Here’s a Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom and the Baby, According to Parents

When it comes to your hospital bag checklist, parents-to-be usually fall into two types of packers. Some are like Glamour deputy editor Anna Moeslein, who gave birth to twins last October, and claim they “definitely overpacked.” Then there are those of us like Glamour senior editor Stephanie McNeal, who packed her hospital bag while in labor with her daughter. (Or, more accurately, her husband packed it for her, with her giving semi-coherent instructions between contractions.) “In my defense, my daughter came two weeks before her due date,” she says. “But I’m living proof that you don’t need to do it way ahead of time in your third trimester; everything will be fine.”

Putting together your hospital bag checklist is one of those tasks that can be really stressful, because there are just so many ways to do it and a million conflicting recommendations online. Our number one tip? Check in with your hospital before you give birth, because they provide many items for free. “My hospital had newborn diapers and plenty of postpartum care supplies, but they didn’t have pacifiers, which my daughter loved immediately,” McNeal says. “Your doctor should be able to point you in the right direction to get a full list of what they provide.”

To help you get started on your own list, Glamour moms selected their recommended products to pack for new mamas, partners, and of course, the baby.

What to pack in your hospital bag at a glance

• What to pack for Mom
• What to bring for the baby
• What to pack to help with feeding

Once the baby is out, it’s time to change into this cute yet functional nightgown as you get to know each other. “I never was a nightgown girlie until I gave birth, but you absolutely cannot wear pants or shorts,” McNeal says. “A nice nightgown helps you feel a little more put together, while still feeling like you’re essentially naked.” This one from Petite is loose fitting for extra comfort and even has clip-off straps for easy breastfeeding access.

No matter what time of year you give birth, hospitals are usually freezing. McNeal’s close friend gifted her this Ugg cardigan as a cozy layer postpartum, and it was perfect. “I gave birth in July but needed an extra layer to combat the air conditioning,” she says. “Plus, you can drape the sides over the baby like a blanket.” The oversized fit makes it perfect for extra snuggles, and it’s extra soft for sensitive newborn skin as well.

Now that you’re (finally!) postpartum, every part of you deserves pampering, including your poor swollen feet. These comfy slides from Lululemon are extra plush and engineered specifically for athletic recovery/ (The event in question? Birth, obviously.) The wide toe box accommodates your foot no matter how much bigger it’s gotten, and these can double as shower shoes instead of using flip-flops so you don’t have to go barefoot while walking around in the bathroom.

A rude awakening postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding, is that you have to wear a bra to bed. At least, that was McNeal’s experience. “The realization that my postpartum, aching boobs couldn’t be free as normal was a horrifying one, but buying comfortable nursing bras softened the blow.” This cozy bralette from Bodily is soft enough to wear at night and has easy access for nursing with straps that can easily be unsnapped and folded down to soothe a hungry infant.

Let’s face it, clothes may not be doable post birth—or at least, they aren’t preferable. A plush robe is the answer, or at least the best alternative to just lying there naked. Kindred Bravely’s has two different belt positions so you can wear it while heavily pregnant and newly postpartum, and continue to wear it as your body adjusts. The best part? It. Has. Pockets.

Glamour’s Moeslein swears by BioOil for recovery from a C-section, and she’s not alone. Dozens of reviewers on Amazon swear that using this body oil on their C-section incision during their recovery helped with itchiness, discomfort, and eventually, lightening the scar. If you delivered vaginally, though, many also swear by it for pregnancy stretch marks.

Frida Mom and Frida Baby products are Glamour mom favorites because they simply work. And while, yes, most hospitals provide things like witch hazel and pads for postpartum recovery, the quality may be lacking. “I hemmed and hawed over buying this kit from Frida Mom but ultimately passed,” McNeal says. “Then I literally added it to my cart from my hospital bed.” Every product in this kit, from the perineal foam to the sanitary pads and the disposable underwear, is high-quality and just a notch better than most other products. If you don’t use one of the products, you can always share with a friend, neighbor, or donate to another new mom.

You may have heard of one of the most dreaded parts of the postpartum experience: that first, terrifying bathroom trip. Make it a little easier on your colon and yourself by popping a few of these fiber gummies in the hospital to ensure everything, ahem, comes out smoothly. Bonus: They taste great!

