’s needs. Because I found the many resources I relied on so helpful in my packing experience, I wanted to break down what items I ended up bringing to the hospital and clarify which items I would pack for a labor and delivery hospital stay again, and what I’d leave home the next time around.
I hope my recommendations can help a new mom on their packing endeavors! Please feel free to pass this post along to a mom in need of guidance.
What: A Charging Station
Yay or Nay: Yay
This was Mark’s idea. I was advised to bring extra long phone chargers, but rather than pack a bunch of wires, Mark brought his charging “dock", and we switched off charging our devices throughout the night. Less mess around the room for the win! (Here’s something similar to what we use.)
What: Nightgown with Buttons
Yay or Nay: Yay
I brought two nightgowns to the hospital: The Kindred Bravely Clea Button Down Nursing Nightgown ($51.99) and the Ekouaer Women's Nightgown V Neck Striped Button-Down Nightshirt ($16.98). Because I had a c-section and stayed in the hospital 3 days post-surgery, I changed into the first nightgown as soon as I was able to shower. I did not wear the second nightgown until I got home, but both are great postpartum options. They’re comfortable, great for nursing or pumping mamas, and easy to get on and off when dealing with incision discomfort.
What: Lightweight Robe
Yay or Nay: Nay
The hospital gown and the nightgowns I brought with me were enough.
What: Coming Home Outfit for Me
Yay or Nay: Yay and Nay
I packed one of my maternity dresses (this one from Quince) to go home in, thinking it would be nice and roomy. On the contrary, it was actually pretty fitted. The fabric was incredibly soft, and the form-fit did offer some needed compression, but I would pack something different next time.
What: Coming Home Outfit for Lauren
Yay or Nay: Yay
Obviously! You could, of course, bring your sweet baby home in the onesie the hospital provides you with, but I love love love the outfit I was gifted from Caden Lane (see here - can you even handle it?). She looked adorable and it was so photogenic!
What: Slippers + Slipper Socks
Yay or Nay: Yay
I used both my slippers and slipper socks once I was feeling good and getting up and about. My legs and feet swelled like balloons starting week 38 and didn’t go down until a week or so postpartum, so slipper socks were generally more comfortable than my regular slippers, but both pairs of footwear did not go to waste.
What: Makeup
Yay or Nay: Yay
I didn’t pack a ton of makeup for my hospital stay. I didn’t even use all of it, and I certainly wasn’t putting on makeup every day. That said, once I could get up, a little mascara, some concealer, and brow definition product made me feel a little more *put together.*
What: Skincare
Yay or Nay: Nay
LOL at me thinking I was going to go through my skincare regimen. Granted, my routine is only three or four steps these days, but it was the last thing on my mind. I was just happy to stand long enough to wash my face.
What: Dry Shampoo
Yay or Nay: Yay
1000% yay. I cannot stand when my hair is dirty. I have naturally oily strands, and it doesn’t take long for them to show. So because I couldn’t shower until the night before I was discharged, my Redken Invisible Dry Shampoo ($27) came in handy in the meantime.
What: Travel-size Shampoo and Conditioner
Yay or Nay: Yay
One of my best friends (hi Megs!) told me that the first post-labor shower is the best I’ll ever take, and she was right. To make it extra special, I treated myself to some of my favorite products, but the travel-size versions so they took up less space in my bag: A loofah, the Kristin Ess Salon Shampoo + Conditioner Set ($11), and Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash ($3).
What: Chapstick
Yay or Nay: Yay
I’m not sure what it is about giving birth that makes your lips so dry - maybe it’s the medication, maybe it’s the limited hydration. Either way, my lips were desert dry and cracking, so I was constantly applying chapstick/lip balm/lip gloss (often reaching for these from ColourPop). It definitely helped. I would highly recommend.
What: Hair Ties
Yay or Nay: Yay
Things get a little toasty in the delivery room. Even if you have short hair, bring a few just in case.
What: A Hair Brush
Yay or Nay: Yay
1000% yay. It’s just another little thing that can help you feel more put together post-delivery.
What: Travel Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Yay or Nay: Yay
I was on bedrest 24 hours post-delivery and still brushed my teeth. This one was a must.
What: Stroller Fan
Yay or Nay: Probably Yay, But Nay In My Case
I forgot I brought this to be honest. I probably could have used it when I felt a bit warm leading up to my surgery, but oh well.
What: Snacks
Yay or Nay: Yay
Listen, as lovely as the hospital I delivered at was, hospital food is hospital food. I packed some delicious snacks for Mark and I to enjoy when the cafe was closed or we just didn’t want to eat hospital food. Shout out to Target for its fruit and nut bars, Clif Bars, and Go Macro. I brought a bunch of these in a large zip lock bag and we went through almost all of them throughout our stay.
What: Breast Pump
Yay or Nay: Nay
I brought my pump to ask the nurses how to use it, but never took it out of the box. The hospital provided medical grade pumps. I told them the brand I was using, and they brought me a device by the same brand, taught me how to use it, and let me take home the compatible attachments. I’ll be leaving mine home next time, if only to save on having to lug another thing around.
What: Books
Yay or Nay: Yay
All entertainment you think will be helpful to pass the time or distract you from contractions is a win. I brought three books so I had a variety of genres to choose from, plus my laptop so I could play tetris or watch a show.
What: Binky
Yay or Nay: Yay
I brought two binkies, but my hospital did provide one! Lauren used both. I’d bring them again, as babies are particular about pacifiers.
What: A Folder
Yay or Nay: Yay
As I mentioned earlier, I watched a lot of hospital packing list videos on YouTube before giving birth, and one mama mentioned bringing a folder to store all of the paperwork you receive throughout your stay. It was a great tip and helped us stay organized.