The Best Hospital Bag Packing List: Baby #2 Edition

You may be thinking, “What is the simplest way I can have my baby without missing anything important?” I’m here to tell you, I have the perfect solution for you. Presenting, The MUST-HAVE guide on what you will need to pack in your hospital bag, NO B.S. As a first-time mom, I had no idea what I needed to bring to the hospital. After watching one too many TikToks, I was able to have a general idea of what I needed… And I still overpacked! This time around, I know exactly what I need.

Keep in mind, all hospitals have everything you could possibly need to deliver a baby. You should have no worries in that department if for some reason that hospital bag gets accidentally left at home. Your baby will get here just fine and you will have exactly what you need as long as you’re not delivering a baby on an airplane (Ok, wow..new fear unlocked). What I have here is a list of things that will make your experience just that much easier and as enjoyable as possible. This list provides things I wouldn’t be able to live without the 2nd time around.

So, grab your bag and your favorite snacks because we’re about to uncover the essentials that will have you feeling like a boss mama in the delivery room!

FOR MOM

This actually is the biggest section. Your comfort is so important after what your body goes through those few days and weeks after delivery. If you don’t want to write all of these down yourself, don’t worry. I’ve curated a printable checklist, so all you need to do is just check the boxes once they’ve been added to your hospital bag.

My biggest advice is to pack your bag around 35 weeks so you’re prepared if you happen to deliver early. Grab a towel to keep in your car in case your water breaks on its own (it gets messy!), keep that hospital bag in the trunk, and you’re good to go!

1. Portable Tripod Fan

First up, the iconic Portable Tripod Fan. Not only is this a holy grail to wrap around your hospital bed during peak labor, but its a great stroller fan for those hot summer days. When your contractions start going and the discomfort kicks in, your body temperature will rise. Not only does it provide a much-needed cool-down, but the rhythmic hum of the fan can also serve as a soothing backdrop, helping you find a sense of calm amidst the chaos. I truly felt like it was a natural pain reliever!

2. Dark Colored Soft Pajama Set

Emphasis on “Dark Colored”. Labor is a messy affair, and let’s face it, bodily fluids don’t discriminate. Whether it’s sweat, amniotic fluid, or any other surprise guest, dark-colored pajamas are your secret weapon against stains and mishaps.

Here is the link to the softest buttery pajama set that will keep you cozy.

The first day, I stayed in my hospital gown provided to me from the hospital. I veto’d against getting my own robe for the delivery process because I didn’t want to ruin it and have to worry about washing an extra item the second I got home from the hospital. The second day and every day after that, I wore these suckers out! I even went home in my pajama set, as well.

3. Non-slip socks/Slippers

Aside from pajamas, you’re going to want a pair of slippers or grippy socks for the ultimate at-home feeling comfort. I’ve linked a couple of my favorites. These are so you don’t have to walk around barefoot on the cold hospital floor. If you forget them, the hospital has some grippy socks for you but they definitely aren’t anyones preferred option.

4. Shower items/Toiletries

If you’re not a fan of public showers like me, first off you will need a pair of shower shoes! But why not make them cute and wearable outside of the shower setting? These are perfect to go home from the hospital in and easy to slip on. Trust me, you’re not going to want to struggle putting shoes on for a while, so invest in some slip-ons! They come in so many different colors as well.

Keep in mind you’ll probably stay in the hospital for a least 2 nights, so go ahead and pack your shower essentials–

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Face Wash
• Body wash
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Hair ties/scrunchies
• Lip balm

Store these in its own bag within your hospital bag, so that it’s easy to locate and accessible.

Pro-Tip: Continue to use your belly oil postpartum. It is very common to get stretch marks after delivering your baby, even if you never got them during pregnancy.

5. A Cozy All-Day/All-Night Bra

Say hello to nursing bras, because you’ll never be able to live without these babies again…

These specific bras came in a 2-pack, nursing friendly, easy slip on, and felt like I was wearing a cloud on my chest. I actually wore these throughout my entire pregnancy, and currently wearing one as I write this now! Not sponsored-just really passionate about these bras.

6. Diapers (if you choose to bring your own)

Technically, you don’t HAVE to bring these… But for me, this one is a must. The mesh underwear at the hospital are not the coziest or easiest to work with, so I chose Always Discreet Diapers. You can get these anywhere! I would recommend sizing up because you will have some swelling.

The good thing about these is that it’s all-in-one. Instead of having your mesh underwear, with the uncomfortable thick pad, with the ice pack creating mountains worth of supplies in your undies. All you need is a diaper and an icepack, easy!

7. Upside Down Peri Bottle

If you are unfamiliar with these, let me explain why these are so great. The design of the tool is essentially a personal bidet, you can cleanse your perineal area during limited mobility recovery without putting pressure on soreness or c-section incision. The last thing you’re going to want to do is wipe down there after pushing a baby out. Unlike the hospital one, it’s angled upward so it’s easy to target.

