Hospital Bag Necessities
Don’t leave home without…! Moms who have recently given birth share their hospital bag must-haves, and the stuff they wish they’d thought of, to help you pack smart.
Baby Book
“I packed the baby book so we could record his footprints while we were still at the hospital.” - Lauren H.
Breast Feeding Timer
“My breast feeding timer was great to have packed in my bag. I could set the time when I started feeding and then I never lost track. When you’re in the hospital, the doctors and nurses are always asking about the last time baby ate and it really helped.” - Kelly A.
Sound Machine
Hold your baby on your lap so she can see your face, then experiment with different sounds. Make a whistle noise, click your tongue, blow your lips like you’re giving a raspberry, then make a kissing sound. Experiment with animal sounds, car noises, and so on. This one’s fun to do with Daddy, too. (0-2 mos)
Outfit Options
“Make sure to bring both newborn and 0-3 month sized outfits for your baby. The doctor can only guess how much your baby is going to weigh at birth so it’s nice to have options in case of surprises.” - Lara T.
Cozy Footwear
“Bring either slippers or warm, fuzzy socks that have grips on the bottom. The nurse who took care of us after my son was born made sure I took a couple of walks around the maternity floor so it was helpful to have those.” – Jen S.
Gadgets Galore
“I was happy to have my camera, computer and, of course, cell phone with me, plus all of my chargers, since there’s no point in having all of those gadgets if their batteries are dead.” - Tara S.
Lip Balm
“Lip balm ended up being my best friend. I had no idea hospitals could be so dry and I hate chapped lips!” - Stephanie D.
Snacks
“I was in labor forever so by the time I was done, I was starving, and the hospital cafeteria food left much to be desired.” - Jennifer M.
Going Home Outfit
“I needed a going home outfit for me. My water broke on the way to the hospital so those clothes were disgusting and definitely not wearable for the drive home after the baby was born.” - Sharon K.
Toiletries
“Call it vain but I brought my hair dryer, favorite bath products and a small makeup bag. Labor is intense and I wanted to feel refreshed and cute after the fact. For me, it was worth it.” - Cindy A.
Baby Mittens
“We brought those baby mittens so our daughter wouldn’t scratch her face. Those baby nails are like daggers!” - Meredith F.
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