WHAT'S IN THE BAG!?!? My Hospital Bag Must Haves
- Mykela
- Aug 15, 2019
- 11 min read
Prepping for the big day can be overwhelming but is so so exciting!! I remember packing and repacking my hospital bag multiple times just to make sure I had everything I needed for the baby, my husband and of course me!! I’ve gathered a list of all the things I packed in my hospital bag and given some links to help you find them or give you some ideas. I’ve also attached a free printable checklist linked bellow!
The Bag:
The bag is one of the most important things you choose to use cause that baby needs to be able to hold A LOT!! When you are picking what bag you are going to use just be sure that it has lots of room and pockets to keep you organized. For me it was no question what bag I was using! I have had the Stella and Dot Getaway Bag for years and have used it for almost every weekend trip I’ve taken since! It holds so much stuff and expands to fit even more! Plus its super durable and comes in the most adorable patterns! It is on the pricey side but so worth it! And if you are willing to host a party the rewards are incredible! I got mine for next to nothing just from hosting! The pattern I have is no longer available but I absolutely love this leopard pattern! I also saw there is a sale on a cute bag from Amazon that would be perfect as well so I’ve linked it here!
Amazon Bag
Mom:
Identification:
Health Card
License
Social Insurance Card (You need your SIN # to fill out some of the paperwork for your new bean)
Clothing:
Nursing Nighty
I found having a nursing nighty was so perfect while I was staying in hospital especially since I ended up having a C section and couldn’t have imagined putting on pants! I picked this one from Thyme Maternity and wore it even after the hospital because it was so convenient for nursing in the middle of the night. The straps click open to pull down for easy breast feeding and skin to skin! A lot of times they have sales on items like these (I got mine on sale around Christmas time last year) so if you are interested in getting one just sign up for their email list to be notified when their next sale is!
Robe
I found it nice to have the robe to cover up and keep warm because we had our babe during the winter. It also is convenient because it opens up in front for easy access to the boobs and long enough to cover past your bum! If you decide instead to use a sweater just make sure it opens in the front. This is the robe I purchased and still use at home!
Nursing Bra(s)
I had two nursing bras one packed and one that I was already conveniently wearing and I found that to be the perfect amount! In those first few days there tends to be colostrum (the breastmilk you produce in the first 48 ish hours) EVERYWHERE and it is sticky so it’s nice to have an extra one so when you leave to go home you have a clean bra on. I had three different nursing bras at home and I loved all of them for different reasons! One of my favourites was the thyme maternity nursing sports bra! I still wear it and I am not even nursing anymore.The link is bellow and its also buy one get one 30 percent off right now!
Incontinence Underwear
Someone recommended to me to buy incontinence underwear instead because you can just wear that and not have to worry about your pad slipping all over the place and I totally recommend doing it! I am not normally a pad person so this was waaaay more comfortable for me then the pads. Also you honestly cannot tell that you are wearing them I wore them under leggings and asked my sister to check (aren’t sisters the best!?) and she could not tell at all! I packed these but used the pads the hospital provided while admitted and then wore one home so I would suggest only packing one to two if you plan on doing the same! These are the ones I bought, they were so comfy and C-section friendly!!!
Socks
Nothing special! I did pack 2-3 and a warmer pair just because it was winter but any socks will do!
Slippers
I bought a cheap pair from Walmart so I could just throw them out after my hospital stay because I have seen what is on hospital floors and I didn’t want any of that coming back home with me! These would work perfect and are less than seven dollars!
Flip Flops
I packed a pair of flip flops for the shower, again because of the whole hospital floor thing! Just find a cheap pair or use some that you have at home!
Going Home Outfit
I bought myself a new outfit to go home in just because I knew it would give me a little extra joy getting to where something new to leave the hospital as a family of three! However it isn’t necessary, just make sure you pick something comfortable that you know you will feel good in. Some women wear leggings home which all the power to you but I would suggest a more relaxed bottom to accommodate the inevitable pad you will have to wear home and so your pants aren’t putting pressure on any sore areas you might have! I saw these pants on amazon and think they would be perfect for going home! Super cute and affordable!
Toiletries:
Lip Balm
It is sooo dry in the hospital so I would definitely suggest packing your favourite lip chap and putting it in an easily accessible place!
