Full disclosure, I’m taking two bags to the hospital. But with parenting, comes the notion that you always have to bring extra luggage…so two bags it is from here on out! haha. Technically one bag is for baby and I and one bag is for Paul. But anyways, just had to get that honesty on the table! 😉
Our bags are packed and in our trunk [I’m really excited to try to squeeze out frozen toothpaste with it being winter haha!] so I thought now would be a great time to share what I made sure we had. Every mom is different, every labor is different, every hospital is different and we all have different priorities. We took a hospital tour [which isn’t necessary] but it did allow us to know what the hospital would provide for us so it helped me pack a little bit more. I researched blogs, I watched countless Youtube videos and I asked all my girlfriends that have given birth in the last two years what I needed to pack. I just dwindled the list down based on what would I think will be most important to us and after she is here I’ll update the post if need be!
For Mom:
Clothing:
-
- Robe: I made sure to get a jersey one form Plum Pretty Sugar as a lot of times you sweat a lot after labor due to hormones getting out of your body, so you don’t want anything too heavy! However, I’ve had some friends say they were freezing after labor because of their epidural. But I just wanted to be safe because I can always layer on blankets. This robe runs small, so if you’re unsure go up a size!
- 2 Nursing Bras
- 1 Nursing Tank
- 2 Pairs of Pajamas
- Boyshorts: I skipped out on packing pads as I know the hospital will provide those. But I just got boy shorts and went up a size in case I don’t like the underwear the hospital provides. I’ve received mixed reviews on them from my girlfriends! haha.
- Going Home Outfit: My going home outfit is just leggings and a big sweater from Lululemon, nothing fancy!
- Ugg Slippers [I also included socks but I don’t sleep in socks so I highly doubt I will wear them! haha]
Toiletries:
-
- Makeup Bag: I packed light foundation, a travel blush/bronzer compact, this mascara and my favorite lip balm/gloss treatment. The lip balm is a must because everyone says your lips are extremely chapped after labor!
- Bag for Toiletries: toothpaste and toothbrush
- Shower Items
- Coconut Oil: I’m so nervous about getting mastitis and while researching I read that coconut oil is a great way to prevent as it has natural anti-bacterial properties. I was so excited to find this squeezable tube on amazon so I could use it while breastfeeding.
- Nipple Cream: I brought Motherlove and Lanolin. I have friends that absolutely love both and hated the other, so I just brought both to see what I prefer! 🙂
- Face Wash Travel Kit
- Dry Shampoo
- Travel Blow Dryer
- Deodorant
- Shower Flip Flops
- Bottom Spray
- Ponytail Holder & Hair Clip
- Prenatal Vitamins [be sure to keep taking yours right after you have baby]
Extras:
-
- Nursing Pillow
- Breast Pump [our hospital told us to bring ours which is why I packed it.]
- Phone Charger: we brought this personal sized one linked that doesn’t have to be plugged in and an extra long one!
- Wallet with insurance card and ID and cash for vending machines
- Nurse Gifts [I’ll share these on the blog next week!]
- Baby Book
- I packed everything in my LV Keepall
For Baby:
-
- Two Onesies
- Swaddle
- Blanket for Peaches: I threw in a small baby blanket to have with her the first few days and then before we go home we can give it to Peaches so Peaches can get used to baby’s scent.
- Pacifier
- 2 Hats
- Mittens
- Socks
- Going Home Outfit
- Swaddle to Photograph
- Car Seat: We originally registered for the Nuna and had to exchange for the Maxi-Cosi because of how our car is made. The Nuna didn’t fit, but the Maxi is perfect!
