Breastfeeding Hospital Bag Essentials
(Links for products contained in this post are amazon affiliate links and are all products I (Brandi) have used and am recommending based on personal use, Nourish and Nurse will receive a small commission on products purchased through the links but we are not compensated in any way shape or form by the manufactures of any of these products. – Brandi )
Plan to Bring
- A comfortable nursing bra or nursing tank. You really do want a soft and nonrestrictive bra or tanktop for the day to day life after baby. . A bra isn’t necessary for feeding, but some parents prefer the support. Also, keep in mind skin to skin is so important right now that just a button top pajama shirt will keep you covered and baby close, so the bra or tank is more for going home.
- Nursing-friendly pajamas or robe. This is going to be your go to for after birth and lounging around until discharge, choose something that opens easily in the front and makes skin-to-skin simple.
- Nipple balm, If nipples become sore, the priority should be having someone evaluate the latch and positioning, rather than simply treating the soreness. Prevention is ideal, but should you need it, having your preferred brand on hand would be nice.
- I loved Earth Mama when I was breastfeeding, but there are a ton of options so find the one that you like best!
- Large water bottle, yes, the hospital will provide a cup, your own cup will likely keep ice better and bring a touch of home and comfort. Remember breastfeeding parents often become very thirsty during feeds.
- I am partial to Stanleys, but seriously any large insulated cup will do! I have 5-6 various stanley cups or stanley style cups and LOVE them all
- Easy snacks. Hospital policy may state you should not eat in labor, however policy isn’t law so if you bring snacks to enjoy be aware of the risks and let your team know your intentions on snacking. Also once the baby is here you might find yourself ravenous and the hospital snacks may not be to your liking.
- Breastfeeding pillow, if desired, generally hospitals usually have plenty of regular pillows, so this is a comfort item rather than a necessity, but if you want to get used to your pillow or learn how to utilize it more, bring it along and ask your nurse for tips (or schedule with us at Nourish and Nurse and we can help too!)
- I loved Boppy pillows, and when my youngest broke my tail bone making her grand entrance it quickly doubled as a comfortable cushion for me to sit on instead!
- Phone charger with a long cord, surprisingly useful when you’re feeding or holding a sleeping newborn and can’t reach the outlet.
- Consider Bringing your pump, your hospital team will be able to help you learn to use your pump, and answer questions about it as well as troubleshoot any initial challenges you may have. Also know that if you do not yet have a pump, the hospital likely has one you can use while you are staying, and they can work with your care provider to get you a prescription for a one! Remember there are many options for pumps now, and they are often available through insurance free or at a reduced cost!
- A breastfeeding plan or list of questions, especially helpful if there are specific preferences, previous breastfeeding difficulties, breast surgery, anticipated separation from baby, or other concerns.
- Contact information for your lactation support person, save the number for your lactation consultant, breastfeeding counselor, WIC peer counselor, pediatric provider, or other support person before delivery. At Nourish and Nurse we are happy to meet with you before birth, and after to support you. Depending on when and where you give birth you might get lucky and have one of us on your nursing team already!
Things you usually do not need to bring
You generally don’t need to pack bottles, formula, nipple shields, syringes, or other feeding equipment “just in case.” Hospitals typically have feeding equipment available when medically necessary.
At Nourish and Nurse we also avoid routinely starting a nipple shield, pumping schedule, or supplementation plan without an assessment. These tools can be very useful when indicated, but the appropriate intervention depends on what is happening with the parent and baby. While I (Brandi) did use several products during my breastfeeding challenges, I am choosing to not link them here because I really feel if you are struggling you should see someone for in person support FIRST, to make sure you get the right tools to help you on your feeding journey.
What matters more than what’s in the bag
Parents can prepare before delivery by telling the care team that breastfeeding is their feeding goal. When medically appropriate, they can request immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin after birth, allow the baby time to initiate the first feeding, keep the baby in the room rather than routinely separating, and feed based on early feeding cues.
In the first days, newborns commonly breastfeed 8–12 or more times in 24 hours, and cluster feeding can be normal. Parents should know they can ask for help before they are struggling. Having someone observe an entire feeding can be especially helpful if there is pain, difficulty latching, concern about milk transfer, or uncertainty about whether the baby is getting enough.
One particularly useful thing to pack isn’t an object at all: a support person who knows your feeding goals. Partners and family members can help protect skin-to-skin and feeding time, limit visitors, bring food and water, change diapers, help with positioning, and remind the parent to ask for lactation assistance when needed.
