Hospital Packing List From a Third Time Mom
The first time I packed my hospital bag(s) for having a baby, I packed everything you could think of! I have always preferred to pack too much rather than not enough and this certainly was the case the first time around. Now that I am having my third baby, I have a much clearer idea of what will bring me comfort during labor, delivery, and postpartum in the hospital.
Below are my must haves for my hospital bag for baby, my partner, and myself:
For Mom:
- Delivery Room: Bluetooth speaker, oil diffuser, cute labor and delivery socks
- Clothes: Going home outfit, pajamas, underwear, nursing bras, socks, shoes, flip flops, and robe
- Nursing: Nursing cream, nursing pillow, and haakaa
- Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, facewash, hair products, bobby pins, toothbrush, pony tail tie, head band, chap stick, and makeup
- Medicine: Medicine box with daily medication, prenatal vitamin, and stool softener
- Phone charger
- Portable fan
- Water bottle
- My pillow
- Postpartum snacks
For Dad:
- Clothes: day clothes, pajamas, underwear, socks, shoes, and flip flops
- Toiletries: Shampoo, face wash, deodorant, razor, toothbrush, etc.
- Phone charger
- Pillow
- Snacks
- Camera and charger
For Baby:
- Clothes: Onesies, pajamas, announcement outfit, going home outfit, mittens, socks, and bows/ hats
- Baby car seat
- Baby blanket
- Announcement accessories
- Baby sound machine
- Burp cloths
Important Documents:
- Driver’s Licenses
- Birth plan
- Pediatrician information
- Pre-authorization print out
Tasks for the Older Kiddos:
- School Schedules for the Grandparents
- Update babysitting list
- Give items for drop off (car tag for school pickup)
Miscellaneous Tasks:
- Laundry
- Grocery shop
- Clean kitchen
What I Will NOT Be Packing:
- Postpartum care items: The hospital provides so many items for postpartum care like: mesh underwear, feminine products, Tux, Dermoplast spray, a peri bottle, etc. I delivered at Oschner Lafayette General for my other two pregnancies and will be doing so again. They provided the items I needed for postpartum care.
- Baby items: They provide plenty of diapers, wipes, swaddle blankets, baby shampoo, and formula for baby.
- Nursing: The hospital had plenty of nursing pads, lanolin cream, nipple shields, and a hospital grade pump. The nursing staff was really helpful while trying to learn to nurse each of my babies and provided the tools to set us up for success.
I curated my hospital bag list based on lists other moms created on Pinterest and has worked for me in the past. Each person is different, so pack whatever items bring you comfort before this transition of bringing your baby earth side.
