Second Time Around: What’s In My Hospital Bag

The first time I gave birth, I Googled extensively to try to find the best lists of what to bring to the hospital. And shocker, everyone has an opinion. Especially (hilariously), first time moms. So I made a list, I checked it twice. I packed a wheely suitcase for me and my husband and a diaper bag for the baby. I bought a robe because everyone said you needed a robe. (Spoiler alert: I do not wear robes and didn’t suddenly decide to start in the hospital.)

And then I didn’t use half the stuff in there. It was no big deal, but this time I’m going a little more minimalist. You know what I didn’t realize the first time? The hospital has STUFF that you can use while you’re there. And stores remain open and your husband will be grateful for the fresh air if there’s something you absolutely must have. And he’ll probably go back to your house occasionally, too.

So, without further ado, here’s The Really Useful Packing List.*

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– Snacks. My wonderful hospital birthing center HAS kitchenettes with snacks in them, but one can only eat so many graham crackers with peanut butter and Jell-O cups. May I recommend Target’s Archer Farms Black and White Trail mix?  You can eat it with one hand, it’s basically candy (except it’s not because the bag says TRAIL MIX), and it’s high calorie which will help with milk supply if you’re planning to breastfeed.  And don’t judge my gummy bears. If you’re in labor, you get all the gummy bears you want. Plus, I guess they provide a nice quick sugar boost if you start feeling weak, or whatever.
 
– Face wipes. Because labor is sweaty and post-partum night sweats are sweaty and newborns on your chest all night are sweaty, and you’ll have visitors coming and sometimes you just don’t want to get out of bed in the maternity ward for fear something will fall out of you, whether it be a baby or gigantic blood clots or whatever.
 
– Labor clothes. Obviously everyone’s preferences and comfort level will vary, but I wanted to be as naked as possible during labor. I ended up delivering in just this Moving Comfort Fiona Sports Bra, and it was wonderful. Not only does it provide excellent support for what really is an athletic event, it dries quickly if you get it wet in a shower or tub, and the straps adjust and completely release in the front, so you can easily fold it down for nursing and skin-to-skin time after birth.
 
– Non-stupid husband labor clothes. Because nothing can ruin a fresh newborn photo like your husband grinning with his new baby in his arms… wearing an “I’m With Stupid” T-shirt. Do yourself a favor, throw a couple of plain or otherwise inoffensive shirts in there for him. Also, can’t hurt to have swim trunks in case you want to labor in the tub or shower and want assistance.
 
– Baby book page. Apparently the night nurses in the mother/baby wing are pros at this. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have remembered. (Also, note to self: buy baby book.)
 
– Flip flops. Because hospital showers (and feet swelling, if you get an epidural and therefore, fluids).
 
– This flowy cardigan/wrap top/pajama layering top thing. It’s a shirt! It’s a blanket! It’s a nursing cover! You can slip it off easily when you have a postpartum hot flash! But seriously, I bought some new pajama pants and nursing tanks, because that’s all I wanted to wear in the hospital this time, and I’d prefer not to look too scrubby.
 
– Toiletries. Nice ones. Birth can be anything from a crazy, wild sprint to a grueling marathon to anything in between. Either way, you WILL want to shower afterwards, and nothing says, “hey, great job, you!” like a bar of your favorite soap and fancy shampoo.
 
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 – A cute swaddle blanket and hat for the baby. Because babies are usually constantly swaddled and wearing a hat in the hospital, and the standard issue hospital blankets and hats are kind of fug, and you will take lots of pictures. Also, if you have a child with a giant head like mine (literally off the charts huge), the sweet little newborn hats won’t fit anyway. This time, I have this hat (bear ears, in two sizes!) and a set of my favorite swaddle blankets at the ready.
 
– Pacifier. Pacifiers are one of those things that a lot of moms have Feelings about, capital F, because of their potential to negatively impact breastfeeding, but I fall on Team Paci and will be bringing my own because my hospital does not provide them anymore.
 
– Breastfeeding pillow. I prefer the horribly-named My Brest Friend for the early newborn days. (Seriously, why do you have a misspelled word in your own product name?) It helps.
 
*Obviously, you should also pack standard stuff like, you know, pants, and contact solution. I’m just adding in the few labor-specific things I can remember.
Brieanne Hilton
Brie Hilton lives in the Northland is a stay-at-home mom with multiple side hustles in the Northland. Her oldest son, Charlie, is 7 and has his own pet-sitting business and outsmarts his parents at least three times a week. Her youngest, Patrick, is 5 and has cerebral palsy and autism, so she considers herself an expert on navigating the special needs life on way too little sleep. In her spare time (ha), Brie teaches group fitness classes, has a boutique in her basement, naps too much, and actively ignores the piles of laundry on the floor.