
When you’re getting ready to have a baby, packing your hospital bag feels like a mission of epic importance. You don’t want to forget anything, but suddenly everything feels like a necessity—from four kinds of lip balm to an entire stack of receiving blankets. The truth? Most first-time parents bring way more than they’ll ever use during their hospital stay. It’s totally normal to overpack out of excitement, nerves, or the idea that you’ll suddenly become a skincare-obsessed minimalist while in labor. To help lighten your load and keep your expectations realistic, here are eight things you’ll almost definitely overpack in your hospital bag.