For Dad:
Things We Left Out:
A lot of packing guides say to bring your own pillow, headphones, towels, a birth plan and snacks. Our hospital has lots of little restaurants in it, so if 100% necessary Paul could grab something there. However, the main reason I didn’t pack snacks is because my mom will be in the delivery room with us and my mom is the ultimate “mom” mom. You know the type that thinks if you need a snack she will bring 15 different options? She has already stocked our entire fridge and freezer full of food [seriously, I have 4 chicken spaghetti casseroles, 5 lasagnas, 3 containers of chicken and dumplings and enough meat to last a lifetime] just “in case” the baby comes early. haha. So we just didn’t need to take up room with snacks, my mom can bring Paul something when she comes. Paul and I are also really deep sleepers. I mean I could go sleep next to a train track on the floor. I’ve had 8 surgeries and sleeping in a hospital has never bothered me, so I didn’t grab those. But thankfully in case it did bother us my mom could bring them to us! 🙂 I also didn’t bring my own pillow and towel because that’s just excess to bring in the room. A lot of packing guides say to take that because hospital towels are so uncomfortable as well as pillows. But all of my friends that have delivered at the hospital we are delivering at say they didn’t even notice. Lastly, I’m not doing a birth plan so that wasn’t something I needed to pack. However, if you don’t have family around or you would want your own pillow or if you do have a birth plan be sure to pack those! 🙂
Sentimental Items:
I did buy Paul a gift. You know how people always talk about push presents? Paul isn’t necessarily doing the pushing, but I did want to get him a little small something just to symbolize him becoming a dad and as a thank you for how amazing he has been my entire pregnancy. He has been incredible this entire pregnancy. I seriously married the most sympathetic and kind-hearted man in the world and I wanted to just recognize that for him. So if you’re giving your husband a card or a little something throw that in as well!
Overall, a hospital bag is just your preference of items you’d want if you were gone somewhere for 3 days! I mean I read a blog post from a 2nd time mom going on and on about how first time moms pack way too much but she swears you have to bring your own sheets, duvet, pillows and comforter to the hospital! haha. I mean to each their own! So definitely don’t overthink it. At the end of the day, the hospital has most of what you need and most of this is just your personal preference. 🙂
Don’t take the breast pump. If you need one the hospital will have one. The hospital grade pump is much better. They give you all new pump accessories. I would not take the LV bag. Hospital get dirty. Really should leave that home.
Hi Angelica!
Thank you so much for that info, I really appreciate it! On our hospital tour and classes they told us to bring our own pump which is why I packed ours. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you have a great weekend!
xo,
Katey
Surprising. I went to one of the top hospitals for labor and delivery, and they indicated it wasn’t needed. I guess each hospital is different.
I think my hospital meant it as, “Whatever makes you most comfortable!” kind of thing. 🙂 They have them to provide but if you want your own, feel free to bring it!
Sounds like you’re all set! Such an exciting time, and I’m so happy for you and Paul!
Erica
Thank you so much Erica! xoxo
You pin all your posts on Pinterest right!? I’m not pregnant but would love to keep these posts saved for when that time comes! Who knows, things may have changed a little but I love how organized you are!
XOXO, Nikki
http://www.casualblonde.com
Hi girl!
Yes I do! 🙂 You can also click “Pin This” on the top left of my image to save to your board!
Thank you so much for reading!
xo,
Katey
I loved this post! Reading the part about you getting a gift for Paul made me tear up a little, you guys are so sweet! And it’s so important for the father to be extra loving and supportive during this time! Definitely saving this post for later!
Xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Aw thank you girl!! He’s going to be such a sweet dad I can’t wait to see!
xoxo,
Katey
I love this post and how realistic you are with what you’re bringing! I was so nervous after reading some of the blogs that brought absolutely everything from their house to deliver. Then I ended up having an emergency c (I didn’t go into labor, just felt ‘off’ about our babe and they took her due to low fluid) and had NOTHING packed. Haha! The good thing is I won’t be overpacking for her little sister coming this spring, as I know exactly what I wished I had last time.
Also, that nursing bra is so pretty! I had such ugly sleep type nursing bras, so maybe I’ll be investing in a cute one this time.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kori!
