Hospital Bag Checklist For Mom, Dad and Baby
When the moment to pack your bag for the delivery day arrives, it sure comes to mind what on earth do I need? To me it didn’t matter if it was the first or second time, I don’t know why it all seems to be the first.
Sadly, COVID marked a difference between before and after delivering a baby. I lived both of them because my first child was born finishing 2019 and my daughter was born in 2022. So yes, I’ve seen both, and the after was not how I hoped.
Why? Simply before COVID, you could have your entire family and friends in your room, and food, favors, and refreshments… yes that’s normal from where I come from, a Latina mom. But after COVID, the hospital accepts just your partner and one more person in the room. So, if my parents want to visit, my husband has to get out (at least in my hospital). So no, it’s not that great now. Although every hospital has its own policies. If you want to know them, just make a quick call.
I’m telling you this because it will change what you need to pack a bit. So before starting packing, you need to realize what is your post-delivery plans, everyone talks about your birth plan, but later, when you have your baby and you need to be in the hospital for about 2 or 3 days (depending on your type of delivery) you need to know what’s your plan and make sure that your hospital let you have it. For example, to me before covid, I knew that I wanted to décor my room door, have pastries and refreshments for my guest, and of course, I had to look amazing after delivery, something that not everyone thinks about. So, yes, I did all that before covid, but after I couldn’t.
Here are the essentials for Mom, Dad, and Baby. I will list everything that made my days more comfortable so you can focus better on your newborn.
For Mom
#1- 3 PJs – Remember you will be stuck in a room for a few days, so think you need to be as comfortable as you like. I recommend this kind of PJ that has bottoms on the front, like a nice shirt; you can buy one size over yours. They’re very comfortable for breastfeeding, look good and elegant, and you can use them all postpartum and later too. You can be all day in your PJs, and it will look like this ↓
#2 – Your pillow – yes, the hospital gives you one, but you need to rest the most you can, so if you bring the one you use at home, you’ll be more comfortable and cozier. It made a difference to me. And even if you feel like it, bring your own sheets and blanket.
#3 – Lanolin Cream – If you plan to breastfeed, this cream will be one of your best friends.
#4 – Breastfeeding Pillow – I used two different pillows, Boppy and My Breast Friend and definitely the second one was so much better. I recommend My Breast Friend because stays much more in place, is stronger, and more comfortable than the Boppy one.
#5 – Belly Cream – You will find it nice to have your belly cream. I love the cream from Earth Mama, I used it for my two pregnancies and postpartum.
#6 – Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash – once more, maybe the hospital will give you this. In my case, they gave me before covid but not after. Either way, I had my own because I wanted to smell good and have the one that I liked. You can buy those little bottles that are for travel.
#7 – Antiseptic Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser – This kind of cleanser made my 2 postpartum. Every postpartum and every woman is different, but something for sure is that you just had a baby, and if you have a vaginal delivery, you will be very vulnerable down there. This cleanser is for down there, so if you have stitches or a little bit of pain, or feel uncomfortable (and you will), this will help.
#8 – Your hairbrush – yep don’t forget this.
#9 – Your Toothbrush, Paste, and Mouthwash – During labor, having my mouthwash became very handy, I was 24 hours in labor, and you can’t eat anything but ice chips, so having that could be very refreshing. And again, before COVID, the hospital gave me a toothbrush and paste, but after is a no-no.
#10 – Your Towel – my hospital did not give me one. I bring a thin towel so it will not occupy too much space on the carry-on.
#11 – Your Deodorant – most people forget about it.
#12 – Your Make-Up – I want it to look the best I could for the pictures. Bring just your essentials.
#13 – Socks – you can have some slippers too, but it will be more comfortable to have just socks. The hospital gives you very cute ones (sarcasm), but they are not as comfy. So maybe you will want a pair of your own.
#14 – Postpartum Underwear – The hospital will give some stretch ones. To me, they were comfortable and fine. But after a few days, I need some of my own. The Frida ones are very comfortable. Then, after a few weeks, I started wearing underwear that helped me with my belly, It was comfortable, and yes I do recommend it.
#15 – Postpartum KIT – My hospital gave me pads, witch hazel, and a pain reliever spray. But if you’d like to have your own. I recommend Always Flexi 4 or 5, Tucks, and the spray from Lansinoh. Also is very useful to have your peri bottle.
#16 – Nursing Bras – I used the bras from Motherhood and they felt very comfortable, and I could sleep with them too!
#17 – Breast Pads – Bring your pads, if you don’t have ones, I recommend the Lansinoh pads, they are comfortable and they are easy to open, something that became very handy to me.
#18 – Lip Balm – your lips become very dry during labor, bring some of this.
