Minimalist Hospital Bag Checklist For Mom: What You Really Need

Alessandra | Posted on August 5, 2020 |

If you’re wondering what to pack in your hospital bag for labor and delivery, then you’re in the right place. In this blog I’m giving you a minimalist list of items you need. Plus keep reading to grab your own personal hospital bag checklist for mom you can print out for free!

It can be stressful when you’re preparing to give birth to your baby but packing a hospital bag for mom shouldn’t be. If you’re a first time mom, you can become easily overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done to prepare for labor and delivery. In this blog, I’m going to help you pack only the essential things you need for your hospital stay. Let’s jump in and get you the best hospital bag checklist, plus get a free printable checklist at the end of this blog.

First though, let’s start with a personal funny story. When I had my first child, I way overpacked. Like I’m talking huge suitcase, filled with God knows what?! It looked as if I was going away on vacation for 2 weeks. I can’t even imagine what the nurses thought but I’m pretty sure, looking back, I gave them a good laugh. Because guess what? I didn’t even use half those items I put into my hospital bag. That’s why I decided to write this blog for new moms. I want to help you pack your hospital bag with only the things you truly need. Which honestly, isn’t much because the hospital will provide so much for you!

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Hospital Bag For Mom: What You Really Need

In my opinion, your hospital bag doesn’t need to be massive. The hospital provides many items for you, and if there’s anything I’ve learned after having 3 of my own babies already, is you don’t need much when you’re at the hospital. Because let’s face it…you spend most of your time laying in a hospital bed with your beautiful new baby. There’s no one to impress and comfort is the ultimate goal.

In this blog I’m giving you the most basic hospital bag checklist for mom. It has everything you absolutely NEED for your hospital stay when you give birth to your baby. Keep reading for a printable checklist to add right to your bag also. This way you won’t forget anything! Oh and congratulations on your new precious bundle of joy!

Hospital Bag Checklist For Mom

Nursing Bra

You’ll probably only need this for going home or when you have visitors. You tend to spend most of your hospital stay topless, especially if you’re nursing.

Boppy Pillow

They definitely help make you more comfortable while nursing in a hospital bed.

Clothes to Go Home In

I suggest a dress if it’s warm or larger sweatpants if it’s cold. You’re not going to drop down to your normal size after having a baby, and you’re also going to have to fit these clothes over a very large pad. Be prepared by having clothes at least one size larger than you’re normal size.

Nursing pads

Breastfeeding or not, your breasts are probably going to be leaky once your milk comes in. You’ll want to stay dry by tucking some nursing pads into your bra.

Snacks

You’ll want to pack plenty of snacks and water, especially for your husband/support person. Great snack items include trail mix, bananas, granola bars, yogurt, cheese sticks, and peanut butter crackers.

Toiletries

Deodorant, tooth paste/tooth brush, your favorite makeup products, dry shampoo, body wash, hair elastic, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, contact solution/glasses, etc.

Cell phone chargers

This is obvious, but you don’t want to forget them! You’ll want your phone ready to go so you can take lots of pictures and call/text everyone you know that the baby is finally HERE.

Camera

We all have cameras on our cell phones, but if you want to take even nicer photos, you’ll want to bring your camera.

Going home outfit for baby

Your baby will most likely be swaddled naked during your hospital stay. When they are not swaddled, they will be spending lots of skin-to-skin time with you, therefore you probably won’t need clothes for him/her until you leave. Make sure the clothes you pack for baby are a layer warmer than what you would wear. I’m about to have an August baby, but I still have pants and a long sleeve shirt and socks packed for the baby. They are use to being inside a very warm and cozy womb.

Items The Hospital Provides Include…

Pads, mesh underwear, lanolin, hospital gown, breast pump (if needed), witch hazel pads, diapers, wipes, swaddle blankets, and more are all provided to you by the hospital! They will probably even have basic toiletries if you forget something, as well. I’ve also noticed, in most cases, they will send some of these products home with you too.

Final Thoughts

Since hospitals end up providing so much for moms and babies, you really don’t need to pack a ton. A little overnight bag should do it, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t like to over pack. Good luck, mama! You’ve got this. Enjoy welcoming your new, sweet baby into this world and try not to stress too much about what you need in that hospital bag!

Use this image below to save your minimalist hospital bag checklist for mom to Pinterest!

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