Hospital Packing List My Second Time Around

I’ve been down this road before. I’m no longer a first-time mama. So I figure I have a much better idea of what I should and shouldn’t take to the hospital on delivery day. I still read lots of lists online to be sure I wasn’t forgetting something. But I think I had a pretty good hospital packing list this time around.

First of all, let’s talk about the bag. I didn’t want something too big like an actual suitcase. But I also didn’t want the bag to be so small that I would need five different bags! I decided it was time I bought me a new duffle bag. All of the ones we own are just worn and out-dated. I wanted something more adult and classy.

I ended up getting the BAOSHA Canvas Travel Tote. It’s made of canvas and faux leather and comes in a variety of patterns. I went with the navy blue stripe, which if you know me doesn’t surprise you! I think it is the perfect size, and we will use it all the time. I tried to pack minimally this time around compared to my first time when I packed all.the.things. This bag fit all of my stuff, my husband’s, and baby’s. It has two small pockets inside, one bigger zipper pocket inside, and a zipper pocket on the outside. It also comes with a shoulder strap you can attach if you want. I’m super happy with it, and was even tempted to buy the coordinating bags in other sizes.

Then I decided I also needed a new toiletry bag. The one we use I got as a high school graduation gift, so to say we could really use a new one would be an understatement. I wanted something on the smaller side so it wouldn’t take up much room in the duffle bag, but I really wanted it to have a zipper pocket where I could store items that may leak such as shampoo. This one that I got from Target includes two zipper pockets and two slip pockets, it can hang up, and it folds closed. Online, I could only find it in this grey color. But in the store, I found it in a rich teal color. It’s beautiful!

OK, let’s get on to the hospital packing list so you know what I brought and therefore what you might want to bring!

Hospital Packing List for Delivery Day

For Mama

• ID and insurance card
• Phone (and if you aren’t using your phone, a camera for photos)
• Phone charger
• Flip flops — I didn’t actually pack these, I wore them to the hospital
• Robe — I bought a new maternity robe to take with me. I had a pretty one my first time, and I wanted that again but something different so all the photos wouldn’t look the same. I got mine from Posh Peanut.
• Maxi dress to wear home
• Underwear
• Socks
• Nursing bra
• Leggings/tank top — I wasn’t sure if I would need these or not, but I decided to throw in an extra outfit in case I didn’t end up staying in my hospital gown the whole time. It just made me feel more comfortable knowing I had options. And in the end, I ended up wearing this outfit home rather than the dress.

Let’s talk toiletries. I bought several travel size options or put my own stuff into travel containers. Again, I was trying to keep things minimal this time around. Here’s what I brought:

• Hair brush
• Hair gel
• Makeup — I grabbed my whole makeup bag, but all I really wanted was concealer and mascara.
• Deodorant
• Makeup remover/face wash
• Toothpaste/toothbrush
• Chapstick
• Ponytail holder
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash

For Daddy

• Shorts
• Two t-shirts
• Sweatshirt — I remember he was cold last time.
• Socks
• Underwear
• Phone charger
• Baseball cap
• Toiletries — toothbrush and deodorant, plus some floss just in case

For Baby

• Swaddle with matching bow — I really wanted this for photos because I hadn’t thought to do this last time. I got this set from Amazon, and I love how pretty and soft it is. All the nurses were saying how much they loved this set, especially how soft it is!

• Newborn outfit for coming home
• A zipper sleeper — We didn’t end up using this at all.
• One extra onesie for photos — again, wanted options!
• Pacifier — I remember on Raylee’s second night in the hospital, she would not stop crying. I had already decided while pregnant we wouldn’t do pacifiers and that night we called the nurse and asked for one. Anything to calm her down so we could get some rest! We ended up only using the pacifier this time around for a couple hours in the middle of the night.

Things That Didn’t Fit in the Duffle Bag

• Pillow — I wanted my own pillow from home, and I’m really glad I took it. I used it the whole time.
• Nursing pillow
• An extra bag to keep in the car for bringing things home in. We carried SO MUCH stuff home with us last time, so having an extra bag to put it all in is a great idea. Because you definitely want all the things they give you.

Was there anything on this hospital packing list you feel is not needed? What about something I’m forgetting? How about you — did you take a blow dryer or not?

Check out what I took my first time around in my post What I Didn’t Use from my Hospital Bag. You might also want to read about my Calming Birth Playlist.