Hospital bag checklists on the internet have good intentions, but most are inaccurate and excessive. If your baby is born in the U.S. you’ll actually need next to nothing because the hospital will give you mostly everything you need. But, there are 10 important things they DON’T give you that most of my patients really wish they had after their baby is born.

WHAT DOES THE HOSPITAL GIVE YOU AFTER BIRTH?

A lot. Are you ready? (Deep inhale)

• Premie & Newborn sized Diapers (usually Huggies or Pampers brand)
• Diaper Wipes
• Disposable underwear
• Pads, of all sizes
• Spray bottle for perineum
• Baby blankets to use during your stay
• Baby spit-up cloths to use during your stay
• Baby t-shirts or onesies
• Baby hats
• Formula (usually Enfamil or Similac brand)
• Bottles and nipples
• Breast pads for leaking colostrum
• A small tube of lanolin cream for sore nipples
• Hydrogel pads for sore nipples
• Nipple shields for flat or sore nipples
• Latch assist for flat nipples
• Baby body wash and shampoo
• Baby lotion
• Baby comb
• Adult comb
• Adult soap
• Adult shampoo
• Deodorant
• Air fresher spray
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Abdominal binder
• Small box of tissues
• Ear Plugs
• Baby skin protectant to use as a moisturizer, for minor scratches, or as a diaper rash ointment (my hospital gives small tubes of Aquaphor)
• Warm packs
• Ice packs
• Witch hazel pads (aka- Tucks)
• Stool softeners
• Lidocaine spray (aka- Dermoplast)
• No-slip socks
• A pacifier (but usually only if baby is under phototherapy)
• Hospital gowns that have snaps on the shoulders for easy assess for breast-feeding
• Pillows and blankets for mom and partner to use during their stay
• Towels and washcloths to use during the stay
• Bulb syringe for baby
• Breast pump (to use during the stay), plus supplies
• Plastic bowl or basin to use for baby’s sponge baths
• Digital thermometer
• Baby’s footprints
• Razors
• Mouthwash
• Baby powder
• Hand sanitizer
• Pain medications (see which ones in my post HERE)
• Water pitchers
• Plastic bag for belongings

THAT’S 50 ITEMS that the hospital provides!!

As you can see, you could literally go to the hospital without ANYTHING AT ALL packed in your hospital bag, and you’d definitely survive!

Of course these items may vary according to the hospital you’re at, but these are all of the items that my hospital provides, and I can assure you that most hospitals will have all of these things available to you if you need them.

Many of these items are automatically given to you, but some are not. So, if you need something, just ask your nurse!

Hospitals provide you with so much that you could literally ditch your hospital bag altogether, but of course you’re still going to bring your phone and your favorite toiletries/make-up and the baby’s car seat.

But hold up!

There are 10 THINGS that most hospitals DON’T provide, and believe me, you’re gonna wish you had them. They’re important, helpful, and often highly requested by my patients.

So, read on to find out what these 10 things are so you can be sure to add them to your postpartum hospital bag checklist!

10 IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HOSPITALS DON’T GIVE YOU AFTER BIRTH

1.) BABY NAIL CLIPPERS OR NAIL FILES

Most babies are born with nails so long they’d make Cardi B proud.

But, unfortunately it’s very common for newborns to scratch themselves on their face and chest from their long, thin, sharp nails.

Because of this, many parents pack mittens to place over their baby’s hands.

Mittens prevent the fingernail scratches, but they also take away baby’s fingers that they’ve used to practice sucking and to help soothe themselves in the womb.

There’s no scientific evidence behind my claim here, but I’ve noticed that babies who have mittens covering their hands are more fussy.

When they root around it looks like they’re frantically trying to find their fingers, but instead are getting a mouth full of fabric.

So, what do you do if you don’t want your baby to scratch themselves, but you also don’t want to take their fingers away from them?

You’ll need to shorten their nails with a nail clipper or a nail file, and unfortunately, most hospitals don’t have them.

You could trim their nails without a nail clipper or file by biting one side of their nail and gently peeling it off, but you must be very careful not to peel too deeply into the quick of their nail because that will cause them pain.

Out of all of the things that hospitals don’t give, nail clippers and/or nail files are the number one things that new parents ask me for the most.

So, be sure to pack some in your bag, just in case you have a baby Edward Scissorhands.