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad your little one is okay! You have some amazing mama instincts to just know to go in! That’s exactly how I felt. I thought, “Well people have babies all the time and don’t even have a bag packed, so I don’t want to bring my duvet!” lol Congratulations on your little girl this spring as well! Thank you so much for reading!
xo,
Katey
Wow! I am so impressed with your packing! I am having my third and my list is the same as yours! One thing for Paul would be a travel cup for coffee or whatever he drinks. My husband started doing this with baby number #2 and he loved it.
I hated the Mesh Undies they give you – they gave me a rash so the boy shorts are a great idea!
I also brought my computer and I am glad I did. I was in labor for 24 hours and I was bored. I had an epidural so there was no pain just a lot of sitting and waiting for people to check you. I actually got a lot of work done (I finished three projects) while waiting to have a baby.
Best of luck and I really hope you have an easy time and can’t wait to see your new bundle of joy!
I love your idea about the travel coffee mug! Thank you so much, I’m going to add that to our bag, too!
Okay you’re my hero! 3 projects done while in labor that’s amazing! Haha. And so good to know you hate the undies they give you! I got so many mixed reviews but then I was like, “I just don’t think those would be comfortable?” Maybe I’ll like them but who knows! Haha.
Congratulations on #3!! My mom is already asking me if she thinks I would have 3 or 4 and I’m like, “Let me become a mom first!” Haha.
Xoxo
My hospital’s mesh undies were SO comfy! I hope yours are too! The great thing about having your parents around is that they can bring you whatever you need! The coming home outfit I had bought for myself didn’t work because I had a c-section so she ran out to grab me something else. Don’t be nervous about forgetting anything- your mom will be more than glad to go grab you whatever you need! Excited for you!
What did you give your husband as a present? Thanks for the wonderful post!
Hi Kayla!
Thanks so much for reading! Not sharing just yet as I haven’t given it to him and he reads my blog, so I want to keep it a secret from him. 🙂
Xo,
Katey
What a great post! I may not be pregnant but I have a couple of friends that are and they will find this so helpful. It is so stressful when you are a first time mom and you have no idea what you are supposed to pack. Thanks for sharing Katey 🙂
Eleni xo
http://www.bijuleni.com
Thank you so much for reading Eleni! You’re always the sweetest!
xo
One thing I wished I had brought with me was an extra long phone cord for the wall charger, it barely reached my hospital bed and because my phone was constantly going off with congratulation texts and calls, it was always on the verge of dying! 🙂
I feel ya girl!! That’s why I had to bring that portable charger because I’ll probably want to be taking a million photos of her and being “that mom”! haha. Thank you so much for reading!
xo,
Katey
Do you have a link to her printed onesie in the photo?? SO cute!!
Hi Payton!
It is kicKeepants! 🙂 I hope that helps!
xoxo,
Katey
Hahah I think you packed perfectly! When I went into the hospital to have my son, I literally packed the two biggest suitcases we had full of stuff we never even touched. I think I thought we were moving into the hospital indefinitely!
Hi Erin!
Oh my gosh you’re so funny!! haha. But at least you felt comfortable knowing you had things!! That’s the most important part. Thank you so much for reading!
xo,
Katey
I might be on the verge of sounding like a total creep & complete psycho because I don’t know you in person but I am just getting SO excited for you!! I’ve wanted to be a mom since I could talk and I just love reading other women’s experiences until I get to have my own! I can’t even imagine how excited you are getting!
Her going home outfit is ADORABLE and simple and perfect.
Congratulations!!
XO, Madison.
Hi Madison!
Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest!! Thank you so much for sharing in on the excitement with us, it truly means more to me than you know!
xoxo,
Katey
Your packing list sounds great! I’m a labor and delivery nurse and mom of 4. You got great advice from your friends. The only other thing we get requested for a lot is lotion. The hospital ones are usually horrible. Something that’s not too “perfumy” works best. That way it’s not too overpowering for baby and they can still smell your sent. Best of luck with your delivery and new little one!
