Wondering what to pack in your hospital bag? Check out this checklist I compiled for hospital bag must have items as a second mom.
I remember being so nervous about packing my hospital bag during my first pregnancy. I didn’t know what to expect or what I was actually going to need so I searched the internet for all the hospital bag must have items checklists I could find and added what I saw “just in case” plus what my family and friends were recommending.Ā
I over packed! I over packed for myself and for my baby too! over packing is understatement. You couldn’t tell if I was going to go on a week long vacation or to the hospital, and toĀ top it off, I didn’t use half of it.
Packing your hospital bag and your baby’s bag doesn’t have to be a stressful so here are my hospital bag must haves as a second time mom.
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Table of contents
Hospital bag Must have items Checklist
- MOM'S HOSPITAL BAG
- Hospital bag
- Folder for extra paperwork
- Health insurance card + ID
- Copy of birth plan
- 3X Nursing bralette
- Leakproof water tumbler with flip straw
- Mini fan
- Phone & 10ft long charging cord
- Toiletry bag
- Travel size bottles
- Toiletry bag must have items
- Hair ties
- Sleeping mask
- Birthing comb
- Flip flops
- Light snacks & Drinks
- 1X Birth gown
- 1X Night gown
- 1X Pijama set
- 3X Socks with grippers
- Slippers
- Sweater or Cardigan
- Blanket
- Postpartun underwear
- Peri bottle
- Nursing pads
- Nipple balm
- Coming home outfit
- BABY'S MUST HAVE ITEMS
- Car seat installed
- Diaper bag
- Nursing pillow
- Diaper rash ointment
- Burp cloths
- Swaddle
- White noise machine
- Birth announcement outfit
- Birth announcement photo props
- Baby blanket
- Electric nail trimmer
- 1X NB size onesie
- 1X 0-3M size onesie
- PARTNER'S BAG
- 2X Changes of clothes
- 1X Sweatshirt
- Shoes
- Flip flops
- Swim trunks
- Blanket + Pillow
- Toothbrush
- Cellphone + charger
- Extra bag
Mom's Hospital bag
The hospital will have majority of the main items your newborn baby will need during their stay at the hospital so focus on your bag first.
You will be spending time in the labor and delivery room first and once you give birth to your little one you will be transferred to a recovery room.
TIP:Ā
- Pack a folder with a copy of your birth plan, your health insurance card. You will use this folder to store all of the paperwork you will also receive after you give birth.
- Pack your garments and post-delivery items first and leave the toiletries or items you know your partner could easily pack (and find) in case you were admitted during one of your pregnancy check ups for when you actually have to go in.
Hospital Bag
You will want to start packing your hospital bag 3 -4 weeks prior to the due date (when you’re about 36 weeks) if you don’t have a high risk pregnancy.
When choosing a bag to pack your items you have think about the size of your bag. You will need a big enough bag to carry both your labor and delivery items you’ll use and your recovery items.
If you’re planning on having a vaginal birth, I highly recommend an 18-inch weekender duffel bag (for 1-3 days) with a bottom compartment for shoes. However, if you have a C-section planned, I recommend a duffel bag large enough for a 3-5 days stay (21 inches/45L bag).
If you don’t live hours away from the hospital, don’t overdue it with a suitcase.
Labor & Delivery Room must haves
When you check into the hospital to give birth you will be checked into one of their labor and delivery rooms, this is where you will be spending your time during labor.
I recommend asking your OBGYN or when you go tour the hospital you will be giving birth at what items will be available in the labor & delivery rooms so you don’t pack the same items. Remember that everything that you carry in, will have to be carried out.
My hospital provided me with the following items:
- Peanut ball
- Exercise/birthing ball
- Floor fan
- Hospital gown:
- Don’t buy into the social media scam and get a pretty hospital gown to give birth in! Giving birth gets messy. Get one for pictures if you want once you’re in the recovery room away from amniotic fluid, possible meconium, and other bodily fluids.
- Grippy socks:
- Stick with the ones the hospital provides and save the fluffy and fuzzy socks for the recovery room.
- Large water cup with lid and straw
- Extra pillows and blankets:
- You can ask for them but your care team usually offers them firsts.
- Do not bring out your nice blanket out with you’re in labor, save it for the recovery room.
- Towels
Nursing Bralette
From the waist down you will be butt naked under that hospital gown but if you feel more comfortable with some support for your girls who happened to grow two cup sizes throughout your pregnancy, you can always keep your bra on while you’re in labor.
These nursing sleep bralettes are so comfortable and give you the support you need without making you feel like you’re wearing something. They are low in the front and extremely easy to open to do some skin-to-skin right after you give birth, and if you’re planning on breastfeeding.
