Are you currently pregnant? Or maybe you’re planning to be a mom in the future? Here I share the full list of items you’ll definitely need when you’re in the hospital delivering your baby! I backed it up with advice from doctors and various reviews, and I wanted to share it with you, so hopefully you’ll find some inspiration from this post.
When I was preparing myself for what I needed to bring, I made a list with different categories for the types of things I would need. This really helped me because I feel like there are so many different kinds of things you need. It’s not really like packing for a vacation.
You have to think about things for the baby, for breastfeeding, for postpartum care, for the hospital room in general, and for labor. So what I’ve done is made a list with different categories, and then listed out the items I needed under each category.
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Items For Mom For During Or After Labor
Coming Home Outfit After Labor
So first of all, you’ll need a coming home outfit. I’ve packed two different options, just depending on how I’m going to feel. It’s currently June, and our baby could arrive anywhere from the end of July to the beginning of August—which means it should be very, very hot.
So, I’ve packed one dress—I think it’s very feminine but also super comfortable. It looks similar to this one.
Just a nice, flowy, lightweight, very loose-fitting dress. It’s easy, breezy, and flowy, which I think will feel perfect. I probably won’t want anything too tight around my stomach, between my legs, or anything like that. So I figured a dress would be ideal.
Then, just in case it’s a little colder for whatever reason—sometimes we get these random three or four chilly days—I’m also bringing my maternity joggers. They’re just nice, simple black joggers with a wide, supportive belly band. Obviously, your belly will still be noticeably there when you head home, and I’ve loved wearing these throughout my pregnancy.
I’ll pair them with a simple, feminine top and a cozy sweater.
Nursing Bra
I’ve also packed some socks and a few nursing bras that look like this. I brought some thicker, cozy socks and a couple of thinner pairs as well. As for nursing bras, I packed three different kinds. I bought mine in a local store, and I’m sure they’ll come in handy when the baby wants to feed every 2–3 hours!
I might even wear one of these—or a sports bra—during labor, as I think that will be more comfortable for me.
Pijama Set
I packed two sets of nightgowns and robes, and I might just end up wearing the robes by themselves and leaving them open—because obviously, you’re going to be breastfeeding, and you need easy access to the boobs.
I packed this pink set. The dress is actually a nursing-friendly dress, specifically made for breastfeeding, and I just got it on Amazon. I thought it was quite cute. It looks very comfortable, and the material is super, super soft. Plus, it gives you very easy access to your boobs.
To go with that, I have the robe—which I really love—also from Amazon. I might even end up just wearing the robe on its own.
I’m also packing a black set. I actually have this set in a really nice grey color too, but I decided to pack the black one. Obviously, you’ve just given birth, and you’ll have a pretty heavy period—lots of fluid and blood loss—so black feels like the best choice for that. I really love this fabric. It’s so nice and soft and buttery, and it feels great on the body.
Slippers
I also have some hotel slippers. I like the idea of disposable slippers when you go to a hospital, because obviously, the floor sees a lot of traffic—lots of people coming in and out. I wouldn’t want to take my home slippers there and then bring them back, you know? I also packed shower slippers.
Toiletries & Skincare
You know how obsessed I am with skincare. I healed my acne with skincare and healthy habits—you can read about it here. I’ve packed some toiletries and skincare essentials. Got my Noni Glow body oil from Kora Organics, too. I’ve packed some hair ties (probably going to be very important for keeping my hair up during labor and just being at the hospital, breastfeeding and all of that), and a big hair clip as well. I like using these for showering. I’ve also got some supplements and body wash in here.
So yeah, just the essentials: makeup remover, face wash, toner, a serum, face moisturizer, lip balm—just a few things to help me feel fresh and comfortable. I’m also bringing my makeup bag with a few simple items I might want to use, maybe just for the last day. I might not even reach for it at all, but I’m packing very basic things like concealer, powder, brow product, and an eyelash curler.
