Everyone told me what to pack in my hospital bag as a first-time mom. Here's what I actually used and what I wish I'd brought.

As an expectant first-time mom, I packed my hospital bag with the mindset that I'd rather over-prepare than wish I'd brought something. On my list were plenty of practical items, but also a few comforts to make the delivery room feel more like my own space. With my Caraa Baby Hospital Bag in tow, I somehow fit everything from pajamas and toiletries to my own bedding with room to spare.

After several days in the hospital, I came home with a much better sense of what was genuinely useful, what could have stayed behind, and what I wish I'd brought. The biggest lesson: Hospitals generally provide many of the necessities, so precious packing space is better spent on things that make you more comfortable.

My 3 main takeaways on packing a hospital bag

1. Check what your hospital provides. Ours supplied nearly every postpartum and newborn essential we needed, from disposable underwear and pads for me to diapers and swaddles for our baby.
2. Prioritize comfort over outfit changes. I packed several lounge outfits, but mostly lived in nightgowns and robes. My personal labor and delivery gown got far more use than the extra sweats I brought.
3. A few nonessentials will make the hospital feel more like home. Flameless candles, a galaxy projector, and my own bedding weren't necessities, but they made labor and recovery more comfortable.

There were a few items I wish I'd packed.

A pumping bra. I was aware the hospital would supply a breast pump, but as a newbie mama, I didn't think to bring my own pumping bra. At a time when my proverbial and literal hands were full enough, I had to hold both collection bottles during every pumping session. I ordered a 2-pack of pumping bralettes on Amazon from the hospital, and it was waiting on my doorstep when I got home.

A donut pillow. For people anticipating a vaginal birth, a donut pillow may be worth its weight in packing real estate. My hospital provided foam egg crates, but they weren't substantial enough to make sitting anywhere but the bed comfortable. I bought my own donut pillow when I got home:

Some newborn outfits in a couple of sizes. Many hospitals offer a photographer for newborn photos. I packed one cute outfit based on my baby's predicted birth weight, but it was comically large after I went into labor three weeks early. If I could go back, I'd bring a few options in different sizes since there's no way to know exactly how your baby will fit into them.

I was glad I brought bone broth packets, entertainment, and an easy swaddle.

I used my iPad to watch shows with my husband to pass the time pre-delivery. It gave me something else to focus on during the long wait. This iPad Case has a built-in stand, so it was easy to set up on the hospital tray table and watch together.

Shelf-stable bone broth packets kept me full — or, as full as anyone can be on a hospital-mandated clear-liquid diet during labor. My husband microwaved cups of Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth in the guest kitchenette for me.

An easy swaddle spared me from performing blanket origami on a wiggling, hours-old baby. This Momcozy Newborn Swaddle has a quiet fastener and a soft bamboo-cotton fabric.

I also brought some little luxuries that made my experience better.

I set the vibe in the delivery room. Creating a sanctuary helped calm my anxiety around childbirth. I didn't realize how much customization was allowed until my doula told me.

We dimmed the overhead lights, plugged in a galaxy projector, and scattered flameless tealight candles while my favorite playlist flowed through my bluetooth speaker. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting (every nurse who walked in complimented it), and my baby was born somewhere in the midst of the 10-minute version of Taylor Swift's All Too Well.

Having my own labor and delivery gown helped me feel more in control in a medical setting. Rather than wearing the standard hospital gown, I packed Kindred Bravely's Ruffle Strap Labor & Delivery Gown made from a soft, stretchy viscose-Spandex blend with Velcro closures down the back for epidural access without leaving me exposed. I also brought a backup delivery gown backup (labor is messy!) and wore it as a nursing nightgown on the first night after our baby was born.

I'm so glad I brought my own pillow. The hospital pillows were much flatter than I'm used to. I used a green Clementine's Organic Silk Pillowcase so it wouldn't be mistaken for hospital bedding and accidentally get sent to the laundry. My silk eye mask helped me stay asleep despite nurses coming in and out all night. I also packed a 100% cotton blanket, which was cozier than the hospital bedding and now lives on my nursing chair for late-night feeds.

A pared-down version of my touch-up kit helped me look alive for the newborn photoshoot. Calpak's Fit Hanging Dopp Kit held my shower essentials, plus a Tarte Concealer to blur my new-mom-under-eye bags (I packed mascara and a blush stick, too, but that was more than I cared to do in the moment). A Hair Tools Bag held my Dyson Supersonic Travel Hairdryer and a round brush for a quick pre-shoot blow-dry.

I didn't end up using a few items I thought I would need. Luckily, I had a spare tote to bring home everything the hospital gave us.

I was expecting to need layers for the notoriously chilly hospital air conditioning, so I brought long pajama pants and a cardigan. After giving birth, though, I was perpetually hot and dealing with night sweats, so the extra layers remained untouched.

I mostly lived in Quince's Essentials Hospital Set and even wore the robe for photos. Quince's Bamboo Jersey Maternity Short Sleeve Pajama Set was also great for the postpartum transition. If I packed again, I'd bring far fewer clothes and stick to loose, easy-to-change pieces that work for nursing and skin-to-skin contact.

Hospitals typically provide many practical postpartum and newborn supplies. I was given disposable underwear, maxi pads, witch hazel pads, lidocaine spray, and a peri bottle. For my baby, I was given diapers, pacifiers, swaddles, and some other basics made available throughout our stay. They also provided a breast pump and meals. Policies and supplies vary, so ask your labor and delivery unit what it provides before you pack your hospital bag.

We were encouraged to take home all the supplies they allocated for us. The spare foldable tote I packed came in handy for rounding up leftover postpartum supplies, diapers, and other items from our room. My Lands' End bag is discontinued, but the Lightweight Packable Tote from L.L. Bean is a similar design that also folds into a neat pouch.

The bottom line

Most hospitals' maternity wards provide new parents with baby caretaking essentials. I suggest packing yourself a few little luxuries to make your space feel more comfortable.

Ask your hospital what it provides ahead of time, then pare down the basics accordingly. And don't stress too much about forgetting something — aside from my baby's going-home outfit, every true necessity was thought of for me.

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