Life

Pack Your (Hospital) Bags!

May 30, 2019

Pregnancy can be a very slow and longggg experience, that is, until it’s not. All of a sudden it’s the third trimester, life is flying by, and you realize you have so much left to buy and so much left to pack! Packing your hospital bag can feel very overwhelming. There are a million different lists online and different countries/healthcare systems offer different items. After giving birth in both London and New York City, and considering myself a pretty thorough person, I’ve compiled two different, country-specific lists. These should fulfill your packing needs and hopefully take some weight off your shoulders during this exciting, but often stressful time! See below for a complete US and then UK Hospital Bag Checklist! 

 

 

Pack Your (Hospital) Bags!

 

 

 

HOSPITAL BAG-United States

 

Baby Needs-

 

Small Booties: 2

Socks: 2 Pairs

Onesies: 4 Short-sleeve Newborn, 2 Short-Sleeve Size 0-3 (I hated the oversized hospital clothes!)

Sleepsuits: 3, Newborn Size, 1 0-3 Size

Pramsuit: Too bulky for car seat, but nice if you’re walking home with stroller in a cooler temperature. 

Going Home Outfit: For example, 1 NB Pants + 0-3 Cardigan over onesie with booties or socks and hat.

Hats: 1 for going home. Didn’t need in hospital. 

Mitts: 2

Burp Cloths: 2

Swaddles: 2-3, I use Aden and Anais. (I hated the hospital swaddles, too small and stiff!)

Blanket: 1, to use in hospital and to put over car seat or in pram when going home. 

Special swaddle/props/outfit: If using in-hospital Newborn Photographer. 

 

All baby clothes and new mama clothes were pre-washed in unscented, organic detergent. I packed everything in separate cleaned cotton shoe bags. 

 

Outfits for Mama-

 

Replacement Wedding Ring: If you desire. I purchased a Hematite band which is good for blood flow since it’s advised to not bring valuables to the hospital.

Nursing Nightgowns: 2, dark colors.

Going Home Outfit: Comfy Pants-make sure elastic is low and loose, Loose Top and Nursing Bra. Flip flops, Sneakers/socks, Uggs (depending on the season—roomy and easy!)Sweatsuit-make sure elastic is low and loose, 1 Loose Nursing Bra. Flip flops, Sneakers/socks, Uggs (depending on the season—roomy and easy!) Dark colors!

Nonslip socks-3, preferred my own!

Slip-on Crocs: Perfect in shower and getting around!

Sunglasses: For going home.

Robe: Black, or another dark color.

Belly Bandit: If you want to start using right away

 

Toiletries-

 

Shampoo

Conditioner 

Shower gel

Almond Oil

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Hairbrush

Hair ties/clips

Head Band: For during labor and after delivery

Makeup wipes-non-medicated, no residue1

Makeup: You will want something to feel put back together, but don’t go crazy. I used a tinted moisturizer, lip balm, and a little mascara.

Face lotion 

Calming Lavender Oil/Essential Oils for during labor

Qtips/Cotton Balls

Contacts/Solution/Glasses: If applicable.

 

Extras-

 

Identification

Credit Card

Phone 

Preregistration Documents 

Vaccination Records for Young Children That May Want to Visit

Spray drinking bottle: MY FAVORITE for during labor.

Nipple Shields: Never needed, but you never know.

Playing Cards/Couples Game: Something fun to pass the time!

iPhone Charger 

Snacks/Energy Bars: For after delivery. US does not want you to eat during.

Gum

Mints

Candies to suck on

Bottles of water

Book

Magazines

Plastic Bag for Dirty Clothing 

Diapers: I preferred my own. (Naty brand)

Wipes: Water Wipes as backup, but we use cotton balls the first month.

Cotton Balls

iPad or Computer 

Headphones

Emergency Formula: I prefer my own backup (HIPP Organic)

2 Pens

Notebook 

Car Seat or Stroller for Drive/Walk Home

Gifts for older child(ren) from new baby!

