If you’re a first time mom then you have probably Googled “what to pack in my hospital bag” about 100 times and found an exhaustive list of items. I know I sure did. As a first time mom you have no idea what you will want during delivery and you are likely even more clueless about what your needs will be during your hospital stay.

Now I know it is nearly impossible to predict exactly how your delivery process will go. Will you delivery vaginally or via cesarean? Will your baby come fast or take her time? Will you tear or will you manage to walk away tear-free? Will you need an epidural or will you go unmedicated? There are so many unknowns regarding labor and delivery, so it can be difficult to pack the perfect bag without knowing exactly what you will need.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Some of the items I brought in my bag I did not use or did not use much of in the hospital, but they were extremely helpful to have on hand for when I got home from the hospital. Check out my postpartum pelvic floor essentials post for the items that were the most helpful in aiding my pelvic floor recovery.

But I am happy to share what I brought and what I actually used. Please keep in mind that I am a pelvic floor physical therapist, so of course there are going to be quite a few more pelvic floor healing items in my bag than most. However, if you’re able to bring these items and actually use them during your stay I promise you will not regret it.

What I Packed

Clothes

1. Comfy lounge/PJ set
2. PJ dress with buttons down the front
3. Three Bao Bei bralettes (code DRMAEHUGHES)
4. Two pairs of socks
5. Newborn knotted gown+swaddle+bow (code DRMAE)
   
   

Pelvic Floor

1. Bao Bei Peri bottle (code DRMAEHUGHES)
2. Frida Mom Cooling pad liners/wipes
3. Earth Mama Organics Perineal spray
4. Frida Mom Disposable underwear
   
   

Breastfeeding

1. Silverettes
2. Earth Mama Organics Nipple Butter
   
   

Personal

1. Pillow
2. Blanket (this was a wedding gift and is so comfy)
3. Bath towel
4. Polaroid and polaroid film
5. Baby Footprint Ink Pad Kit
6. Chapstick
7. Cosmetic bag
8. Toiletries bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant)
9. Hair brush
10. Hair ties/scrunchie
11. Phone charger
    
    

Food/Water

1. Large water bottle
2. Dates
3. Lara bars
4. Peanut butter pretzel bites
5. Liquid IV hydration packs
   
   
   

What I Actually Used

Below is the same list of what I packed, I just italicized the items I actually used in the hospital and bolded the ones I did not use. I also made notes next to each item, so make sure to read through it all!

Clothes

1. Comfy lounge/PJ set
2. PJ dress with buttons down the front (super easy for skin to skin, but only wore once, could’ve done without)
3. Three Bao Bei bralettes (code DRMAEHUGHES, wore one for labor+delivery, and another for the other two days, didn’t need the third)
4. Two pairs of socks (used them both)
5. Newborn knotted gown+swaddle+bow (code DRMAE, for going home and hospital photos)
   
   

Pelvic Floor

1. Bao Bei Peri bottle (code DRMAEHUGHES, so much better than the one the hospital provided)
2. Frida Mom Cooling pad liners/wipes (forgot I brought these, so didn’t end up using until I got home)
3. Earth Mama Organics Perineal spray (yes! used every time I used the bathroom)
4. Frida Mom Disposable underwear (only used one pair, otherwise wore the mesh undies from the hospital, used the rest of these once I was home)
   
   

Breastfeeding

1. Silverettes (actual life savers, my nipples were SO sore)
2. Earth Mama Organics Nipple Butter (helped my cracked nipples)
   
   

Personal

1. Pillow (way better than the hospital provided ones)
2. Blanket (so glad I brought mine)
3. Bath towel (YES, and then we accidentally left it there, oops)
4. Polaroid and polaroid film (we took a bunch in the hospital)
5. Baby Footprint Ink Pad Kit (did not end up doing this until we got home)
6. Chapstick (who knew your lips could get so chapped)
7. Cosmetic bag (filled with face cleanser and my skin care routine because I hate missing a day)
8. Toiletries bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant)
9. Hair brush (I have ridiculously long hair that tangles easily and definitely did after labor/delivery)
10. Hair ties/scrunchie (can never have enough)
11. Phone charger (wish I had bought a 10ft one)
    
    

Food/Water

1. Large water bottle
2. Dates
3. Lara bars
4. Peanut butter pretzel bites
5. Liquid IV hydration packs
   
   
   

Takeaways and My Biggest Piece of Advice

I tried very hard to pack a super minimal bag, which is why I hardly had any unused items. Also, my biggest piece of advice is to use a small, carry on suitcase rather than a duffle bag. It held every item no problem and was incredibly easy to transport. Hope this was helpful! I’ll do a follow up on items I wish I had brought (but there really aren’t too many).