April 2025
Minimalist Hospital Packing List: For the Scheduled C-Section Formula Feeding Mamas
Over the past ten years, I have self-proclaimed perfected the art of minimalist packing for travel without sacrificing our needs. And now I have a new feather in my cap for anyone that this blog post may help – packing for a hospital stay when delivering a baby via scheduled c-section, formula feeding mamas.
Once I knew we were c-section bound (breech baby despite all the efforts), I took out the labor comb and bathing suit I had packed and switched gears to learning what I needed to pack for as a scheduled c-section and formula feeding mama. Our hospital stay would be four days long so I knew I needed to accommodate for that length of time and luckily we did not live far from the hospital where if we truly forgot something that was an emergency, we were able to retrieve it. Maybe that is why I really procrastinated actually packing up this bag!
I am a minimalist packer and have prided myself in our ability to pack extremely light for trips. Needless to say, even though I attempted to apply my extensive packing skills and really only had a duffle bag and backpack that was shared space for all of us, I way over packed in a truly comical way. I thought four days in the hospital with nothing to do – I didn’t want to be without something or bored. And how hilarious is that! I brought my computer, Kindle, even the Nintendo Switch and I never even thought about touching them over the four days – I couldn’t even find the energy or time to watch the season finale of White Lotus. I have to look back and laugh. But it was very clear to me what I actually removed from the packed bag and what was really essential for the stay.
If you are looking for the ultimate minimalist hospital packing list specifically for a scheduled c-section and formula feeding mama, this is it.
- Bags: I used our trusty Walker Family Goods duffle bag and backpack that fit everything we packed.
- Phone and charger: This goes without saying but you are going to want your phone and a way to charge it. Many blog posts indicated you want a really long charging cable but my hospital bed had a USB port directly in it. A portable battery pack may be a good consideration depending on the charging situation in your hospital room.
- Camera and stand: Kevin wanted to bring the ‘real’ camera as we like to refer to it as and it was great to have to take baby’s photos. We also packed a camera stand that we attached to the hospital bed to get our first photos as a family of three.
- Clothing: Since this was a scheduled c-section, I wore comfy clothes into the hospital and just wore the same outfit to go home. You take these clothes off within minutes of arriving to the Labor and Delivery floor so they were still perfectly clean to wear later. I wore slip on shoes (trust me they won’t go on at the end of the stay as you can’t bend over), maternity leggings, comfy bra, socks (I also packed compression socks as some people experience swelling post surgery – don’t worry my swelling did not come until a week later), and an oversized sweatshirt – thanks Her Place Supper Club). The only other piece of clothing I ended up wearing was a robe which I only felt comfortable changing into on day 3 and it felt very luxurious.
- Anti-breastfeeding gear: I packed tight sports bras though I was unable to get them on until I got home so they went untouched in the hospital. But one thing I did use religiously applying every 3 hours was Cabo Creme – cabbage leaf extract that dries up supply. And while I started applying this the day of surgery, I still experienced engorgement when we got home that lasted two solid days and then began to subside after that. I used an entire tube of the Cabo Creme and it seemed to do the trick. I did not bring our own formula (we used Bobbie) or bottles and just used what the hospital provided which was ready-to-use formulation that was very easy to use.
- Toiletry bag: I simply packed the toiletry bag that we bring on all our trips. I didn’t end up shower in the hospital but Kevin used it and I was able to (sometimes) do my face routine and I packed a really nice face moisturizer from clinique that felt like a special treat.
- Body wipes: And because I did not shower, these body wipes were the key to feeling refreshed. I used this on our raft camping trip to the Grand Canyon and they served the same purpose so I was glad I threw a pack of these in my bag.
- Snacks and gum: This is an area I wish I had more of. I had this vision that Kevin could run out and get take out at our favorite places but once again, joke is on me for that one. We had a few snacks packed and I am not even sure what I would have packed differently other than the fact that it would have been nice to have more of these options.
- Always underwear style pads – Oh these were another piece of gold. I ended up switching to these the day after surgery as the bleeding was not as intense as I expected and I did not feel like I needed the crazy size ones the hospital had so I did not need the giant items that the hospital provided. These were fantastic, so comfortable, and covered up my incision so I could pretend like it did not even exist. It was nice to have the underwear style to avoid needing to bend down and apply the pad each time – all in one is definitely the way to go. For when you get home and the bleeding subsides, make sure to have high waisted underwear to avoid rubbing against your incision site. Also, if you do not have a bidet set up on your toilet seat at home – do it. Just do it, it will change your life (thanks Japan!).
- Ice Packs: I did not pack these but wow I wish I did. I needed something to curb the incision pain and I thought ice packs would be a great solution – which it was – however, the hospital ice packs sucked. I ended up using the pads that they offer for vaginal births to ice the area but I would take out the ice pack from the pad. This ice pack only stayed cold for maybe twenty minutes so I went through a lot of these. Having a regular ice pack would have been great. And bring two so you can wear one and freeze one then alternate.
- LMNT packets: Or your hydration of choice. It is so important to stay hydrated and for some reason, reaching for the water bottle is not front of mind when you are holding your newborn so I was happy to have a stack of these for a boost. Speaking of, I never saw my water bottle – yes the water bottle that literally goes with me everywhere never left the closet. I just used the water jug they give you in the hospital.
- Boppy pillow: I did not even purchase this as I thought it was useless for a non-breastfeeding mom. But my friend – who also formula fed and had c-sections – gifted me hers and insisted on its utility for my situation. And she was so right! This pillow has been one of the most used items to date. For me, it was great to protect my incision from baby’s crazy kicking feet but also provided additional support, especially in uncomfortable seats.
- Belly binder: I went back and forth on this item and ended up being so glad I had it. The one I purchased specifically has a lower pelvic binder which is what you want post c-section. At first, I used it to just hold the ice packs in place the day of surgery and then after a few days I used it tighter around my incision to keep everything together and provided counter pressure.
- For baby: Again, I overpacked for baby as well. All we needed was a going home outfit and a pack up (yes two sleepers was all we really needed, of course the baby spit up in the first one so I was happy to have a pack up) and we brought an announcement sign for photos which was a nice touch. Maybe other mamas will have the energy to change their baby’s outfit every day but I was good with what the hospital was providing until we left.
- Kevin’s Bag: Kevin packed his computer – which he did use – phone, kindle and corresponding chargers, comfortable clothes for the night, and then normal clothes for during the day.
And that’s it! Really is amazing how little you need. Obviously if you want more there is nothing stopping you but for a minimalist like myself, you really do not need much.
Ahead of your hospital stay, you should also have the following medications at home so you can continue taking them after discharge:
Also, here are a list of books I recommend:
- Emily Oster – literally all the books, the women is brilliant (Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm)
- Bringing up Bebe
- Hunt, Parent, Gather
- Moms on Call
I hope this list is helpful for someone that is looking to pack way less than what everyone tells you that you need – it is shocking how little you need to pack with you, especially if you already practice a more minimal style. Now to learn how to pack minimally for the baby for our first trip – stay tuned!
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