This post shows you the Maternity Hospital Bag Must-Haves! I’ll also be sharing a complete printable labor bag checklist, so you can start planning and packing!
If you’re reading this, it means your baby will arrive soon! Packing a hospital bag was a huge deal to me! I remember telling my husband, “Oh no, now this feels so real! We’re gonna have a baby!”
Until I saw that bag packed, I still felt like I had time. Like, I was maybe 4 or 5 months pregnant and had a couple of months left to get ready.
But once we packed, I knew it was real and that I was about to go and do one of the scariest and bravest things I’ve ever done.
So, to help you, you amazing and brave future mom, I prepared a list of all the maternity hospital bag must-haves and shared what I found useful, and what other moms told me they regret not bringing to the hospital!
Hospital Bag Essentials for Mom: Personal Care Items
Toiletries
This is my number one thing to pack: your personal stuff and toiletries. I know people say that once you’re there, you won’t have time to think about yourself, but let me tell you, these things will keep you sane!
I swear, when I showered with my body wash that I only use on special occasions, I instantly felt like I was back home in my apartment. It felt so reassuring to smell like me again, and it really helped me stay grounded and focus on myself.
Just make sure that the scent is not way too strong for the baby, as the baby actually wants to smell the real you.
I know it sounds silly, so maybe you won’t feel this way, but to me, feeling like my usual old self was really important. I really wanted to smell like me, look like me, and feel as clean as I could.
Everything in hospitals makes me feel icky, so having a couple of cool items to keep me fresh really helped!
What to pack:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant (I chose aluminum-free as I wanted to breastfeed, and I didn’t want my baby to be near my antiperspirant armpit, but I really think you can bring whatever you want and need!)
- Shampoo and conditioner (travel-size)
- Body wash
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Cotton buds and cotton pads
- Face toner
You know your usual routine and what is easy for you to do, so pack your favorite things!
Why you need these items: having your personal items in a strange, cold, sterile hospital feels reassuring. It feels like home and like you brought a part of your old life with you (while you witness your new life starting).
A really common mistake: relying on hospital toiletries that don’t feel good on your skin, make you itchy, make your hair look awful, or just don’t feel right. You need to help yourself in any way possible to feel good about yourself.
Hair Accessories
I had an elective C-section, and I knew that there was no way I could wash my hair.
The night before the hospital, I washed my hair with a purifying shampoo and made sure to shampoo twice before applying a nourishing hair mask to my ends.
This is how I can stay safe and sure that I don’t need to wash my hair for several days!
But I knew that I needed to bring some hair accessories. First, my labor was in June, so it was pretty hot already.
Secondly, with hair clips, I could make my hair look at least cute, nothing else.
I also definitely wanted my dry shampoo! With a C-section, I knew that washing my hair or bending over wouldn’t be possible, so I brought dry shampoo to use every day!
What to pack:
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hair ties or scrunchies
- Dry shampoo
- Shampoo and conditioner (if you’re gonna stay in a hospital for more than a few days, and if you can wash your hair)
Why you need these items: you want to look good and feel good. There will be photos, candid photos, lots of cute selfies, and you simply want to look good. Next, you want to smell good and be clean, so having something to help you achieve that polished, sleek, or simply cute look will help a lot!
A really common mistake: wearing your hair down all the time! Labor can be pretty sweaty, and you definitely want something to tame your hair!
Lip Balm
This is one thing I learned from TikTok! Don’t go to have a baby without your lip balm! There are two major reasons why you need it!
Breathing techniques for labor will make your lips super dry! You’ll need something to restore the moisture and your natural oil.
If you have a C-section under general anesthesia, you’ll definitely need your lip balm as well, as you’re gonna be so dehydrated, and your lips will feel super rough.
Then, you wouldn’t believe just how dry the hospital air is! Your lips will get chapped, so make sure to bring your lip balm.
Shower Shoes and Extra Slippers
You need to bring shower shoes like flip-flops or rubber slides.
You don’t want to step barefoot in the hospital shower.
You definitely don’t want to try to bend down to remove your shower shoes, so pick something that’s easy to slide. But don’t bring anything too big for your feet, as you have to be careful not to slip!
Since your shower shoes are going to be wet, you will also need to bring another pair of slippers that you can wear around the hospital. I’ve decided to pack my old furry slippers that I wanted to throw away anyway, but you can definitely wash them once you get back.
Why you need these items: hospital showers are definitely not clean enough for you to shower barefoot.
A really common mistake: thinking that hospital showers are clean enough for you to shower barefoot!!
Clothes You Need In Your Maternity Hospital Bag
You definitely want to be comfortable, and you can’t pack anything that’s super tight, non-breathable, and full of ruffles or made from synthetic materials.