You’re probably familiar with the legends of the big, plastic water jug they give you in the delivery and recovery room in most hospitals, but can you cuddle in bed with that? No, you cannot, but you can with the Owala, which is a leak-free water bottle that’s easy to use one-handed as you consume all the water you need while going through this absolutely rigorous event. It even fits a good amount of that amazing crunchy hospital ice and keeps it cold.

If you ask most parents what you absolutely must bring to the hospital, almost everyone will say an extra-long phone charger. It’s the Wild West with outlets in a hospital room, and no one wants their scrolling restricted mid-epidural. This highly rated charging device from Amazon not only boasts 10 feet of length, it has four different types of phone charger thingamajigs attached to it, so every device can be on high alert.

Don’t forget the essentials! Plan to bring along anything you’d usually bring on vacation, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties, lotion, contact lenses, lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner (if you want to wash your hair), plus any other personal items you may need to feel like your best self. We’re a fan of this toiletries organizer from Dagne Dover because it can be easily cleaned, packs well in most bags, and offers a variety of ways to configure its inner compartments. And it comes in some seriously fun colors.

Here’s an extremely rude secret: Most hospitals will charge you if they provide your daily medication (like mental health medication or anything else you need) during your hospital stay. They even charge you for Tylenol! “It wasn’t until I looked at my hospital bill that I realized taking my anxiety medication from the nurse every day was costing me money, when I could have just brought my pills I already had from home,” says Glamour’s McNeal. Make it easy on yourself and pack them in this cute case.

Pour one out for your support person on the couch, right? In all seriousness, most hospitals only provide a very small sleeping space for the birth partner who is joining you at the hospital (McNeal’s husband fell asleep on a window ledge), and they deserve a little bit of comfort too. ChappyWrap is known for its thick, lush, and big blankets that come in a variety of sizes and differing levels of warmth depending on the season and are extra comfy. Pair it with a packable pillow from Hest, and your support person will be dozing off to dreamland in no time.

While packing a hospital bag, organization is key. There are so many random things you need to bring for yourself, your baby, and your partner; if they are all stuffed into one bag, it may be more stressful than anything (no one wants to be digging through a mound of stuff on no sleep looking for a nursing bra). Beis’s packing cubes are not only high-quality and come in a variety of sizes, but they come with labels so you can keep straight what items are for who. It’s the little things.

Before you know it, it will be time to go home from your hospital stay. And while you may not be looking or feeling your best, it’s always nice to feel semi put together, even when you may feel as if you’ve been hit by a (semi) truck. The name of the game in the postpartum wardrobe is comfortable clothes. McNeal is a huge fan of these stretchy lounge sets from Splendid, which are incredibly soft, won’t irritate your sore parts, and still look chic.

If you have a summer baby, you may not be wanting to rocking sweats for your grand entrance into the world as a new mom. The nap dress has become a postpartum staple for moms because it’s flattering on every body, no matter what stage of recovery you are in. Even if you aren’t feeling your best, you’ll be looking ridiculously put together.

Parents, we beg of you, make it easy on yourself and get a swaddle you can just Velcro. Unless you are some sort of new-baby wizard, you won’t be able to do the swaddle with the blanket the way the nurses do at the hospital do—and why should you, when you have this swaddler from Kyte Baby? It’s extra soft and plush, comes in a variety of muted yet whimsical prints, and is as easy as, well, Velcro. Baby burrito in two seconds flat.

Going-home outfit trends come and go, but you can’t beat a classic monogram. Mori’s extra-soft fabric is perfect for fragile newborn skin, and the brand’s personalized pajamas are the perfect way to introduce your new baby to the world by adding a simple initial or their name onto the breast of this adorable sleeper. These sleepers are practical, too, with fold-over mitts and a zipper for easy changes.

You may have heard a rumor that babies, especially newborns, go through a lot of clothes, and it’s true. Hey, they are learning how to eat, after all. Along with the going-home outfit, it’s a good idea to pack a few extra changes of clothes for the baby just in case they, you know, projectile vomit all over themselves. This pack from Old Navy is a steal at five sleepers for $30, and they each crucially have antiscratch mittens on the sleeves.

Copper Pearl is a Glamour-mom top pick for baby linens because their products are just so plush and soft. Seriously, nothing else compares to how cozy they are. We’re fans of the burp cloths in particular because they’re longer and wider than many other brands, and plush enough to actually absorb spit-up. Store a couple of these in your diaper bag for those first feedings, and stock up at home—you’re going to need them.