Pack all three but you will only use one for the labor & delivery room and the other two for when you get transferred to the recovery room.
Leakproof Water tumbler with flip straw
If you don’t already have a large capacity water bottle I highly recommend getting one that is insulated and can keep your water cold, is leakproof, and has a flip straw.
My hospital provided me with their huge water cup that had a lid and a straw but when I was exhausted from the contractions I wanted to drink cold water laying down instead of having to get up to take sips of water. Luckily I brought a leakproof water bottle with a flip straw that worked like a charm.
Mini fan
My hospital did provide a fan but it was a floor fan and it was not portable so I opted to bring this mini portable fan.
I initially bought this as a fan to attach it to the stroller for my baby during those hot summer walks but it came in handy before welcoming our baby.
This little fan was incredible and definitely a must have! I remember getting really hot and wanting to have cool air on just my neck when I was laying down and while I was in full labor. I just attached the flexible legs on the bed’s railing and I was set.
Phone & Extra Long Charging cord
If you’re not planning on bringing a fancy camera to video tape or take pictures of the birth, your phone can double as a camera, music player, and an entertainment device to pass the time if your body takes a while to get into active labor mode.
I love listening to music to set the mood and having my phone with a playlist that made me feel good was what I needed to get me moving before my body went into active labor and during the early stages of active labor.
I was also in the labor and delivery room for 3 days the first time I gave birth because my baby was too comfortable in the womb so having my phone to read and mindlessly scroll through social media helped as well.
Since you’ll be using your phone a little more you will need to charge it often. There are usually electric outlets behind your bed but the standard charging cord doesn’t reach all the way to the bed in case you want to look at your phone while it’s charging.
A 10-12 ft long charging cord (iphone) for your phone is long enough to reach your bed and look at your phone comfortably while laying down.
Toiletry Bag
14. You will need a toiletries bag to keep all your toiletries organized and this hanging toiletry bag works best because you can hang it! There’s not a whole lot of room on around the sink in restroom and once you get to the recovery room, you will have all your post-partum items too so it will get crowded.
Travel size Bottles
Get yourself travel size lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and body soap if you can.
This Living Proof travel set is coming to the hospital with me!
You can also refill these travel bottle containers with what you already have at home.
Everyone is different and have a specific skin care routine so adjust this list of toiletries to your lifestyle.
Other than body soap, water, and lotion, I don’t really have any skin care items so my list will be the minimum must haves so make sure to pack the travel sizes:
- Make-up remover wipes
- Lip balm: You will be doing a lot of mouth breathing and your lips will feel dry so make sure you get a lip balm that moisturizes, prevents dryness, and does damage control.
- Make-up:Ā Make sure to get waterproof mascara and concealer to hide those dark circles under your eyes.
- Compact brush with mirror
- Hair detangler spray
- Cleansing wet wipes: I usually take these camping but they were great for cleaning your armpits for any body odor.
- Shampoo/ Conditioner/ Dry Shampoo bundle
- Body soap
- Lotion
- Toothbrush + cap/ toothpaste
- Under eye mask: I don’t usually wear under eye masks but these were life savers for pictures when I was transferred to the recovery room.
- Deodorant
- Tweezers/ travel razor: You don’t really need this if you’re planning on waxing
Hair ties
There will be a lot of sweating going on when you’re in active labor and you will want to keep your hair out of your face and neck so I highly recommend bringing some scrunchies or no damage hair ties depending on what you’re used to and feel comfortable with.
I personally prefer scrunchies or softer hair ties because the regular hair ties give me a headache after wearing them for too long.
Sleeping Mask
I didn’t pack a sleeping mask the first time I gave birth but I will definitely be packing one this time around!
I was in the L&D room for about 3 days and there was always a light on so it was hard for me to get some good rest. We asked the staff to turn all the lights off but some of the machines I was plugged into were lighting up the room so I highly recommend a sleeping mask.
You will be using it in the recovery room as well if you end up giving birth early in the morning too, and also when you get home and you’re trying to get some rest while your partner is on duty.
Birthing Comb
Yes, a comb! If you’re planning on doing an un-medicated birth having a comb as a pain management tool is a must have item to pack in your hospital bag.
You can get a birthing comb designed to hit certain acupuncture points in your hand but any sturdy wooden comb will work just fine.
The reason behind holding and squeezing a comb as a pain management tool is that it makes your brain focus on a different sensation in a different part of your body lessening the amount of pain you would feel when you’re having a contraction.
Flip flops
During my stay at the L&D room I had a restroom with a shower. If you’re doing an un-medicated birth you might want to get in the shower and have warm water running on your back as a pain relief method to ease the pain of the contractions so I highly recommend rubber flip flops.
