Come see what all my favorite things are to pack in my hospital bag! I've been around the block a time or two… or SEVEN. So I know a little something about hospital bag essentials!
I'm a mom of EIGHT and have given birth seven times… Yep, #twins! So I've come to think of the hospital as my second home every now and then. It's always good to take the comforts of your own home with you when you go!
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I'm a BIG believer in having a well-packed hospital bag because it really can make or break your experience there. SOOOO many of you asked for a video about what I pack in mine when I was pregnant with the twins. Well, when you ask, Mama J delivers! Don't start panicking new (or second-time, third-time, eighth-time, etc) mamas, this video is just what you need!
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Click HERE to watch the video or scroll down to find out what's in MY hospital bag, plus get the links to all my favorites that make hospital stay after baby a little more bearable!
Woot woot! Here is all the info so you can make sure you're prepared when you head to the hospital.
WHEN TO PACK HOSPITAL BAGS
First off, you don't want to be scrambling to pack your bag in the case of an emergency. Say… your water breaks suddenly! So it's best to pack a couple weeks in advance, some recommend as early as 32 weeks. Hey, you never know when baby is going to show!
At the very least, start rounding things up so you know where they are and can easily pack them up in a hurry. You don't want to forget something important, like your phone charger. 😉
I highly recommend you pack three separate bags to help you keep things straight! A hospital bag for mom, hospital bag for dad, and a hospital bag for baby!
WHAT MAKES A GOOD HOSPITAL BAG?
With my first baby, I had NO idea what to pack in my hospital bag or even what type of bag to take. Now, one of my biggest tips is to get a good, sturdy, and roomy bag! This time around, Fawn Design (Use code JORDAN for 15% off) sent Bubba and me some AMAZING weekender bags that I'm OBSESSED with! They're big, open, and are AMAZING to just toss stuff in.
HOSPITAL BAG FOR MOM
Girl, you're about to have a baby. EEEK! Trust me on this one, you do NOT want to forget something you need and you're not going to remember everything when you're running around frantically getting ready to go to the hospital. Take some time and pack a hospital bag for YOU!
HOSPITAL BAG ESSENTIALS
We all know to pack clothes, but there are so many other essential items to pop in your hospital bag. Here's what's in mine:
- Books and Entertainment – The last thing you want to do is to be stuck in a bed laboring without something to take your attention away from the pain. I pop in a celebrity gossip magazine, journal, book, iPad with a cool keyboard attachment
- Chargers – You'll be rushing around when you go into labor and the LAST thing on your mind will be chargers! Grab a few extra cords and a charging station so you're set.
- Electronics Bag – Use this to keep all of your electronics organized! Packing cubes work great.
- Bluetooth Speaker – Sure, you can just use your phone, but the sound is really muffled and not as good for breaking up the silence in the room. We like this waterproof bluetooth speaker! Just make sure they're charged and make a playlist ahead of time so you're ready to go.
- Wireless Headphones – I'm an Apple junkie, so I'm a big fan of AirPods. If they aren't in your budget, these wireless headphones are a great option, too!
- Toiletries – It's just the truth, you're going to feel like an alien in there. Include one of everything you would normally use, like a travel-size brush (Bathpack are my favorite), coil hair ties, deodorant, dry shampoo (I use the tinted version because #darkhair), toothbrush, toothpaste, and anything else you need to feel fresh and alive. PS. Have you checkout the new haircare line, Hairitage by Mindy? It's one of my new obsessions and I'm taking a few of her products as well!
- Makeup – There's NO shame in throwing on a little makeup so you feel good about yourself in your pictures! I always bring BB Cream (Use code JORDAN for 10% off), waterproof mascara (MAKE SURE IT'S WATERPROOF), chapstick, and blush and bronzer for a little bit of color for your face. Don't forget to include a makeup cloth so you can remove your makeup with just WATER!
