Despite my experience as a NICU nurse and lactation consultant, I was admittedly a little overwhelmed by the whole hospital bag with my first baby. If you go on Pinterest there are a million different checklists that seem to only get longer and longer. Everyone has a different opinion on what’s important, which is the way it should be. This is your birth experience and whatever is going to make you most comfortable is what you should take in your hospital bag.

Now that I have done this a couple of times, I know that I want to keep things really simple. The truth is, I don’t use much, but what I do use I want to feel good in. A lot of the things I’ll be taking for me are items I used throughout my pregnancy and will continue to use postpartum. We’ll be using this bag for both the hospital and for baby after!

Note, I will also be bringing toiletries, phone chargers, and a few snacks. For baby, I keep things even more simple and will bring a couple of white wrapover onesies and a Lou and Lou and Company outfit! 

Wireless Nursing Bra

I cannot stress how important it is to have a wireless bra if you plan to breastfeed. You do not want anything interfering with your milk coming in or potentially causing a clogged duct from the start. Not to mention, you just went through birth and comfort is your friend right now, Momma!

I’ve seen a lot of Moms use sports bras and while they are wireless, I don’t find them to be as easy to work with in the beginning. My favorite is this inexpensive one from Target and I also plan to try this one from Blanqi this time as well.

High-Waisted Panty (or better yet, Period Panties)

To each their own with this one, but I have tried them all and in my opinion, nothing beats this one from Yummie. It’s comfortable, has enough space to hold postpartum pads, AND gives your tummy some support without being restricting.

Something new that I didn’t have with Scarlett or Maverick’s deliveries are period panties. These things are genius for postpartum to help control leaks. Unders by Proof is my favorite brand so far.

Robe and/or Cardigan

Yes, you just gave birth. And yes, it’s bound to be a little messy. But Momma, I am here to tell you, treat yourself to one of these robes or cardigans. These are the only cardigans I wear and I am obsessed. I wore them during pregnancy and will continue to wear them postpartum.

In the hospital, people are constantly coming in and out of your room, so having something easy (and comfortable for you and baby) to throw on that you can also nurse in, is so nice. I love that the cardigan below can pull over for some coverage when nursing.

Black Pajamas and Leggings

One thing I noticed this time around was that I didn’t really change out of my pajamas at all during our short hospital stay. Bringing a few sets of black pajamas (like these– black because they are easy to clean!) or compression leggings at the very least are a must.

Pillow, Blanket and Towels from Home

Take a good pillow from home with you, along with 1-2 pillowcases that are NOT white (so they aren’t confused with hospital pillows). Hospitals are not known for their pillows! When you’re finally able to rest, you want to be as comfortable as possible. The blankets at hospitals are also rough. IV fluids and epidurals tend to make you cold so I was thankful to have one of those from home too.

Also, learn from my mistake and bring bath towels from home. I’m telling you, even in our brand new hospital, the towels were like something you’d exfoliate your skin with… Just no. Bring your own and thank me later!

Going Home Outfit

I keep it really simple. Usually, that’s a pair of leggings, one of my favorite tank tops, and depending on the weather, I’ll throw on one of my cardigans! A lot of what I wore during pregnancy (you can see my maternity must-haves here) is what I will wear postpartum. I did pick up another pair of Blanqi’s postpartum leggings because I have loved my others so much. I’ll report back on how I feel about the postpartum-specific ones!

UPDATE: I didn’t wear my Blanqi leggings at the hospital- I found that I liked Soma compression leggings better hold it all in right after birth!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from sales. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

and Finally, Things I wish I had packed

For Mom: chapstick (hospitals purposely keep humidity low because moisture causes bacteria), slippers or slipper socks, and flip flops for showering. You may or may not need a nipple shield if you’re breastfeeding- I wish I had one this time though.

For baby: baby wipes and newborn diapers. Our hospital doesn’t provide baby wipes and the only diapers they had for us were size 1, which can irritate babies’ umbilical cords.