Check with your hospital to make sure there will be a shower or even a tub.
Light snacks & drinks
I was induced for my first pregnancy and ended up staying in the labor and delivery room for almost 3 days so snacks were life savers.
I packed coconut water, a few trail mix packets, dates, and honey sticks but I ended up eating some beef jerky my husband packed for himself and some jello from the hospital because we were there for 3 days.
I wouldn’t pack too many snacks for yourself because once you start to go into active labor you don’t think about eating and sometimes you might feel nauseous.
Optional Labor & Delivery room items
Light make-up
This is completely optional and I wouldn’t consider this as a must have item because everyone is different but I personally like to have some mascara on and concealer under my eyes so I don’t look like a sick person.
18. I like to keep my make up separate from all my other toiletries by storing it in a make-up bag.
If you decided to bring mascara, make sure you bring waterproofĀ mascara.
Calming Atmosphere Items
Items such as fairy lights, battery candles, galaxy projectors, pictures of loved ones, and essential oil diffusers are really not necessary.
Once you’re in active labor all of that goes out the window and with the pain you’re feeling you will only be focusing on your body, everything else will disappear and you will be in your own little world mentally. Plus, there is always some type of lighting in the labor and delivery room from the monitors and some hospitals don’t even allow oil diffusers so always double check with your hospital.
However, if you feel like you need to have these items, by all means bring them.
Birth gown
Is tempting to get a birth gown when you’re welcoming your little one into this world but I would save it for the recovery room.
There will be multiple body fluids that will get on it and you still have to take that home.
I would only recommend getting a birthing gown and an maybe some extras for the recovery room IF you know you have to stay at the hospital for a while. The hospital gowns are sometimes too stiff to the touch and If I had a high risk pregnancy because my waters broke too early or my cervix was dilating too early, I would definitely bring one to the L&D room.
If you do decide in getting a birth gown, make sure you get one that has easy access on the back andĀ the front so you can do skin-to-skin right away after birth.
Recovery Room Must Have Items
After you give birth you will be transferred to a recovery room, check the amenities your hospital will have in the room. My hospital provided me with the following amenities, postpartum and baby items:
- Restroom with a shower
- Large TV for entertainment
- Food: It was included not only for myself but also for my hubby and it was surprisingly really good and not bland.
- Postpartum items:
- Mesh underwear
- Oversized pads
- Witch hazel cooling pads
- Dermoplast Spray
- Peri bottle
- Epson salts + over the toilet sitz tray
- Nipple cream
- Manual pump
- Baby items:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Bulb aspirator
- Pacifier
- Swaddles
- 3 Hats
- Bottle and formula in case you have trouble establishing supply
TIP:
- Use whatever you can from the hospital so you don’t carry too much going in and out.
- Take what they offer like extra diapers, wipes, and postpartum items so you don’t waste what you have at home.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for more if you really liked the item they provided so you can take it home.
- I ended up asking the nurse for more witch hazel cooling pads and dermoplast spray
Birth gown/ Nightgown
A birthing gown is perfect for postpartum recovery, specially if you have a C-section. It’s also cute for pictures but it’s not necessary.
A night gown will serve the same purpose and they come in many different colors/ patters as well.
I get cold easily so I got a long sleeve nightgown
TIP:Ā
- Bring something you will be feeling comfortable sleeping in. I personally prefer the night gown over a pj set because I’m used to sleeping in an oversized shirt and no pants.
If you decide you prefer a Pj set, make sure you can easily access your breasts for nursing and the chest area for skin-to-skin cuddles.
This Pj lounge set is perfect because it has the buttons in the front so you only have to un-button a few buttons its very soft.
Fuzzy socks with Grippers
Your hospital is very likely to give you socks that have grippers at the bottom but they are not soft. They are great for when you’re in the labor and delivery room because you don’t want to get your nice fuzzy socks dirty with bodily fluids, but I hated them while I was in the recovery room.
I didn’t bring any for my first pregnancy and my feet got cold from my hormones trying to re-balance while I was in the recovery room. I was also pretty uncomfortable with the socks the hospital provided once I was resting, they just felt stiff so I will definitely be packing two pairs of fuzzy socks with the grippers this time.
Slippers
My feet were swollen after giving birth from all the fluids I got during my 3 day stay in the labor and delivery room so any closed toe slipper was very uncomfortable and didn’t even fit me.
This time I’ll be packing these super cozy open toe fuzzy slippers and I’ll be living in these for my whole stay in the hospital.
