🏥 Hospital Bag Guide
What I Actually Packed in My Hospital Bag
I packed my hospital bag three times before I finally got it right. Here's everything that actually got used — and a few things I wish I'd known about beforehand.
I packed my hospital bag three times before I finally got it right. Here's everything that actually got used — and a few things I wish I'd known about beforehand.
I packed mine at 36 weeks after a friend told me hers came early. Good thing too — my daughter arrived at 38 weeks! Here's what I packed for myself, my baby, and my husband.
I ordered most of these on Amazon before my due date. Linking them here in case they save you the same last-minute scramble I went through!
Honestly, the hospital gown they gave me was scratchy and open at the back — so uncomfortable. This one was so much softer and I could actually breastfeed in it right after birth.
View on Amazon →
Nobody warned me how much I'd bleed after birth. These saved me — the hospital ones were fine but these were so much more comfortable for the ride home.
View on Amazon →
I bought two sizes because I had no idea how big my baby would be. She ended up needing the newborn size and this one was just perfect for our first photos together.
View on Amazon →
My feet were so swollen after delivery that my regular shoes didn't fit. These slippers were a lifesaver for those hallway walks the nurses make you do.
View on Amazon →
Comfortable and supportive nursing bra for easy breastfeeding access — a must-have for your hospital stay.
View on Amazon →I thought I had until 40 weeks. My daughter had other plans and arrived at 38 weeks — thank goodness my bag was already packed!
The hospital gown was so itchy during my 14-hour labor. I wish I'd brought my own from the very beginning instead of switching halfway through.
My phone died during labor because the only outlet was across the room. Lesson learned — bring the longest cable you own!
The hospital food was honestly pretty bland. I was so glad I'd packed my favourite snacks for after — and my husband was grateful too since he practically lived there with me.
I only packed newborn size and my daughter was tiny enough that even that swamped her! Pack both sizes just in case.
We installed ours weeks early and I'm so glad we did — the nurse actually checked it before letting us leave!
I made a playlist the week before and it genuinely helped me stay calm during the harder contractions.
I wrote mine out on one page and it made conversations with the nurses so much easier when things got intense.
My husband wore the same clothes for almost two days because we forgot to pack for him. Don't make our mistake!
I ran out of storage right as she was born and missed getting a photo of her very first cry. Clear your storage beforehand!
Follow Baby Product Picks on Pinterest for more hospital bag tips, newborn essentials, and mom must-haves.