A Hospital Bag & A New Bébé
On July 24, 2025, we welcomed our baby boy! As a first time mom, I was excited to put together my hospital bag for the big day. Naturally, my main source of information was Pinterest where I was able to put together my own list, piecing together tips from other posts that I had read. while the hospital stay is still fresh in my mind, I thought I’d share my list and what I will do differently next time.
To preface, I had a scheduled induction at 39 weeks where I planned on delivering vaginally, but my little guy ended up being an urgent C-section. My hospital bag was not prepared for a C-section outcome, but I also have recognized that I packed too much in general! Below are three lists to help you better manage your own:
What I actually used in my Hospital bag…
What ended up not being used…
What I wish I had brought!
It helped me to have a packing list, so I’ve made a printable version that includes the items I’ve listed below in addition to blank spaces for you to add to! In my pregnancy brain fog, I had multiple lists going at once, this definitely helped me keep everything in one place.
What I actually used in my Hospital bag…
Robe - https://amzn.to/483irxs
In my recovery room, I lived in my robe. It was easy to get in and out of without having to bend over or stretch my arms over my head because my body felt so strained from the surgery. Also easy for breast-feeding and any sort of checks that the doctors have to make.
2. Rechargeable Tap Light Table Lamps - https://amzn.to/3VEDGye
These ended up being a game changer for me. I’m all about ambience, and with the bright fluorescent lights of the hospital room and the constant (but appreciated) checks from nurses and doctors, having these tap lights gave just the right amount of light needed for me, baby and doctors at night so the overhead lights did not have to go on. The set from Amazon was perfect.
3. Maternity Gown - https://amzn.to/3W7GxQi
This is definitely more of a luxe item, but I loved having my own maternity gown during my 17 hour labor. The cotton was so soft, I felt “cute” and the design still made it very easy for doctors to do what they needed to do. When I got my epidural, my water broke, which meant my gown was now soaked, so I had to change into the hospital gown… but up until that point I loved it! After a wash at home it became a nursing gown anyways, so money well spent!I purchased this exact one from Kindred Bravely.
4. Nursing Bras
I also lived in my nursing bras. I found that I went through these quickly because as my breasts were acclimating to the milk development I had quite a lot of leakage, so I wish I had more on hand! I brought two with me, but for my five day hospital stay I probably could’ve gone with another two. There are different styles for nursing bras, and these are what I have on constant rotation..
For your standard clip down nursing bras, these work well under shirts as well as a “normal” bra.
If you plan on pumping, these are imperative for when using a pump that has tubes or wires. (The flange needs the support of the bra!)
Both of the above are from MomCozy which is a very reliable brand.
For sleeping I wear these all the time, something about this shape of bra is just so comfortable.
6. Toiletries
If you’re not particular about toiletries, then you probably don’t need to worry about this, our Hospital provided a little toiletry bag that actually had all the necessities. But if you enjoy your good skin care like I do, definitely bring a little toiletry bag with your Basic routine. I did notice that there was a lack of sink space so I had to keep my bag on the ground. it would’ve been clutch to have a toiletry bag that I could hang from the hook in the bathroom, like this one… https://amzn.to/472rNYn
7. Under Eye Masks - https://amzn.to/4nnAmnj
This was a lovely treat on the one day I had the energy to use them! Little moments to take care of yourself really make a difference.
8. Warm Socks and Slippers
This is a must! Hospitals are cold.
Slippers… https://amzn.to/42dewuf
Socks… https://amzn.to/4nPyvHG
9. Newborn Outfits
You only need one or two. The hospital has swaddles which baby lives in due to the constant diaper changing and checks that the doctors make.
10. Extra Long Phone Charger - https://amzn.to/4mFkX0C
I would definitely recommend purchasing an extra long charging cord if you do not have one! You don’t know where the sockets are and from my experience, I was not getting out of bed that much so I needed everything to come to me.
