Packing your hospital bag is simultaneously exciting and daunting. For one, things definitely start to feel real as you begin packing a bag to actually meet your little one!
Here are some of my top tips for making this stressful task more manageable.
Hi Mama- I am here to give you the best information and want to share a sweet deal. Get $30 when you join and shop with Rakuten—they give you Cash Back at your favorite stores! You can even stack Cash Back on top of sales for more savings. Get a $30 bonus when you join with my invite link.
Start Early!
If you still have several weeks (or even months!) to go, there is no need to wait to get started! The earlier you start, the more time you will have to make adjustments to what you decide to bring; adding new items as you think of them or removing ones you find unnecessary.
If you’re already getting close to your due date, don’t stress too much. Just do something today to start heading in the right direction. Taking one step forward will feel infinitely better than staying at zero.
Make a List And Check It More Than Twice
Using your phone notes to make a packing list can be helpful. I like using the feature where you can physically check things off your list as you go. I chose to make a “shared” note with my partner so that we could both see anything that needed to be packed last minute (such as my eyeglasses!).
You can read my list of recommendations here!
Do Some Research
If you are a first time Mama, it is a great idea to do some research into what others recommend. From there, you can decide what you think would be personally helpful to you. Then add that to your ongoing list.
There are so many lists out there that it can become overwhelming. Consider reading over a few and looking for common themes or items you hadn’t considered.
Don’t Worry About Making a Perfect List (or Packing the Perfect Bag)
You can always update your list, and your bag simply cannot contain EVERYTHING. Worst case scenario, you can likely ask your partner or any local support family/friends to drop anything you’ve forgotten off for you. People love to help a Mama in need!
Set Aside a Piece of Luggage
I think it is less overwhelming if you tackle the packing a little at a time. For me, the best way to pack for trips in general is to find a place in your home to set your luggage. As you are moving about day to day and you think of something you plan to pack, just toss it in the bag.
I personally tend to prefer a rolling suitcase and would recommend using one. It will be easier than lugging a duffle bag into the hospital, with or without a partner. (It will also make it easier to leave when you have even more to carry–such as your newest family member!)
Once you’ve collected most of what you plan to take, then you can do some organizing. It will be much easier to organize with everything you need all in one place.
Invest in This Cute Toiletry Bag
I saw this toiletry bag recommended all over, so I took the plunge and ordered it on Amazon. Since receiving it, I use it on every trip I take!
This bag is spacious and will fit everything you need in one place. It has several compartments, so you can keep things organized. I enjoy the clear panels, so it is easy to see exactly what I’m looking for when I need it. The zippers work smoothly and the hook has held up well–even with the weight of all my toiletries!
As someone who works in healthcare, I can tell you that you want to keep your things off the hospital floor as much as possible.
This bag is great for travel, but an absolute necessity for your hospital bag. The counter space is quite limited in most hospital rooms, and you may even be sharing that slice of counter with your partner. Having a toiletry bag that can hang on the door or towel hook is a simple and effective solution.
Buy (Or Repackage!) Some Mini Toiletries
For me, the biggest task in packing is tackling my toiletries, so that is always my main focus. Once your toiletries are set, it seems like you toss in a couple of clothing items and you are good to go!
With this bag, I’ve honestly found that you can pack many of your full-sized products. If you have some full-sized skincare items that you cannot live without, bring them along! After delivery a baby, you deserve to have anything with you that brings you joy and comfort. For me, that includes having my favorite moisturizer.
While I understand there are sometimes things that you have to wait to pack, try to keep the last-minute list to under 5 items. I recommend packing as many things as possible beforehand. That means having a new antiperspirant, shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.
If you are going to be purchasing doubles of these items anyways, it is reasonable to get some mini versions to keep your toiletry bag a little less full.
Optional: Consider Adding Some Items for Your Partner
Like I said, this toiletry bag is spacious! If you share items with your partner (such as lotions or toothpaste), you may already have quite a few of the things that you both will need.
Talk to your partner about adding an extra toothbrush to your bag and s/he can be responsible for any other personal items.
Set Out Your Heading-to-the-Hospital Outfit
Despite what you see in the movies, for many women labor will have a somewhat gradual beginning. Even with contractions starting, I found I had ample time to shower, do my nighttime skincare, change into my selected hospital outfit, and toss a few last-minute items into my hospital bag.
That said, I was thankful to have already have everything prepared, so I could easily go through the motions while experiencing early labor.
I also recommend trying the items on altogether beforehand to make sure the outfit is as comfortable as possible.
I hope these tips help you as much as they helped me!
This truly is an exciting time, and by being prepared you will be just that much more confident when it is time to head to the hospital.
Do you have any other tips for packing a hospital bag? Comment down below!
READ MORE: The Ultimate Hospital Bag Packing List
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. While there is no change in price for you, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.