CLOTHING FOR MOM
- Nursing Robe – As soon as your baby arrives, you don't need to wear that nasty hospital gown. I'm OBSESSED with the new one I got from Nesting Olive! It's Animal Print and SOOO soft! Use code JORDAN for 10% off!
- Nursing Bra or Stretchy Nursing Tank – Your girls will be sore as you start breastfeeding, trust me on this one! Amazon has a great selection of these. Walmart and Target also carry them.
- Comfy Going Home Outfit – Just leave those undies at home and embrace the lovely mesh panties. I have my Brigitte Brianna, Sexy Modest Joggers (Use code JORDAN for 10% off). Another great option is a house dress that's loose and flowy. You just don't want something tight across your belly.
- Slippers and Comfy Socks – The hospital gives some with grippy bottoms, but your feet will be swollen so make sure you have something for your feet to go home in that isn't tight.
- Jewelry – Leave your good stuff at home. I wear my Enso ring that's silicone and stretchy! Use code funcheaporfree for 20% off!
HOSPITAL BAG FOR DAD
Dad's list is a little bit different. He's not giving birth, of course! He'll mainly be lounging on the couch waiting for the action to happen. Bubba is using a Fawn Design Camel Weekender it's PERFECT! Use code JORDAN for 15% off.
- Eye Mask – It's never really dark in a hospital room so an eye mask will come in really handy.
- Ear Plugs – If you're in there for a few days, it's nice to be able to block out the noise from machines and nurses coming in and out. We usually switch out for stints of sleep!
- Pillow and Blanket – Hospital-issued blankets and pillows are hysterically terrible! Bubba will take his soft pillow and his favorite Minky Couture Blanket (Use code PAGE45 for 45% off) and sleep like we all hope babies would!
- Toiletries – You won't be in a hotel, so make sure he has all that he needs to get ready!
- Entertainment – Chargers, books to read, computer, computer charger, etc. Basically anything that will help keep him occupied while you're waiting for labor or recovery.
- Headphones – These are a MUST! Bubba also uses AirPods.
- Camera – Dad are in charge here! Mama is kinda busy if you know what I mean! Tripod, batteries, camera, just bring it all. Even if you hire a videographer and photographer. Just bring it! You'll never regret having more pictures. This Amazon list has all of our favorites linked up!
- Snacks – Dads kind of get the shaft on food when you're in the hospital. Mom gets three meals a day delivered to her room and dad is left to fend on his own. We're packing some protein bars, nuts, drinks, and of course some chocolate for mom (me) because…let's be real I just did a LOT of work.
CLOTHING FOR DAD
Think comfy! Pack him a set of joggers, socks, and anything that will keep him comfortable while he's sitting on a plastic couch. These Truwear Joggers are Bubba's absolute FAVORITE! Use code PAGE20 for 20% off! Don't forget a sweatshirt. It can get a little chilly! Pajamas are a must, too!
HOSPITAL BAG FOR BABY
Baby's hospital bag is pretty simple! When you go to the hospital, baby's bag can be half empty, but when you come home, it's full! 🙂 You're paying for everything in that room anyway, you might as well bring it all home… diapers, wipes, nose sucker thingy, etc. Fawn Design has some AMAZING diaper bags that work perfectly for this! Use code JORDAN for 15% off!
- Newborn “Coming Home” Outfit – We leave the frills and fluff at home for this one. We pack soft outfits with cuffs because babies are amazing at poking themselves in the eyes. I recommend bringing two sizes cause you never know how tiny your baby will be! Wash 'em before you pack 'em! Some of our other favorite baby outfit brands are Lemon and Loom, Eleanor & Co (Use code JORDAN for 15% off), and Baby Cubby has some great selections as well!
- Binky Clip – Make sure it has a tether so you can attach it to your car seat on the way home! We love this one from Ryan and Rose, but Baby Cubby has some great selections as well!