Something that a lot of parents will tell you they had no idea about until an actual baby arrived is that many of them come out with long sharp nails. Like, super-duper long. And very thing, therefore sharp. And because they have no idea what their hands are (I mean, fair), many newborns end up scratching their faces with their claws soon after birth. But newborn nails are extremely difficult to cut because they are so small and so thin, so cutting them can be a challenge. This electric nail buffer from FridaBaby, therefore, is a lifesaver: It allows you to take the edge off their nails without worrying about nicking their skin.

If you can’t get a nail clipper or buffer, though, mittens are the best bet for preventing scratches (as noted, many sleepers and long-sleeve rompers have mittens built in). For those times in the hospital where your baby may be in short sleeves, packing a few of these mittens from Monica and Andy will make sure they can’t accidentally hurt themselves. Plus, these look adorable, in the most ridiculous way.

Parents have different preferences when it comes to first baths. Some want the nursing staff to bathe their baby right away, but others prefer to wait a few days. Regardless, birthing is messy, and if your newborn does have hair, they will probably emerge with all sorts of stuff on their scalp. This squishy brush from Frida Baby softly combs through newborn hair to clean it of cradle cap or dead skin, and helps get rid of wayward skin flakes too. Your baby may not have a lot of hair, but it will be clean.

Newborns are in the world for the very first time, and so is their skin. It’s extremely common for them to start getting all sorts of bumps, splotches, and baby acne, plus the aforementioned face scratches, immediately post-birth. Glamour’s McNeal swears by Tubby Todd’s All Over Ointment for clearing baby skin from newborn to toddler. “I don’t know what it does, but it can clear up almost anything in a day,” she says.

Your hospital may provide a pacifier if you want to use one, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few on hand just in case. McNeal was a fan of Mam’s newborn pacifiers for her daughter because they were small enough that her itty-bitty baby had no problem keeping them in her mouth. Plus, they come in a variety of muted colors for whatever your baby’s vibe is.

If you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you’re going to have to supplement your baby’s diet with vitamin D drops until they start solids (here’s why, according to pediatricians). It’s good to get into the habit from day one so you can just make it a part of your little one’s eating routine. Glamour moms are fans of Zarbee’s line of supplements and medication for little ones because they are all natural, effective, and taste great.

This feeding pillow has become one of McNeal’s top recommended baby items for a variety of reasons, but the most important one? It looks like a high-end throw pillow. “We use it on our daughter’s bed, and you’d never know it was a nursing pillow,” she shares. She also loves that it provides great breastfeeding support, is super comfortable, and is totally machine washable. “We have used this every day of my daughter’s life, and I probably use it as much as she does,” she says. “It looks as nice as the day we bought it.”

You’ve probably heard parents talk about how every single baby prefers a different type of bottle, and you never know what you’re going to get. Some babies will only use one brand; others don’t care at all. That’s why Babylist’s baby bottle box is so genius: It offers a variety of types to try for a low price, and it’s easily packed in your bag. Once your connoisseur decides which fits their fancy, you can place the Amazon order for more.

Many breastfeeding moms swear by the Haakaa pump, which is maybe one of the simplest baby items ever. It attaches to your nonfeeding breast and collects a letdown of milk while you’re feeding on the other side. It’s really just a piece of silicone, and it’s affordable, but it works well and efficiently. And if you bring it to the hospital, a lactation consultant can show you how to get your best fit.

Pour one out for your boobs; they are going to be on a journey, even if you aren’t exclusively breastfeeding. Prepare for some chapping, maybe even some bleeding, and a lot of new sensations they have never felt before. It’s crucial to make sure they stay hydrated and taken care of too. This nipple butter from Earth Mama is natural and can stay on your breasts for feeding, and a little goes a long way. Bonus? It also smells great.

We’re going to give it to you straight: Your boobs are going to hurt. Actually, it may just be easier to list off what parts of your body aren’t going to hurt, but your boobs are a special case. So give them the pampering they deserve. These cooling gel pads from Willow are easy to use and, according to reviewers, effective. “These are like a cooling ChapStick on a sore nipple,” writes one, which is really all the endorsement you need.

As you and your baby start your breastfeeding journey, prepare for a lot of leaking. Like, constantly, While she was breastfeeding, McNeal became a huge fan of these reusable nursing pads from Bamboobies. “The disposable ones would get caught in my bra and twist around, and were super annoying,” she says. “These stayed put and were extra absorbent. They also are much better for the environment.