As a second-time mom with previous c-section experience, I am feeling confident that I’ve nailed the hospital bag this time around. I started packing it early at just 27 weeks pregnant as I am expecting twins and there’s a higher chance that they will arrive early and have then made a few tweaks as we get closer to their arrival. Because I have a planned c-section, this hospital bag focuses mainly on comfort & recovery as opposed to items that may be useful during labor. However, a good chunk of this list can apply no matter what type of experience you are anticipating!
My C-Section Hospital Bag Packing List
I packed most of my things in my Beis Weekender and everything for the babies in the Beis Mini Weekender. I then have one extra bag with pillow, blanket, towel, and nursing pillow thrown in and my husband will bring a backpack with his change of clothes, toiletries, and any electronics he needs. During my first pregnancy, I purchased a new set of toiletry bags and some reusable zip pouches and I’m packing in the same bags / a mix of random bags I’ve found around the house. You can honestly use whatever you’d like to organize your items, but I do recommend buying a set if you don’t already have them as we have continued to use both for baby items since!
When packing your hospital bag, especially for a planned c-section, it’s important to focus on what you need to make your hospital experience the best it can be and what you’ll need to kickstart your recovery. Many items will not be needed until you actually return home, so it is worth having those on hand but you do not need to take them with you.
You can find many of the mentioned items on my Amazon Storefront, but keep reading for more details and direct links!
Hospital Bag Essentials for a Restful Sleep
Getting as much sleep as possible in the hospital is essential – especially if you’re in for any period of time before your baby is born. However, hospitals are not the most comfortable sleep environments, so pack what you think will help you feel as if you’re in your bed at home.
- Sleep Mask – for filtering out light. I don’t normally sleep with one, but am planning to bring one to the hospital. I purchased the DROWSY silk sleep mask on recommendation from a friend, but have also heard great things about blackout masks like this one.
- Pillow – if your hospital is anything like mine, the pillows are…lacking. Even just one pillow from home (with your favorite pillowcase!) is sure to give you a better sleep experience. You may also wish to bring a pregnancy pillow or use your nursing pillow (mentioned below) for extra support.
- Blanket – I have found that hospitals fall on the extreme ends when it comes to temperatures – either way too hot or way too cold. It doesn’t hurt to have an extra blanket on hand in case yours is on the colder side.
- Comfortable Pajamas – In addition to sleeping, you’ll be doing a lot of lounging/waiting around, so comfortable pajamas or lounge sets are a must. I recommend a pair with buttons if you’re planning to breastfeed (check out my Maternity & Postpartum Pajamas post for some of my faves).
- Sound Machine/Ear Plugs – A portable sound machine is great for covering up general hospital noises, but may not be a good option if you are in a shared room. Alternatively, the Quiet Loop Earplugs can save your sleep without disrupting others. For my first birth, I even just put my AirPods in and played my ‘sleep’ playlist!
Hospital Bag Sleep Essentials
Labor & Recovery Hospital Bag Essentials
Depending on the type of labor you have, your labor & recovery essentials list will look different. My list is specifically for planned c-sections.
- Neck Fan – once again, hospitals are either too hot or too cold. A neck fan is a great option for cooling yourself directly if you’re feeling too hot.
- C-Section Recovery Band – I don’t think this existed my first time around, but I am looking forward to trying it this time. This c-section recovery band is meant to provide extra support post-surgery (e.g., if you cough or sneeze) and also allows you to insert hot or cold packs as needed.
- Compression Socks – the hospital will almost definitely provide these but, if you want to bring your own, I purchased the BABYGO compression socks – and they have a grippy bottom, which is perfect for moving around the hospital.
- Maternity Pads & Disposable Underwear – this all comes down to personal preference (some people prefer adult diapers), but I loved the combination of Frida Mom Disposable Underwear & Maternity Pads for managing post-delivery bleeding. I wore the disposable underwear in the hospital and for the first couple of days at home before switching to full coverage high-waisted underwear and reducing the pad thickness as appropriate.
- Peri Bottle – this is another item that I didn’t use the first time around, but am packing this time. Though these are mainly great post-vaginal birth, I think a peri bottle will come in handy post-surgery when it is difficult to bend and wipe.
Breastfeeding Basics to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Your milk probably won’t fully come in before you leave the hospital, so a good chunk of breastfeeding-related items can be left at home. However, it’s nice to have a few key items to help you get started on your feeding journey and be as comfortable as possible.