#19 – Going Home Outfit – with my first baby, I totally forgot to bring some clothes to go home, so thankfully I had a PJ from Motherhood that looked like a dress. It was OK but for my second baby, I packed a real dress, with sleeves and longer.
#20 – Your Phone Charger – again don’t forget. You’ll want to take a lot of pictures.
For Baby
Now this is the list for the baby. This list is made thinking that you will have every cute picture with the cutest outfit for your newborn, so in the end, you will be the one that decides if you want everything in this list, or just keep the essentials.
#1 – 3 Cute Outfits – You could have beautiful Spanish-style outfits that you can buy online or at a local store. Something like this.
#2 – 5 white onesies with long sleeves – I loved these ones.
#3 – 5 Pjs – I really love the kind of PJs that has a zipper up for my little ones. It’s cozier and comfortable to put on and off.
#4 – 5 Pairs of Socks – these ones are incredibly good.
#5 – 4 Pacifiers – The hospital gives you ones that are very good ones but just in case, the Avent ones have been a lifesaver for me since my daughter was born, and they come with their own sterilizing box! (And it’s funny ’cause she still loves them even though she’s over a year old now, and they are for newborns).
And don’t forget the holder, they are super useful.
#6 – Breast Pump – Most hospitals will lend you one but is very handy if you have it. If you have a car, you can leave it in there, or maybe with a friend or relative close by. Medela is my favorite of all.
#7 – Little Pillow and Blanket with name on it – you can custom one online or order it in a store like Pottery Barn. I did my blankets there. They look so cute and your little one will have it forever. These blankets from Amazon will do fine.
#8 – Mittens – for those cute little hands.
#9 – Escarpines – newborn booties for little cutie feet. I know you have socks, but these little things are so adorable on baby. Just look!
#10 – 2 Swaddles – maybe the hospital will give you one. Also, all the nurses know how to swaddle your baby with a simple blanket, please ask them to show you, and your baby daddy too, because it will become very handy at home. But you can have the swaddles ready to go.
For Baby Daddy
Now the list for your baby Daddy. Maybe Dad will think that he doesn’t need much, but yes, he needs everything just like you. He will not get good sleep either, and he will be sleeping in some chair that reclines. Some hospitals have a couch that converts to a bed, but I believe that most hospitals don’t. So, he needs to have everything that makes him the most comfortable possible. He will appreciate it.
#1 – 2 Pjs – the ones that he most feels comfortable with.
#2 – Sweater – hospitals are cold, so maybe he will need one, or maybe just a long-sleeved shirt pj will be fine.
#3 – 3 Shirts – you can combine them with your baby’s color outfit, and yours too!
#4 – 2 Pairs of Jeans – (or pants) depending on what he usually wears.
#5 – 4 Underwear – sounds too much, but I always pack underwear for an extra day, because you’ll never know.
#6 – 4 Pairs of Socks – same as above
#7 – His Favorite Pillow – he needs to sleep as much as he can and be as comfortable as he can.
#8 – Sheets for the Couch – You can always call to the hospital and ask what kind of bed the companion has, so you can prepare for that. In my case, the hospital had a couch, so I brought twin sheets.
#9 – A Blanket – The hospital has blankets, this is your choice.
#10 – Cash – Nowadays no one thinks that cash is important, and I agree, but if there is something you need you should have it and not try to find an ATM.
#11 – Another Thin Towel for him
#12 – Deodorant – don’t forget 🙂
#13 – Shaver – (if you think is need it)
#14 – Tylenol and Advil – yes, in his carry-on you can have these two. Headaches are very common because of a lack of sleep. So, it can help you and your partner).
#15 – Phone Charger – more pics
#16 – Snacks – Remember that you need to be as comfortable as possible, and having your favorite snacks will give you that, so bring them on.
#17 – Little Bluetooth Speaker – If you’ve been putting music to your baby, why stop now? If you want, you can bring a little speaker so you can play some music in your room. Of course, remember that you are in a hospital and the volume should not be interfering with others. Be respectful.
These are all the things I think you’ll need. Although if you think you need to add or remove something, you can make your own list, and this will help you start.
Also, if you think you need something but you are unsure, you can always pack a separate bag and leave it in the car or with a friend or relative close by.
Don’t stress too much about this. Start packing maybe a month before your due date and you will be ok.
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Hello, I'm Ana Cristina
This blog is meant to help new moms and dads start a more successful parenting life and answer most of the questions I’m sure you’ll have. You’re not alone. Hi, I’m Ana Cristina, mom of two: Maurizio & Isabella. We live in el calorcito de Miami and I’m sharing my great experience of being a SAHM to help you get through this wonderful (and sometimes chaotic, messy, and tired) journey.