I suggest:
- Trendy cotton 2-piece set, loose-fitting pants, oversized t-shirts, maternity leggings (just make sure they are super stretchy and don’t have any stitches that will go over your belly)
- 2-3 nursing gowns
- Dressing robe
- A big towel for showering and a small one for your face (you may get them from the hospital, but I had to bring mine)
- Nursing bras and nursing pads
- Comfy socks so your feet can stay warm
- And a cute going-home outfit that’s going to be easy to put on
Postpartum Must-Haves
Your hospital usually provides a list of things to bring, but it’s usually not a lot since they have most of the things.
So, I’ll be sharing what I had to pack and what they told me I should have with me.
- Postpartum pads that you like (if you end up unhappy with the ones they’ll give you in a hospital)
- Adult diapers (if you don’t want to wear or worry about pads)
- Your peri bottle (you may get one in your hospital, but if not, make sure to bring one)
- Nipple cream (a must-have for all breastfeeding moms)
Now, it’s different from hospital to hospital, so there are no universal rules, but in my hospital, they were against wearing synthetic disposable underwear for C-section mamas, so they asked us to bring cotton underwear that wouldn’t go over our scars!
Honestly, this is such a great tip, as my C-section was scheduled in June; it was already super hot, I had to shave, and I just couldn’t bear the thought of wearing something other than granny cotton panties!
I sent my husband to buy me black cotton underwear that goes way above my belly button, so I didn’t even have to worry about stains and washing!
Personal Items and Electronics for Your Maternity Hospital Bag
Depending on when you go to the hospital (I had to go a few days earlier), you should bring something for entertainment!
I brought my Kindle and made sure I had enough exciting thrillers and romance novels to read, so I wouldn’t think about anything else.
You should also bring:
- Your phone and make sure you share your emergency numbers with your hospital staff.
- Charger (preferably one with an extra-long cable, but you can also bring a power bank)
- Noise-canceling earbuds or headphones (for music, news, podcasts, and to cancel out the noise from other patients who will scroll TikTok on high volume)
Food
Please check your hospital’s policy on bringing food.
Where I was, we were not allowed anything but packaged foods and non-perishable snacks.
I had a scheduled C-section, so I wasn’t allowed to eat the day before, on the day of the surgery, and nothing on the 3rd day but tea and soup!
On the 4th day, I was super hungry! On the fourth and fifth days, you get to do all the ultrasounds, doctor’s checks, and more tests to see if everything is good, and then you can go home with your baby!
I was super happy to have some snacks with me! I recommend:
- Granola bars, nuts, salty crackers, and some fruit pouches.
- Lots of water, electrolyte drinks, and some fruit juice!
In my hospital, for a C-section, you need to stay for 5 days in total.
The first day is counted as day zero, where you do all the prep. The second day is your C-section, and then the third day, you are in the intensive care unit.
On the fourth day, you get to eat all the food, which includes 3 meals and 1 snack, but the last meal is at 5 pm. So having something to eat after that meant so much to me!
If you’re gonna have a C-section, then you have to bring chewing gum! This is like the best advice you can get!
Chewing gum after a C-section can help your stomach wake up faster and start working again. It’s a simple way to help with gas, bloating, and make you feel better sooner!
Hospital Bag Essentials for the Baby
You really don’t need much for your baby, as your hospital will provide diapers, wipes, and baby formula.
You only need your going-home outfit and the car seat.
A car seat is mandatory, and you need to get one.
And a going-home outfit can be a simple onesie or anything you like, as long as it’s weather-appropriate!
You can also pack a dummy if you think you’ll use one and an extra baby blanket.
Don’t forget to pack things for your partner! Your partner will need simple toiletries, a change of clothes, some snacks, and some water. Phone, charger, and some headphones, and that’s about it.
Double-check if you have all your documentation, as that’s the most important thing.
Double-check if you have your birth plan with you.
And remember to pack lightly! It’s not a good idea to have lots of clothes, but I’ve seen ladies with Dyson AirWrap, make-up, and perfume… whatever you think you’ll need, bring it with you (if there’s room).
I need to mention that I also brought my blush and some tinted lip balm as I wanted to look cute in those first selfies.
I don’t recommend perfume or scented lotions, as babies are sensitive to smell, and all they want is to smell you! So, it’s better to skip that.
I also recommend that you bring enough empty bags to pack your dirty clothes and an extra bag for all the stuff you’ll get from the hospital to take home!
Packing a maternity hospital bag is definitely a huge part of the Pre-Baby Talk. That’s why, when the baby comes, you’ll be ready and prepared for…
…all the love in the world.
Which of these items did you find most important? Is there anything else that you would like to recommend? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have these tips handy!
This post showed you the Maternity Hospital Bag Must-Haves & Labor Bag Checklist.
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