- Nursery Articles -
Hospital Bag Checklist
You’ve got your nursery stocked with everything your baby will need when you bring them home, but are you ready for the big day? To ensure your birthing experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible, prepare ahead of time by pre-packing for your stay with this hospital bag checklist!
When To Pack a Hospital Bag
Packing your hospital bag a few weeks before your due date will relieve stress when the big day comes. We recommend having everything ready to go by around the 35th week of your pregnancy, just in case your baby decides to come early.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom
When deciding what to pack in a hospital bag, you’ve got a lot of things to consider. From nursing supplies and aftercare to postpartum entertainment and clothes, Mom's hospital bag will be packed to the brim!
Important Documents
• Birth Plan. Make sure to bring a few copies just in case!
• Hospital Paperwork. Bring any information you filled out beforehand.
• Insurance and IDs. Hospital staff will ask you for these when you arrive.
• Medications. Consult with your doctor about your prescriptions—many hospitals supply necessary medications and do not allow outside medications to be brought in.
• Pediatrician Information. The hospital will send records their way.
Personal Care
• Toiletries. Just in case the hospital doesn’t have them (or if you want to have any specialty products with you), be sure to pack these:
○ Toothbrush and toothpaste
○ Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
○ Face cleanser
○ Skin care products
○ Deodorant
○ Hairbrush
○ Lotion
• Cosmetics. You’ll be glowing after birth, but may still want some of your favorites:
○ Lip balm
○ Makeup remover wipes
○ Cosmetics of choice
• Miscellaneous. Here are a few more odds and ends to consider:
○ Glasses and/or contact lenses
○ Hair ties and/or clips
○ Pillows (if you want extras)
○ Towels (if you prefer your own)
○ Eye mask and ear plugs
Entertainment
• A tablet, gaming device or laptop and charger. An episode (or season) of your favorite show can do wonders for passing the time.
• A deck of cards. If you prefer to keep your entertainment screen-free, a deck of cards is good to have on hand.
• Books or magazines. If reading is your preferred pastime, bring a book and a magazine (or three).
Apparel
• Socks or slippers. If your hospital room gets cold, you'll be happy to have your favorite pair.
• Shower shoes. Flip-flops work, too!
• Extra clothes. It’s a good idea to have at least two changes of clothes, including some loose layers and a going-home outfit for Mom.
• Nightgown or robe. Bring whatever you’ll feel most comfortable in after you have your baby!
Post-Delivery
• Nursing supplies. If you’re planning to breastfeed, remember to bring these:
○ Toothbrush and toothpaste
○ Nursing bra
○ Nursing pillow
○ Nipple cream
• Extra-strength maternity pads. You may want to bring a few in case the hospital doesn’t have enough.
• Empty bag. The hospital is going to give you back more than just your newborn! Bring a spare bag to carry the extra diapers, paperwork, etc.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby
Even though you can expect the facility to have important items for your baby at the ready, it’s still wise to bring a few of your own items. Here’s what to pack in a hospital bag for baby:
• Blankets. Wrap your newborn in a baby blanket for the ride home.
• Pacifiers. Some hospitals may supply these, but you can bring your own—or some cute pacifier holders so they don’t get lost!
• Bottles. If you plan to bottle-feed your newborn, don’t forget baby bottles.
• Mittens, hat and booties. You can expect the hospital to provide these for your newborn, but it’s still helpful to bring a going-home outfit for baby.
• Going-home outfit. Bring soft newborn clothes to take your infant home in.
• Infant car seat. The hospital will not let you leave if you don’t have a car seat for your infant. Pre-install one or bring it with you if you'll be picked up.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Partner
Once you’ve got your checklist fully checked off for Mom and baby’s hospital bag, if you plan to have your partner present, don’t forget about them! While they can likely leave to pick up important items, knowing what to pack in a hospital bag for a partner will make things easier for everyone.
• Toiletries. If the stay runs long, they’ll need these to freshen up.
• Pillows and blankets. They may want their own to make those hospital chairs more comfortable.
• Phone, tablet or laptop and chargers. Keep your phone, tablet or laptop powered up.
• Clothes. They’ll need at least one change of clothes if they spend the night.
• Comfortable shoes. Be sure your partner has comfortable shoes they won’t mind wearing all day.
• Snacks. Favorite snacks are a must!
What Not to Pack in a Hospital Bag
When you’re having a baby, you’ll want everything you need close at hand during your stay, from baby must-haves to extra hospital clothes to snacks. But here are some things you can leave behind to make more room for what you need.
• Jewelry. Leave this at home so it doesn’t get lost!
• Unnecessary electronics. If you don’t plan on using a tablet, laptop or smart watch, it’s best not to risk losing it.
• Baby toys. Your little one will still be too little to play with their adorable toys!
• Basic baby needs. The facility should supply most of these.
What the Hospital Will Provide
If you notice a few key items missing from our baby hospital bag checklist, there’s a good chance it’s because the hospital or birthing center will provide them. Here are a few things you can expect most facilities to have on hand if you prefer not to bring your own alternatives.
Essentials for Parents
• Maternity hospital gown and non-slip socks
• Labor accessories like birthing balls
• Food and water
• Hygiene products
• Disposable underwear
• Pregnancy pads
• Aftercare products
• Pillows, bedding and towels
• Many over-the-counter and prescription medications
Essentials for Babies
• Disposable diapers and wipes
• Pacifiers
• Formula
• Hygiene products
• Swaddle blankets
• Basic caps and onesies
Postpartum Essentials List
So you’ve got your hospital bag for Mom, baby and partner all set—now what? Make sure you’re ready for your first day at home with your family’s newest addition with these postpartum essentials:
• Extra maternity pads. Your hospital may send you home with some, but it doesn’t hurt to have extra.
• Maternity underwear. Stock up on disposable or reusable pieces you won’t mind throwing out after you’ve fully healed.
• Peri bottle. Warm or cold water can help promote healing and comfort as you recover.
• Pain meds. A bottle of acetaminophen or ibuprofen should help reduce discomfort.
• Sitz bath. A nice daily soak in this tiny tub should aid in recovery.
• Heating and cooling pads. Keep one of each handy to reduce swelling or soothe aches.
• Plenty of loose, comfortable clothing. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself living in loungewear for weeks on end!
• Breastfeeding supplies. Be ready with nipple cream, nursing bras, a breast pump, extra bottles and nursing pillows.
Bonus Tip: Snacks for Hospital Bags
Whether you’re a junk food fan or a healthy snacker, you know better than anyone what you’re likely to crave after an exhausting day. We recommend having a range of treats available, from cravable sweets to savory standbys.
• Savory and hearty. Keep these around for between meals:
○ Jerky
○ Salted nuts
○ Trail mix
○ Pretzels
○ Wasabi peas
○ Cheese
○ Pre-packaged charcuterie
○ Hard-boiled eggs
• Sweet and satisfying. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try these:
○ Protein bars
○ Granola Bars
○ Yogurt-covered raisins
○ Fresh fruit
○ Dried fruit
○ Fruit snacks
○ Cookies
○ Your favorite candy bar
With that, you can put a mother’s seal of approval on your hospital bag checklist! With everything you need packed and ready, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be prepared whenever baby is ready to join your family. Once you bring your bundle of joy home, you can wash your bag like you would a backpack, and then it won’t be long before you need to know what to pack in a diaper bag!