Sweater/ Cardigan
I like to bring a cozy cardigan to the hospital because as an extra item to keep me warm in case I have to stay in the hospital longer than expected and to have with my coming home outfit if we check out early in the morning and it happens to be cold.
Blanket
Since I get cold easily and I’m only planning on packing a long-sleeve night gown and not a lounge set to wear in the hospital, I will be bringing a warm and cozy blanket (50 x 70 in) to make me feel more comfortable.
Postpartum underwear
The hospital will have mesh underwear thatĀ can hold the huge pads that you will be wearing after delivery, however, these are not very secure but they get the work done.
I used one pair of mesh underwear the hospital provided and I immediately switched to these postpartum boy short underwear. These pair of underwear felt more secure and more comfortable.
Peri Bottle
This is another item the hospital provided but I hated it because it’s a bottle with a straight spray nozzle and was really hard to aim at my recovering lady bit.
I got myself this peri bottle with an angled spray nozzle that acts like a portable bidet and it worked wonders for me the first time so this is a hospital bag must have for me and will be coming with me again for round 2.
Nursing pads
If you’re planning on breastfeeding you should get yourself some reusable nursing pads because you might leak milk. You can throw this nursing pads in the washer and dryer and you don’t spend money in the disposable ones!
If you’re unsure if you’ll be breastfeeding, I recommend getting a pack of the disposable nursing pads for those unexpected leaks you’ll get in the beginning.
Nipple cream
My hospital provided me with a little sample packet of a nipple balm so check and see if your hospital will provide you with some as well.
I personally didn’t like the smell of the nipple balm the hospital gave me so this time I’ll be packing my favorite nipple balm. This little container got me the relief I needed when my son was cluster feeding!
Coming Home Outfit
Expect your body to be the size of how your body was when you were 6 months.
My legs and feet were a little swollen from all the IV fluids I had while I was in the labor & delivery room so you want your coming home outfit to be loose and comfortable.
Last time I gave birth took a tan lounge set and by the time I got home I noticed I bled through my padĀ and had a pretty noticeable stain on my bum, so this time I’ll be packing a darker color lounge set in case I bleed through again.
Optional items
16. If you want to retouch your hair after after you give birth for pictures, you can always pack your curling iron or a hair straightener.
17. I personally feel like the dry shampoo does wonders for my hair and I don’t have to carry that, however, I do like to carry a blow dryer brush to do my hair after I shower and head home.
TIP:
- Bring an extra bag for all the goodies you will get from the hospital such as diapers, welcome baby gift (Our hospital gave us a baby blanket and a backpack), baby wipes, postpartum items, and any extras you want to ask for.
Baby Must Have Items
Car seat
Don’t forget to install the car seat in the car before coming to the hospital! Hospitals won’t allow you to take your baby home unless there’s a car seat properly installed in your car.
I would definitely have this done by 37 weeks just in case your baby decides to come earlier than expected
Diaper Bag
If you didn’t receive a diaper bag at your baby shower, make sure to get one now so you can pack all your baby’s must have hospital items
Make sure to get a diaper bag that opens all the way like a carry on but you can actually carry it like a backpack.
We had a backpack diaper bag that only opened at the top and it was hard to see what I had at the bottom so I had to take everything out which was pretty inconvenient not only at the hospital but just about anywhere I’d take it.
Nursing Pillow
I planned on breastfeeding the first time I gave birth but I didn’t think of bringing my nursing pillow! I was able to get my son to latch with the help of the nurse and a regular pillow stuck on the bottom but it was uncomfortable.
This time I’ll be bringing my nursing pillow with me.
Depending on how many days you will be staying in the hospital (C-section stays 2-5 days), I would consider bringing an extra nursing pillow cover in case of blowouts. It’s not a must have item if you live close to the hospital.
Diaper rash cream
I’m sure the hospital provides you with diaper rash cream for your newborn but I didn’t received one with my first son and didn’t think to ask the nurses for one or bring one from home so my son ended up with a rash the first day because even the nurse didn’t put diaper rash cream when she was showing us how to put on the diaper.
I’m definitely not forgetting this time to bring a diaper rash ointment even if the hospital offers one.
We tried some of the popular brands and those made my newborn’s bum more red and this diaper rash cream was the only one that took the redness away so quickly so I’m packing it this time and didn’t get a rash.
I even use it on my toddler now when he gets sick and has diarrhea and it immediately soothes him.
Burp cloths
I didn’t think to bring any birth cloths the first time and my son ended up spitting right on hospital gown. I ended up cleaning having to fold a swaddle blanket that the hospital provides you with but it just felt too bulky.
This time I’ll be bringing two burp cloths since they hardly take any space at all.
