Getting ready to have a c-section and not sure what to pack?

Let me make this journey much easier with a free printable c-section hospital bag checklist!

This checklist includes everything that you need to pack for you and your new baby! I had 4 c-section deliveries and this is everything I needed!

It is a simple, realistic checklist with all of the basics and none of the fluff!

No need to overpack but be sure to bring these essentials! You can read a more detailed list here for all of your necessities.

This post is all about c-section hospital bag checklist.

Hospital Bag Essentials

You can also use this checklist for a vaginal delivery but there are a few extra necessities in here for c-section mamas that a vaginal birth may not need.

Having a c-section is no joke, it’s major abdominal surgery. On top of it, you have to start taking care of a brand new baby the minute your surgery is over instead of resting like normal surgeries!

It’s kind of a big deal!

I’ve never been lucky to experience a vaginal birth with my kids because of complications so having a cesarean is all I know about.

Hopefully, I can help other moms prepare for their scheduled c-sections so they have everything they need!

If you pack all of these hospital bag necessities for your scheduled c-section, you’ll be prepared for whatever journey that baby leads you to!

I’ve also added a section for breastfeeding moms as well. Skip or cross off that section if you don’t plan or are unable to nurse your baby.

If you do choose to breastfeed your baby, there are a few extras you will need that you’ll want to have packed!

If you don’t want all the info, then skip right to the printable checklist at the bottom of this post! 

Postpartum Outfits-what to wear in the hospital and going home:

First of all, you’ll want to pack some cute pjs and/or your robe. If you’re nursing your baby, you won’t want to be stuck wearing that awful hospital gown!

Here are some favorite postpartum outfits and postpartum pjs we love:

Comfortable postpartum pants and cardigans

A great pair of draw string pants are comfortable enough to fit around your c-section scar and won’t irritate your skin like these below:

When you can finally wear some leggings, these postpartum leggings are a great option:

Cardigans are great to wear in the hospital and home. usually hospitals are pretty chilly, even In the summer.

A cute sweater like a cardigan will keep you warm and help keep your comfortable when your body is changing rapidly and your clothes may not fit yet! 

To learn more about the best clothes to wear after a c-section, click here! 

Comfortable underwear

You’ll have to wear postpartum pads the first few weeks so either getting some great disposable underwear work well or some comfortable c-section underwear are both great options.

These underwear work well the first few weeks:

Then these underwear are prefect for the first few months after you leave the hospital:

Slipper Socks or regular slippers

You might think you can pass on this one but trust me, as an experienced c-section mama, you need a good pair of slippers! 

Otherwise, you’ll end up using the hospital slipper socks they give you…and we all know those aren’t the best! 

You’ll have to get out of that bed and start taking slow walks around the hospital to get your strength back! not to mention, it’s good to get your circulation going after taking all those medications. 

Here are a few slippers and slipper socks you’ll never want to take off your feet!

Personal Items

Postpartum pads

Get some postpartum pads that you like! Trust me, they’ll give you some in the hospital but they can be huge and bulky. You won’t want to wear these home at all! 

Here are some better ones to stock up on now and have at home because you’ll need these the first dew weeks!

These are great below because you can throw them out when you’re done:

Stool Softener

They will also give you these to help things move along while you’re in the hospital. However, these are a MUST-HAVE as soon as you get home so make sure to take these during your hospital stay and while at home the first few weeks!

Gas-X is another thing they should give you in the hospital, if they don’t and you’re experiencing horrible trapped gas pains in your shoulders or chest, let them know ASAP and this will help!

Probiotics and prenatals

Yes, keep taking these, your body will lose a lot of nutrients and you’ll need as many vitamins as you can get! Pack these and remember to take them! 

Toiletries and essentials:

Chapstick, gum, toothbrush, these are must-haves you won’t want to forget! 

Mints and or gum helped me so much after my c-section and before when I wasn’t able to drink anything! 

Toothbrush holder/case

Shampoo bars and conditioners

Let’s face it, you may or may not have time to wash your hair while you’re there. If you do have time, I recommend these shampoo bars, they’re easy to travel with and are great on your hair! 

Dry Shampoo-

If you don’t have the energy to wash your hair or you’re just not there long enough, then be sure to pack some dry shampoo!

