Mom Hospital Bag Checklist

When it comes to becoming a first-time mom, there are so many things to prepare for – one of those being the trip to the hospital to welcome your new baby boy or girl! 

When I welcomed my baby girl, I thought I was completely prepared for labor and delivery. My hospital bag was packed, I had my birth plan in mind, and I felt ready—or so I thought.

What I didn’t realize as a first-time mom was that when I went to the hospital for my scheduled induction, I was actually going to be admitted. Thankfully, I had tossed my hospital bag in the car “just in case,” but there were still several things we forgot that sent my husband back home more than once.

Like many expecting moms, I spent hours reading hospital bag packing lists online. While they were helpful, I found that many included items I never touched and left out things I ended up wishing I had. After going through labor, delivery, and recovery myself, I put together this list of the items I truly found helpful—plus a few things I wish I had packed from the start. My hope is that this checklist helps make your hospital stay a little more comfortable and a lot less stressful.

Pajamas and/or 2-3 Outfit Changes 

The main priority at this point is going to be comfort as well as easy nursing if you intend to breastfeed since baby will be eating around the clock starting day two. I recommend comfy button down pajamas as you’ll also practically be living in pajamas while you’re in the hospital.. At least I did! I brought a couple of outfit changes and ended up finding that I overpacked on the clothes, especially since I was unable to fit into anything with all the swelling I experienced. 

Labor Gown

One thing that I regretted was not bringing my own labor gown. I ended up wearing the one provided by the hospital the whole time. Not to say their gown was necessarily uncomfortable, but I feel as though I would have felt more comfy in something of my own and perhaps of a different material. This labor gown has buttons down to back for access and access in the front for easy nursing. 

Hospital Slippers

This is one of the main things that I did not think to bring at all and ended up having to wear the hospital socks around the room. Because of my delivery story, I ended up with pretty extreme edema, essentially meaning I had swelled all over, especially in my feet. The slippers that my husband brought from home would not fit my feet and I personally did not love the feeling of walking around the hospital room in socks and getting in bed with those same socks on. This is why I strongly recommend a pair of slippers that you can easily slide on and off. I personally wish I had brought something comfier like fuzzy slippers. If you prefer to check two items off the list, I recommend opting for a style that can be used in the shower as well, such as non-slip shower slippers. 

Portable Charger

A lot of the posts that I was seeing recommended to bring a long charger that made its way all the way from the wall to the hospital bed. Although this is what I ended up doing, I had been wishing that I just had a portable charger due to how many times I still accidentally ended up pulling my phone off the rolling tray, bed, or the block out of the socket. 

Nursing Essentials

I have worn these nursing bras practically every day since I gave birth even at almost 9 months postpartum. They have held up extremely well and hold my pumps in place, whether I’m using them to hold my WillowGo Breast Pump or my Spectra S1 Pump. Use the hack to wrap the bra straps around the S1 pump flanges to keep them in place so you don’t have to buy separate pumping bras. These nursing bras do the trip for nursing and pumping! 

Some other recommendations I have for nursing mamas are nipples silverrettes and balm. The hospital did provide me with a lanolin balm, but this Earth Mama Nipple Butter is organic and can also be used on your lips. 

Recovery Essentials

The hospital I went to did amazing at providing practically everything that you would need postpartum. They had the items I had packed in planning for a vaginal birth such as tucks witch hazel pads, large pads, disposable underwear and even had items for c-section recovery that I had not thought about such as a belly band. The hospital does provide disposable underwear, however, I did not find their options comfortable. The option that I ended up using were the FridaMom Disposable Boyshorts. Although I did find these extremely convenient and comfortable, in hindsight, I wish I bought some reusable ones and just had a large pad. I ended up having a c-section so I think these stretchy reusable boyshorts would have worked perfectly for me with a heavy pad and because they are reusable, I wouldn’t have had to keep buying more packs of the disposable ones.

Toiletries

Keep it simple. Pack shower items: shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Don’t forget to pack your makeup bag so you can feel refreshed as you capture those first beautiful days with baby and family. Pack everything in a large toiletries bag dedicated to toiletries to keep everything organized and mess-free. 

Going Home Outfit

I recommend keeping it simple and sticking to something comfortable for your going home outfit. This two piece set by Pretty Garden from Amazon was my go to during pregnancy and I got complimented on it all the time. It’s what I wore home from the hospital and I’ve gotten two more sets since having baby because they are so flattering even after pregnancy. It’s probably a good idea to leave the jeans at home. 

Overall, my recommendation is to keep your packing list simple that way you’re not lugging a bunch of stuff to and from the hospital. Keep comfort as your number one priority and don’t forget to enjoy every moment and don’t forget to capture all the photos and videos that you can because even with 36 hours in labor and three day stay post-delivery in the hospital, it feels like those days went by so fast.

Extras

The final thing I would recommend packing to bring along is snacks – and lots of them! Our hospital did not have a 24-hour vending machine (not one that we could easily find at least) and the cafeteria was obviously limited to options and hours they were open. The middle of the night feedings definitely would have been a bit better with a little motivational snack or treat.

Click Here for my Etsy Downloadable Printable Checklist or enter your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox!