As my little one’s due date is getting closer, I’ve been thinking about packing my hospital bag. With my first, this felt so overwhelming! I consulted my friends with kids, Pinterest, and Google, and I was still worried that I was forgetting something. If this is your first baby, take a breath, I got you!
Tips for a First-Time Mom
This time I’m packing two bags.
One bag for labor and one for recovery. The amount of stuff my husband was lugging around as I was getting wheeled from the delivery room to my postpartum room seemed excessive. You’re not going to want most of this stuff right away and there will be time to send your partner out to the car to grab the pillows, blankets, clothes, and snacks after birth.
Take all the extras the hospital provides.
If you haven’t already heard this, take all the extras the hospital provides for you (from the bathroom) and baby (from the bassinet) home. Before you get discharged, put together an Amazon order for the recovery supplies that were helpful for you while in the hospital. This way, by the time you’ve run out of what you’ve brought home, it’ll arrive and you won’t have to send someone to the store. This time I’m trying to skip the random 8pm Target trip to get more ice packs and Tucks pads.
Pack snacks and ask your nurses.
You’re going to get hungry when the kitchen is closed. It’s worth noting, your maternity ward will probably have a snack station for the new parents. But there’s something about your favorite snack and candy that hits differently after those 2 am nursing sessions.
Also, don’t forget to ask your nurses! If you forget something, they’ll help you out.
What I Wish I Had Packed Last Time:
Boppy Pillow
It takes about 7 hospital pillows to equal one pillow. If you’re planning to breastfeed, having the Boppy helps so much with learning the positions that work for you and the baby in a way that you can recreate at home.
Breast Pump Flanges
Pumping is an adventure and the lactation consultants at the hospital are amazing. Because nursing was going well with my first, we didn’t talk about pumping. I didn’t think about it until I got home but having the correct flange sizes is crucial to making your pumping sessions most effective. Feel free to bring the whole pump or get the one you’re going to use from the hospital. This time, I will bring the flanges to the hospital. I’m a visual learner and want to know that the ones I have are correctly sized. They can also size you without the flanges.
Swaddle Blankets
Not sure what it was, but in the hospital I could not swaddle my little guy to save my life. When I got home and had slightly bigger blankets, I had no problem. I’m going to bring a couple to set myself up for success
Music
I always have music on at home, so I’m surprised I didn’t put together a labor playlist or bring a portable speaker. For some reason, it didn’t even occur to me to put on music in the moment. It’s probably because, by the time I was comfortable enough to think about something besides the contractions, it was time for baby to come. This time, I’m asking my husband to check in with me when we get settled into the delivery room. If you have a C-section, Bluetooth headphones playing your favorite tunes can be a good distraction if you’re stressed or uncomfortable in the operating room. My sister said music was a lifesaver for her mindset during her C-section.
Pacifiers
I will be packing a couple to try since using a pacifier can reduce the risk of SIDS. My first never ended up wanting to use them, but I was able to get one at the hospital to try. So again, don’t worry if you forget something.
What I’m Leaving At Home:
Most of the Extra Clothes
I lounged in my PJs & nursing dress the entire time. Even when it was time to go home, I didn’t really want to put pants on.
Underwear
This was a total first-time mom move. Both you and the baby will both be coming home in diapers.
Things to do while we’re “waiting”
I guess I had seen one too many Teen Mom episodes that made it seem like labor takes forever—which it definitely can. I was worried about being bored but that wasn’t my experience. By the time we got to the hospital, my labor progressed quickly and I didn’t need anything to help pass the time. This time our phones and TV will be plenty.
Here is my list of what I will bring to the hospital as a second-time mom:
Labor & Delivery Bag
- Insurance card
- Comb for pain management
- Electrolyte drink packs
- Applesauce & smoothie pouches*
- 10 ft phone charging cord
- Headphones &/or speaker for music
Post Baby Bag
- Coming home outfit for baby (newborn & 0-3 sizes)
- Stretchy coming home outfit for you
- Toiletries
- Shower shoes
- Slippers & flip-flops to wear around the room
- Pillow & fuzzy blanket for you and your partner
- Boppy pillow for nursing
- Swaddle blankets
- Nursing tank dress (I lived in these for my entire hospital stay)
- Breast pump flanges
- Snacks
- Chapstick
- Car seat (leave it in the car until you’re leaving)
*Talk to your doctor and do your own research about eating in labor. Last time I had psyched myself up to advocate for myself and my snacks, but I felt so nauseous that I didn’t want to eat anything. This time I plan to pack light snacks for if I end up having a long induction and want to eat.
Did you overpack the first time? Did I miss anything on this ultimate guide for packing your hospital bag list? Let us know in the comments.