Documents For After Labor
I’ve also got a document holder with a few of the important paperwork things I need. My birth plan is in here, along with my passport and my mother pass, which has all the information about the baby, my health, and anything else they might need—paperwork-wise, everything’s in the little folder.
Postpartum Care
So I’ve got all my pads and disposable underwear—just some bigger underwear, really. They will have pads available at the hospital, but just in case I don’t like them or want to try something different (because I don’t know exactly what they’re going to have), I brought some of my own.
Organic Pads For Postpartum
I bought these organic, big period pads, that I thought I’d be using a bit later, after delivery. These are huge. You bleed a lot after giving birth, so you definitely need thick pads.
Disposable Postpartum Underwear
I’ve also got some disposable underwear. I got these from Frida Mom. So many people have raved about them online, saying they’re really comfortable postpartum. I don’t know exactly how I’m going to feel, so I just wanted to give myself a few different options. And yeah, I’ve heard really great things about these.
Big Cotton Underwear For Postpartum
Then I’ve got these big black underwear. I’m not sure if I’ll use these at the hospital, but I think they’ll be great for when I get home. I just wanted to bring a few pairs with me just in case. They’re a really good size and shape for postpartum—thanks to the larger waistband and the roomy fit. They’re super comfortable and will fit a nice, big pad too.
Postpartum Diapers
Another option for postpartum underwear is full on diapers. These are specially made for women. A lot of moms have said they actually prefer these over pads and disposable underwear. I got some in black, and then I’ve also got these ones. Not the most attractive thing, but I’m sure I’ll be really happy to have them. And again, I like having different options depending on how I might feel.
Frida Mom Cold Pads For Postpartum
Also from Frida Mom, I’ve got these cold pads. It says to fold them until you hear the pop, and then they instantly become cold. They’re called “Instant Cold Perineal Compress with Self-Adhesive Strip.” From what I understand, they’re actual pads as well—so they absorb blood while providing cooling relief at the same time, which I think is amazing. I’ve packed a few of these in the main bag too.
Peri Bottle For Postpartum Care
Next, I’m bringing this Peri bottle. I’ve heard this is absolutely essential after giving birth. You fill it with water, and you use it when you go to the bathroom. It helps clean you without having to use a lot of toilet paper, which is especially important if you have stitches, pain, or swelling. You don’t want to be touching that area too much with toilet paper. I’ve also heard that peeing can sting a bit, so it’s recommended to use the Peri bottle while you’re peeing to help prevent that burning sensation.toilet paper, because if you have stitches or pain or swelling, you don’t want to be touching that area too much with toilet paper, and I think also just actually peeing can burn a little bit. They recommend using the same time as your peeing to prevent some of that stained burn that might happen.
Postpartum Belly Band
I’m also bringing a belly band. I’m not sure if I’ll want to use it at the hospital or even once I’m home, but it’s something a lot of people recommended. After giving birth, your stomach can feel empty or hollow, and many women say that having a little support for your belly feels really nice. So, I’m bringing it just in case. It’s like a soft wraparound belt that helps make you feel more, I guess, literally “put together” after giving birth.
Tucks For Postpartum
I’m also bringing some Tucks medicated cooling pads. I’ve heard these are great for putting inside your pad as a liner. They contain witch hazel, which is soothing, cooling, and anti-inflammatory, and it can help with the healing process of your skin.
Electronics
I’ve also packed my electronics. I’ve got my phone charger—many people recommended getting a really long charging cable because the outlet is sometimes far from your bed. I’ve got a 3-meter-long charging cord, so hopefully that will be long enough. I’ve also packed my laptop charger, and I’ll toss my laptop in at the very end before we go.
Snacks For Labor
The last few things in my bag are snacks. I’ve packed a variety of things: bars, cookies, trail mix, some nuts, and fruit. Just a few different things to have as snacks after giving birth or even during labor—easy, yummy things to munch on.
I also want to pick up some fruit pouches that are squeezable. I’ve heard those are a great snack during labor when you need quick energy but don’t want to chew or hold anything. Apparently, they come in really handy, so I’ll be adding those to my bag too.
