Free Shipping on Orders $50 or more! Most orders ship same day when placed before noon MST, Monday-Friday.

What's in your bag? Packing a hospital bag for L&D.

Packing a Hospital Bag. thirsties
One more month...supposedly. I have one more month until this baby arrives. So...what better question to ask than what's in my hospital bag?  I started packing my hospital bag about a month ago when I experienced some annoying and (somewhat) concerning preterm contractions. It's not that I was thinking I'd go into labor that early but I needed, okay wanted, something to do that was productive since my doctor wanted me to relax a bit. In my two labor and delivery experiences I've gone early so for the control freak in me early preparations work in my favor. What's in my bag?
  1. Two nursing sports bra
  2. Two fashionable hospital gowns. One is from this adorable Etsy shop, Mod Mum. (not pictured)
  3. A few pairs of underwear; the hospital will have some super awesome postpartum underwear to go along with the gigantic pads for you to wear while you're there. It's not a bad thing to wear their special underwear, afterbirth is well, um, very messy to say the least.
  4. Postpartum Mama Cloth - it's ten times more comfortable than disposable pads. 
    Hospital Gown Hospital Bag. Thirsties
  5. Going home outfit for myself.
  6. Bathroom bag filled with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, hair product, and daily medications. I'm also going to pack some make up but that's going to come a little later and I may send hubby home to pick it up.
  7. Muslin swaddle blanket for baby because baby should be comfy too!
  8. Glasses
  9. Slippers
  10. Breastfeeding pillow - I didn't bring it with my first delivery but I had to with my second because when I left the hospital with my first I didn't even really get how to use my breastfeeding pillow. Bringing it with me gave me lots and lots of practice.
  11. Tablet for entertainment. Duh! What else would I would do for entertainment in between visitors?
What I haven't packed but should?
  1. Going home outfit for baby - I don't know the baby's sex so I haven't packed an outfit yet.
  2. Nursing scarf - Again for visitors when baby's needing to nurse; this isn't something that everyone has to pack though. You don't even have to cover up if you don't want to. It's a personal preference.
  3. Hubby's clothes. He still needs to pack but we're only ten minutes from the hospital so he'll most likely come home to grab some necessaries after the baby's born. If you live farther away from your hospital your partner really should pack a hospital bag.
What about you? What do you pack for your hospital bag?
Previous post Next post

139 comments

  • A nursing pillow and snacks!!! Im always starving after giving birth!

    Megan penrod on
  • I pack most of the same items, though I also include coconut water for the electrolytes during labor and honey sticks to suck on for energy during labor. They are easy to down when a nurse’s back is turned and you just need a little something! I also bring my own pillow so I can sleep more comfortably. And don’t forget your CAMERA! :D

    Melissa S on
  • This is such a helpful post! I never thought if bringing the nursing pillow along – I’ve used it in childcare with older babies, but now that I’m thinking about it, I definitely don’t know how to use it actually nursing. Thanks for the idea!

    Felicia on
  • I packed way too much last time and hated dealing with a big bag of stuff that I didn’t need. So this time around I will be taking the bare minimum. You have made a good list.

    Michelle on
  • medela lanolin, lansinoh breast pads, and at least 2 super comfy one-size-too-big sleep style nursing bras.

    Tricia A on

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published