I remember packing my hospital bag for DJ two months in advance. My doctor and everyone around me kept telling me that since he was my first he would most likely be late. Everything I was told made me assume he’d be born closer to the end of September. I suppose my brain was thinking it would be closer to New York fall weather. Even if DJ would have been two weeks late like I was preparing for it still would have been in 90’s here in Vegas. It was only my second year going through a Vegas summer experience though. My bag was packed with yoga pants, a sweatshirt, and luckily some tank tops. I had also over-packed like crazy. DJ was actually born at 38 weeks at the end of August, so everything I packed was the worst when we were leaving the hospital. Luckily I had packed a short sleeve onesie for DJ. When I packed for Brooklyn I packed about half of the stuff I had packed the first time around. She was born in the middle of January only 6 days before her due date, it wouldn’t have matter if she was born a few weeks early or two weeks late when it came to the clothes I packed for myself. Even thought I packed half as much, I still over-packed. The hospital gives you most of what you will need for your baby, and definitely remember you can take everything that is in your room when you’re leaving. They’ll give you diapers, wipes, a swaddle blanket, a hat, formula if you’re bottle feeding, and nipple balm if you’re breast-feeding. I came up with my hospital bag essentials list for any of my friends who were going to have babies, and for if I ever end up having another little one.

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Hospital Bag Essentials for Mom

Clothes

Check the weather up to 3 weeks before AND 2 weeks after. Unless you are having a planned C-Section you don’t know when baby will arrive. If baby is due at a weird transitional time I would pack things to be layered.

Flip Flops / Slippers

When I was in the hospital I had to get up and down a lot to use the bathroom, and to just get up and move. Having flip-flops to easily take on and off definitely helped. If you shower at the hospital the wearing flip-flops in the shower might give you a peace of mind.

Phone & Charger

This one is pretty obvious. I was in the hospital for about 13 hours before I finally gave birth to DJ, and I was definitely using my phone to text my mom and friends who live across the country. You’re going to be in the hospital for about 2-3 days. You definitely should remember to bring your charger.

Tablet or Laptop

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This isn’t definitely an essential, but for me it is. As I said earlier I was in the hospital for 13 hours before I gave birth to DJ, and I definitely used my i-Pad. When I wasn’t using it, David was.

Chapstick

My lips got extremely dry in the hospital, so chapstick is a must.

Hair Ties

I don’t know about you, but I definitely did not want my hair in my face during labor.

Deodorant

This is another one that is self-explanatory. You don’t want to smell. Childbirth is definitely not easy on your body, and you will be in the hospital overnight.

Nursing Bra

If you plan on breastfeeding, I would definitely recommend a nursing bra. I loved mine. It made it much easier when guests came to visit me and the baby in the hospital.

Hospital Bag Essentials for Baby

Going home outfit

This is pretty much self-explanatory. Some people want a cute outfit to go home in, and some people don’t really mind either way,

Extra Onesies

Depending on how many days you’re in the hospital you might want extra onesies.

Socks

Baby feet get cold, especially in a cold hospital room.

Mittens

Newborn finger nails are long, and babies have a habit of scratching up their faces. Mittens will definitely help with this.

Diaper Bag

I would pack your stuff for baby in your diaper bag, and leave room for the stuff that you’re going to be able take from the hospital. I have my diaper bag essentials if you need help with packing a diaper bag once you bring baby home.

What did you pack in your hospital bag?