- Nursing Bras, Breast Pads, and Nipple Cream – A wrap-front nursing bra is perfect for the hospital as they are so comfortable and you don’t need to bother with clipping and unclipping. You may not need breast pads, but it’s worth throwing a few in your bag just in case. Lansinoh is my favorite for both disposable and reusable (though I recommend disposable for the hospital – one less thing to worry about).
- Button-Down Pajamas/Outfits – Elastic waists and button-down tops are the things to have when it comes to c-section recovery. Most importantly, pack something that you know you’ll be comfortable in!
- Nursing Pillow – Pillows like the bbhugme breastfeeding & pregnancy pillows are great because they can serve both purposes. I’ll be packing mine for extra support in the hospital bed & to use for feeding.
- Ready to Drink Formula/Colostrum – It’s worth having a bottle or two of ready-to-drink formula just in case, but the hospital should also have some if needed. We were big fans of Kendamil with our son and plan to use it for the twins as well, so have thrown some into the hospital bag. Also, if you’ve been harvesting Colostrum, it’s worth bringing some syringes to the hospital, as well. You can give baby some after each feed to ensure they’re getting all that golden goodness you worked so hard to produce!
A note on colostrum and breastfeeding:
On the topic of colostrum, there are loads of resources online that will explain to you how to harvest & when to start. However, my biggest piece of advice is that you don’t need a fancy kit – just buy a set of sterile syringes! When you’re just getting started, I found it was easiest to squeeze colostrum into a teaspoon (which then became a tablespoon and then an egg cup!) and then fill the syringe from there. Much easier than trying to catch droplets with a syringe.
I’ve heard mixed stories with regards to breastfeeding support in hospital, so my number one recommendation is just to advocate for yourself. Do some research on signs of tongue/lip ties and create a list of general questions you want to ask and then use the resources while you have them. Not all midwives will be breastfeeding specialists, so ask if there is a lactation consultant on hand or someone more senior that you can speak to if you don’t feel like you are getting the answers you need.
Entertainment for Your Labor & Delivery Experience
This is all down to personal preference, but you’ll have a lot of downtime in the hospital. Before the baby is born, especially. But, also – newborns sleep a lot and although you’ll spend most of your time just staring at them, you’ll probably have some time for other things as well. Here’s what I’m packing in my hospital bag:
- Book/Kindle
- Headphones
- Charging Cables
- Polaroid Camera & Film
- Snacks
Toiletries & Beauty
My motto for hospital bag toiletries is: keep it simple! You really don’t need to do a 10 step skincare routine at the hospital, so try not to go overboard. I do recommend the Spacemasks self-heating eye masks for a bit of mess-free pampering, though!
- Toiletry Bag
- Makeup Bag
- Headbands/Scrunchies/Claw Clips
- Shower Flip Flops
- Towel/Hair Towel
Hospital Bag Toiletries
Home Comforts & Extras for Your Postpartum Hospital Stay
These are some bonus items you can throw in if you think about it, but they’re not essential by any means.
- Toilet Paper
- Pillow Spray
- Herbal Tea Bags (Chamomile/Peppermint)
- Supplements
- Water Bottle/Stanley Cup
- Slippers/Fuzzy Socks
Postpartum Essentials to Have Ready at Home
We live very close to the hospital, so I keep extra clothes & postpartum items by the door in case my husband needs to run home and grab them. You may wish to keep some in the car if you’re a bit farther away. However, items like pain medication and scar ointments won’t be needed until you return home, so get those ready but leave them behind! Here are some of the items I’ll be prepping:
- Spare Clothes including extra sets of pajamas/clothes and extra layers
- Extra Pads, Disposable Underwear, etc.
- Pain Medication (Ibuprofen/Paracetamol)
- Silverettes: A breastfeeding essential! You can also bring these to the hospital, but my preference is to use nipple balm for the first few days and then switch to silverettes when I get home and can more easily keep them clean.
- Silicone Scar Patches (not until ~8 weeks)
- Changing Cart/Caddy: No need to go overboard here as you’ll adjust as you fall into a routine; however, its a good idea to have a cart or caddy ready with a few baby change essentials so you’re not scrambling to find everything when you get home.
Did I miss anything that you couldn’t live without at the hospital?
x Kelly
