Submitted by Kristen Nickles, a brand new Springfield Mom to Jameson, born February 2019.
I love asking my network of friends and family for advice, so when it was time to pack my bag for the hospital, I reached out to veteran mamas to give me advice on what they found necessary, things they never used, and nice additions when having a baby.
- Towels, throw away toiletries, chapstick, boppy, a robe, slippers, and pajamas. – Erika
- A fan, extra pillows, nursing bras, toiletries. – Shannon
- Leave room for all of the misc stuff they send you home with (extra diapers, nursing accessories/bottles, etc.). Ask for some extra of the cooling/ice pads that the hospital gives you after birth. Seriously. I don’t think I could have made it thru without them. – Brandi
- A fan! Also extra clothing. I’ had a c-section so stayed longer than I’d planned, and I had not packed enough clothes for the extra days in the hospital. – Christina
- I packed way too much! The hospital provided all the stuff for the baby except clothes. So a few clothing items for the baby. A couple really easy and comfy clothes for you. Comfy slippers and basic essentials for yourself. – Francesca
- I was in pretty good pain after both kids (9 lb babies were delivered) and they gave me like 200 mg Tylenol- so bring some good pain medicine! Take full advantage of what the hospital provides you with. – Alyssa
- Get a robe for yourself. Baby clothes, some baggy/loose clothes for you, slides (sandals) my feet were BIGGER after because of all the fluids and I couldn’t fit into the shoes I wore there. We also took our own pillows and a blanket. Those rooms are cold by the windows – Niki
- Sweatpants/maternity leggings and comfy shirt to go home in. A cute outfit for baby. Simple toiletries; hair brush and hair tie, toothbrush. Phone charger. I made a huge thing of homemade trail mix and brought a bag w me to snack on afterwards. If you want, pack your boppy to get used to holding/feeding with it. – Burlie
- Several chapsticks! HAIR TIES!! I chose slipper socks so I could keep them on the whole time after delivery. Blanket and pillow for dad! He won’t get a whole lot from the hospital. LOTION it’s super dry!! Make sure you take all the numbing spray and squirt bottles they will give you for home! Ask for extra!! – Lindsay
- Sweats, hoodies, ice packs. – Lacey
- Super comfy, loose-fitting pjs, comfy undies and bra, camera or phone, and chapstick. I took my own shower stuff and lotion to help make me feel a little more myself. Slippers! A few no-fuss outfits and a couple swaddling blankets for little man. – Marisa
- Honestly, the only thing I used from my bag was my comfy clothes, toothbrush/paste and contact solution. The hospital had everything else I needed. – Erin
- Bring your own pillow with a brightly colored/patterned pillow case. It helps you sleep better. – Emmy
- 2 big fluffy towels! The hospital towels are like a small piece of sandpaper. Essential oils, diffuser, chapstick, mints, gum, snacks for daddy (candy, protein bars and etc), grannie panties, pads, and toiletries that you can toss when done. Extension cord so phone can charge from anywhere. Comfy clothes, robe, slide on shoes, nursing tanks – Melissa
- Here’s what to take home FROM the hospital: get as many pads as you can, mesh panties, dermablast, spritz bottles, and if you ask them for a small fan ..take it home with you..my nurse told me they will charge you no matter what for it so I brought it home – Cicily
- Comfy clothes, slippers, pillow,something to do (magazine, book, tablet), phone charger, snacks. – Ashley
- Deodorant!!!!! I forgot mine by accident and that was a smelly mistake. Also, slippers, pjs/sweats, nursing bra/tops. – Melody
- I had to have my chapstick, charger, and actually the depends type pads that you wear like underwear were great. It sounds horrible but it is better than regular sanitary options. – Savannah
- Socks!! And lots of granny panties. (Trust me). If you’re a pillow freak like me, bring your favorite pillow. – Amy
- Yoga pants, nursing cami, nursing bras,underwear that’s bigger than normal size, diffuser, oils, snacks. Snag from the hospital: a million of their swaddle blankets, the squirt bottle, mesh panties, pads, the spray that they give you. For baby: really only need going home outfit and anything for baby photos—- we just did a cute swaddle and cap.