Fun fact: I accidentally left this in the bathroom when I left the hospital and cried my eyes out when I got home over it. I sent a search party to find me a new one ASAP. Which is hilarious looking back, but now you know how much I cared for this thing!

8. Snacks/Drinks

Doctors and Nurses will recommend to stay away from eating during labor, however, after delivery you are free to whatever food you’d like! Hospital kitchen has strict hours of operation, so having snacks and drinks by your side is always nice to have during those long nights. It’s your time to indulge because you’ve worked hard mama! Celebrate with the ultimate guilty snack of your choice.

9. Nipple Balm

Breastfeeding comes with its fair share of challenges. Especially in those first few days of breastfeeding, Nipple balm acts as a lifesaver. It soothes and moisturizes cracked or sore nipples. Your breastfeeding consultant at the hospital should also have supplies like cooling patches to help in between feedings as well.

Don’t forget to ask them to pack you a back of breastfeeding essentials to take home for free!

10. Cooling spray/Witch Hazel Foam

Cooling essentials offer instant relief to tender and swollen areas, providing a soothing sensation that helps alleviate discomfort and inflammation. I topped this right in the lining of the diapers I wore.

You wont need every single one of these but here are a few of my favorites that I have tested out and loved–

• Frida Mom Perineal Healing Foam – This sits in your diaper or on your pad and will eventually dissolve
• Tucks Pads – Leave these in your diaper or pad and discard each time you use the restroom
• Dermoplast – This is my “numbing spray”

11. Long Phone Charger

Pretty self-explanatory! You’re not going to want to forget this in your hospital bag. You never know where the outlets will be in your hospital room, so always be prepared and get a long phone charger or even a portable charging block.

FOR BABY

Since the list for us moms wasn’t so stylish and cute with all the postpartum care, this is where we get to have fun! The list for baby is much smaller than ours, newborns really don’t need much!

1. Car Seat

Before we get in to the cute stuff, first let’s talk about safety. This definitely wont fit in to your hospital bag, BUT you will need to have your carseat installed by the time you pack your hospital bag. Keep in mind, no baby is leaving that hospital without a carseat installed. There’s no reason to bring the carseat in to the hospital, it takes up too much room plus, they will have you moving rooms so it’s best to keep it out of the way. Have your husband or support grab it the last day of your stay!

If you were wondering, we went with the UppaBaby Mesa V2 and absolutely love it!

2. Clothing/Blanket

Regarding baby, you’re going to want to bring-

• 2 knotted gown sets with newborn hat
• 1 footed pajama
• 1-2 swaddles

Hospitals can be chilly environments, especially for a newborn, so having items like knotted gowns, hats, footed pajamas, and swaddle blankets can help keep your baby warm and comfortable. Additionally, choosing different outfits allows for flexibility depending on the weather conditions or any unexpected changes in your baby’s size. Gowns are really easy because they’re meant to be long, so getting too big of a size is hard to do.

Of course, not sponsored, however I really love these so I promise, I wont gate keep! The quality of these Caden Lane knotted gowns are incredible. I feel like this brand has totally killed it in the newborn department, they have really cute newborn photo outfit options to pick from with matching customized swaddle blankets. ALL are buttery soft and affordable with their frequent discounts, which is a perfect addition for your hospital bag.

3. Announcement Photo Props

Meet my daughter, Millie! For my daughters announcement photo, I used a customized Caden Lane swaddle to line the hospital bassinet, her knotted gown, and a wooden sign from Etsy. I know Caden Lane also offers name signs and keepsakes that I will definitely try for baby #2.

4. Baby Shusher/Sound Machine

Hospitals can be so noisy! Go ahead and grab a sound machine or my personal favorite, the baby shusher, so you, your partner, and baby can all sleep at night. At least as much as possible, since you’ll be waken up by nurses every two hours to feed your sweet baby. This helped a ton to introduce noise machines early so that she was used to it and associated it with sleep.

4. Not Necessary But May Bring Again:

Lastly, this one isn’t necessary to bring in your hospital bag.. however, if you want your baby to use a certain brand of diapers, bring a handful and you can tell your nurses that’s the kind you want to use. Baby skin can be sensitive so if you have done your diaper ingredient research, you may choose to bring this.

You can also choose to bring a couple of different pacifiers of your own. Again, it’s not necessary as they have pacifiers there, but some babies are picky about their pacifiers! I brought some and never ended up using them, but I could have used them if they were needed.

Preparing your hospital bag is a significant step towards ensuring a smooth and comfortable birthing experience for both you and your newborn. Remember to pack a few extras for both you and your baby, just in case! With your hospital bag packed and ready to go, you can approach labor and delivery with confidence.

And if you’re still in the early stages of pregnancy, don’t forget to check out my previous blog, The Ultimate First Trimester Checklist (For First Time Moms) for more tips and insights on navigating those initial months of pregnancy. Good Luck Mamas!