The minimalist hospital bag is the perfect bag when trying to eliminate all the unnecessary items that everyone else says you need. The reality is, the list of essentials is extremely small! Let’s break it down.
Putting together a minimalist hospital bag might feel complicated, especially as a first-time mom. When researching hospital bag checklists, you see all these articles with headings that say something along the lines of “The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist!”
In these articles, they basically name every. single. item that you own (and every item that you don’t) and it feels like you should be going on a vacation for the whole summer based on your three heavily packed travel bags.
I don’t know about you, but these lists left my brain feeling cluttered, leaving me to wonder what was actually needed in a hospital bag.
This may blow your mind, but you really don’t need any of it.
(If you’re the type of person who likes all the things, this list is not for you. Check out this ultimate list instead.)
The truth is, the hospital will have everything you NEED in order for you to have your baby. The rest is fluff, luxury, comfort, personal preference, WANTS. Want is different than need.
Even the items I list below would mostly fall under the category of wants. But minimal wants.
Let me be real…
I did not go to the hospital. I had a natural at-home birth. Now, you may be thinking, “Why would you write about a hospital bag checklist if you didn’t even go to the hospital?”
Valid question.
And the answer is this.
It doesn’t matter where you have your baby, be it at home, in a birth center, or the hospital, packing a small hospital bag is a smart idea.
You could plan to have an at home birth, but during labor, your body may say, “Actually, being in the hospital is where I need to be right now.” Or maybe something happens that your midwife is not comfortable doing on her own.
If going to the hospital becomes the new plan, you need to be prepared to adapt to the unexpected situation. A pre-packed hospital bag will save you time and hassle if other conditions arise.
I talked to basically every mother that I came across while pregnant and asked them what they put in their hospital bags while also doing a lot of my own research.
And although I did end up having a successful at-home birth, I ALSO had a hospital bag packed and ready to go, just in case 🙂
Whether you are having a home birth, a hospital birth, or going to a birth center, I suggest you pack a bag, and a minimalist hospital bag is the way to go.
Enough chit-chat. Let’s get into it.
This post is all about a minimalist hospital bag, even for a home birth.
MINIMALIST HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST
CAR SEAT
If you were to remember to bring only ONE thing to the hospital, this is it! Obviously it is waaaay too big for your bag, but it is absolutely necessary! The hospital WILL NOT allow you to leave with your baby unless you have a car seat.
Make sure your car seat is fit for an infant and comes with infant head support. Also make sure you understand how it works. Practice installing it in the car before your baby is born and learn how tight the straps should be, where the clip goes, etc., (to be honest, I needed my moms help with all this to make sure I did it correctly). For the safety of your baby, it needs to be done right.
There should be nurses available at the hospital in case you need help or have questions.
HOSPITAL FORMS/INSURANCE INFO
This is all the fun stuff haha. Make sure you bring your photo ID, your insurance card, and any hospital forms (like registration) they may require. Be sure to fill it out ahead of time. Sometimes you will pre-register, but I would still have everything on hand in case something got missed.
Health information that goes over any special issues with your pregnancy could be useful as well as contact information for your child’s pediatrician, as this makes it easier for them to send any documents over.
I would include your birth plan if you have one. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend that you consider creating one. During labor, it can be difficult to make thoughtful decisions on the spot. There are also many moms who felt like they didn’t have a choice in the hospital, and they felt pressured to do something they didn’t actually want or need.
This does not have to be you! You have a say.
A written out birth plan is a wonderful guideline that can help your doctor and staff (or any doctor filling in) know your expectations and desires for your birth. It helps give moms more control over themselves and their baby.
Many people discuss their birth plan with their doctor prior to delivery, but a written out form will make sure nothing gets forgotten. With as many patients as they have, doctors may forget some important details that pertain to you specifically. I would also recommend going over it with your support person, whether it be your husband, your mom, your midwife, etc., so they can also help implement the plan and advocate for you while you are focused on delivering your baby.
COMFY OUTFIT FOR YOURSELF
Wear something stretchy and comfortable after you have your baby! You are going to be bleeding, wearing a hospital diaper, while still looking pregnant and tired. No point in trying to fit into some jeans or get all dressed up and fancy. Some soft leggings or sweats will be best. You can even wear the same outfit to the hospital as well as home from the hospital to really optimize that minimalist mindset.
COMING HOME OUTFIT FOR BABY
The hospital will have either shirts or onesies for your baby to wear during your hospital stay, but they typically don’t let you take them home. You will need an outfit to change them into when you are ready to go, otherwise they will just be in a diaper. Make sure you consider the weather.
