C-Section Hospital Bag Checklist: For Mom & Baby

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From a mom that has been there, now 3 months postpartum, here’s what I would pack in my hospital bag if ever did it again. This list includes items I actually used or wished I had after my c-section, organized into 3 sections: for mom, for baby, and nice to haves, plus a few packing tips.

For mom:

Comfortable Clothing: Loose pajama sets or nightgowns are a staple to have after delivery. TJ Maxx and Amazon both have nice, affordable options.
Going-home clothes: Comfortable sweatpants and loose soft shirts are practical.
Nursing bras: If you are planning to breastfeed. The Amazon multi-pack nursing bras that are my personal favorite.

Multi-pack nursing bras – Shop on Amazon

Slide on shoes: These will be convenient and quick to put on independently with no bending required.
Maternity Underwear: This is a big one, and if you get one thing from this list, let it be this one. Extra high-waisted is going to be your best friend to avoid irritation on your incision.

Maturity Underwear – Shop on Amazon

Pads and adult diapers: Your hospital should have these but it good to have a few extra if yours are more comfortable for you.
Peri Bottle: I bought the frida mom peri bottle. These are an essential for vaginal births but are still very helpful after c-section births. Most hospitals do provide them but the Frida mom peri bottle is more functional with the upside down design. (You won’t have to bend awkwardly to use it.)

Frida Mom Peri Bottle – Shop on Amazon

Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, lip balm, deodorant, body wash, and contact solution. I actually forgot body wash during my hospital stay, and my hospital did not have body wash. So bring that just in case.
Long phone charger (extra long)
Water bottle and snacks: BodyArmor and coconut water were my favorite drinks after my C-section. I was also starving after my C-section, and it might be hard to get food right away. Some doctors have restrictions on eating right after a C-section, so check with your doctor. Mine was completely fine and let me eat whatever I wanted right after.
Essential documents: ID, insurance card, birth plan, hospital paperwork.

If you plan to breastfeed, I have a specific post that includes additional items I would bring to the hospital. Breastfeeding Essentials

For baby:

Clothing: sleepers, going home clothes, hats, bows

Blankets or swaddles
Diapers and wipes: Your hospital should provide these, but it’s nice to have a few just in case.
Car seat: You cannot leave the hospital without a car seat, and hospitals will check to ensure that it is properly installed.
Paci: if you plan to use them.

Nice to have:

Nursing pillow: A supportive nursing pillow really helped me during my breastfeeding journey.

Boppy Nursing Pillow – Shop on Amazon

Belly binder or post c-section belt: these really help you feel supported after having a c-section, especially when starting to stand more. My nurse helped me put it on that last day in the hospital. I used the frida mom belly binder.
Eye mask: This is something I wish I had. It definitely would have been easier to take naps in my 2-day stay, and nurses are constantly coming in and out day and night.

Eye mask – Shop on Amazon

Lotion: This one is nice to have. You may need help applying it. This is something I wish I had brought because my body was so dry after cleansing with the CGH wipes the night before for surgery prep.