THE ULTIMATE HOSPITAL BAG PACKING LIST FOR MAMAS TO BE

Okay, I will admit: This is not my usual type of blog post. I write about travel and about food. This post is 100% about what I packed in my hospital bag prior to giving birth. Admittedly, this may seem a little strange. However, the internet, combined with advice from other moms, helped me tremendously in compiling this list. I found this extraordinarily useful, and I already had the list typed up, so I wanted to share it with other moms out there as a resource. It is a PACKING list, so that’s kind of related to travel – right?!

Anyway, Moms and Moms-to-Be. I hope you find this packing list to be a valuable resource as you get closer to delivering and meeting your adorable new little human. It’s thanks to other moms that I was able to compile this list. Know that this list was MY list. Some of you may want to pack way more. Others may want to pack way less. Use this list and tailor it to your own needs. My list may also read differently than many of you in the States and in Canada, as I’m delivering in Germany (it’s very likely I’ve already delivered by the time this post is released). We stay at the hospital for 3 full days before being released (if it’s a natural birth. Longer if c-section). Please let me know your thoughts. What else would you add? What did you NOT need?

HOSPITAL BAG PACKING LIST

CLOTHES (ME)

• Underwear (boy shorts or big underwear to accommodate large pads; also include high wasted underwear in case of c-section)
• Nursing bra
• Sports bra
• Clothes for delivery or gown (you deliver in your own clothes at my hospital in Germany)
• Robe
• Comfortable clothes (3 days)
• Belly band
• Nursing tanks
• Socks
• Shoes
• 1 pair maternity pants
• Slippers
• Flip flops
• Going home outfit
• PJs
• Jacket
• Warm clothes
• _____________
• _____________

HUSBAND

• 3 days worth of clothes
• PJs
• Robe
• Slippers
• Toiletries
• ___________
• ___________

BABY

• Body suits or onesies
• Blanket
• Going home outfit
• Hat(s)
• Mittens
• Diapers and wipes
• Swaddles
• ______
• ______
• ______

BREAST FEEDING

• Nursing bra
• Nursing pads
• Nipple cream
• Nursing pillow
• _________
• _________
• __________

TOILETRIES

• Vitamins
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Body wash
• Lotion
• Face wash
• Moisturizer
• Deodorant
• Brush/comb
• Straightener
• Elastics/headband
• Hair spray
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Makeup
• razor
• Makeup remover
• Floss
• _______
• ________
• __________ 

POST NATAL

• Pain spray
• Peri bottle
• Witch hazel pads
• Preparation H
• Depends/maxi pads
• Stool softener
• _________
• _________
• _________ 

ENTERTAINMENT

• iPad
• Computer
• Headphones (2)
• Book
• ____________
• _____________

PAPERWORK

• Birth plan
• Copy of insurance and IDs
• Registration paperwork
• List of important numbers
• Passports
• All other relevant paperwork
• __________
• __________
• __________

PREP PHONE

• Contraction timer
• Offline music downloaded
• Movies/TV episodes downloaded
• White noise app
• Downloaded podcasts
• _______________
• _______________

FOOD/BEVERAGE

• Water
• Snacks
• Gum
• Candy to suck on

OTHER

• Car seat
• Comfy pillows for Ryan and me
• Chargers
• Wallet/cash
• Eye cover
• WINE, PROSCIUTTO, SUSHI
• Lavender oil
• Peppermint oil
• Towels
• _________
• _________
• _________

Okay, there you have it – there’s my hospital bag list. I feel like it’s pretty inclusive. What else did I miss? What did you find to be a “must” when you gave birth? Do you have any questions? Let me know!

For a more travel-related packing list, you can check out my “What to Pack for Vacation” packing list HERE! And of course, if you’re into all things food and travel, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the NEW Traveling Cook Abroad COOKBOOK on AMAZON!