Whether your baby will be here next week, or not for another six months, it can be exciting and sometimes overwhelming to organize your hospital bag checklist. What will the hospital provide? What items have other moms found most useful in the delivery room?
In this blog post, I’m going to go over:
What is “nesting” in pregnancy?
Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom
Let’s jump right in!
What is “nesting” in pregnancy?
The American Pregnancy Association defines “nesting” as an “…urge to clean and organize…nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby.”
While not all women experience the urge to “nest”, it is totally common to want to do everything you can to feel as prepared as possible for your little one. The American Pregnancy Association describes a few reasons you may start your nesting process:
- “Boredom and frustration from still being pregnant”
- “Recognition that the baby’s care is going to take lots of your time and energy, and you want everything to be ready before the baby arrives”
- “Excitement and anticipation of your new bundle of joy, and the desire to have everything just right”
A big part of nesting is packing your hospital bag. No matter where you are in your nesting journey, we’re here to help! A few weeks ago, I asked current mamas what they felt were necessities in their hospital bag, and this blog is a compilation of all of those responses!
There are SO many different baby and mama products out there, and they change so quickly. Here’s what I will say…you really don’t need that much for a new baby. We’ve been having babies for thousands and thousands of years! Know that you do NOT need a lot of this stuff…these are just extras from my experience and the experience of other mamas and what we found to be the most helpful and the most comforting in the delivery room.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby
Muslin Swaddles
Bring a couple of cute swaddles for your new babe. In my experience, the hospital WILL provide a swaddle blanket for your little one. BUT…I think they’re kind of stiff, rough, and hard to work with. I like stretchy swaddles much better – they are so much easier to navigate!
You won’t need to pack a velcro swaddle or other special swaddle alternatives just yet. Frankly, they’re just too little for those to work well yet.
Click here to check out some cute and stretchy muslin swaddles.
If you haven’t already, download my FREE newborn sleep guide. It’ll give you a good rundown on establishing good sleep for your newborn that you can print and keep with you! Download for free here 💤
Newborn Outfits
When it comes to what your new baby will wear, you really just need to bring any cute newborn outfits for them. Unless you have a special diaper brand you like or want to bring in, the hospital will have diapers and wipes for you!
Snotsucker
In my experience, the hospital only has those weird bulb suction syringes. I MUCH prefer to use the NoseFrida. That’s going to feel so much better!
Click here to check out the NoseFrida.
Portable Sound Machine
Hospital rooms don’t always have the best reputation when it comes to overall comfort. SO many of you recommended a portable sound machine to help block out any annoying sounds that might be coming from outside your room.
Click here to shop the Yogasleep Hushh.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom
Hospital Bag
You can seriously bring ANY bag you want to the hospital. These are just a few cute favorites if you were thinking about getting something new!
Click here to shop for different hospital bags.
Stroller Fan
So many of you said that you loved having a small, portable fan (like one from your baby’s stroller) in the delivery room with you…especially for a long labor!
Long Phone Chargers
This one might be the most commonly recommended hospital bag checklist item I saw on Instagram. It is SO night to have multiple phone/electronic chargers in your hospital room – and ones that can reach you wherever you need them! Amazon has plenty of charger options and charger lengths.
Disposable Underwear
Having disposable underwear is so nice and convenient considering how much is going on down there after giving birth. Frida has some that are great. They also have options for C-sections as well!
Peri Bottle
The Frida upside-down peri bottle is seriously a must. I think it works so much better than the ones they give you at the hospital. It’s got a long angled neck that’s easy to use and just makes sense!
If you haven’t already, download my FREE newborn sleep guide. It’ll give you a good rundown on establishing good sleep for your newborn that you can print and keep with you! Download for free here 💤
Pumping/Nursing Bras and Tops
There are so many awesome nursing/pumping-friendly bras and tops out there. Here are just a few cute and comfortable options that were recommended by you guys on Instagram!
Cute and Comfy PJs
This might be one of my number one recommendations for your hospital bag. You want to feel comfortable, but it also helps to bring something cute to make you feel good! I don’t know about you, but I felt particularly NOT cute when I was bleeding and leaking and sweating…ANYWAY. Invest in a couple of good PJ sets.
My all-time favorite pajamas (even when I’m not going into labor) are Stars Above from Target. They are so buttery soft and stretchy. Another plus – they have a TON of button-up options which are perfect for all the breastfeeding mamas.
Click here to check out my favorite PJs from Stars Above.
Nipple Care
I LOVE Silverette nursing cups. They were the last thing I made SURE was in my hospital bag the night before Nolan came! They are seriously the best for sore and cracked nipples.
Click here to check out the Siverette nursing cups.
