Hospital Bag Checklist – For Mom, Baby & Partner

The Ultimate Maternity Hospital Bag Checklist For A Smooth Labor & Delivery

So, you’re halfway through your third trimester. The nursery is ready, you’ve got a birth plan, the baby’s name is decided – and your tiny tot can arrive anytime now! Although labor can be stressful enough for any parent, one of the best ways to mitigate that pressure is by preparing things ahead of time.

Hence, here’s an extensive hospital bag checklist for you so that you’re all set to rush to the birth center anytime your baby knocks on the door without worrying about the essential contents of your bag between contractions.

When To Pack Your Hospital bag?

According to stats, hardly 5% of babies are born on their actual due dates. Others usually come a week or two early, but some might also arrive slightly later. So, parents should consider packing their hospital bag at least three weeks before their due date, just in case their baby decides to come a bit earlier than expected.

Some parents even decide to pack their hospital bag as early as 28 to 32 weeks pregnant if they have any indications of going into preterm labor.

Well, if everything seems to be going okay, your hospital bag should be ready to go by the 36th or 37th week of your pregnancy. All you need to make sure is your bag is mostly packed by the time your contractions start – with just a few items to be thrown in at the last moment.

What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag?

How do you pack most of your hospital bag without forgetting anything? Well, a checklist is sure to help you out! Just make sure you keep your hospital bag handy once you pack it, either in the car trunk or near the door, so you can rush to the hospital in a jiffy.

Hospital Bag Checklist For The Mom

Here’s a comprehensive list of all the essentials as well as some nice-to-have on-hand items you’ll need with you in the hospital.

1. Medical Documents and Records of Insurance Policies

First of all, it is highly important to pack your medical records and insurance card in your hospital bag. These are essential documents that will play a crucial role in enabling your doctors to understand your medical condition and process all the important formalities required for the delivery process.

2. Your Birth Plan

If you’ve got a birth plan, print it and bring a few copies to the hospital. You can use one for your chart, some can be given to the nurses, and perhaps you can tape up another one in your hospital room. Don’t forget to mention some key points for quick reference that you want to be taken care of.

3. Comfortable Clothes

Comfy clothes are a must to wear during delivery and after giving birth to your tiny tot. Pack a pair of comfy pj’s or loose pant like joggers that are not too restrictive, especially if you have a caesarian section. Pair it up with an open-front robe for convenient breastfeeding or a nursing tank.

You also need to pack socks to make the cold hospital environment slightly more comfortable for yourself. For footwear, don’t forget to bring in a pair of fuzzy scuff slippers which you can easily slip on even if your feet are swollen from IV fluids.

Another option is to get yourself a maternity hospital gown that is more stylish and comfy than a stiff hospital gown.

4. Postpartum Care Items

Although we’ve already shared a comprehensive postpartum self-care checklist on our blog, this is a quick reminder not to forget essentials such as maternity pads, adult diapers, reusable postpartum absorbent underwear, mesh underwear, perineal spray, etc. Some hospitals provide pads and disposable underwear, it is still a wise idea to carry a few on your own.

5. Bath Towel

Although most hospitals will provide one, let’s agree-hospital towels are too small & thin and some are even scratchy. So, you’ll be glad if you carry your own bath towel from home for your first shower post-delivery.

6. Pillow For You & Your Partner

Even if you stay at a nice hospital, chances are high you’ll get uncomfortable pillows you’ll not feel really relaxed to rest your head on. So, carry two pillows for an even more convenient stay when you give birth.

7. Nursing Bra and Nursing Pads

A supportive nursing bra is essential for hassle-free or painless breastfeeding post-giving birth. Moreover, nursing pads will keep your clothes dry from leaky breasts.

8. Nursing Pillow

First-time moms even need it more – since they’re not used to the breastfeeding experience.

9. Nipple Cream

If you’re planning to breastfeed, you will get sore and cracked nipples, and using a nipple cream will make you so much more comfortable in the hospital.

10. Toiletries

Although you’ll get some basic toiletries from the hospital itself – we’ve mentioned them specifically at the end of this article – pack your essential toiletries like deodorant, lip balm, face wipes, moisturizer, hairbrush, regular or dry shampoo, etc. You also don’t want to forget your contacts and/or glasses if you wear them.

11. Makeup

After all that time in labor, you’re going to want to look all spruced up to take your first picture with your tiny tot and, of course, before the visitors start rolling in. So, pack all the makeup you use regularly.

12. Snacks And Drinks

Pack a reusable water bottle, preferably an insulated one, and some easy-to-eat snacks, like bars, dried fruit, and other eatables your hospital allows.