I’m so glad you said that!! I packed lotion in my toiletries and wondered if I would even touch it! haha. So that makes me feel good like I will. Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
xoxo,
Katey
I loved this post! After having two baby girls (and pregnant now with our third, a boy) I can say that your list is fantastic!!! I also hated the mesh underwear (it was so loose!) so I layered it with boy shorts on top, and black leggings on top of that and felt so much more comfortable and “held in” (you’ll know what I mean if you have a vaginal delivery ????). We also went with the Maxi Cosi car seat and loved it.
I knew our hospital did newborn photos, but I wasn’t expecting how nice they would be, with props and everything (we had already planned a newborn photo shoot after we got home from the hospital). I’m so glad we ended up doing that shoot and paying for all of the images because there is something about those specific pictures that take us right back to those very first early moments! I just wish my husband had a nicer shirt and I thought about wearing my pretty robe for the pics!
Congratulations, and good luck in the coming weeks!!
Hi Megan!
Aw I hope our hospital does that I would absolutely love that!! And congratulations on your 3 little ones and your sweet boy! Thank you so much for reading it means the world!
xo,
Katey
Love your list! We are due in 4 weeks and packing our bags this weekend ???? Where did you find your tolietry organizer? I love it and am in need of a new one! Also, we have the Nuna car seat and you mentioned it didn’t work in your car, do you mind sharing what wasn’t working just so we can be sure as well?
Thanks & best of luck!!
That’s a great list! Almost exactly what I’m taking for baby #2. You’re so lucky your hospital has good pillows and blankets. I will be taking a blanket and pillow for my husband since he didn’t like the hospital ones last time. Good luck momma!
This will be so helpful for when my husband and I have a baby! Thanks so much for sharing! Xo
Yay for Kickee Swans! You’ll love Kickee. This post is awesome. You’ll be so happy with all you brought – just a great amount. I will say for the charger, I ordered a 9 ft one on Amazon. The outlets in the room are sparse – having a super long charger will come in handy!
I know you said you’re not bringing towels – that’s totally fine but I would recommend bringing washcloths. They don’t have them!
Another great thing to have: the Glow Baby app on your phone. I used it to track her first feedings and diaper changes (the hospital will give you a sheet to write it down but it’s SO much easier on your phone). I continue tracking to this day, and my baby is 7 months old! I swear it helped me figure out her natural schedule, which we stuck to and it helped her sleep through the night starting around 6 weeks. Highly recommend it.
So excited for you, can’t wait to hopefully see pics and hear her sweet name.
Hi Sarah!
Thank you SO much for that app name! I just downloaded it! I knew I wanted an app but it’s so overwhelming with all the options, so great to hear that’s the one you continue to use! Thank you so much!!
xo,
Katey
Glad to help out!! Hope ya like it. I love it (I just don’t go to the “discussions” forum on the app, super weird. I only use it for tracking food & sleep (and at the beginning, diapers.))
🙂
Great list! The only idea I have for you is an app that you can use to track your contractions. I found a free one that was wonderful. It was as easy as hit the button at the start and hit it again at the end. It tracked each one and kept them all together in a list. It was easy to see their intensity, duration, and time in between. My husband had clear info to tell the dr when we were heading to the hospital. Good luck!
Huntrocity
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and pending bundle of joy! This is one of the most exciting times, I am now pregnant with #2 and your post gave me some great ideas for the next time around!
I too was fearful of mastitis. If you are blessed with a lot of milk (I was, my milk came in before I even left the hospital, which is unusual!) I highly recommend pumping in between feedings. Nothing too long, even 2-3 minutes to relieve the engorgment makes a big difference and will help prevent it. I pumped for just a few minutes right before I would feed my son, which also helped him latch since I wasn’t too full. I never got mastitis and breast feed for 11 months.
Best wishes, good luck and God bless!!
Katey!
Forget the lanolin cream, bleh it didn’t do anything for me when I had my first and it’s full of icky ingredients! When I had my second baby a friend told me about Motherlove nipple cream, it’s organic and so amazing! It’s ultra soothing, has a pleasant mild sent and I felt much better if my baby ingested a bit. :/ You can purchase it at Target (online), Amazon, and speciality stores. You won’t regret it!! I’m still nursing my 10 month old and I don really need it anymore, but I use it on my lips!! Haha
Congrats!
XO, Sarah
Hi Sarah!
So glad to know you like the Motherlove! I packed that too! 🙂 Randomly enough that was one of my first pregnancy purchases! Haha. So odd, but I had heard great things!
Xo,
Katey
Hi Katey,
I’m due in a few weeks so this was really helpful! I know there’s a comment saying not to bother with lanolin but please don’t risk it, my mum’s a nurse and I mentioned it to her, she told me it can damage the baby’s immune and digestive system and something about enzymes 🙂 hope this helps! can’t wait for the pictures of your new little one!! xxx
Hi Francesca!
I’m not! I’m using a different cream I mentioned in the comment above. 🙂
Xo,
Katey
Hi Katey!
I loved the post! Since Im not pregnant, the organization part of it was most helpful. Where did you get the big toiletry bag? I travel a lot for work and I am kinda obsessed. Wishing you a peaceful and easy labor.
Thanks,
Sharon
Wondering the same thing! Love the big pink bag with the smaller bags that pop out.
Bring your own pillowcase! Nothing annoyed me more during labor than the sound of the hospitals cheap pilllowcases rubbing. Ugh. Plus they were hard and not comfy. I was so glad I brought my own. It was nice to have a comfort from home!
I recommend bringing an extension cord. You will have multiple things that need to charge and the plugs are alway too far away for me. I’m preggo with my third!
Loved reading this one Katey! I shared this with my pregnant friends & they all loved and are dying to start following your posts from now on! Also love that it all fit in a LV bag 😉
So excited for you guys! Wishing you the best delivery!!
Xoxox
Shelby Boykin
Love this post so much! I’m 32 weeks and expecting a little girlie in March and have stated to think more and more about what to bring to the hospital. I’m in Canada so things at the hospital might be a bit different, but your list has been so super helpful! Wishing you all the very best when your sweetpea comes!
Xo Lauren
Hi Katey!
Don’t forget your baby book! With my son, I totally forgot it at home and we had to put his footprints in it ourselves once we came home. They turned out ok, but it was nerve-wracking because it’s kind of a “once and done” type thing! ???? When our daughter came last March, it was probably the first thing I packed. haha!
Enjoy this exciting time of your lives. Wishing you a quick and easy labor. So excited for you and Paul! Can’t wait to meet your little lady! Xo Alison
Hi Alison!
Thank you for that comment! I had it packed and just completely forgot to add it to the list! haha. I didn’t want to drag everything out of my bag when I made the blog post so it completely slipped my mind. I appreciate it! xoxo
Love love love this post. I found your blog a couple years back and I’m hooked! I’m right at 18weeks so I have time to plan but I love that you’re ahead in your pregnancy because you have helped me so much already! Can’t wait to see more babe posts! Thank you for sharing and congrats from another momma-to-be! 🙂
Great list!! As a labor and delivery nurse and when I do childbirth education classes I always tell family’s to bring whatever is comfortable to them! No one will be mad you overpacked! We all just want you to enjoy the process and your little one!! That being said, I do get asked a lot if we have fans!! I have had a few families start bringing in the small portable ones for mom if she gets hot during labor (most women do!) and for dads to cancel out the hospital noise at night! I just thought that was really cleaver! Anyway I just love reading your blog and couldn’t be happier for you and your growing family!
Congrats on your soon to be new baby! As a nurse I see first time moms pack waaaay too much, but your list seems pretty on point! Just make sure the clothes and pajamas you wear, you don’t mind being ruined! ???? And your milk probably won’t come in while in the hospital if you’re only there a day or 2, but if your pump is small enough, it doesn’t hurt to have it in your car just in case.
Unless the hospital told you to, I’d skip the extra baby clothes. They’ll put baby in onesies and hats, plus swaddles. It’s so overwhelming and dressing them will honestly be the last thing on your mind, especially if you send baby off to the nursery to get a few hours of sleep (which I totally recommend. Do not feel guilty about that one!!!!).
