Mama's Hospital Bag: 8 things you need to bring and the things you don’t!
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This blog post is a scrunchy mom’s guide to packing the ultimate hospital bag with only the essentials for a comfortable, stress-free birth experience. It includes practical tips, must-have items, and a free printable checklist from my New Mom Bundle to help you feel prepared and confident for labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery!
Hey Mama, Packing your hospital bag is such an exciting and important part of the third trimester. It means the big day is getting closer, and you want to be as prepared as possible so you’re not scrambling at the last minute or sending someone on an emergency trip home. But let’s be real—when we see those endless hospital bag lists online, it’s easy to feel like we need to bring everything just in case. The truth? You don’t need to overpack.
As a scrunchy mom, I focus on intentional, practical choices—and that starts with your hospital bag! Below is my complete list of only what you actually need for labor, delivery, and recovery to ensure you’re comfortable while keeping it simple.
Want a free printable checklist? My New Mom Bundle includes an editable Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist, Birth Plan Template, and other printables to help you feel fully prepared! Grab it here!
Let’s focus on mama!
Comfortable Clothing:
Comfortable Clothing
Loose-Fitting Nightgown or Robe
Prioritizing comfort is a major theme in my life (as you’ll soon find out!). After labor, I lived in my button-up nightgown—it was perfect for breastfeeding, easy bathroom trips, and made me feel a little more put together than a hospital gown. Bonus: I wore it for days at home too—yay for no pants!
For labor itself? Wear the hospital gown. There’s no need to stress about special labor outfits—just let the hospital handle the mess!
➡️ Add my favorite postpartum-friendly nightgowns to your registry!
I wore this with my first hospital stay after birth. Loved it! Get it here or add it to your registry!!
Honestly forget packing underwear and go straight for the disposables! They’re surprisingly comfortable and make postpartum hygiene much easier. The hospital will provide some mesh undies with pads, but I brought a handful of disposable underwear. Silky option: Always disposables. Crunchy option: Rael Disposable Underwear for Women, Organic Cotton Cover. They were perfect for the first few days! Once bleeding minimizes you can switch to postpartum undies and pads at home. I also packed some slippers for walking around the hospital room, but second time around I opted for the nonslip socks they offered me! I was so cold the first time that I just needed socks the whole time anyway.
Frida has so many great mom and baby products and provide a great boy short option. Great for c-section mamas too! Check them out here on amazon!
Personal Hygiene Items:
When packing toiletry items, you really can just stick to the basics such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and skincare essentials for freshening up during the hospital stay. I talk about this in post- How to Prioritize Mom Self-Care-during the newborn phase — XO Marilyn Elizabeth, but showering was a top priority in my postpartum recovery, especially mentally. Feeling like you’re taking care of your own basic needs and doing things as normal can really bring comfort to you in the hospital. Bring all of your personal favorites and take your time relaxing during your hygiene routines!
Some other options to think about are gum, Chapstick, hair ties and clips. I was sick a lot during labor, and I didn’t have the energy to go brush my teeth, so gum TRULY saved me! Not to mention how dehydrated I felt and the ChapStick was absolutely necessary! I gave myself a nice blow out when I went into labor, so I didn’t have to worry about washing or doing my hair the whole stay, not to mention look mildly presentable in the labor photos! (I tried) But I was sure to bring clips and hair ties to make sure I could keep my hair out of the way when I was breastfeeding or changing diapers! Check out my FREE printable and editable hospital bag checklist in the New Mom Bundle to make sure you have everything you need for a comfortable hospital stay!
- You really don’t have to pack anything for postpartum recovery like a peri bottle or dermoplast for the hospital stay, as that will likely all be supplied for you. Though I do recommend having those ready at home! Frida has a great postpartum kit for your at home aftercare! Including an upside-down peri bottle most moms find to be superior to the one the hospital provides. The hospital will provide varying sizes in pads (some of those suckers are huge) as well, if you forego the disposable undies suggestion.
Nourishing Snacks and Drinks:
- Special snacks- If you have anything you know you’ll prefer to eat, go ahead and bring them! The hospital will provide your meals and often refill water for you, but I personally felt like everything tasted a little off after my first labor and didn’t eat much of anything except the glorious sushi my mother and sister brought for me when they visited! So be prepared with things you know you love, you’ll probably be hungry after your labor!
Comfort Measures:
Yes, bring your own pillow and blanket!! This may not seem essential to most, but honestly it was one of the choices I was so grateful to have made. It really bumped up my comfort levels!! Hey, you may even want to bring your pregnancy pillow!
Bonus, it can help for positioning during labor! I love mine, and I used it postpartum as well! (Also don’t forget your nursing pillow, I love my boppy!!)
Some other comfort measures you really don’t need but could bring are massage tools, camera, entertainment items such as books or magazines. Hands for massaging and let’s be real, your phone for camera and scrolling is all you really need! (Pro tip: DO bring a charger)
One thing I made sure to have at my L&D experience is a labor comb. It is such a simple yet effective pain management tool, that a lot of women don’t even know about! It helped me focus during contractions. (Just an update! My second labor went so fast I didn’t even have time to remember to use mine!)
Documentation and Essentials:
- Identification and Insurance Information: Have important documents easily accessible for hospital registration. Be sure to include anything specific your hospital may require of you as well. They typically want to have your chosen pediatrician’s information. I had a cute folder ready to go with everything in it! And don’t forget your birth plan! If you need a template check out my FREE New Mom bundle
Postpartum Care Items:
For postpartum you’ll want to pack one or two of your comfiest Nursing Bras and reusable Breast Pads! You’ll need both for support and leakage protection for breastfeeding. I packed a few different kinds but be sure to try on whatever bras you pack first. You want to make sure they fit right and maybe even a bit roomy to account for engorgement.
I loved these nursing bras for the hospital, and mostly wore them to sleep or just about the house, and these more supportive bras for going out and about! And these washable breast pads are a great sustaintable option!
- You likely won’t need nipple cream, as they typically provide that too! And if you use silverettes, you probably won’t need it at all!
I’m just going to say it! Miracle Nipple savers!
If you haven’t heard of silverettes yet, let me put you onto something miraculous! They will truly save you on your breastfeeding journey!
Another thing often forgotten is your prenatal vitamin! Yes, you can still (and probably want to) keep taking it postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding. There’s also some evidence continuing to take your prenatal vitamin can help with preventing postpartum hair loss. There are also Postnatal vitamins you can begin taking instead, that are more optimal for the fourth trimester.
Going-Home Outfit:
Again, think comfort! Pack a loose-fitting outfit for going home, considering the postpartum body changes. I honestly brought two options, because I didn’t know how I’d feel. I’m very sensory driven when it comes to clothing anyway, so I packed an oversize tee, my maternity leggings in case I wanted to feel more snug in my clothes, and some loose sweats!
I am so excited for you soon-to-be mama, and I hope that I was able to give you a more concise idea of what you truly need when you head to the hospital for your big day! May you feel comfortable and prepared, and ready to experience the whole joy of your birthing journey experience! I wish you love and thank you for letting me support you in your preparation for labor, delivery and recovery!