Here is some guidance for dressing your baby for weather if you need it.
Honestly, you only need one, maybe two outfits if you want to bring a newborn size and a 0-3 month size to make sure it fits your baby. But I did a lot of skin-to-skin contact with my baby, so clothes were basically non-existent. Plus, the hospital will need quick access to complete their medical checks, so sticking with their onesies provided is the easiest thing to do.
NURSING BRA
Your baby is going to eat, then they’ll eat again, and then again, and again, and again and againandagainandagain. Haha! Newborns eat at least every two hours, so you’ll want to be wearing something that gives baby easy access to the goods. This can be a nursing bra, a nursing tank top, or maybe you don’t care to wear a bra at all. I took the braless route, but again, I was at home 😛
TOILETRIES
What are the basic things you need to take care of yourself? The non-negotiables?
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Don’t forget to floss, people! (says the ex-dental assistant)
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant and body spray (I like to smell gooood)
- Hair ties/headband
- Dry shampoo
- Lotion
- Makeup- I personally just like mascara and a lip color to add some life to me after delivery haha but it’s not necessary.
PHONE AND CHARGER
People usually don’t forget their phones now-a-days, but it’s easy to forget a charger. Bring one with an extra looooong cord! Or an extension cord works too.
I had many moms tell me that sometimes the outlet was further away from the bed than they expected it to be, or how it was difficult to reach the bedside table after their c-section. The added length of the charger or extension cord will be appreciated.
ITEMS FOR PARTNER
It’s common to forget about partners. Don’t! They too are at the hospital, and although they can leave, it’s best if they can avoid it. My husband was with me the entire time I was in labor and throughout delivery, and even took a few weeks off of work during my postpartum recovery so he could be home with us.
So, if I were you, I’d pack a few things for your partner so they don’t have to leave your side as often or leave at all. Their support is crucial. They will need their ID. Maybe a few snacks since only moms get the hospital food. They might need a change of clothes and/or something comfortable to sleep in, and they’ll want their own toiletries. Pack a reusable water bottle.
SOME OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
If you feel like this list is too minimal, and you want a little extra umph without going overboard, glance at these below.
- Own pillow and blanket: More for personal comfort and a little bit of home.
- Water bottle/electrolyte drink mix: Easier for hydration.
- Towels: The hospital provides shower towels, but sometimes they aren’t very soft or fluffy. Personal preference.
- Hypnobirthing prompts: I used these affirmations and meditations during labor. You might want the things you used during hypnobirthing practice, like essential oils, candles, a music playlist, etc.
- Camera/tripod: In case you don’t want to worry about using your phone exclusively for photos or holding it yourself.
- Flip flops, slippers, slip on shoes: Flip flops would be good for the shower because… well, maybe I’m just a germaphobe, but a lot gets washed off in there. But maybe you’d prefer slippers or slip on shoes for more comfort, especially if your feet are swollen.
- Binky: Some hospitals have them, some don’t. If you want it, bring it. They are small 😛
- Portable fan: Moms tend to go back and forth between hot and cold and this has been useful.
- An empty bag: So many people told me that they were given a bunch of extra supplies from the hospital. They recommended even bringing an extra bag to fill. If you pack minimally though, you might have extra space in your one bag. Just something to think about.
LEAVE THESE AT HOME
- Diapers and wipes and anything else baby: The hospital is going to have everything you need for baby besides a going home outfit. So unless you are using cloth diapers, don’t bother.
- Underwear: You are going to be bleeding A TON. Adult diapers are the way to go! I lived in Depends during my postpartum recovery!
- Breast pump, nipple cream, nursing pads: Basically anything to do with breastfeeding, the hospital will provide. So unless you are particular or you need help with how your pump works, you can leave all this at home.
- Bottles and formula: Again, unless you are particular, the hospital will provide these during your stay if you are bottle feeding or have trouble breastfeeding.
- A boppy/nursing pillow: The hospital will contort the bed pillows in a way that is comfortable for you to feed your baby.
Although a hospital bag packing checklist is nice, I have found that you have to go through it yourself to really know what you personally like or don’t like to take. Again, people are different. What may be an essential item for me may be absolutely pointless for you, and vice versa.
This is just a guideline. Feel free to make it your own so it’s ready to go for all future deliveries! And if there was something that really benefited you during labor and delivery, help a mama out and comment below!
This post was all about minimalist hospital bag.
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