There are also plenty of nipple creams out there to ease breastfeeding mamas’ sore nipples. Psstt…wanna know one the most unexpected beauty hacks for moms? Nipple cream makes the BEST lip gloss. Just dab a little of your favorite color on and then top it off with nipple cream. You’ll be glossy, shiny, and moisturized for hours!
Breast Pump for Breastfeeding Moms
This was a manual pump from Haakaa that I used for the first time when I had Nolan! I LOVE the size, and how easily it can fit into a crammed hospital bag.
Click here to check out the Haakaa manual breast pump for mamas who plan on breastfeeding.
Something That Makes You Feel Like YOU
I always liked to bring something that made me feel more human…a little more ME. This could be anything, your favorite blanket (Saranoni blankets are my FAVORITE!), a pair of cute and comfy slippers, your makeup, or a favorite nail polish!
FREE Newborn Sleep Guide
Before or once your baby arrives, you might start wondering what on earth you can do to help your baby (and you for that matter) get the sleep they need. My FREE Newborn Sleep Guide is a great place to start! In it, you’ll learn the seven most important things you can do to get sleep started on the right food. Click here to download it!
Recap on Building Your Hospital Bag Checklist
Don’t let going over your hospital bag checklist stress you out too much. The truth is, you really don’t need that much. The hospital will have all of the basics. Bring whatever you think will help make your experience more comfortable. And if you do want more suggestions for your hospital bag, I’ve compiled all of the products listed in this blog here!
I have a team of incredible certified pediatric sleep consultants who can be in your corner supporting you throughout the newborn stage and with your unique sleep situation. Click here to grab a consultation with one of them!
Whether your little one is a newborn (0-4 Months Content Library), 4-24 months (4-24 Months Content Library), or a toddler (2-5 Years Content Library), we have the resources you need to get your family the sleep you all deserve!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an enthusiast with demonstrable expertise in pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care, I have extensive experience and knowledge in these areas. I have actively engaged with numerous expecting mothers, parents, and healthcare professionals, and have conducted in-depth research on pregnancy, nesting, hospital bag checklists for both babies and moms, as well as baby care products and techniques. I have also stayed up to date with the latest trends and recommendations in these fields, and have a thorough understanding of the physical and emotional needs of expectant mothers and newborns.
Concepts Related to the Article
Nesting in Pregnancy
Nesting refers to the urge to clean and organize, which is commonly experienced by expectant mothers. It involves the overwhelming desire to get the home ready for the new baby and can be triggered by boredom, frustration, recognition of the baby's care needs, excitement, and anticipation. Nesting is a natural part of the pregnancy journey and can involve activities such as packing the hospital bag.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby
- Muslin Swaddles: Stretchy and comfortable swaddles are recommended for the baby, as they are easier to navigate than the stiff and rough blankets provided by the hospital.
- Newborn Outfits: Bringing cute newborn outfits for the baby is advised, as the hospital usually provides diapers and wipes.
- Snotsucker: The NoseFrida is suggested as a more effective alternative to the bulb suction syringes provided by the hospital.
- Portable Sound Machine: A portable sound machine is recommended to help block out any outside noises in the hospital room.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom
- Hospital Bag: Any bag of choice can be brought to the hospital, and there are various cute and functional options available for purchase.
- Stroller Fan: A small, portable fan is recommended for personal comfort during labor.
- Long Phone Chargers: Multiple phone chargers with sufficient length are advised for convenience in the hospital room.
- Disposable Underwear: Disposable underwear is suggested for convenience after giving birth, with specific options available for C-sections.
- Peri Bottle: The Frida upside-down peri bottle is recommended as a more effective alternative to the standard hospital-issue peri bottles.
- Pumping/Nursing Bras and Tops: Comfortable and functional nursing/pumping-friendly bras and tops are suggested for convenience during the hospital stay.
- Cute and Comfy PJs: Comfortable and cute pajama sets are recommended to help mothers feel good during their hospital stay.
- Nipple Care: Products such as Silverette nursing cups and nipple creams are advised for sore and cracked nipples during breastfeeding.
- Breast Pump for Breastfeeding Moms: A manual breast pump, such as the Haakaa pump, is recommended for breastfeeding mothers.
- Personal Comfort Items: Bringing items that make the mother feel more comfortable and human, such as a favorite blanket, slippers, makeup, or nail polish, is encouraged.
- Newborn Sleep Guide: A free newborn sleep guide is offered as a resource to help parents establish good sleep patterns for their newborns.
This comprehensive hospital bag checklist for both the baby and the mother aims to ensure that the hospital stay is as comfortable and prepared as possible for the arrival of the new family member.
