It can be hard, especially for the first pregnancy, to know what you need while you’re at the hospital during labor and after. There are lists upon lists online where people tell you their hospital bag must haves. Many I did not see as necessary. **This post contains affiliate links**
Comfortable Clothes
Once you have the baby and move from the delivery room to the recovery/post-partum room you will find you want to just be clean and comfortable. I took the chance as soon as possible to shower and get into my own comfy pajamas rather than the hospital gown.
Your Own Toiletries
Especially depending on how long labor lasts you will be sweaty and tired. A shower is the best thing to relax and rest after. Bring your own toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, razor, body wash, face wash, toothbrush and toothpaste. You do not have to bring your own towels unless you really want to. If your hair is long enough, bring your own headband or ponytail holder.
Slippers or no-skid socks
I honestly just wear my own socks if my feet were cold or went barefoot while at the hospital. If you prefer though it can definitely be good to have slippers or no-skid socks. When ready to leave the hospital due to retained water and feet swelling you might want sandals or something loose.
Glasses
It’s very unlikely you’ll want to hassle with contacts and contact solution. Also it’s really not healthy to sleep in your contacts and you’ll want to take as much time as possible to nap, just bring your glasses.
Nursing Bras
You’ll want to bring at least one nursing bra to leave the hospital in. I honestly did not wear a bra the whole time we were recovering. Nursing Pads may not be necessary. It’s unlikely you will have enough milk for leakage the first day or two.
Phone Charger
Bring every charger you need, phones, tablets, e-reader, etc. I brought my iPad with a data line and watched a lot of Netflix and other shows rather than bothering with the hospital tv and channels they had available.
Snacks
You’ll find your hungry and either one you’re not a fan of hospital food or two you’d rather not have your spouse, significant other, or other companion to have to make food runs all the time. Bring some snacks to help with hungry times in between meals.
Underwear
You may want a couple pairs of your own underwear but bringing pads is really not necessary. Hospitals will provide you with BIG pads and even mesh underwear. You will have a lot of bleeding the first couple days and it will all last a couple weeks. When you head home get as many of the pads and mesh underwear as you can from the hospital.
Diapers
You really do not need to bring diapers or wipes unless you really are insistent on a particular brand. The hospital will provide some.
Clothes for the Baby
Bring a couple outfits for the baby. I just brought a couple pairs of pajamas. If you’d like photos of the baby at the hospital maybe bring a cute outfit for that. You may want to bring a swaddle or two, but the hospital will provide blankets that are great to swaddle with.
Car Seat
Must have to go home is a car seat. Our hospital even demanded to see it before they let us leave. A good infant car seat is easy to bring up to the room and make sure you have baby strapped in correctly before making your way to the car.
Sarah
Similar Posts:
20+ Products Mom Actually Needs
18 Dos and Don’ts for a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy
