Having a Baby? Here are the Hospital Bag Essentials You Might Be Forgetting

1. An Extra Pair of Slippers + Lots of Socks

You probably already have slippers on your hospital bag checklist, but I recommend bringing an extra pair.

I only brought one pair of slippers with me, and by the end of my hospital stay, I really wished I had packed a second pair. Between walking around the hospital room, going back and forth to the bathroom, and walking the halls, they definitely didn’t feel as fresh by the time we were ready to go home.

I also recommend packing lots of socks, including a few pairs with grips on the bottom. If you have to get up and your slippers aren’t in sight, you’ll be glad you have grip socks on so you can safely walk around without having to search for your slippers.

2. Waterproof Shower Shoes

It’s like we’re back in college again! 😂 Pack a pair of waterproof flip-flops or shower shoes for the hospital shower.

No matter how clean everything looks, I personally did not want to be barefoot in a hospital shower. I brought an inexpensive pair that I could easily slip on and off, and when it was time to go home, I just threw them out.

Definitely not the most glamorous thing in your hospital bag, but one I was very glad I packed!

3. Your Own Hand Soap

This might sound like a random thing to pack, but I definitely recommend bringing your own hand soap.

I was such a paranoid new mom, and honestly, the hospital environment grossed me out a little, so I was constantly washing my hands. By the end of my stay, my hands were extremely dry and had developed a rash. I was told it could have been from washing so frequently with the harsh hospital soap.

If I could do it again, I’d pack a gentle, moisturizing hand soap from home. You’ll likely be washing your hands a lot with a brand-new baby, so having something gentler on your skin is one small thing that can make a big difference.

4. An Extra-Long Phone Charger

Don’t just pack your regular charger. Bring an extra-long one.

I’m so glad I did because at the hospital where I delivered, the outlet was actually behind the bed. A regular charging cord wouldn’t have been nearly long enough to comfortably reach me.

You never know where the outlets will be in your hospital room, and the last thing you want after having a baby is to be constantly reaching behind the bed or getting up just to grab your phone. An extra-long charger lets you keep it right beside you while you’re resting or holding your baby.

5. A Large Water Bottle or Thermos

Bring the biggest water bottle or thermos you have! Having plenty of water within reach was so important, especially when I was spending so much time in bed holding and feeding my baby.

The hospital will give you water, but I liked having my own large bottle that I could keep right next to me and refill when needed. The last thing you want is to realize you’re thirsty when you’re finally comfortable, your baby is settled in your arms, and your water is across the room.

I recommend one with a straw or an easy-to-open lid so you can drink from it one-handed. It seems like such a basic thing, but when you’re recovering and caring for a newborn, convenience matters!

6. Extra Outfits for Dad

This is one we definitely underpacked for when I had my daughter. We were so focused on making sure I had everything I needed and that the baby was covered that we didn’t pack enough clothes for Dad.

Our hospital stay ended up being longer than we anticipated, and he ran out of clean clothes. So this time around, I would absolutely recommend packing Dad a few extra outfits beyond what you think he’ll need.

Even if you don’t end up using them, you’ll be glad they’re there if your stay is longer than expected. This is definitely one area where I’d rather overpack than underpack!

7. Different Sizes of Clothes for Baby

You really don’t know exactly how big your baby will be until they arrive, so I recommend packing a few different sizes of baby clothes.

When I had my daughter, we brought newborn-size clothes with us to the hospital. She ended up being so small that preemie-size clothes fit her better, even though she wasn’t actually considered a preemie baby. We definitely weren’t expecting that!

I recommend bringing a couple of options in preemie, newborn, and even 0–3 months, just in case your baby is smaller or bigger than expected. You don’t need to pack a whole wardrobe in every size—just an outfit or two so you have something that fits comfortably when it’s time to bring your baby home.

8. A Small Portable Fan

This is actually a piece of advice someone gave me before I had my daughter, and I’m so glad I listened!

A small portable fan might not be the first thing you think to put in your hospital bag, but it was so nice to have. Hospital rooms can get warm and stuffy, and after having a baby, your body is already going through so much. Having a little airflow right next to the bed made me much more comfortable.

I recommend bringing a small rechargeable or battery-operated fan that you can keep next to your bed or attach nearby. It doesn’t take up much room, and this is one piece of advice I’ll definitely be passing along to other moms!

9. Your Breast Pump

Do not forget your breast pump! I made this mistake when I had my daughter, and honestly, I really regretted it.

Once my milk started coming in, I became very uncomfortable, and not having my own pump with me made the situation much harder than it needed to be. If you’re planning to breastfeed or pump, I definitely recommend packing the pump you’ll actually be using at home.

My hospital had lactation consultants who were there to help, which was such a great resource. If I had brought my pump with me, they could have helped me learn how to use my specific pump before I went home.

I recommend taking advantage of the lactation consultants if your hospital offers them. Ask them for advice on how to use your pump, making sure everything is set up correctly, and when the right time is for you to start pumping, especially if you’re also planning to breastfeed. Every mom and baby can have different needs, so having someone there to answer your questions and guide you can be incredibly helpful.

There is already so much to figure out once you bring your baby home, so getting comfortable with your pump and having some guidance before you leave the hospital is one less thing to worry about.

This is one item I definitely won’t be forgetting next time!

10. An Empty Tote Bag

This is such a simple one, but so easy to forget—pack an empty tote bag!

We ended up leaving the hospital with so much more stuff than we came with. Between paperwork, gifts, baby items, and the extra diapers and supplies we were able to take home from the hospital, suddenly we had all these little things that needed to make it out to the car with us.

I recommend folding up a large, lightweight tote bag and sticking it inside your hospital bag. It takes up almost no space on the way in, but gives you an easy place to throw all those extras when you’re packing up to leave.

The last thing you want when you’re finally ready to bring your baby home is to be juggling a bunch of loose items on the way out. Such a simple thing to pack, but one you’ll be glad you remembered!

One Last Tip Before You Pack

You don’t need to bring your entire house with you to the hospital. But after having my daughter, I realized that some of the smallest and least-obvious things ended up making a big difference—or were the things I really wished I had brought.

Every hospital and every birth experience is different, so it’s always a good idea to check with your hospital ahead of time to see what they provide and what they recommend bringing.

Hopefully, my experience helps you add a few things to your own list that you might not have thought about otherwise. And if there’s one thing I learned: it’s okay to overpack a little. I’d much rather have something sitting unused in my bag than be wishing I had it when I’m already at the hospital. 🤍