I have one most important piece of advice when it comes to packing the bag- pack it early!
This advice comes from a 2x 36 week mom. Pack it early and if there are items you need to add later because you're still using them (glasses, make up, etc) - keep a separate list on your phone of those things. When it's go time you can use that list to grab them quickly...or hand it to your partner to do for you.
If you've packed a hospital bag before you've probably watched a lot of Reels and Tiktoks about what people pack or religiously viewed a list someone else made. For the most part I find these lists to all be the same. This list may fall into that category too, but I'm going to highlight a few things I brought that I was so glad I did. Items are linking on my Amazon List if you're interested in the specific products I used.
We packed in a suitcase both times, one large suitcase for both of us. I found this to be better than separate duffle bags because when you are leaving you will have to carry the car seat ... which you didn't carry when you walked in with a duffel bag each on the way in.
The second time, I packed the things I wanted access to right away in a separate tote bag because with my first everything happened so fast we didn't have any of our stuff with us in L&D because it was still in the car.
Things in the tote bag:
hair brush
toiletry bag with all the things for later too:
toothbrush & toothpaste
contacts & glasses
shampoo, conditioner
soap
lotion
face wash and lotion
eye cover
ear plugs
stool softener, advil for dad, vitamins & sunflower letchin (helps with milk clogs)
pair of pjs
snacks
overpack on snacks because especially if you have your baby late at night/early in the morning, it's hard to get something to eat.
water bottle
long phone charger
stroller fan
this was a second baby item and I highly recommend! I used it in labor and in recovery
MOM'S STUFF- in the suitcase:
heating pad (especially for a second pregnancy- so glad I had this!)
nail kit
nursing bra (2)
tanks (2)
wear home outfit
PJs (Ekouaer brand on Amazon or Stars Above from Target are great and not going to break the bank. I have a Kindred Bravely dress too and honestly like the Amazon/Target better.)
comfy robe or blanket -- don't need both
compression socks
sticky socks / slippers
1 pair Always underwear (for wearing home)
document folder
Things I brought the either time and didn't use:
boppy pillow (used it the first time but it takes up a lot of space..and depending on the size of your baby it's not helpful. Charlotte isn't even close to touching the pillow in this picture)
touch light (use this at home ALL the time but the way the lights were in our room, we didn't need it)
make up (used it the first time but not the second)
manual pump (thought I'd use it the second time but didn't)
eye patches (the room we had with Charlotte had it's own refrigerator so I thought these would be useful for #2 but we didn't have our own fridge and I prefer these cold)
peppermint (more on this in the birth story to come)
fire stick + remote (people swear by this and I do wish I would have had it with Charlotte because we were there so long, but didn't need it for Mack)
frida mom underwear (I liked these once I was home but don't need at hospital)
WHAT TO PACK FOR BABY:
swaddle (didn't know to do this for #1 and it was so much easier to muffle the startle reflex with a velcro swaddle. we like Halo)
baby going home outfit - (I packed a preemie and newborn because #1 was a preemie but some people pack newborn and 0-3 months...take into consideration what your 36 week ultrasound measures them at)
announcement props / outfit if different than take home outfit
nail clippers (we use the electric file but for real clippers frida baby are the best)
portable sound machine
car seat
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