What to Bring to the Hospital When You Have a Baby
You could call this "The Minimalist's Guide to What to Bring to the Hospital When You Have a Baby." I used everything on this list while I was at the hospital. It's still a lot of stuff, but for me it doesn't include unnecessary extras. I brought a lot more things than this to the hospital, only to have to lug them back to our Jeep when we were ready to go home. (Well, someone had to. I could barely walk.)
It's totally embarrassing to think about all the things I brought last time. I think I brought multiple outfits for baby, two pairs of baby mittens (which we never used) and my swimming suit top for laboring in the tub -- ha!
This list is for myself for next time, but it's also for you, if you don't want to overpack.
What to Bring to the Hospital When You Have a Baby
- Pillows (for you and your spouse)
- Blanket (for dad)
- Nursing bra or tank (1-2)
- Leggings/comfy pants
- Nursing pads
- Lanolin ointment
- Comfy shirts
- Sweatshirt/cardigan
- Makeup
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Nail file for baby
- Going-home outfit for baby
- Hair bow/headband (if girl)
- Blanket for baby (we used this to tuck her into her car seat)
- Car seat (have the base installed before you go)
- Slippers/socks
- Chapstick
- Headband for you
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Face wash
- Hair brush
- Deodorant
- Hair ties
- Hair product (dry shampoo, gel, spray)
- Laptop/iPad & charger
- Camera & charger
- Phone & charger
- Extra, empty bag (to pack hospital goodies in)
Our Hospital Provided
- Mesh underwear
- Maxi pads
- Tucks medicated cooling pads
- Dermoplast spray
- Ibuprofen & other drugs (if necessary)
- Stool softener
- Breast pump
- Nipple shield
- Formula/bottles/insulated bottle carrier
- Nose sucker
- Towels
- Body wash for baby's first bath
- Diapers/wipes
- Pacifier (if desired)
- Food for mom (one free meal for dad) & water bottle
- Baby onesie & hat
- Baby blanket
- Extra pillows for nursing
- Spray/squirt bottle to bring home
- Many other things...
What to Have at Home for Mom
- Maxi pads
- Tucks medicated cooling pads
- Dermoplast spray
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Stool softener
- Iron supplement (I needed this from losing so much blood)
Listing this out makes me really excited to go back (when the time comes)! I've thought about a home birth, but there's something about the hospital stay that seems like a mini-getaway! We had a good experience the first time around. There's free food, a nursery, a toilet with a spray wand (trust me) and a whirlpool tub!
What tips do you have on packing for the hospital?