Essential Items to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum
2/5/20257 min read
Preparing Your Hospital Bag
As you embark on the journey of motherhood, ensuring you are well-prepared for labor, delivery, and the postpartum period is essential. One vital step in this preparation is packing an appropriate hospital bag. Don't be like me and back your hospital bag super last minute haha. Having your bag packed from before will take a load of stress off you, and here is a list to help you figure out what are the best things to take for labour, delivery & post partum.
Hospital Bag Essentials: Mama
Post Partum Undies
If anyone asks me what do I need in my hospital bag? For some reason, the first thing that always pops in my head is; postpartum undies! These Frida mom ones were a life saver. There was no mess or leakage with these, and they are disposable so it was easy to toss out as well. I've had both a c-section and vaginal delivery and these worked great for both. It is especially great for c-section because the high waisted feature helps not put any kind of pressure on your scar.
Post Partum Pads
Along with some good post partum undies, we need good pads. I'm not sure how it varies from hospital to hospital but the one I got at first in the hospital was kind of weird and uncomfortable. I'll link two below that I prefer. One of them is the Frida Mom one which is more on the expensive side, but I will link an affordable one too.
Hospital Bag
Ofcourse, as the title suggests - you need a bag itself for the hospital. I know a lot of women take carry ons with them, but I got a bag that was pretty big and the best part of the bag was that afterwards i can fold it up into a small pouch and store it away. Since I live in a condo and can't afford anymore clutter. This bag surprisingly fit a lot of items!
Nipple Cream
Nipple cream will help with the breastfeeding process.
Toiletries
Labour and delivery will get you all sweaty and gross, post delivery will be even worse. So having some toiletries to take a nice shower after will be necessary. You need your shampoo, body wash, face wash, and some face cream. I just took all mine in the toiletry bottles I usually travel with. Also don't forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion and makeup wipes if necessary.
Peri Bottle
The hospital will provide you with a peri bottle, but I prefer the Frida mom one because of the way it is angled. It works much nicer than the hospital bottles.
Perineal Foam [Optional]
This foam felt sooo nice, after delivery it is very painful and a mess down there. So spraying this foam on my pad before putting it on definitely helped with the healing process.
Witch Hazel Cleansing Pads [Optional]
Similar to the perineal foam, this was also another item I used hand in hand for healing and comfort.
Comfortable Clothes
That blue gown that hospitals give you to wear; totally not comfortable. The strings at the back are always opening for me. You can bring pyjamas with you to be comfy in but I purchased a gown that was very comfortable and had buttons for easy breastfeeding access.
Going Home Clothes
Make sure to bring some comfy clothes for going home in. I of course, brought my sweats and large hoodie!
Breastfeeding Pillow [Optional]
At first, breastfeeding was very uncomfortable for me especially because I wasn't sure what position to feed baby in. But this pillow was very helpful for me, it made it more comfortable for feeding.
Nursing Bras
A good nursing bra will make it easy for breastfeeding. I like the Momcozy ones because the pump I use is a Momcozy pump, so this bra works perfectly with that pump as well.
Birthing Comb [Optional]
I know this sounds silly, but this was actually an effective way to releive my labour pain for me. It's not necessary, but I thought I would give it a try because I was so afraid of labour and thankfully this helped a little bit!
Snacks
Snacks are a good way of getting energy during labour. If you are on epidural, you can't eat but it's good to have for afterwards as you will get very hungry. Also, your partner will need some fuel!
Pillow [Optional]
Even though you won't get much sleep, I realized a good pillow was essential for me. First of all the hospital had a pillow shortage so only gave one, and when I asked for a second one they couldn't give me one because of the shortage. And let me tell you, the hospital pillows are no fun. It's nice to at least be comfortable with your own pillow.
Long Charger (Apple)
A long charger came in handy for me, because who knows where the outlets will be located in the hospital rooms. With this I was able to charge with ease from any position. I will link the one below that I used
Stool Softener
I was so glad a friend told me to bring this with me. This helped so much when it came to doing # 2 and made it less painful. You can get any over the counter at your local drugstore.
Water Bottle With Straw
Pleases do not take your Stanley, I know everyone out there loves their Stanleys. I have one too and took mine that's why I am saying not to take it. When you're in labour you need something you can just throw in your bag, you don't need anything thing in your hand and my Stanley girlies know that it LEAKS! I will recommend another good water bottle because trust me you will be needing this, and it needs a straw because if you take epidural it's hard to get upwards.
Documentation
For documentation, you need any documents that your OB office might have given you beforehand. Your health card, ID, insurance card if you have one, your birth plan and any other important documents.
Sandals
You will definitely need sandals so it's easy to take them on and off when walking around the room, or going to the washroom. I took my adidas slides are they are super comfortable
Hair Accessories
Your hair will be all over the place, and it's going to get messy. Don't forget to pack some hair ties, and even a headband. I will link a good non slip head band that is helpful.
Socks & Sweater/Robe
Both times of my labour, there was a point where I was freezing. For the second time atleast I was prepared to know that I will be needing cozy socks and a warm robe or sweater. Personally a robe is just easier to throw on during a time of Labour. I will link some cozy socks & robes I recommend.
Lip Balm
Because your lips and mouth will definitely get super dry, a lip balm will help.
Glasses/Contacts/Solution
If you need any eye wear, don't forget to pack these as well.
Hospital Bag Essentials: Baby
Clothes
The first thing, and the no brainer is ofcourse clothes. I usually took body suits because the babies are always swaddled so I found bodysuits to be the best thing to put on the baby when swaddling. I can link a pack of body suits I like that has a few in a pack. But I also took a full onesie, a going home outfit, hats, mittens and socks. So overall I would say, 5x body suits, 2 onesies, 1 hat, 1 mitten and 2 pair of socks.
Diapers & Wipes
If your hospital gives you diapers and wipes, then you are probably going to a fancy hospital lol because that is NOT the case here in Ontario! Well atleast at the hospital I went to. You have to pack your own, I usually use Huggies for everything. It's good to buy the big box of newborn diapers at first because they outgrow them so fast so that one box should last you until they are ready to go to size 1. The wipes I use are gentle on the skin, so that way I can use it for other purposes too.
Approved Baby Car Seat
Of course, this part is mandatory, as the hospital won't let you leave without a car seat! Make sure you have the base installed well before your due date. I liked the nuna pipa, because I loved how the canopy extends a lot.
Swaddle Blanket
While the hospital will provide with you this, I liked to bring my own because I wanted something a bit more cozier and softer.
Blanket/Car Seat Cover
A blanket will be good for going home, to cover your baby with incase it's chilly. If you live in a really cold place like I do, and your baby is born in winter; then a car seat cover is super helpful.
Diaper Bag
Of course a diaper bag is necessary, you have to have a place to put all your baby's essentials. There are so many diaper bags out there. The one I linked is a good one because it comes with a lot of different compartments and extras.
Overall
After the delivery of your baby, the focus shifts to recovery and preparing for parenthood. In your hospital bag, include comfortable clothes, such as nursing bras and loose-fitting pajamas. Prioritize items that facilitate breastfeeding, such as a breastfeeding pillow or nipple cream, allowing for a smoother transition into feeding your newborn.
The hospital will typically provide postpartum sanitary supplies, but many new mothers prefer to pack their own. Look for high-absorbency pads designed specifically for postpartum recovery. Additionally, consider packing some snacks; hospital food may not always meet your taste preferences, so having your favorite snacks on hand can make the experience more enjoyable.