Cord Blood Collection Kit: If applicable.

 

Daddy’s Bag-

 

Jeans

2 Undies

2 Tshirts

Bathing suit: If using birth center pool.

Socks

Sneakers

Hoodie

Book 

Contacts/solution: If applicable 

Glasses: If applicable

iPhone Charger 

House Keys

Wallet

Phone

Toothbrush

 

 

Pack Snacks!

 

 

 

 

 

HOSPITAL BAG-United Kingdom

 

Baby Needs-

 

Small Booties: 2

Socks: 2 Pairs

Onesies: 4 Short-sleeve Newborn, 2 Short-Sleeve Size 0-3

Sleepsuits: 3 Newborn Size, 1 0-3 Size

Going Home Outfit: For example, 1 NB Pants + 1 0-3 Cardigan to go over onesie with booties or socks, and hat.

Hats: 3, necessary in hospital and going home. 

Mitts: 2

Burp Cloths: 2

Swaddles: 2-3

Blanket: 1, to use in hospital and to put over car seat on drive home. 

 

All baby clothes and new mama clothes were pre-washed in unscented, organic detergent. I packed everything in separate cleaned cotton shoe bags. 

 

Outfits for Mama-

 

Replacement Wedding Ring:  If you desire. I purchased a Hematite band which is good for blood flow since it’s advised to not bring valuables to the hospital.

Nursing Nightgown: 2, dark colors. 

Going Home Outfit: Comfy Pants-make sure elastic is low and loose, Loose Top and Nursing Bra. Flip flops, Sneakers/socks, Uggs (depending on the season—roomy and easy!) Dark colors!

Nonslip socks-3

Slip-on Crocs: Perfect in shower and getting around!

Sunglasses: For going home. 

Robe: Black or other dark color.

Maternity Undies-3

Disposable Undies-6

Belly Bandit: If you want to start using right away

 

Toiletries-

 

Shampoo

Conditioner 

Shower gel

Almond Oil: As moisturizer and for under Belly Bandit

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Hairbrush

Hair ties/clips

Head Band: For during labor and after delivery

Makeup wipes-non-medicated, no residue

Makeup: You will want something to feel put back together, but don’t go crazy. I used a tinted moisturizer, lip balm, and a little mascara.

Face lotion 

Calming Lavender Oil/Essential Oils for during labor

Qtips/Cotton Balls

Peri bottle: The US provides, the U.K. does not!

Contacts/Solution/Glasses: If applicable.

 

Extras-

 

Hospital Folder

Identification

Contactless Credit Card

Change for vending machines 

Spray drinking bottle: MY FAVORITE for during labor.

Heavy Flow Pads

Nipple Shields: Never needed, but you never know

Playing Cards/Couples Game: Something fun to pass the time!

iPhone Charger 

Snacks/energy bars: During or after delivery. I never had food restrictions/bans in the U.K.

Gum

Mints

Candies to suck on

Bottles of water 

Book

Magazines

Plastic Bag for Dirty Clothing 

Diapers

Wipes: Water Wipes as backup, but we use cotton balls the first month.

Bath Towel

Cotton Balls

Pillow with Black Pillowcase 

iPad: No TVs in general recovery areas, may not have WiFi, so cellular iPads preferred over computer.

Headphones

Emergency Formula: I prefer the HIPP Organic starter formula bottles (6) as backup. Could not locate these pre-made bottles in the US.

2 Pens

Notebook 

Car Seat or Stroller for Drive/Walk Home

Gifts for older child(ren) from new baby!

Cord Blood Collection Kit: If applicable.

 

Daddy’s Bag-

 

Jeans

2 Undies

2 Tshirts

Bathing suit: If using birth centre pool.

Socks

Sneakers

Hoodie

Book 

Contacts/solution: If applicable. 

Glasses: If applicable.

iPhone Charger 

House Keys

Wallet

Phone

Toothbrush

 

 

Well, there you have it! Hopefully my lists help. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to reach out. Congratulations! 

 

Diapers Ready!

 

 

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