2.) SLIPPERS, SLIP-ON SHOES, OR FLIP-FLOPS

The hospital gives all new moms anti-slip socks, but a lot of new moms feel hot and don’t like to wear them.

Also, taking them off and on can be a big pain in the a$$. Most new moms, especially after a c-section, can’t bend over far enough to reach their feet.

In addition, many new moms have swelling (aka- edema) in their feet and ankles.

Even if the mother never had any swelling during her pregnancy, they still may have swelling after their baby is born due to all of the IV fluids and Pitocin they were given.

New moms’ feet and ankles may swell SO much that they can’t even leave the hospital with the same shoes they came there in.

So, be sure to pack some slippers, slip-on shoes, or flop flops in your postpartum hospital bag!

They’ll not only help you get around your hospital room without having to wear those anti-slip socks, but they’ll also ensure you have footwear that fits your feet for when you go home.

3.) A PORTABLE FAN

One of the things that women are not given a fair warning about before they have a baby is how freakin’ HOT they may feel after they give birth, especially after a c-section.

There’s something about the hormones and the anesthesia that makes most women beg to have their temperature turned down in their room.

Besides turning down the temperature, I also try to help moms cool down by removing some of their blankets and offering them a cool, moist washcloth for their forehead.

However, there’s an important item that totally helps new moms cool down FAST, but I can’t offer it to my patients because hospitals don’t provide it,

and that’s…

a portable fan.

All moms after a c-section be like…

All you need is one of those small clip-on fans that are like $10 on Amazon, and you’ll be so much cooler and more comfortable!

Totally.

Worth it.

It’s one of the best purchases that new moms can pack in their postpartum hospital bag, especially after a c-section.

Please keep in mind that most c-sections are not planned and happen unexpectedly, so even if you’re planning on having a vaginal delivery, bring a portable fan anyways!

4.) A SWEATER FOR DAD OR PARTNER, EVEN IF IT’S WARM OUTSIDE

If you read about the previous item on this list, you’ll know exactly why they should bring a sweater, even if it’s 90F degrees outside.

New moms call the shots,

and if she’s hot,

her hospital room thermostat will be turned down until she’s comfortable, and her “comfortable” usually means “freezing” to everyone else…

especially dads and partners who are trapped in her room with her.

via GIPHY

Hospitals will provide dads or partners with extra blankets if they ask, but hospitals don’t have any extra clothing to give them.

So, be sure to include a sweater for them in the hospital bag,

even if they don’t think they’ll need it.

5.) PHONE CHARGER WITH AN EXTRA LONG CORD

If you’re going to bring your phone, you’re obviously going to bring your charger.

When you go to the hospital, you never know exactly how long you’re going to be there for.

But I can assure you that you’re going to be there a lot longer than your cell phone’s battery life.

Unfortunately, hospitals don’t give patients phone chargers, so be sure to pack one.

But don’t just pack any old phone charger…

pack one with a long cord that’s SIX feet long.

The distance from the power outlet on the wall to the hospital bed or bedside table is a lot longer than the average three foot cord that comes with iPhones.

If you’ve just had a c-section (aka- major abdominal surgery) and your phone is more than a couple inches away from you, it might as well be on the moon.

via GIPHY

It’s common that my patients don’t pack a phone charger with a cord that is long enough to reach their bed or their bedside table.

This prevents them (especially bedridden moms) from being in touch with their loved ones while they’re in the hospital.

So, just packing a “phone charger” isn’t good enough!

You need to have a phone charger that has a longer cord. A six foot long cord should be perfect.

6.) GOING HOME OUTFIT(S) FOR BABY

The hospital that I work at provides long sleeved t-shirts for newborns during their hospital stay.

But parents aren’t allowed to take them home with them, meaning if you don’t pack clothes for your baby, your baby is going to go home in their diaper.

However, some hospitals do give a onesie or a t-shirt for newborns to keep and go home in, but this is not the norm.

If you are given baby clothes to take home, they’re all one size.

And as you know, babies don’t all come in one size.

Also, depending on the weather outside, the hospital onesies and t-shirts may not be warm enough for them to go home in.

So definitely include THREE going home outfits in your hospital bag for your newborn.

One that is “Premie” sized, one that is “Newborn” sized, and one that is “1-3 months”, because you just never know.