- Carseat – Okay okay, don't try to fit this in your bag, but have it in your car because you can't leave the hospital without one! These covers are SO helpful at keeping baby warm plus keeping stranger's hands from reaching inside. These CUTE head support sets are so nice when they're small, too!
Oh and did you know I have a free hospital bag checklist printable? Grab yours now to help you prepare and pack everything you need!
That's what I pack! What items do you take with you to the hospital? Tell me in the comments below!
Need more baby tips??
- Here are my baby must-haves!! Favorite diaper bags, bottles, gadgets + more.
- Check out how I get my babies to sleep…without using the cry it out method!
Good luck at the hospital, mama, you're going to do GREAT!
What is on your playlist for delivery??
It’s pretty random. I basically just add my favorite artists to a list and hit shuffle. Some of the artists include Mat Kearney, Ben Rector, Taylor Swift, Gavin DeGraw, and then a bunch of random artists/songs that I’ve slowly added over the years. I tend to go pretty mellow – nothing too “dance/pop” or rock or anything!
I love songs that make me feel confident for active and transitional labor, and then more mellow for pushing and bringing life into the world. Some favorites include Confident by Demi Lavato, and Here Comes The Sun by the Beatles.
I bring a folder to put all of babys important paperwork in.. Like birth certificate application. Something that my nurse did for me last time was to put sugar free lemonade powder over ice chips.
That’s a good idea on the folder for paperwork! And that’s a great idea if you don’t like ice! I can eat it by the bucketfuls, but I have some friends who don’t like it at all. That would probably help them out!
Depends Underwear… Seriously SOOOO. MUCH. BETTER. than the Mesh Undies the hospital gives you! They are game changer! 🙂
That’s such a good idea!!!
I had a bigger baby that didn’t fit into newborn clothes (#41weeks) so I recommend a 0-3 month outfit too! I also found that the mumu dress was the best for postpartum because you’re getting checked so much and the rope kept flying open. Lastly, a comfy blanket for mom because the postpartum beds suck to sleep in!
Those are all so true!!!
You can also bring clothes that might fit both sizes, like a very stretchy gown or something. I was 40 weeks but had a 9.9 lb baby, who I packed all newborn and premie sizes for.
What brands are your favorite for nursing bras? I’m almost due with baby #3 and I really disliked the ones I had previously.
So far, all of the ones that are linked up in the post have been good! There’s not a brand that has just stood out over the others.
Where is your makeup/toiletries bag from? I love it and I want one.
It was a gift from Sly Cosmetics!
Where is your toiletry bag from? So cute!
It was a gift from Sly Cosmetics! 🙂
I can’t find the “dad bag” on the website. Is it sold by another seller?
It’s the Brown Weekender from Fawn Designs, but it looks like they’re all sold out right now. 🙁
Thank you! I thought it was a different style because the dad style pictured looks more like a duffel (center zipper).
Hi! Just wanted to say thank you for what you do! I’m at 32 weeks-ish and have found myself on your YouTube channel or website multiple times a day recently, trying to prepare for baby number three and basically get our lives back in order. Do you have–or can you do–an article on postpartum recovery with a toddler? Our son will be under 18 months when little brother gets here and, honestly, I’m not panicking but am wondering how exactly that’s going to work…
Honestly, just don’t overdo it! Things will fall into place for you. Definitely try to have the baby and toddler nap at the same time so you can either rest up (definitely preferred!) or get some things accomplished. Also take all the help you can get! You said this is baby number 3 – how old is your first born? Have them help as much as they can! Whether it’s bringing you something while you’re nursing or helping out with the toddler while you’re busy with baby. Kids are more than capable of helping out and they usually *want* to help out, so let them! I would also greatly suggest having lots of freezer breakfasts, lunches and dinners ready to go. It will make your life so much easier! Give yourself grace those first few months and allow your body to recover and the family to get use to the “new” normal. It will be great! Congratulations! 🙂