Your due date is approaching, and it’s probably time to pack your hospital bag. Not sure where to start or what to put in it? Check out my ultimate hospital bag checklist for you, your baby, and your partner.
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When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
You should pack your hospital bag for delivery a few weeks before your due date. For example, I packed mine around 36-37 weeks pregnant. You never know when your baby will decide to come, so it’s good to be ready with the main items for you, your little one, and your partner. Before leaving for the hospital, I added my toiletries and personal things like my toothbrush.
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Remember that the hospital will probably provide you with some free items like gowns for labor and delivery, disposable mesh underwear, postpartum items like sanitary pads and ice packs, and a few basic toiletries.
Still, you may prefer your versions of these items or some extras. Pack your hospital bag with personal items to make you feel more comfortable during and after labor.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom
>Documents: Bring your photo ID, insurance information, and any hospital forms.
>Your birth plan. If you have a birth plan, print and bring a few copies.
>Your phone and an extra-long charger cable. An option is to bring a portable power bank as well.
>A comfortable robe or a sweater in case you get cold. I also used my robe when friends visited us in the hospital after the baby was born.
>A pair or two of non slip grip socks for walking around during labor
>Slippers or flip-flops
>Hair ties or a headband
>Pajamas or a nightgown
>Toiletries and personal items. Bring your hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, and deodorant.
>Glasses and/or contacts and saline solution if applicable
>Going home outfit
>A small duffle bag for extra hospital supplies and any gifts you might receive
Optional Hospital Bag Items for Mom
There are a few items that are optional for your hospital bag but may help you feel more comfortable during your stay in the hospital.
>A gown for delivery. Your hospital will provide you with a gown for labor and delivery, but you may choose to wear your own.
>Your pillow. Hospital pillows may not be as comfortable as your pillow.
>Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, shower gel, soap, makeup, and whatever else will make you feel refreshed
>Snacks to eat during (if allowed) and after labor. For example, granola bars, pretzels, beef jerky, and dried fruit.
>A portable Bluetooth speaker or headphones. We brought our Sony wireless speaker and played quiet, relaxing music from YouTube.
>A small diffuser and some essential oils. They helped me to relax during my labor hours!
>A postpartum recovery kit and essentials. The hospital will probably provide you with everything you need postpartum like pads and ice packs. Still, I decided to bring my Earth Mama Postpartum Recovery Kit and start using it immediately.
>A Peri bottle. I got my own Peri bottle with an angled retractable spout for easier use.
>Comfortable clothes. Sweatpants or yoga pants and a t-shirt in case you want to change your hospital outfit.
>Breastmilk pump. If you consider pumping, then take your breast milk pump to start using it right away.
If you plan to nurse, please consider also these items:
>Nursing bras and nursing pads
>A nursing pillow (it works great also for bottle feeding your baby)
>A nipple cream
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Baby
Your baby won’t need much more than something to wear home and a car seat. Check with your hospital about what freebies they provide for newborns. For example, we got free diapers, receivable blankets, and a hat.
Here are the essentials you’ll want to add to your baby’s hospital bag:
>An approved infant car seat. It should be sized for a newborn weight and installed correctly before going to the hospital. For example, my husband installed ours a few weeks before my due date. Keep in mind that the hospital staff will check your car seat if it is installed properly and won’t allow you to leave the hospital without having one.
>Pediatrician contact information. If you already have a pediatrician in mind, make sure to bring his information with you, because you need to fill it out on hospital documents.
>Diapers. Take diapers only if you want to use specific diapers for your baby. Otherwise, the hospital will provide you with free diapers.
>A diaper balm. I’ve been using Earth Mama Diaper Balm since my baby was born.
>Wipes. Begin with water-based wipes that are designed for newborns or sensitive skin.
>A going-home outfit in a few sizes. My advice is to bring clothes in different sizes (newborn and 0-3 months) because you never know how big your baby will be.
>A newborn announcement sign for photos. We got one from TJ Maxx and took pictures with our baby before leaving the hospital.
>A warm blanket for the ride home
>A hat. Babies lose the vast majority of their body heat through their heads.
>Mittens. Sometimes, babies are born with long nails and mittens will prevent them from scratching.
>Weather-appropriate clothes. Bring a hat, socks, and a sweater if it is cold weather.
What Your Partner or Support Person Should Pack in Hospital Bag
Make sure your partner packs a bag for themselves too! Since you’ll both likely spend a night or two in the hospital, ensure your partner gets overnight clothes, essentials, snacks, change, and entertainment. Here’s what should go in their hospital bag:
>Phone and a charger
>Reusable water bottle
>More snacks. They are the most important thing to bring and share with a hungry new mom. Trust me! 🙂
>A pillow and a light sleeping bag/a blanket for hospital naps or overnight stay
>Pajamas or sweatpants
>A change of clothes
>Slippers or flip-flops
>Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, other personal toiletries, glasses, contact lenses if applicable
>Some change and small bills for the hospital vending machines and cafeteria
>A massage oil or a lotion. Your partner may massage your lower back during labor to ease the pain.
>Deck of cards, a laptop, or a tablet for distraction if the labor takes a lot of hours
>A camera, if you have one, to take photos with your newborn
>A tripod for your phone and camera
>Going home clothes
Is there anything you shouldn’t bring in your hospital bag for delivery?
>Too much clothing for you or your baby
>Valuables like expensive jewelry, a lot of cash
>Tobacco, alcohol products
>Diapers if you are ok with the ones the hospital will provide you
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Final Thoughts
My advice is to pack only items that will make you feel comfortable during your stay in the hospital. Don’t overpack with too many things or clothes, just the necessities. Once you pack your bags, you’ll be all set to head to the hospital when the baby is ready to come.
Happy packing,
Dani
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