Snag the hospital’s little nose sucker bulb. It’s soooo better than any I can find at the store!! For the guy…. SNACKS AND SWEATSHORTS. It’s so cold and only mama gets room service free. But of course order a ton so he can have some – Christy - Chapstick, deodorant, sweatpants(any comfy clothes), flip flops for the shower, and for the baby, just bring a diaper bag with diapers, wipes , and 2 outfits just in case. In general I always pack a big plastic bag in case for blow outs so then you can stuff it in that. – Lindsay
- Baby book, if you are your wanting his feet stamped in it they will do it if you ask them! – Brianne
- Fluffy towels! They were a lifesaver w my last baby. – Kitrina
- I brought way too much… I only stayed a one night though. It was soo exhausting staying in the hospital with them coming in every hour! I pretty much was in a tank and robe the whole time. So comfy. They give you the undergarments you need and I got so much to go home with too. Make sure to have a cooler so if people bring you food, you can keep it cold. I also had banana and blueberry bread and Gatorade/water. – Rachael
- An Owlet monitor, your own towel and toiletries, pillow, nursing bras/tanks, lanolin nipple ointment, a big water bottle, extension cord for phone chargers if your cord is short, baby book if you want them to do the hand/footprints, chapstick! – Alyssa
- I liked having a nursing bra, my own nightgown with an easy opening to nurse, lip balm, oils, boppy, and the going-home outfit for you and baby, and toiletries . – Erica
- Snacks. – Alissa
- Allergy meds–don’t expect the hospital to have your brand. Pad of paper and pen to write down gifts so you can send thank you letters later AND to write down questions for the Dr so when the doc comes in you remember what you wanted to ask. Also get names of all nurses who made your experience better. Afterwards, send a letter about each one to the hospital CEO or whoever. It will go in their files. Nobody ever does this so it’s a big deal. And tweezers and magnifying mirror. – Lisa
- Chapstick!! – Rilee
- I always went with the bare minimum. Clothes for me, husband, and baby, and toiletries and car seat. They give you diapers to head home with that you already paid for in the hospital. So keep it simple. I also do suggest smaller bills and change for vending machines but I think now they can use credit and debit cards. You really don’t need a lot. Again…Keep it simple!! – Amanda
- A towel, chapstick, chargers, flip flops, pillow, pads of choice (but take ALL the mesh panties and pads they give you there!) . – Diana
- The only things I used were toiletries, nursing cami, open flowy sweater, loose black sweatpants. Clothes for my husband, phone charger, baby book, and your own pillow. You will just sleep so much better with your own. A couple outfits for baby. Something I do wish we would have packed was nail clippers for baby. Our baby came out with daggers and I didnt have those or the mittens in the bag. I did notice this time around they didnt give you a big water bottle, but the nurses were super good about making sure mine was cold and full. Other advice: use the nursery at night!!! This was the best advice we were given and it is so true. Your body is exhausted and that is something so nice they do so you both can get some good “sleep” in between feedings and know your babe is just fine and being watched over. – Megan
- Comfy clothes, clothes to go home in, toiletries and towels and washclothes from home for you and dad. I wish someone told me how horrible the towels were. My feet were HUGE after delivery. Probably double the size of what they were at the end of pregnancy. I ended up having to get flip flops with Velcro tops and they still almost didn’t fit. Phone charger, snacks for you and dad and clothes for baby to go home in. I was extremely cold after my child was born. Next time I will be taking a comfortable blanket. My last piece of advice is take all the stuff they will give you and ask for extra before you get discharged. – Emily
- Take things for your comfort… Your own PJs or something to easily nurse in. A few comfy outfits for baby. I took a lap blanket. Bring your own toiletries and make-up. A couple of the best things I did for myself was packing some Depends to use instead of the mesh undies and pads they give you. It’s just so much easier and cleaner. I also made an after-birth bottom spray with essential oils to use and it was a life saver! I had no pain or discomfort because I used it! Also… Keep in mind this is YOUR experience so don’t let the nurses or anyone else push you into anything you aren’t comfortable with. You’re going to do great and once that baby it born you will be in complete bliss!!! So excited and happy for you!!! – Sarah
- Your mom! (That last one was a comment BY MY MOM). 🙂
