We are officially a month away from my due date. Like WHAAT! time flew by so fast. I received the first piece of baby clothes I ordered this week and I almost teared up. Up until last week, I was mostly freaking out thinking about labor, the pain, and what lies ahead but this week (touch wood) has been good. I have been focusing my energy on happy moments like holding the baby and getting the nursery ready.
Our bags for the hospital are almost packed. I am still waiting to receive a few things like the nursing pillow, peri bottle, etc but I have finalized the list of things I want to pack. I’ve read and heard from my followers on IG that the hospital provides ALL the necessities you need and all the things you bring from home are purely for comfort and ease. So, I am not stressing much about packing the “perfect” things. I am ok with bringing back things unused. I will, however, update the post highlighting the things I used vs didn’t use.
Let’s get into the post, dig deep into my packing list  I’ve included a FREE printable hospital bag checklist with everything you’ll likely want/need + a few extras!
* I’ve updated this post after having Vihaan and have put all my thoughts on what I used and did not use in this list in italics at the bottom of each section!
What’s In My Hospital Bag
My Bag- Clothes, Shoes, and Postpartum Essentials
- Hospital Bag: I love this Vera Bradley ReActive weekender. I am packing some of my stuff and all the baby stuff in this. It comes with a ton of internal compartments for easy accessibility so when we need to grab toiletries or a baby’s going home outfit, we don’t have to rummage through the whole bag. The best part is that the bag is sustainably sourced from recycled water bottles! Apart from this, a cabin suitcase where I packed our clothes for 3 days, a diaper bag where our wallets, laptops, chargers, medicines, and of course diapers and wipes were packed. (used)
- Nursing-friendly Pajamas. I packed 3 pairs of pajamas, this button-front bamboo PJs that are extremely soft, hypoallergenic, and cooling, the 3-piece Storq cotton lounge set that was sent to me as a gift is thick, breathable, and flattering. The jacket is great to cover up when it’s cold or when you don’t feel like wearing a bra post or during nursing! and this luxe-looking soft 3-piece set from Amazon. I also packed a robe to wear with the bamboo PJs. (used)
- Nursing bra: I have been wearing nursing bras since the end of my second trimester. Instead of investing in bigger size regular bras, I bought nursing bras. I have tried quite a few options from Target, Amazon, Nordstrom, and these might be my favorite. I also packed a padded nursing bra. (used)
- Underwear: packed postpartum high-waisted underwear that I got a month back. I never thought I would need bigger underwear after the 7th month. The panties are very soft, big, and the lace detailing is cute and doesn’t press the stomach. (did not use; wore the disposable undies)
- Disposable Undies/Adult Diapers– I read that hospital provides mesh underwear and a diaper separately that may or may not be comfortable so packed a few of these Depend disposable underwear that comes with an inbuilt diaper. (used- recommend them, the hospital provided ones were bulky and uncomfortable)
- Nursing Pillow: After much research and contemplating, I decided on my Brest Friend Super deluxe nursing pillow I love the wrap-around design that secures the pillow to the body and has good lumbar support. (used)
- Labor Gown– Hospital provides a labor gown but you can definitely carry your own. Kindred Beverly sent me this labor gown and I am in love with the colors and the material. It’s very pretty and comfy. (used but I was asked to change into a hospital gown before c-section)
- Flip Flops: for hospital showers or walking the halls while in labor. Got these flip flops they are sturdy, not slippery, and water-friendly. Runs small, size up one size. (used)
- Fuzzy Slippers: I live in these slippers and planning to wear them to the hospital as well unless there is snow in the forecast. They have great grip, are warm, and can be worn indoor and outdoor. (did not use)
- Going home outfit– packed this nursing nightgown in blue florals and this cardigan. Probably the only thing I would want to live in post-delivery. (used)
- Silverette: I read these silver nipple cups work better than nipple butter for healing cracked and sore nipples. I will let you guys know how much they helped me in my post-partum essential post. (used)
- Peri bottle:Â got this Frida peri bottle as I read that this one cleans better than the one provided in the hospital. The ergonomic squeeze bottle comes with an angled head to reach the tender area easily and it has more of a “gentle shower” feeling while the hospital-provided peri bottle has a single harsh squirt. (did not use, only useful if you have normal birth)
- Nursing breast pads: to absorb breast milk from leaking breasts and protect your clothes from stains. I got these washable organic bamboo breast pads. (did not use; the nursing bra pads were enough)
- Socks: packed my Comrad compression socks that have been helping with swollen feet. (used, my feet was swollen post-delivery)
- Wallet with driver’s license, insurance card, and credit card. (used)
- Prenatal Documents that will be provided by your OBGYN (used)
Toiletries
- Makeup bag -A few essentials so that I can look halfway presentable and feel like a real human. My go-to is Ilea serum foundation, RMS blush, Honest beauty lip crayon (used)
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste (used)
- Skincare- Facewash, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, makeup removing cleansing balm, my holy grail glowing mask (used few)
- Lip balm (used)
- Hair ties and hair clip (used)
- Hairbrush (used)
- Body wash (used)
- Moisturizer (used)
- Deodorant (used)
Tech and Miscellaneous
- Laptop and charger (used)
- Instead of buying an extra-large USB which was most recommend, we are planning to pack an extension cord we have in the house. (did not use)
- Pillow and Blanket- We are going to take our own pillows and blankets as I was told that the hospital’s blankets are thin and not comfortable. (used, highly recommend carrying yours for yourself and your partner)
- Snacks – energy bars, dates, chips, (used)
- Earphones (used)
- Water bottle (used)
- Nurse Basket/gift basket- filled with snacks and goodies like dry shampoo, sheet mask, hair ties, etc. just to say thank you to nurses! (used; all the nurses were angles, they really appreciated the gesture)
- Room spray– This essential oil-infused room spray calms me down. it smells amazing, feels like I am in a yoga studio meditating. (did not use)
- Tums (did not use)
- Tool softener (used, these were lifesaver post-delivery)
- Prenatal vitamins and Iron supplements (used)
- Change for the vending machine (did not use)
For Baby
- Infant Car seat (used)
- Baby blanket (used)
- Going home outfit in 2 different sizes because we don’t know how big or small he will be (used)
- Socks (used)
- Mittens (used)
- Hats (used)
- Swaddles- packed one swaddle blanket, one zipper swaddle, and one velcro swaddle (only used the swaddle blanket and mostly used the swaddle clothes provided in the hospital)
- One burp cloth (used)
- Sleep and play zipper onesies in a couple of different sizes (used)
- Diapers– packed 3 NB diapers (did not use, used the ones provided in the hospital)
- Water wipes– a pack of these (did not use, used the ones provided in the hospital)
- Portable white noise machine (used)
For Rajesh
- 2 set of outfits
- PJs for sleep
- Socks and underwear
- Slippers
- Toiletries
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST
Related Pregnancy Posts
- Non-toxic Baby Registry
- Bump friendly Valentine’s day outfit Ideas (linked the pleated rust dress in this post)
- Pregnancy holiday outfit ideas
Have you had a baby before? What was in your hospital bag? Let me know in a comment below!
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