I’ve had patients who swore that their babies were going to be 8 pounds, and they ended up being 5-6 pounds.

And also make sure the clothing is appropriate for the present weather.

So, pack three different sized outfits (and keep the receipts to return the ones that don’t fit), and your baby is guaranteed to have clothes that fit them well when they are discharged to go home.

7.) PRESCRIPTIONS & PAIN RELIEF FOR DADS AND PARTNERS

Hospitals don’t give dads and partners medicine, including their prescriptions if they need them.

Many dads and partners ask me if I can give them an ibuprofen or other over-the-counter medications like Tums. Innocent enough, right? But, unfortunately I can’t.

Giving them an ibuprofen or Tums could get me fired.

Every medication that nurses remove are closely tracked by a machine called a “Pyxis”.

The Pyxis only allows nurses to remove medications that doctors have ordered for their patients who are admitted to the hospital…

which does not include dads and partners.

So, definitely remember to pack their prescriptions and some over-the-counter pain relief in the hospital bag to help make their postpartum stay a little more comfortable.

8.) FOOD & SNACKS FOR DADS AND PARTNERS

Hospitals provide food for new moms, but unfortunately not for new dads and partners.

It’s upsetting, because as a postpartum nurse I pride myself in caring for the family as a whole, also known as “family-based care”.

But when we’re forcing dads and partners to leave mom’s and baby’s bedside (especially during labor) to go feed themselves, there’s a disconnect there.

I believe any caretaker who’s at the bedside of anyone in the hospital, be it a dad or partner,

or a 60 year old women visiting her 85 year old mother in the hospital, should be offered meals.

And I really hope that changes one day.

But until then, sorry dads and partners.

Don’t worry…

she might give you a bite.

via GIPHY

Often dads and partners will leave the hospital to pick up food to bring back for mom and themselves.

Even though it sucks that they have to leave the bedside, moms usually love to get their favorite sushi or turkey sandwich that they haven’t been able to eat for nine months delivered to them!

On the D.L., if dad or partner doesn’t want to leave mom and baby, just have the mother order extra food. Make sure she doesn’t tell the person taking her order that it’s for someone else.

Hospitals won’t allow moms to order food for dads or partners, but they’ll never question how hungry the mom is.

If a new mom orders two cheeseburgers…

two cheeseburgers is what she’s gonna get!

And then, dang!

She got too full after the first one,

so dad ate the other.

You didn’t hear this from me.

9.) HAIR TIES

Hospitals don’t provide hair ties or rubber bands for moms, even though they really come in handy if moms have medium to long hair.

It’s so nice to have their hair out of their face and eyes when looking down to care for and feed baby.

So, be sure to pack a scrunchie, hair clip, rubber band, doo rag, banana clip (am I aging myself here?), headband, shower cap, or whatever to get your hair outta your face!

10.) DAD OR PARTNER’S VACCINES OR FLU SHOT

I’m required by my hospital to offer the Tdap (i.e.- tetanus, diphtheria, and pertusis, aka- whooping cough) vaccine and seasonal flu shot to all of my postpartum moms after they have given birth.

Additionally, I also must offer the MMR vaccine (i.e.- measles, mumps, rubella) if mom is not immune for rubella.

That’s because if mom gets pregnant again and she catches rubella (aka- German measles) her baby can be born deaf and/or have other cognitive deficits.

Often new dads and partners will ask if I can give them a Tdap or flu shot too. But, I can’t for the same reasons I can’t give them ibuprofen or Tums.

Dads and partners are not admitted to the hospital as a patient, and therefore they have no doctor’s orders in the system.

Unfortunately, I have to refer them to get their Tdap and flu vaccine from their own doctor or a pharmacy.

TO SUM THINGS UP…

If your postpartum hospital bag checklist includes you phone, your favorite toiletries/make-up, baby’s car seat, and these 10 important things that the hospital doesn’t provide, you should be all good!

Honestly,

you don’t need to pack the things that many others are telling you to like underwear, nipple cream, formula, nursing pads, diapers, etc.

Definitely let me know down in the comments if there’s anything else that you or your partner needed after your baby was born that your hospital didn’t provide!

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Disclaimer:
The content that I share on Purely Postpartum is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I encourage you to always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions.