Comprehensive Hospital Bag Checklist

DELSEY PARIS LUGGAGE

Alright expecting Momma’s this comprehensive hospital bag checklist is for you! Packing your hospital bag shouldn’t be stressful. But often times it can be hard to determine exactly what you need for you and baby vs. bringing all the things. My hope for these pack lists is to help you not forget anything and figure out what is best for you to pack.

First you want to start with selecting a bag that’s not too big but also allows to pack exactly what you need plus a few extra items you want to have along. It might be best to use a bag that you already own or one that you would use again. In my specific situation you probably know by now we travel the country living in our RV and all of our luggage is in storage.

So I went to my tried and true luggage brand Delsey and selected the Weekender 2.0 and Toiletry Case as my hospital and travel bag. If you too are in the market for luggage scroll to the bottom of this blog post because I’m sharing a huge discount code with you! In addition to sharing hospital absolute must haves, I am going to show you exactly what I packed in my hospital bag. Plus a few extra item ideas and hospital tips.

ESSENTIALS FOR YOU

My recommendations throughout this post are based on my previous experience delivering my son and current packed items for our daughters arrival. Plus a few suggestions from mom friends. These lists are a guide for you but ultimately you should pack what you feel is right for you and your baby! Whether you’re a minimalist or over packer often times your hospital will supply you with many of the necessary items for your postpartum care. However these “necessary items” can vary from hospital to hospital so it’s better to err on the side of preparedness and bring everything you want to have. If you happen to double up even better you can choose which ones you prefer to use.

Tip: When you leave the hospital to take your sweet baby home be sure to grab all the items in your hospital room to take with you. I’m talking about the diapers, blankets, wipes, and personal care items for you. The hospital will throw it all away so be sure to grab any extras you didn’t use yet.

WHAT TO PACK FOR LABOR + DELIVERY

WATER BOTTLE OR TUMBLER – Be sure to bring a large water bottle or tumbler for you and your spouse. You definitely want to make sure you stay hydrated and not need to rely on the nurses to continually bring you water. Many Labor + Delivery hospitals will have water and ice stations where you can fill your own bottles.
SNACKS – There is no predicting whether your labor and delivery will be nice and quick or span over several hours. If your doctors and nurses allow you to eat it’s nice to have some of your favorite snacks on hand. And certainly a good idea for you pack plenty for anyone who is there with you.
MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT – While spending time in the hospital for L+D or Postpartum care you may find you need to pass the time with some entertainment. Hopefully you are fortunate to have a TV in your room. However bringing a bluetooth speaker along for your favorite tunes, ipad/tablet and small card game or two is a great idea to have on hand.
EXTRA LONG POWER CORDS – Of course you will need to recharge your power devices during your hospital stay so don’t forget to pack your charging cords. I highly recommend packing an extra long charging cord because your room outlets might not be located in the most ideal locations.

WHAT TO PACK FOR POSTPARTUM CARE

ROBE – Depending on your style there are so many options for cute Mom robes and some that even match items for your baby. Which naturally make for cute photos in the hospital. But regardless of packing your favorite robe from home or a new one they are comfortable and easy to wear for nursing and using the bathroom.
COMFY CLOTHES/PJ’S – You may chose to stay in your robe while in the hospital but it could be a little chilly where comfy clothes and pjs would be nice to have with you.
NIPPLE BUTTER – This is a must if you plan to breastfeed or pump. It’s crazy how quickly your nipples get sore and raw. Do yourself a favor and pack cream!
LILY PADZ – With my son my nipples were so raw in the hospital and I wish I had these. I ended up finding them after but these silicone nipple covers are life savers. Even nursing bras and clothes can bother your nipples and these nipple covers will protect them from rubbing against clothing and other things.
DISPOSABLE UNDERWEAR – Hopefully the hospital provides these for you but I also suggest having a few along just in case. You are going to want to be as comfortable as possible and these will help with all the pads and ice you may be using down there for relief.
TUCKS COOLING PADS – Tucks is another must have! These cooling pads offer a soothing relief where you need it. You can easily line them in a row on ice packs or pads placed in your disposable underwear.
NURSING BRAS – If you are planning to breastfeed make it a little easier to access by having nursing bras on hand. They are comfortable, soft and easy to slip open to fed baby and then put back together quickly.
BREASTPUMP – With my first child I didn’t use my breast pump for some time but in hindsight it would have been nice to have at the hospital for some instructions. This is optional as hospitals have breast pumps to use but you may want to consider bringing yours.
GOING HOME OUTFIT – While you might still like to be in your robe it is probably best you change into another outfit for going home. Make sure it is loose and comfortable.

WHAT TO PACK FOR BABY

SWADDLES/BLANKETS – The hospital most likely will have a baby blanket or two for you but you may want to have your own on hand as well. Selecting your own blankets could be personalized for your little one and nice for those first photos. But especially handy for the day you head home. Although you can and should take the hospital provided blanket with you as well.
BEANIES/BOWS – Hospitals tend to be chilly and you will want to make sure your newborn is nice and warm. Having a few beanies, hats, or head bows with you can help do just that by keeping their heads warm.
ACCESSORIES – Depending on the outfits you pack for your little one you may want to include mittens, booties, pacifier and any other accessories you prefer to have on hand for your new baby.
GOING HOME OUTFIT – An outfit for your new baby to go home in a must. Be sure to keep in mind sizes and seasonal temperatures. You may want to pack a newborn and 0-3 month size just to be sure an outfit fits your baby properly. Tip: Outfits with zippers are much easier than buttons!

CARSEAT – Your car seat should be installed prior to arriving at the hospital as you will need to bring in the car seat to transport your baby out of the hospital. And many times the hospital checks the car seat in your vehicle for proper installment.

SPECIFIC ITEMS IN MY HOSPITAL BAG

These are the links to the exact items in my comprehensive hospital bag checklist. For all my boy Mommas many of these items come in boy styles and colors as well. Since we are having a girl I’ve packed as many pink and floral items as I possibly could find.

Labor + Delivery: Delsey Chatelet Weekender Hospital Bag // Delsey Chatelet Toiletry Bag // JBL Speaker // Playing Cards // Snacks // Heating Pad // 34 oz. Orca Hydra // 10′ Charging Cord

Postpartum: Joyfolie Pomona Floral Robe // Joyfolie Striped PJ’s // Nipple Butter // Nursing Bras // Tucks Cooling Pads // Lily Padz // Disposable Underwear // Going Home Dress

Baby Items: Swaddle // Outfits #1 / Outfit #2 / Going Home Outfit + Turban // Bows // Turbans // Custom Name Sign

Additional Items: Non-Slip Socks // Lotion + Chapsticks // Makeup // Curling Iron // Toiletries // Pillow + Blanket for Spencer // Camera Gear // Faux Flowers for Photo Props // Thank you Baskets for both L+D and PP Nurses