Hospital Bag Must Haves You Can Trust (Nurse-Tested, Mama-Approved)
Packing your hospital bag can feel a little overwhelming—what will you actually use? After years working as a pediatric ICU nurse and recently going through my own birth experience, I’ve figured out what’s truly helpful and what can stay home. Here are links to the comfort items I actually used, loved, and will pack again.
Nursing Bra Favorites
Let’s be real—you’ll be living in these. I brought a few styles to the hospital and rotated them nonstop. Here are my go-to comfy, functional, and supportive picks:
Everyday soft & stretchy – Perfect for sleeping and lounging but also supportive enough to wear out of the house for walks and those early postpartum workouts.
Supportive without being bulky – I labored in this one and loved it. I felt covered and comfortable, but still able to do skin-to-skin and breastfeed immediately. Baby girl was instantly rooting once they laid her on my chest.
Affordable multipack – A budget-friendly 3-pack that holds up well and makes middle-of-the-night feeds so easy. These are my go-to at night—no clips and still surprisingly supportive. Perfect if you're planning to breastsleep.
Pro tip: Pack at least 2–3 in your hospital bag—one might get messy, one you’ll wear, and one will be in rotation.
Blanket – Hospital linens can be scratchy and, let’s be honest, a little gross. Bringing my own blanket made the bed feel so much cozier.
Towels- Bring yours, trust me. Hospital towels are tiny, stiff, and not great post-shower and also a little gross.
TENS unit – If you’re planning to have an unmedicated natural labor this is a must. Really takes the edge off those spicy contractions. I was shocked at how well it worked!
BrüMate – Keeps water ice cold. You’ll be chugging, trust me and you will want something with a straw while in weird labor positions or breastfeeding.
Polaroid – Such a sweet way to capture those firsts in a tangible way. We received this as a gift from my sister-in-law and have loved it so much.
Hatch – This is the portable one. We used it in the hospital and now use it for every walk and in the car. MUST HAVE!
Portable speaker – Music made my labor room feel calm and put me at ease.
Massage gun – Total lifesaver for back labor and sore, swollen feet. I legit fell asleep while my husband used it on me.
Pregnancy pillow – If you’re feeling super pregnant when you go in, this can help you sleep (a little). I knew I was in for a possible longer hospital stay. Hello unplanned induction and baby girl showing no signs of coming anytime soon. It was pretty easy to pack and made a huge difference in my comfort.
Pillow – Bring your own if you can. I’ve had this one for years and love it so much. It was a need not a want for comfort. Hospital pillows suck and dont expect them to give you any extra…they are hard to come by.
Essential oil diffuser – Lavender during labor? Yes, please. This was so amazing to have and the nurses enjoyed it as well. So relaxing and labor gets stinky!
Nightgown – Easy to nurse in and cute enough to feel like yourself again. Bonus: no tugging at shorts when you need to pee fast postpartum.
Going home outfit for me – This was so comfy and cute for those in hospital photos with our new addition.
Eye mask – Hospital lights and monitors glow are no joke. My husband and I both appreciated having one.
Shower shoes – Because no one wants to go barefoot in a hospital bathroom.
Frida Mom Peri Bottle –Skip the hospital squirt bottle. This angled one is SO much better. I keep one in every bathroom and the shower now. The full Frida Mom kit is amazing, but the hospital will give you a lot—no need to overpack here.
Fan – Great for staying cool and breathing through contractions. You’ll be HOT, trust me on this one. Also great for the stroller and hot summer walks after baby comes.
Portable light – This little light was amazing in the hospital. It gave us soft, calming light for middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes without needing to turn on the big overheads. So useful when you get home too!
Chapstick – A tiny thing that makes a big difference. My lips were a fricken desert during labor!
Hair ties – Bring a few. Somehow they always disappear when you need them most. I needed my hair out of my face especially with trying to change positions often.
Face wipes – I’m a “must wash my face” girly. These were everything when I couldn’t get out of bed after my epidural. Also helped me feel fresh after delivery.
You don’t need a huge suitcase—but a few thoughtful comforts can make a huge difference. This isn’t just a hospital stay—it’s your baby’s birthday. Pack what makes you feel strong, supported, and relaxed.
I packed a ton I never touched, so hopefully this list helps some fellow mamas narrow it down.
Most of these are Amazon affiliate links—if you purchase through them, my family and I so appreciate your support!