Hair Ties
Bring lots of extra hair ties and again have them in a place that is easy to grab from!
Face Wipes
These were a heaven sent especially after my C section when I couldn’t get up for a couple hours. It felt so nice to just be able to clean my face and so refresing!! These are my absolute favourite.
Dry Shampoo
I love Batiste Dry Shampoo! It works so well and is so affordable! Also Costco has it right now in a pack with two full sized bottles and one travel size one which is perfect to pack in your bag!
Hair Brush
I just packed my regular one I use at home but if you have a travel one use it!
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Shoppers has a travel pack that includes a travel toothbrush and toothpaste so I snagged one for me and my husband!
Deodorant
I used a travel version of my favourite deodorant! Again travel size products are where it is at cause they save so much space!
Shampoo and Conditioner
I collected tester packages that I received in the mail or from stores which is perfect if you don’t want to have to pack a full bottle or even travel bottles and it saved a ton of room!
Body Wash
Again I picked up a travel size.
Lotion
I had some testers from Sephora so I packed those and used them! I highly recommend bringing lotion because hospitals are dry AF!
Vitamin B6 Spray
I swear by this spray it has helped my skin so much and is so refreshing so this was a must! It is a little pricey but it lasts a long time and can be used as a primer!
Towel
I brought my own towel because the towels at the hospital are big enough to dry a barbie doll at best. Plus they aren’t the softest so it was nice to know I would have my own towel to crawl into!
Baby and Dad:
For my husband and baby I put all their things in the diaper bag so that their stuff would be separate and easy to find! I definitely recommend this because it left room for all the things I needed and made it easy for my husband to be able to grab things for me, the baby and him!
Diaper Bag:
I found our diaper bag on Amazon and absolutely LOVE it!!!! Its masculine enough that my husband doesn’t mind carrying it around and has so many amazing compartments and pockets to keep you organized. I have had it for just under six months and it so far has held up to all we have used it for. Whatever bag you decide I HIGHLY recommend a backpack diaper bag! It is nice to be able to sling that puppy on your back and have your hands free for all the other things you’ll need to carry.
Dad:
We can’t forget about the Dads! They are there helping us every step of the way and they need things to make them comfortable through the process as well. For us we live in a small town and only live about five minutes from the hospital so we knew that my husband would probably sneak away once babe was born to shower. So I only packed a small amount of clothes and toiletries for him!
Clothing:
PJ’s
Comfy Clothing
Slippers
Sweater
Toiletries:
Toothbrush
Deodrant
Baby:
Packing for baby can be stressful! I remember feeling like if I didn’t pack enough things or was missing something for the baby the nurses would judge me and think I was an incompetent mom which is so silly and not the case at all! The truth is you do not really need to pack a lot for baby because the hospital has everything you’ll need for those first few days! Baby will spend most of their time in a diaper and wrapped up in a receiving blanket so that it is easy to do skin to skin with you and for the nurses assessments especially in those first 24 hours because they will be in and out checking on babe and their temperature, so a naked baby is best! I definitely over packed so I am changing my list up for you to only include the things you really need to pack for babe!
Going Home Outfit
One thing that was hard was knowing what size! So many people told me not to even buy newborn clothes as most babies do not fit in them or only fit in them for a short time. So when I was packing I packed a going home outfit in both newborn size and three month size which I recommend doing! My babe ended up only being 5 pounds 3 ounces! So she was swimming in the newborn size clothing and we ended up having to get family to pick up premie sized clothing for her first couple weeks of life at home so I am so glad I packed both sizes!
Maevery was born on one of the coldest weekends of the year in the dead of winter so it was easy to know what kind of outfit to pack regarding the weather but if your babe is due during some of the months where the weather fluctuates I suggest bringing an outfit with layering options! Another side note if your babe is due in Winter you may be tempted to bring a snow suit to put them in but don’t! It isn’t considered safe practice to have the baby or infant wearing one while in a car seat and most nurses will not let you leave the hospital with the baby wearing a snowsuit while in the car seat because of the safety issues so just leave it at home for your first walk outside with your newborn!