They’ll also have pacifiers and for newborns they kind of are all the same. I’d just bring the going home outfit and use the hospital enough. Just less things to keep track of, especially as they’ll be taking baby in and out for checkups or going to the nursery or what have you.
Hi Kellie!
Totally understand, as I’m sure she will be in the hospital outfits 99.9% of the time. Haha! My dad was a photographer, so my family just said, “Throw in an outfit or two and your dad can take some sweet photos!” If we get to it, great. If not, no big deal. Just wanted to do that so my dad could if he wanted. Thank you so much for reading!
Xo,
Katey
I really enjoyed reading this post! I’m also pregnant with my first child (also a GIRL!) but am not due until the end of June, so I still kind of feel like it hasn’t quite hit me lol. I’m just now looking into birthing classes, nursery necessities and what to pack for the hospital. This post was extremely helpful and I’m sure I will look back on it again when I am ready to start packing our hospital bags!
Kim Clifton
http://www.mrscliftonscloset.com
P.S. I’m sure I will be taking 2 bags as well!
What deodorant do you use? The link didn’t work. Thanks! Great info. I passed it along to my 2 SILs that are pregnant since I’ve already had my 3! Wish I had this in 2009 🙂
Donna Karan Cashmere Deodorant! 🙂 Thank you!! xo
I was just curious you said you had originally got the Nuna pipa car seat and said it didn’t work in your car. I’m just wondering why it didn’t? That is the car seat we have and I have not installed it in our Tahoe yet so I’m a little worried lol.
Hi girl! Don’t worry! It will work in your Tahoe! My mom has a Tahoe and she has the Nuna in her car.:) It doesn’t work in ours because our middle seat has a hump in the bottom floor and the nuna has a floor base that doesn’t work with that! xo
Hi Katey!
So curious on where your toiletry case is from, the biggest one with the smaller ones inside? This is exactly what I need for my hospital bag. Thanks so much!
Hi Jennifer!
It is from a local boutique by my house called Lawrence’s Gifts! I hope that helps you! 🙂
xoxo,
Katey
Hi Katey! Love love love your blog and following along with your life & cute little family! I have had this post bookmarked for a while and now that I am 32 weeks, I am starting to get my hospital bag packed. I am curious now that you’ve had sweet Maxi, is there anything else you would have packed or would change about this list? Any help would be appreciated!! xoxoxo
Hi Eileen!
Congratulations on your little one! I used everything I brought, so there isn’t really anything I would have changed! I hope you have a wonderful delivery! xo
Great post!!! What brand/where is the pink travel bag with other bags inside of it from? So cute!!
Hi Ashley!
It’s Stephanie Johnson! I recently did a post [beauty gift guide] linking to where to get them!
xo,
Katey
Thank you! Did you purchase the clear & pink smaller bags that are inside the case separately? I don’t see one like that online.
Thanks for the info!!!
Hi Ashley! They come in the large Stephanie Johnson bags! I hope that helps! xo
This is a much later post .. but what did give Paul as a present? Need some ideas! Thanks!
Hi Jenna! So I actually got him a new iPhone which sounds silly, but he had SUCH an old phone that would barely take photos. So I got him a new one so he could photograph his new baby! 🙂 xo, Katey
I’m way late on this post but expecting my first little one and loving hearing what you packed! Just curious did you wear your own pajamas for delivery or the hospital gown? Did the pjs you picked get ruined? Also, I hope this isn’t intrusive but who did you have in the room for delivery? I am thinking I only want my husband and mom but don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Thanks!!
Hi Ally! I wore the hospital gown for delivery and then my regular pajamas didn’t get ruined after. I had my mom, my sister and my husband in the room for delivery! You should totally pick who you are comfortable with because I don’t think I would have been okay with anyone else either! I found people were really understanding. My in-laws always said they could step out at any time, etc. xo, Katey