13. An Extra-Long Cell Phone Charging Cord or a Portable Charger

We cannot recommend this enough. Most hospital beds are placed notoriously far away from an electrical outlet. So, carry an extra-long charging cable or a power bank to get a fully charged phone and click tons of pictures without any issues.

14. Eye Mask and Earplugs

If your hospital room is bright or noisy, an eye mask and earplugs will help you sleep comfortably.

15. Some Nice-to-Haves

Here are some other miscellaneous items that are, of course, not essential but nice to bring with you:

• A diffuser – if you love nice scents in your room
• A portable fan – if you want to stay cool
• Portable Bluetooth speaker – to listen to some nice music during labor
• Massage lotion or oil – if you want to enjoy a massage during labor
• A notepad & pen or a baby book, if you want to record your baby’s birth details straight away or want to track their feeding sessions

What To Pack In A Hospital Bag For A Baby?

Once you’ve packed everything for yourself in your hospital bag, the next category you should move on to is your baby’s stuff.

Hospital Bag Checklist For Your Baby

Since you should carry a fully-packed diaper bag to accommodate all the baby’s essentials, here’s an extensive diaper bag essentials checklist you must check out. Here’s a quick rundown of things you should pack in your hospital bag to have everything you need for your little one.

1. A Car Seat

First and foremost, it is important to install a car seat, even before labor begins, so there’s no last-minute rush about doing it. If you’re driving home without a car seat, the hospital won’t let you take your baby home.

2. Clothing & A “Going-Home” Outfit

Your baby will likely get their clothes from the hospital but make sure to pack a special “going-home” outfit for them. We recommend packing two different sizes, viz. the newborn size and a 0-3 months size, because you don’t know how big or small your baby will be!

3. Warm Layers

Even if the weather is not too cold, don’t forget to carry an extra layer of clothing, such as a soft jacket, hats, socks, mittens, and a cozy blanket to keep the baby warm, if needed. It’s good to pack baby vests & thermal wear too.

4. Your Pediatrician’s Contact Information

Make sure to have your pediatrician’s contact details, including their email, so that the hospital can easily forward your baby’s medical records to them.

5. Feeding Bottles & Formula

If you plan to bottle-feed too, pack at least two feeding bottles for the hospital. Moreover, if you are likely to use formula milk, pack some of your preferred brands, but if you want to wait, it’s completely fine. The hospital will most likely provide you with samples, and you can immediately ask your partner to bring the suited one later.

6. Baby Bibs & Burp Cloths

Spit-ups are common with newborns – so it is a wise idea to carry some bibs and burp cloths with you.

7. Soft Towel

You also want to carry a soft towel that doesn’t scratch your bub’s delicate skin.

8. Toiletries

Although the hospital will likely provide most toiletries and diapering supplies for the baby, if you want to carry some, pack travel-sized versions only.

9. Diaper Rash Cream

The hospital may or may not provide you with one, so there’s no harm in packing one.

10. Baby Nail File and Nail Clippers

Most newborns have sharp, pointy nails they can scratch themselves on the face with. So, along with mittens, you may want to bring baby nail files or clippers to trim their tiny nails.

What The Partner Or Helping Person Should Pack In Their Bag?

Though most hospital bag checklists target moms and babies, your birth partner also plays a huge role in supporting you throughout the journey. So, don’t forget your partner’s needs too.

Hospital Bag Checklist For The Partner

If you have a partner or support person attending the delivery and staying in the hospital with you, here is a list of things you should pack for them.

1. General Entertainment Stuff

Although labor and birthing is difficult, a hospital stay can sometimes be boring and pretty long for birth partners. So, it is a nice idea to pack their iPad, laptop, or headphones they can spend their free time with.

2. A Lightweight Blanket and Pillow

Although we already recommended carrying a pillow for you and your partner, here’s another reminder to carry one for them. And, don’t forget to pack a small blanket, too, if your partner prefers using their own blanket.

3. Camera or Video Camera

If you want to document the entire birth experience, don’t forget to pack a camera in their bag.

4. Toiletries

Don’t forget to pack their essential items they use on a regular basis.

5. Shoes
6. A few changes of comfortable clothes
7. Cell phone charger
8. Cash or a credit card

What Eatables/Snacks Do You Need To Pack?

We already recommended carrying snacks above, but what snacks exactly do we recommend? Well, here are some ideas:

• Salty snacks (such as Pretzels, Jerky, or Goldfish crackers)
• Sweet treats (like hard candies or gummy candies)
• Healthy/fresh snacks such as dried fruits or carrot sticks
• Protein bars
• Yogurt, juice, or milky drinks

Things That Should Not Be Taken In The Hospital Bags

Most hospitals suggest you should not pack expensive items like jewelry, loads of cash, and other valuables to avoid accidentally losing them. Pack only sufficient cash needed in the hospital, so you don’t have to worry about theft.