Socks/Booties
This is of course is dependent on the weather but being an Alberta girl I know that 90% of the time here with our weather, socks or booties are a must! I found the cutest and affordable pair of booties at Carter's and absolutely loved them. Maevery lived in them for over two months and I was so sad when she grew out of them! They are perfect for Fall, Winter or early Spring babes and actually stay on their feet which is a miracle in itself.
Hat
I packed a hat for our babe unfortunately the size did not fit her at all even though it claimed to be for newborn to three months! Luckily we had the nicest nurse that gave us a tiny knitted hat from the hospital that fit her perfectly! I would still pack a hat and if in the end it does not fit ask for an extra hat and the nurses should be more than willing to give one up!
Nursing Pillow
We packed our Boppy and I am so glad we did! They do have nursing pillows at the hospital but I think it is best to learn the positions most comfortable to you for breastfeeding with the pillow you will have at home!
Side note with the Boppy order a water proof cover and extra covers, we didn’t at first and thank goodness for Amazon Prime because Maevery decided to have a blow out not once but twice the first day we had her home and so managed to get poop on the cover and actual pillow in the span of twenty minutes! Here are the links to our favourite nursing pillow and the cover.
Boppy Nursing Pillow
Boppy Water Resistant Protective Slip Cover
Receiving blankets
I packed blankets to swaddle and use as burp rags but I did not need any of them! The hospital has so many and they typically send you home with a complimentary one when you are being discharged that you can bring home with you. However if you have a longer drive home you may want to pack one or two!
Car Seat
We had ours installed and ready to go about two weeks before my due date just in case! Let me know if you would like to know what car seat we chose and LOVE!
Other:
Long Phone Cord Charger
I suggest bringing two one for you and one for your partner! And make sure it is long, that way you can still use your phone while it charges! We got ours at Costco in a multi pack but Amazon has so many options like this one:
Water Bottle
I would again bring two one for you and one for hubby! For the mommas I suggest getting one with a straw that you can drink laying down or in weird positions. I saw this recommendation online and am so happy I took it. I did not labor like others but have heard of the many different positions you get into feel comfortable and even deliver the baby so it’s nice to have a water bottle you can drink in any position! Also if you end up having a C-section post op you tend to be lying down and do not sit up right fully for a while so these types of water bottles are perfect!
I did not know about the Yeti Rambler water bottles until after I had Maevery and so wish I had because the one I chose tended to leak on me! You can easily purchase the straw attachment which I have linked here plus it keeps your water cold for an insane amount of time which is a must for Motherhood.
Yeti Rambler
Yeti Rambler Bottle Straw Cap
Snacks
I didn’t pack a ton of snacks only a couple of granola bars and I pre made some freezer friendly banana bread that I cut and individually wrapped and froze until the big day! It was honestly the best to have banana bread to snack on because it is such a comfort food for me (let me know if you want my favourite banana bread recipe that taste just as good after freezing!). This amount of snacks would have been perfect for a normal stay but we ended up staying longer because of my C-section and my sweet Sister and Brother In law brought us the sweetest package of snacks filled with fruit, energy drinks, nuts, chips etc! It was seriously the best if you have any loved ones having a babe I highly recommend doing this for them it was such a life savior!!
Money for the Vending Machine
Bring some change to use for the vending machine!! You never know if you’ll need something or what they’ll be serving for food so it is nice to have some options.
Thank You Card for the Nurses/Doctors
I brought one and totally forgot to actually give it to the nurses (mom brain had clearly already set in) but I so wish I did. Everyone helped us in so many ways and it would have been nice to show our appreciation!
Some quick tips:
1) Once you have your bag packed show your husband where all the stuff is so that he can easily find everything without having to ask you and scrambling around.
2) If there is anything that you have to pack when you are actually going out the door make a list and put it somewhere that is easy to find for you or your husband! With my birth Richard had to get all the bags for me as I was getting prepped for surgery so it was so easy to get him to grab the bags and the stuff on the list!
3) What about underwear!? Don't worry about packing underwear the hospital has the best mesh underwear that you throw away when dirty and they are soo comfy!
Hope this is helpful for all you mommas! Bellow is the link for the free printable checklist. Happy packing and nesting! Mommas who have deliver before let me know if there is anything you liked having that I missed!
Bye for now,
From One Wild Mother to Another
Comments