If it’s your first time, or even if you simply need a reminder during the 9th month brain fog, this list will help you be organized and ready when it’s time to go to the hospital to have a baby.
Over the years on BCP, we’ve had a few mothers write, based on their own personal experiences, on what they recommend packing when you go to the hospital to have a baby.
But we quickly realized what is a preference for one, is unimportant for someone else. Some like to get out of the hospital gown asap and wear their own PJs and/or robe, while others prefer to wear a comfortable hoodie and easy elastic skirt during the day. Many also like to stay in their hospital gown overnight. Some people need lots of books to read, while others don’t. Really, only you know what makes you comfortable and sorry new moms, this will be a trial.
And so we decided that we’re going to just create a checklist of things you might want. If it’s your first time going to the hospital, you can take everything on the list. If it’s your second or subsequent time giving birth, you might have a better idea of what you like and you can use this checklist as a reminder/guidance.
It’s best to pack your bag at the start of your ninth month. Many people like to buy themselves something fresh and new (a new hoodie, pjs…) so that they feel fresh and taken care of after birth.
Keep in mind that whatever you schlep to the hospital you will have to schlep back, along with a new baby, baruch Hashem! (And all the stuff they give you to bring home as well!)
In the US, most hospitals give all the recovery/post partum items you will need. We included those on the list for those delivering in hospitals that don’t provide it.
There’s other things to think about. Will you have roommates? Will your husband be sleeping in your room (then he might want a pillow and throw blanket). Also, there are some items that the hospital provides, but you might be particular about using one you like (your favorite water bottle, a specific pillow…)
Click here to download the Baby Hospital Packing Checklist.
Carry-On Suitcase/Small Duffle
Clothing:
Snood
Zippered Sweatshirt/Tops
Comfortable Elastic Skirts
Wrap/Morning Robe
PJs
Socks
Shower Slippers/Cozy Slippers
Nursing Bra
Outfit for Going Home
Toiletries:
Lotions/Makeup
Toothpaste/Toothbrush
Mouth Wash
Deodorant
Hair Brush
Mini Shampoo/Conditioner
Face Wash/Body Wash
Lip Balm (hospitals can often have a dry environment)
More Personal Items:
Insurance Card and ID
Siddur (with Shabbos Davening and Tehillim)
Reading Material
10 Foot Charger
A Watch (if there over Shabbos)
Camera
Candies / Gum
Food / Snacks
Reusable Water Bottle
Crackers / Pretzels / Nosh
Ear Plugs/Eye Cover
Glasses
Lenses/Lens Case/Solution
Towel
Throw Blanket/Pillow
Silverettes
Stomach Wrap (helpful post C section)
For the Baby:
Baby Swaddle Set
Baby Hat/Blanket
Burp Cloths
Pacifier
Outfit for the Baby to Go Home
Car Seat
Post Partum & Baby Care
Most hospitals provide these items. This is a list of items you may need if your hospital does not.
For Mom:
Peri Bottle
Dermaplast
Witch Hazel Pads
Disposable Underwear
Lansinoh Nipple Cream
Ice Pads
Nursing Pads
Pain Medication
For Baby:
Baby Formula
Undershirts
Baby Wipes
Diapers
Baby Swaddle Blanket
This is amazing! Coming from someone who had her first baby in eretz yisroel, the hospitals dont really give postpartum products for mom so best to bring your own
I had 2 kids in Israel and both times, in 2 different hospitals they gave everything I needed
they even let me take home extra!
“Everything” in EY and “everything” in the USA is hugely different.
BH I gave birth both in EY (multiple times) and in USA. Here are some things I did not get in EY:
– painkillers (basic motrin, tylenol post birth) unless I begged! And yes, you will likely need these after birth. After my first I didnt know to even ask for it until my older wiser sister told me to. In the US they give you automatically.
– sleeping pill. My Israeli aunt told me to take one after I literally could not sleep from all the hormones. They were very reluctant to give one. In the US it’s a lot easier.
– tucks, dermoplast, witchazel – never got any of these in an Israeli hospital, got all of these in the US.
– baby hat, the Israeli hospitals dont like them cuz it can fall and be a choking hazard c”v
– in general, in the US anything your baby uses (blanket, onesie, hat etc.) they tell you to take with you. In EY that is not the case.
– also alot of things in EY you will only you get if you ask. If you do not ask, they will not offer. Such as disposable underwear, frozen pads…
Giving birth in EY is an amazing experience and there is nothing like it!!! But yes you will need to pack a LOT more if these things are important to you. You will also need rishum leidah, a blank cheque, passport etc.