Moreover, if you’re planning to carry any medication to the hospital, make sure it is approved by the hospital’s pharmacy. Lastly, do not carry candles if you’re an enthusiast for scented candles. No hospital or birth center will allow you to burn them. You could rather pack a diffuser for essential oils.

What The Birth Center Provides

Although all hospitals and their facilities are different, most of them provide basic stuff to take some load off your shoulders. We recommend asking your hospital what they’ll provide, so you don’t carry too much extra stuff.

However, here are a few things that almost all hospitals and birth centers provide for moms.

• Hospital gowns, grip socks, birthing balls, personal massagers, etc.
• Thick maternity pads
• Disposable mesh underwear
• Basic toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste
• Large cups for water and ice
• Postpartum care items, such as witch hazel pads and peri bottles
• Standard pillows, towels, and blankets

Here are some items most hospitals provide for babies:

• Preemie or newborn-size diapers
• Baby diaper wipes
• Hospital branded long-sleeved basic baby shirts or onesies (you need to pack your own coming-home outfit)
• Flannel swaddling blankets
• Feeding bottles, nipples, and formula samples
• Pacifiers
• Standard knit hat
• Baby shampoo and soap
• Prescription and non-prescription medications, if required

Most babies get a lot of freebies from the hospital. So, it’s a good idea to bring an extra bag for that.

How Long Do You Stay In Hospital After Birth?

If you have had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you are likely to stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours. However, if you’ve had a cesarean birth, you might need to stay in the hospital for three to four days.

Final Tips About Packing Your Hospital Bag

Here are some tried and tested tips from moms about packing your maternity hospital bag efficiently:

• Some moms hate to wear glasses during labor as they can get fogged up, while others find themselves uncomfortable in contacts. So, carry both with you to switch them at your convenience.
• Many new mums don’t find themselves comfortable in the disposable mesh underpants given by the hospital. So, don’t forget to carry high-waisted comfortable underwear for yourself.
• Carry cheap flip-flops to wear in the hospital bathroom and shower, as the floors are quite icky. Throw them away later.
• If feasible, carry some sort of gifts for the nurses when you leave.
• When carrying a water bottle, try to get an insulated one.

The Bottom Line

Peace of mind goes a long way in making childbirth smoother and easier. And one of the most efficient ways to ensure that is by getting your things organized and packed beforehand. With that being said, we hope you found this hospital bag checklist useful.

Don’t forget that what you pack for your hospital stay largely depends on you and your individual needs. So, consider this list as your ultimate guide and customize it according to your own comfort and wellness.

And if you still forget something, don’t worry about it! It’s okay to miss a thing or two when you’re in labor and that’s what your partner is there for. Breathe in and out, relax and focus on bringing a new life to the world. If there’s anything you need, send your partner out to get it for you after your baby is born.

Frequently Asked Questions About Packing A Hospital Bag

Here are our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about creating your hospital bag checklist.

What week is best to pack a hospital bag?

Ideally, you should pack your hospital bag by the 36th or 37th week of your pregnancy. However, if you have any indications of going into preterm labor, it is best to pack your maternity hospital bag as early as 28 to 32 weeks pregnant.

What do I need in my maternity bag?

Here are some items you need to pack in your hospital bag:

• Your birth plan, medical documents, and records of insurance policies
• Comfortable clothes
• Baby’s “going-home” outfit
• Postpartum care items such as maternity pads, adult diapers, reusable postpartum absorbent underwear, mesh underwear, perineal spray, etc.
• Your pediatrician’s contact information
• Your and baby’s bath towel
• Blanket, nursing, as well as a regular pillow
• Nursing bra, nursing pads, nipple cream, etc.
• Your and baby’s toiletries
• Makeup
• Snacks and drinks
• Extra-long cell phone charging cable or a portable charger
• Feeding bottles & formula
• Baby’s bibs & burp cloths
• Baby nail file and nail clippers

What do you wear in the hospital after birth?

The hospital will provide you with a maternity gown, but if you want, you can carry your own open-front robe or maternity gown.

How many baby outfits should I bring to the hospital?

Ideally, most hospitals and birthing centers provide basic long-sleeved baby shirts or onesies for newborns. However, if you prefer, you can carry your own baby outfits and swaddle blankets. Most importantly, don’t forget to pack the baby’s “going-home” outfit, though.