Water Bottle With A Straw For Labor
Another item, that I’ve heard is useful, is a water bottle with a straw. So many people recommended this for labor or especially while breastfeeding. You might not want to lean your head back, so it’s much more convenient to sip from a straw instead.
Combs For Soothing Labor Pain
Lastly, a few people have recommended bringing combs for labor. Apparently, holding them in your palms during contractions can help manage the sensations. There are specific acupressure points in your hands that can relieve some of the strong sensations. You squeeze the combs in your palms during a surge, and it’s said to help ease the pain and distract your brain from it.
Items For The Baby
Newborn Diapers
Moving on to some things for baby girl, I’ve got some newborn diapers in here. The ones I hhave, are the micro newborn size. I’m pretty sure the clinic will provide diapers, but just in case, I’m bringing a few of these—maybe the size or brand will work better for her.
Water-Based Wipes
I’ve also packed some wipes—again, I think they’ll probably have them at the hospital. The ones I’ve got are super clean and minimal: WaterWipes, which are 99.9% water. Just in case she has a reaction to the wipes they have, I’ll have a different option to try.
Vaseline For the Baby
I’ve heard some people recommend putting Vaseline on your baby’s butt before her first bowel movement. It supposedly makes it way easier to clean her afterward, as the poop should just slide off her skin rather than sticking to it.
Beef Tallow Or A Nappy Changing Cream For The Baby
I’ve also packed some nappy-changing cream. I’m not sure if she’ll need it in the first few days, but I’m bringing it just in case.
Nipple Care For Breastfeeding
For myself, I’m bringing some nipple balm. I’ve got lanolin nipple cream, plus some silver nipple shields, which apparently some moms prefer over the cream.
Pacifiers For The Baby
And then, I’ve got some pacifiers—just a few different kinds to see which one baby girl prefers. All of them are newborn-sized pacifiers, and I’ve sterilized both the pacifiers and their cases, so everything is nice and clean.
Baby Swaddle & Baby Blankets
I’ve also packed different kinds of muslin cloths, blankets, and a baby swaddle. I’m pretty sure the hospital will have these, but I’m bringing two different kinds just in case—maybe I’ll need them for the car or want a thin little blanket for the baby.
Portable Nightlight For Breastfeeding At Night
I also brought a little night light with me. I’m not sure what the lighting situation will be like at the hospital—whether they’ll have dim lights or if I’ll need something for middle-of-the-night feeds. This one is really nice because it’s dimmable, soft, but still bright enough for me to see what I’m doing. That way, I can make sure the baby has a good latch without turning on the super bright lights.
Organic Cotton Baby Clothes
I’ve packed some clothes for her, both for the stay at the hospital and for coming home. I got bodysuits with zippers, which make them easy to put on. They’re also made out of organic cotton. As I mentioned in my non-toxic baby registry, I prefer organic cotton for newborns, and I’ll switch to regular cotton later on. When they’re so tiny and freshly out of the womb, I just want to make sure they have the healthiest options.
I’m also bringing two pairs of scratch mittens, just in case I put on one of the bodysuits and notice she’s scratching her face. These can be super helpful.
Breastfeeding Pillow
Next, I’m bringing is my breastfeeding pillow. I’m actually bringing one of the two pillows I already use for sleeping, but I think they’ll work great for breastfeeding as well.
Newborn Hat & Hat For The Sun
I’m also bringing a little newborn hat, as I’ve heard they can get cold, even though our due date is in the summer. The hats are made from organic cotton. I’m also packing a sun hat to protect her once we head out of the hospital.
Thank You For Reading
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you found this helpful! I’ve tried to link all the items I bought on Amazon. This will be my first time giving birth, and honestly, I’m super excited to meet our baby! I can’t wait to finally meet our little one.
If you found this article helpful or have any suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below! Your tips can help me, but also anyone else reading the article. Love you all!