Deodorant

Shower Gel

Get some travel size body wash! Your first shower after a c-section will be the best thing you’ve ever had!

Makeup

Some moms think it’s crazy to pack makeup and other moms think it’s nuts NOT to look your best because you’re getting lots of photos taken.

I recommend doing what you’re comfortable with. I packed mascara, lip tint, and under eye cover up. I only packed the basics because I knew I wouldn’t have time for much of it! 

Below are our must-haves:

Hair ties and hair clips

Be sure to pack plenty of hair ties and hair clips so you won’t have to fix your hair all the time! Trust me, you’ll be busy!

Phone Charger

Don’t leave home without a charger and a portable charger!

Breastfeeding essentials for c-section moms:

If you plan to breastfeed, then you’ll have to add these to the list as well! Breastfeeding after a c-section can be harder than a vaginal delivery because it takes a bit longer for your milk to come in. 

Here are some breastfeeding essentials I couldn’t live without after having 4 c-sections and nursing all four of them, even one in the NICU!

Breastfeeding pillow

You will need this even if you don’t plan to breastfeed! Laying the baby on the pillow will protect your c-section scar from the baby kicking you! 

If you do nurse your baby, these help find a comfortable breastfeeding position!

Nipple Shield

It may be harder to get your newborn to latch correctly because your milk takes longer to come in. This is a miracle worker!

It also helps tremendously with nipple pain!

You may not need it but trust me, it’s better to have it in your hospital bag then need your significant other to run out and buy you one! 

Nipple Cream

The hospital may give you this but the kind they gave me was full of garbage I didn’t want my newborn to have in his/her mouth. 

By the time I had my second baby, I packed my own nipple cream which was all natural and worked like a charm to heal sore nipples!

Gel pads

Gel pads will soothe your sore nipples and breasts! These will feel like heaven when your entire body is aching! 

I also packed fenugreek which helped my milk come in faster! Please talk to your doctor about this before taking it, you may not need it. 

Normally, a c-section mom’s milk comes in around the 3-4th day. You will have colostrom to feed your newborn. Fenugreek helps move things a little quicker!

Breast Pump

Using a breast pump also helped my milk come in faster! Hospitals will provide you with a breastfeeding pump. However, be sure to get a good breast pump at home before you have the baby so you can pump as soon as you get home!

This is something your insurance should be able to cover! 

Breastfeeding cover

Again, this may be a personal preference but I wasn’t a fan of whipping out my chest to nurse in front of visitors all the time. 

However, everyone is different! I loved having a nursing cover because it made my baby feel safe and secure and I wasn’t worried about showing a  ton of skin!

Baby Clothes 

Footed Pjs or Onesies

Of course, you can’t forget the baby! Be sure to pack onesies with zippers and a going home outfit!

Newborn going home outfits

Newborn Hats and mittens

The hospital is cold, even in the summer! Newborn babies hate the cold because they were warm inside our bellies for so long! Make sure you pack some hats!

The hospital hats are usually not very cute!

Also, mittens are a must-have if your outfits don’t have them attached. Newborns will scratch their faces often, so be sure to have these in your bag! 

Breastfeeding & Postpartum Help

For more help about breastfeeding after a c-section or C-section Recovery Tips only your BFF will tell you, check out this post here or click the photos below. 👇.              

Free Printable C-section Checklist

Below you will find a photo of my free printable. Click here to download it and you’ll be added to my email list as well.

No worries, I promise not to spam you since I barely have time to send out emails to my readers as it is! I will get to that one day soon, I promise!

For now, you’ll just be added to my list and you can unsubscribe at any time. You’ll also be able to download other free printables I have made as well!

Here is a glimpse of the printable.

DOWNLOAD THE C-SECTION HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST PRINTABLE HERE! 

Be sure to print this out and take this with you if you need to! Trust me, these come in handy when you have mommy brain and so much to remember before your c-section!

Good luck mamas and remember to hang in there and all this pain and anxiety we go through will be so worth it in the end once you’re holding that precious little one!

For more information about where you can get all of these must haves on your list, click here or the photo below!

Wondering what to expect for your c-section? Click here or the photo below so you know what you’re getting yourself into!

More pregnancy and postpartum posts you may also be interested in: