0 Shares

Getting ready for the delivery of your baby? Looking for tips on how to pack your bags for the hospital?

You have been waiting for almost 40 weeks to see the face of your baby. You have repacked your hospital bags several times.

You’re looking for tips to pack for mom, baby and dad.

Packing for the Hospital For Mom, Baby, and Dad

As you may have discovered, you will receive a lot of advice from family, friends, neighbors and just about everyone about all aspects of pregnancy. From what to eat to their stories of labor and delivery and just about everything.

Even with all the advice and the abundance of information you have found on the internet – you’re repacking your hospital bags again!

First Memory of Someone Packing for the Hospital

I was nine years old when I first saw someone packing for the hospital in preparation for the arrival of their baby. It was my lovely aunt Nora.
She was expecting her first child.

This was in Jamaica many moons ago. However, I remember her packing her burgundy suitcase or {grip} as we called it in Jamaica.
She had her bag packed and ready to go long before the baby came.

Packing for the hospital back then was some bit different. In terms of what was packed. She packed, nappies (not diapers), small rags (not wipes), chemise (not onesies) and safety pins to hold the nappies on the baby.

I don’t recall all she packed for the hospital but remember that the hospital bag had to be ready to grab and go to the hospital.

My Suggestion to Help Guide You as You Pack

Start by thinking about what YOU will need for yourself to feel your best.
To help you care for Yourself and Your Baby.

Take nuggets of all the information you received and use what you feel will work for you.

Leave your husband to pack for himself with your guidance. Or consult him about what he needs and pack for him. This will be a stressful situation for him as well. He also needs to have things to help him have a pleasant experience while he supports you.

Preparing for the Birth of First Child

I felt ready for the hospital. The baby’s clothes and blankets washed and packed. My clothes were also washed in baby detergent and packed.

I knew exactly what I wanted and didn’t want. It was all documented in several copies of my birth plan to ensure everyone knew my requests.

Our bags were packed and I was ready whenever the baby decided to arrive.

The primary thing that stayed with me from watching my aunt prepare for the hospital over 30 years ago – was – my hospital bags had to be ready weeks prior to my due date.

What to pack for the hospital when having a baby

Pajamas. I wanted to have comfortable and cute clothes. (3 pairs)
Warm Comfy Socks. My feet get cold easily. (3 pairs)
High Waist Panties. That could go over my tummy and hold pads in place. (5)
Pads. Extra-long with wings. (Several)
Nursing Bras & Tank Tops. My friend wore tank tops instead of bras and found it helpful with maneuvering breastfeeding. (I bra and 2 tank tops)
Nursing Pads. To help keep bra clean. (Several)
Nursing Cover. So, I could nurse the baby while having visitors.
Flip Flops. For the shower.
Headband and hair ties. To put my hair back and up.
Make-up. The basics in mini sizes. When you look good, you feel good.
Phone Charger. Must stay connected with family and friends. And give updates.
Going home outfit. Something comfortable and cute. With easy access for breastfeeding.

I used all the items I took to the hospital. Except for the panties.
I couldn’t fit the panties I took with me to the hospital. I was very swollen from all the fluids I received.

Things I learned I Needed

Rags or Small Towels to clean my breast before breastfeeding. After 26 hours of labor,
I wanted to clean my breast before feeding my newborn.
Larger Panties. I ended up getting various medications (via IV). My entire body was so swollen from all the fluids. The panties I had were too tight. My mom had to buy some while I was in the hospital. I wore the mesh hospital panties until I got some.
Large House Slippers. I could not fit into my shoes. My feet were so swollen.
Low Cut or Button Front Pajamas. I ended up cutting the front of one of my PJs to get better access to my breast. It was hard to maneuver breastfeeding.
Warm Robe. I had a short robe, however, I felt a longer warm robe was needed.
I had to walk several times a day within the hospital corridors to help recover from my C-Section.

What I felt I needed for the Baby – and Packed

Warm Outfits. For the hospital stay and to go home. (4)
I dressed my baby in her outfits each day. The newborn clothes were a little snug fitting.
Diapers & Wipes. (Several)
The hospital provided diapers and wipes. I did not have to take as many.
But, it was good to have a few of our own.
Nursing and Receiving Blankets. (4)
We used our blankets to hold the baby and protect her skin from our clothing.
I also found it easy to use the nursing blanket as a bib.
Swaddles (2)
The nurses used the hospital blanket to swaddle my baby.
We did not use our swaddles in the hospital.
Hair Bows for New Born Pics.
The hospital had a service that came to our room and did a newborn photoshoot. This was very helpful. I dressed her in her hair bows.
Hats, Mittens, and Socks. (4 sets)
We used these to keep her head, hands, and feet warm.
The mittens helped to protect her face from scratches. She was born with long nails.
Baby Hair Brush.
I couldn’t wait to brush all the hair she had.
Baby Bibs. (5)
I didn’t use these at the hospital.

Pictures with our Princess

Three Days Old

Hospital Photoshoot

I have shared a list of what I packed and how I used them for my hospital stay.

I hope you can use this information to help you pack your hospital bag – with things you feel will work for you.

Your labor and delivery can be unpredictable

My plan was to have a natural vaginal birth.

I did all the recommendations to have a natural experience.

However, nothing went according to plan.

And, I learned fast {as I labored for more than 20 hours}.
All that mattered was for me and my baby to be okay and healthy.
At the end of the day – what matters most – is that you and your baby have a safe and successful delivery.

Try not to make “packing your hospital bag” add stress. You can have your support system get what you need from home or the store.

Packing for Dad – for the Hospital

We did not pack for my husband. I think we figured he would go home and change.
With unexpected and long labor and delivery, my husband stayed at the hospital with me. He only left the room to get food and run a few quick errands.

My mom packed a bag for my husband and brought it to the hospital.

Looking Back – What I Hoped We Had

Hired a photographer to capture our memories.
We had planned to have my husband capture the memories. The entire situation was very stressful. We didn’t think about taking pictures or videotaping until everything was over. The baby was out, and I was in recovery.
Snacks, water, juice, yogurt, fruits – food.
We planned on having these things, however…
I think we had some and they were used up early. We were in the hospital longer than we thought we would have been.
Extra Pillows and Blankets.
I needed more pillows to help make me comfortable after having the C-Section.
Plus, my husband slept on the pull-out chair. He needed pillows and blankets too.
Most of these things are “nice to have”.
In the grand scheme of things – we all just want to have a Healthy and Happy Baby and Mama.

Again, take nuggets of all the information you receive and use what you feel will work for you.

Have a wonderful labor and delivery experience!
Moms, please share your tips and suggestions – to help first-time moms pack for the hospital.

With a grateful heart,