11. Portable Speaker - https://amzn.to/3W6e7X0
I love having music around me all day, with the noises going on in the hospital and the stress on my body, I had classical music playing in my room at all times. Between the classical music and the ambient lighting from the tap lights, every nurse commented on how relaxing our room was! The Beats Pill is a bit pricier, but we have had ours for years and the battery life on it is worth the price alone. It lasts for days.
12. Portable Battery Charger - https://amzn.to/4mHJxhj
Portable batteries are very helpful. If you have one, like I said earlier, you want everything to be able to come to you.
13. Laptop or iPad for TV shows
This was my husband’s job of entertainment accessibility!
14. Flowers in a Vase
Extra? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. My flower of choice wear pink roses.
15. Blanket from Home
I actually used this much more than I thought I would. I grabbed it last minute without much thought, but little did I know how comforting it would be to have my blanket from home wrapped around me while I was going through serious labor.
16. Electrolytes - https://amzn.to/4nMaHo1
These are so great to have on hand in the hospital room! Your body needs as much love as possible. I preferred having individual packets as it was easier to manage while bedside. These ones are great as they have the added punch of calcium! And no caffeine.
17. Snacks
Our hospital food was great! I have no complaints about it. The snacks, however, must be brought from home. Between the constant waking up and your body needing so much fuel to repair itself and breast-feed, load up on some snacks. Healthy granola bars, apples, individual packs of peanut butter, and of course, the candy of your choice.
18. Silverettes - https://amzn.to/3IEpDWn
I had purchased these as a recommendation from a friend without doing research on them. I brought them to the hospital with me last minute, but ended up being so happy I had them. our lactation consultant, was thrilled when I pulled them out! These are by far the most effective remedy to heal your nipples quickly when they need it as you’re learning how to breast-feed. I grabbed mine from Amazon, but I think you can also probably find them secondhand on Poshmark.
What ended up not being used…
Two changes of clothes…
I brought three different outfits to wear in the hospital and did not wear a single one of them. Like I said earlier, I lived in my robe, nursing bras, and the pads with disposable underwear that the hospital provides. Because of my C-section, I did not want anything touching The incision area so for me staying in the robe was the most comfortable.
All the Fridamom Gear…
I stocked up on all the Fridamom gear for a vaginal delivery, and brought it all to the hospital with me. Again, had the C-section so did not use any of it, but even if I had delivered vaginally, the hospital provided so many items that I would’ve overpacked anyway. I think the only thing I would’ve needed is the upside down Peri bottle or the postpartum recovery kit that’s made to travel to the hospital - https://amzn.to/46n59L0
My suggestion would be to wait until after you deliver so you know what you really need full orders of.
Most of the newborn outfits and blankets…
I think this one doesn’t apply to everybody, but we had kept the gender a surprise so we packed outfits for both boy and girl photos, and going home. Probably could’ve gone with just two outfits versus the five that we brought.
Book…
I brought a book, but weirdly did not have the time to read as so many nurses and doctors came in to check on us and the constant attention I needed to give to baby. This just took up space in my bag.
Diapers and Wipes and Cream - oh my!
I packed all 3 and used none of it! The hospital is fully stocked. Save the space!
Earplugs and eye mask…
I’m 50/50 here. I never used them because I was so tired that I just crashed at any point that I could despite noise and light. If you don’t have them, you probably don’t need to spend the money on it, but if you do, they’re small enough to just throw in the bag.
What I wish I had brought!
Breast Pump - https://amzn.to/4mDICi2
The hospital had one for me to use, but it would’ve been helpful to have the lactation consultant use mine so I could understand it better. Also, because the pumps are shared within the hospital, it takes a minute for them to get to you.
I have two pumps, one that is mobile/hands-free, and the other is wire connected to the electric portion of the pump. I’m so happy that I have both. I use them all the time and have no complaints about either one!
Extra blankets for my husband!
My gorgeous 6 foot one husband was curled up on that little pullout couch for six days. He runs warm and is constantly hot, but even he was cold at night in the hospital. One morning when he went home to feed the cats, he brought back a pillow and an extra blanket for himself.
Am I missing anything or have any questions? Ask in the comments! Xx
