Packing for the hospital can be one of those daunting tasks during pregnancy. What do you really need? Are you bringing too much? The hospital provides the basics like diapers, wipes and those well known hospital baby blankets. I'll be honest with you, you might not use a lot of what you pack. Try to keep it basic and comfy. Here's a list of my recommendations (save this list for when you're packing!!)


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For Mom

  • Bag
  • A robe or delivery gown
  • Nursing bras
  • 4 copies of your birth plan
  • Birth affirmations and other items to make the room feel homey
  • Long phone charger
  • Hair ties (more than 1 or 2)
  • Hair brush
  • Chapstick
  • 1 or 2 loose comfy outfits (think pjs + easy to nurse in)
  • Something to wear home (COMFORT IS KEY aka not your pre baby clothes mama)
  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, etc...)


For partner

  • 1-2 changes of clothes (don't forget socks and undies)
  • Toiletries
  • Charger
  • PJS


For baby

  • Carseat
  • Going home outfit
  • 2-3 gowns or sleepers (try not to go crazy on packing a ton of tiny baby outfits)
  • Blanket
  • Announcement outfit or swaddle
  • Pacifiers (if you plan to use them)


other

  • Pillows + blankets
  • Nursing pillow
  • Towel (or 2)
  • Bag for dirty clothes
  • Makeup
  • Slippers
  • Hakka


You can alter this list to fit your needs. The hospital will provide pillows and blankets, but from experience it's so much more comfortable to have one of your own. Same goes for towels, hospital towels are small and kinda rough. Nothing like trying to wrap your freshly postpartum body into a towel that is sized for a toddler. They'll also provide things like shampoo (think tiny hotel toiletries) and those super sexy mesh undies and pads, but feel free to bring depends or Frida mom postpartum undies. You do not have to lug your breast pump along with everything else. The hospital can supply you with one if you need to use one during your stay.

PS- Don't forget to grab the extra diapers, wipes, pads, etc out of your room before you leave to go home!