It’s time to start thinking about what you’ll pack in your hospital bag, but like most of us, you’re on a budget.
Don’t waste your time and money on what some of those TikTok stars get paid to tell you to buy. Here is a realistic list from a mom of three.
I’m going to warn you now, I know as a new mom you are worried and want to be prepared. So feel free to overpack, whatever makes you feel comfortable mamma, just try not to overspend.
Before you go to Amazon, really look through what you already have, or what you could borrow from someone else. Save your money for diapers, takeout, and Netflix.
Netflix and Chill is getting a whole new meaning once the baby comes.
I will say that I brought way too much stuff for my first and I downsized a lot for the next two.
But in the end, what you bring should be whatever makes you happy and confident to have that baby, however, it’s going to be.
Table of Contents
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Must Haves for Mom
- Extra long phone charger – They normally have an outlet behind your bed, but it’s way easier to just have a long 10-15ft cord with you.
- Comfy Clothes – I don’t know about you but the idea of staying in a hospital gown for about three days was not ideal. So I bought a nursing nightgown and then brought some of my comfy pregnancy clothes. I had all my babies in winter, so pants were a most.
- Slippers/non-slip socks – If you have slippers that you can throw in the wash then you can bring those and immediately have someone wash them when you get home. Otherwise, I would just wear the socks they give you or buy your own.
- Nursing tops – I loved these and these ones.
- Flannel or zip-up. I was all about learning how to nurse, so I would wear my favorite sweatpants, a nursing top, and a flannel, easy access. This became my uniform for a while at home too. Side note I wore a lot of my husbands too.
- Hair Clip or Ties – You’re going to be looking down a lot and your hair is going to drive you crazy. Instead of going for a cut, just invest in some pretty clips or hair accessories.
- Toiletries – whatever you need to feel like you, facewash, makeup, straightener. No judging here, do what makes you feel good about yourself.
- Water Cup—Once you’re allowed to drink water, they want you to drink your weight in it, I swear. And those little styrofoam cups were annoying, so I brought my own cup.
- Lotions – Yes this could go under toiletries but it’s so important, everything is dry at the hospital, so bring face, body, hand… all the lotion ok.
- Chapstick/Lip Balm – again it’s dry, you’re going to need this.
- Going Home Outfit – Ok, I don’t know why we need a fancy coming home outfit, normally you’re so tired and sore because you just had a baby that you don’t care. You’re more looking at sweet baby so splurge on their outfit if you want. You’re going to be in pregnancy clothes still.
- Snacks – bring your favorite foods/snacks, the kitchen isn’t open all hours and you’re going to be hungry so don’t be afraid to bring a bunch of snacks and order delivery, just let your nurse know.
- Birth Preferences List – Instead of a birth plan, it’s a preferences list, because nothing goes to plan and its better to have your preferred treatment options written out for everyone to know.
Must Haves for Baby
- Two onesie size 0-3 or 3 months – they’re going to be swaddled all the time no need for full outfits.
- 1 going home outfit size 0-3 or 3 month
- Honest when it came to the clothes, I just brought 0-3, it wasn’t worth the newborn size to me, they maybe wore each outfit once. So if you do these and you’re not having a premie don’t buy too much.
- Diapers & Wipes – yes the hospital provides this but find out the brand, I have sensitive skin and was being proactive, so I brought my own that I was comfortable with.
- Baby announcement props – whatever you want for props to announce your baby. Instead of an outfit, I did a swaddle for pictures. Affordable outfits I got my boys and my daughter.
- Bath soap – yes they provide this too, but again I have sensitive skin and was being precautions and brought my own.
- Nuki – I wanted my kids to take a Nuki and I wanted it to be a specific brand so I brought my own.
- Carseat
- Blanket for the car seat assuming it is winter
- Hat or headband to wear to stay warm.
Nursing Must-Haves
Before we get into the nursing must-haves, please be sure to ask about what they provide or at the very least save the receipts and don’t open everything so you can return whatever you don’t need.
If you decide to nurse for the first time it can be a bit overwhelming, so ask for the lactation specialist and get all the help you can well still at the hospital.
Remember that a fed baby is a happy baby, and at the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you nurse or supplement, just that your baby is fed. So please don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go how you planned.
- Pump – if you get a free one or reimbursement for part of the cost of a pump then bring it with so they can help size you. I went with a hands-free model that was a newer design and that made a world of difference for me.
- Nursing Bra
- Nursing Pillow – I know they have pillows there but it gets overwhelming trying to manipulate five pillows and three nurses trying to help you get a latch. So for one less headache just bring the pillow.
Note your hospital should supply you with shields, cold patches, and nipple cream if you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask for nursing help.
Must Haves for Husband/Delivery Partner
- Change of clothes
- Slippers – Again washable ones, you don’t want those in your home otherwise.
- Toiletries – they only need morning stuff, not shower stuff. Let them go home for that, and besides you’re going to want them to go get something or pick up food.
- Snacks & Drinks – Bring whatever snacks you might need for him that you don’t mind him eating in front of you. I brought him Christmas cookies and protein bars for our last baby.
Preferred Items
- Coffee – I hate hospital coffee and these coffee steep bags are a must for me. I also brought my own creamer, those little cups they hand out, yuck! (the brand I bought in the past got discontinued but this can work too, with your favorite coffee)
- DVDs or Roku – see what the TV set up is supposed to be, sometimes its just a DVD player sometimes it’s a new enough TV you can connect a streaming device like a Roku to it.
- Kindle or one book – I don’t know why I thought I would be able to read personally, I don’t think I read a chapter, but I still brought my Kindle every time.
- Journal – if you want to write about your birthing experience and remember the details bring a journal with to document.
- Whatever makes you happy, and keeps you entertained, Nintendo switch, a laptop, a stuffed animal, fidget toys, playing cards, coloring books, and so on.
Things I don’t think you need
I really don’t think you need to bring these items, but if its going to make you comfortable, please do so. This is just my opinion based on my experience.
I will say that you should bring your packing list to your doctor’s appointment and ask your OB if they have any of these items available to you.
For example, I love oils and brought my oils and diffuser to my first delivery, I then learned that they had these available for me to use and high-quality oils too. So I didn’t need it.
Robe, and towels, unless you have sensitive skin, I wouldn’t waste your time with this one, they provide them for you. Just ask for more.
Postpartum underwear – sorry mommy you’re going home in a diaper, just accept it now, and ask for extra, you’ll thank me later.
Binder – They will give you one of these! Don’t waste your money, ask for it if they don’t just give one to you, and they’ll make sure it fits and show you how to use it.
Pery bottle and pads – they are going to give these to you, don’t waste your money! Though if you want padsicls go make those!!!
Lastly, if there’s anything you need or think you could need after the fact, just ask your nurse, amazon, instacart, or a friend to go get something for you.
You got this mama!