Swaddle
The hospital will provide you with swaddles but they feel rough to the touch and they are small so I recommend bringing a swaddle from home not only so the baby can get used to it but also so you can get used to swaddling your newborn with the swaddles you’ll have at home.
With my first baby I took a few swaddles from the hospital because we were taught how to swaddle with that size swaddle and we had the soft large 47×47 inches swaddles so if this is your first time, pack one swaddle from home so you can ask the nurses how to swaddle your newborn with the swaddle you’ll be using at home.
TIP:
- Check out this Step-by-step (with pictures too!) on How to swaddle your newborn in case you’re having a hard time at home figuring out how to do it.Ā
White noise machine
The sound your baby heard constantly while he was in your belly was the swooshing sound your blood makes when it circulates your body so you’re going to want to bring a portable white machine noise for your newborn which tends to sound similar to what your baby heard when he was in the womb.Ā
Not only that but the world is pretty noisy, we’re just used to the noise and tune sounds out but a baby is not used to all those noises and a white noise machine can help your baby tune out those extra noises and not overwhelm him.
Picture outfit
The hospital staff will be taking vitals constantly so it’s best to have your little one swaddled with only the diaper on but you can’t forget to get those newborn pictures when you’re in the hospital so pack a cute little newborn outfit.
Sometimes your baby stays in the birth canal for a little too long and their head will come out in a cone head like shape so make sure to include a little hat. Don’t worry it’s normal and it goes back to normal with time.
Pants and booties are optional but they will make your little one warm and more comfortable.
Birth Announcement photo props
I loved having my double sided letter board as the birth announcement photo prop with my first baby and I might just bring it this time again for my second baby.
I was thinking about changing it up for the second baby with this double sided birth announcement sign so they can have different baby milestone pictures but at the same time I want to keep the letter board tradition.
The letter board is a bulky item but I loved that I was able to incorporate it the first 12 months of my baby’s life to announce monthly milestones, holiday pictures, and now we use it to practice letter and word recognition so you can definitely put that to good use.
Baby Blanket
Oh their first baby blanket! You can’t forget their baby blanket! You get to use it in the birth announcement pictures, and depending on how the weather will be when you have your baby, you can also use it for he is in the car seat on the way home or to simply cover him from the sun as you’re transferring the car seat from the hospital to the car
Electric Nail Trimmer
Some babies are born with very long nails and the thought of cutting their nails is daunting.
I never used the nail clippers to trim my baby’s nails, I started using them when my baby became a year and a half old and only for his toe nails! Instead I got this electric nail trimmer with multiple size filers that included a newborn size and trimming nails became the easiest thing to do.
Coming Home outfit/ Sleeper
I highly recommend packing (2) 2-way sleeper onesie for your newborn baby in sizes NB (Newborn) and 0-3 months because you won’t know how big your baby will be when he comes out. The NB size might be too snug if he happens to be taller or heavier than average so it’s best to be prepared with the next size up.
If you’re not comfortable using an electric baby nail trimmer, I recommend packing 2-way zipper sleeper onesies with mittens included.
If you give birth during those cold winter months, pack fleece sleeper onsies to keep your little one warm.
Must have items for your partner
Our hospital was 7 minutes away from our house and since my husband is a very simple man, he decided to pack the bare minimum:
- 2 changes of clothes + what he wore
- 1 Sweatshirt
- 1 pair of shoes + flip flops (in case he had to help me in the shower while I was in labor to ease the pain
- Swim trunks
- Snacks
- a blanket + Pillow
- Toothbrush
- Cellphone + his own charging cord
When you do your tour of the hospital, ask what items will be provided to your partner. Some hospitals will no provide pillows, blankets, food, or even a pull-out couch in the L&D room in case you end up having a long birth. Our hospital didn’t provide pillows for my partner, but I ended up asking for an extra one and gave it to him anyway.
Also, keep in mind that your partner can quickly go home and get any additional items as long as you are not in active labor.
IF you are a second time mom here are a couple reminders:
- Don’t forget to pack your toddler’s bag too! Here is what I ended up packing for my toddler since he will be staying with his grandma.
- 3x sets of pjs
- Underwear (or diapers) for 3 days + accidents
- 6x changes of clothes (long and short sleeve shirts, shorts & pants)
- 2x pairs of shoes
- 2x sweaters
- Favorite blanket
- Dad & Mom’s shirts
- His little pillow
- Favorite toys and books
- Since the hospital is less than 15 minutes away from our house, my husband can go and get any additional items for our toddler.
- IF you have pets don’t forget to set up arrangements so somebody can come watch, feed, and walk them.
Cheers to a new chapter in your life!
You got this mama!