I had all of my kids so far in EY in two different hospitals and didn’t have the experiences that you mention at all. You just have to ask at the nurses station for painkillers if you need and they are more than happy to give it to you every time. Generally speaking, there is a freezer near the nurses station where they stock frozen pads as well as frozen diapers (for engorgement when nursing). Extra supplies for the mother are stored in the nurses station and you have to ask, however I found that the better disposable underwear is made by Kotex and it’s amazing–buy it beforehand at SuperPharm or Rami Levi when they have it.
The instructor that gave the birth course that I took suggested that people who have stiches purchase one of the Forever Aloe products–a spray, that’s supposed to be miraculous.
I think with EY you just have to learn how to ask your friends and the nurses. I had very nice experiences and can’t imagine giving birth in America now, and wish I could go back to deliver.
Bcp, u need to link the amazing article on csections and how to prepare etc to this post!
We have this post! https://betweencarpools.com/recovering-from-a-c-section/
Amazing post! When I had a baby I wished I brought my nursing pillow to the hospital especially because he was in the NICU for the first day and I didn’t have a bed to nurse him on. First time mothers who are not as experienced with nursing might find it very helpful to have a nursing pillow there to help support the baby while they learn
That’s a huge list… I bring the basics. Less schlepping to and fro!
coming home outfit for baby!
Frieda Mom witch hazel foam was a lifesaver for me for the first week! A must-have for anyone who gets stitches. It was such a relief, even though I got Dermoplast from the hospital I was petrified from the thought of spraying on stitches and couldnt bring myself to use it.
If I remember correctly I sprayed the Deemoplast on my pad, not directly on myself, and it still helped a ton. The canister does say to spray on yourself but I was simply too nervous.
A lactation consultant recommended the Hakaa manual pump when I had my first baby, and it was amazing! I didn’t get engorged at all!
Easynurse is the best lanolin cream if you get sore or cracked skin while nursing. It’s a looser formula then regular lanolin making it way easier to apply and has other herbs that really help soothe the skin.
This is not on any list, but a hot water bottle was a lifesaver post birth for back aches, post birth cramps, especially in subsequent births, and engorgement. It’s easy to fill with hot water at the bathroom sink and it made a huge difference in pain management, especially between painkillers.
Very important addition – pain killers for your husband. He is tired etc but can’t ask the nurses for meds
for stitches i did a sitz bath multiple times a day ( ask the hospital for one ) and spritzed in ‘calendula’ . its a homeopathic thing. once i was comfortable enough, i sprayed it on myself too. in my experience, it felt better than dermaplast.
also about the haaka pump, i used to get extremely engorged, had to pump multiple times a day just to be comfortable etc…. i bought medela’s version of it and bh i can still pump if i need to, but doesnt engorge to the point where i cant sleep…
I always shlep my nursing pillow to the hospital for three different reasons–
1. During labor, it’s convenient to have something to lean against (and for your husband to rest as well)
2. I am very sensitive and find hospital pillows are not supportive enough. I maneuver the nursing pillow around my shoulder for more comfortable sleep.
3. It makes a tremendous difference nursing a newborn baby either in a hospital bed or chair. Tremendous.
It’s worth it just for the hospital and week after birth, and I almost never use it after.
Treats for the staff are very helpful and can go a long way!
Don’t forget to bring things for during labor:
Birth playlist to get into the zone.
mini portable fan.
Comb for pain redirection.
Learned about this after; but, a tems unit could be helpful also
I bring my own pillow and blanket so I can sleep comfortably.
Also, pain killers!!!!! You can sometimes wait forever for nurse to get script, Dr to order etc. I use my own and take it before the pain kicks in.
This is the perfect list! I would definitely add a nursing pillow – makes a huge huge difference when you’re feeding a newborn (I love the “breast friend” pillow). Also lots of snacks, when I was exhausted and waking up again for more feeds etc having a piece of my favourite chocolate was perfect and also other snacks and fruit because I just felt hungry all the time!
Some people like to have a white noise machine as well, if you have an iPhone then you can get one in your settings (search background sounds abs add it to your quick buttons that will come up when you scroll down)
Also the best manual pump is definitely the Mandela harmony one and best portable is the “pumpables genie advanced”. But I personally would just nurse and not pump especially in the beginning weeks.
In UK they give you nothing at all, not for you or your baby. We just try and get out the hospital ASAP. i’ve gone out after 6 hours as long as no reason to stay in youre best off at home
Just saying to keep in mind that your husband can always bring you stuff later. I bring a full change of clothes, camera and phone and some basic toiletries. That’s it!!
In Shaare Zedek they have all siddurim etc and places to buy snacks and milkshakes etc…
Someone in the comments suggested a sleeping pill and I just gave birth recently and was offered a sleeping pill a few hours after having my baby. In my opinion taking a sleeping pill while caring for a newborn is extremely dangerous especially if you’re nursing. I also think the effects could be passed on to the baby.