Are you planning a hospital birth? Packing your hospital bag is a bit like packing for vacation. Maybe you’re the kind of person who is tempted to pack anything you might want or need during your stay. Or, maybe you’re the kind of person who prefers to keep it light. Whatever your preference is, we have a list for you!

In this article, you’ll find our recommendations for:

• Deciding what to pack
• The Bare Necessities Hospital Bag
• The Hospital Bag with a Few Extras
• The “Ready for Anything” Hospital Bag
• Additional tips and tricks from our birth doulas

Deciding What to Pack

Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, here are our tips to help you decide what makes the cut:

Keep It Personal

The hospital is going to have many of the traditional essentials you will need while you’re there. Don’t worry about packing things like diapers, wipes, pads, mesh underwear, etc. Most hospitals even have a labor ball. Try to stick to those things that the hospital won’t have, the necessities that are uniquely you.

Keep It Comfortable

Delivering a baby is likely to be the hardest (and probably longest) workout you’ll ever do in your life. Afterward, you’ll be tired, sore, and still looking about 5 months pregnant. During recovery, you will also have care providers coming in to check on you throughout the day and night. Bring comfortable clothing that you feel good in. If you’re planning to breastfeed, choose clothes with easy access as well!

Keep It “Everyday”

If you don’t usually wear a robe at home, it’s unlikely you’ll suddenly wish you had one in labor and delivery. That being said, if there’s something cozy that you LOVE, you’ll likely want it at the hospital, too. This includes items such as robes, toiletries, cosmetics, slippers, blankets, pillows, etc.

Keep It Organized

You may want to use packing cubes, smaller bags, or various pockets to help keep things separated by category. For instance, you may want a separate section for labor, recovery, and baby. Having things well organized can make it easier for you to find them. Plus, it’s to give directions to your partner or doula if you need them to retrieve something for you.

Keep It Mobile

Keep in mind, it may be a trek from the parking lot to your room and back again. Also, you may need to transfer rooms once (if not multiple times) while you’re there. It might feel excessive to head into the hospital with a large, rolling suitcase, but it’s a great option. They can be easier to manage and hold than a duffel-style bag. If you’re a “maximalist” packer, consider what “just in case” things can be left in the car until they’re needed.

Worried your hospital won’t have something? Call the hospital and ask! Better yet, see if they offer a free hospital tour for expecting parents. These tours are a great opportunity to ask questions, get a lay of the land, and learn what to expect while you’re there.

The Bare Necessities Hospital Bag Checklist

If you don’t like the idea of hauling a bunch of luggage around the hospital, this list is for you! Here is our minimalist packing list of the “essentials” you’ll need to have ready to go when labor starts. 

This list is also a great starting point for anyone who wants to get a jump on packing their hospital bag. We recommend having these things packed and ready to go by your 37th week of pregnancy (if not sooner).

For the Birthing Person

About to give birth? This list is for you!

• 2+ Comfortable Recovery Outfits: After an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you’ll likely spend one to two nights in the hospital in recovery. After a c-section, you can expect to spend an additional one to two nights (3 – 4 days total) in recovery. During this time, you are certainly welcome to wear your hospital gown, but many people feel more comfortable in their own clothes. Do yourself a favor and stick to dark colors you don’t mind getting blood on just in case. Nursing pajamas or maternity bottoms with a nursing top are a wonderful option, especially if you are breastfeeding. 
• 1 Comfortable Going Home Outfit: As we mentioned earlier, you are likely to be sore, tired, and still looking about 5 months pregnant when you are leaving the hospital. Your favorite pregnancy outfit is usually a great option for the trip one. Although you may want to snap a keepsake photo on our way out, you don’t have to be paparazzi-ready like the royal family (unless you want to be!).
• Shoes: We recommend shoes that are non-slip and easy to get on and off. You may also want to consider bringing sandals or flip-flops you can wear in the hospital shower.
• Toiletries: Pack the things you use every day. For me, that looked like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, CC Cream, chapstick, mascara, and facewash. For you, that might look like your whole makeup bag, hairdryer, and 3 hair products. Keep in mind, you may not have the energy for anything more than the basics, whatever that looks like for you. This is one of the areas where it’s important to keep it unique to you and “every day.”
• Identification, Insurance Card, and Hospital Forms: Some hospitals allow you to submit your paperwork online as part of the registration process, but you should still have your ID and Insurance Card (if applicable) on hand at the hospital.
• Printed Copies of Your Birth Preferences/Plans: Oftentimes, you can give a copy of your birth preferences to your provider and they will add it to your medical chart. However, we still recommend bringing at least two copies with you to reference and share with your primary labor and delivery nurse(s).
• Refillable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated in labor is so important, just like it is during any hard workout. It helps to have a water bottle (or straw cup) that you know you actually like to drink out of.

For The Baby

Your baby truly doesn’t need much. You can likely pack their items alongside your own.

• Car Seat: You won’t be allowed to leave the hospital without it. Put yours in the car sooner than later and read your manual to make sure you know how to use it properly. If you’re a “skip the manual” kind of person, trust us–this one is worth reading! If you can, have your installation checked by a certified car seat tech (also known as a Certified Passenger Safety Technician or CPST).
• 2 Sizes of Going Home Outfits: While you’re in the hospital, your baby will likely spend the bulk of their time skin-to-skin in a diaper, especially if there are no complications. Many hospitals supply a swaddling blanket, hat, and sometimes a onesie to use while you’re there. So, you really only need an outfit for the trip home. Because there’s no telling just how big or small your baby will be until they make their grand entrance, it’s generally a good idea to bring two different sizes (NB and 3M for suspected larger babies or Premie and NB for suspected smaller or premature babies). 
• Socks/Booties and Mittens: Newborns aren’t great at regulating their body temperature, which is why hospitals supply hats. If the weather calls for it, you may also want to bring socks or botties, mittens, or a light blanket for the car ride home. Just watch out for overheating. Mittens also help to keep babies from scratching themselves in those easy weeks before they have good hand control.

For Partners

When it comes to partners, you’ll want to remember that care providers and other staff will be coming and going throughout the day and night. So, with that in mind, you’ll want to pack: 

• 1 Comfortable Overnight Outfit: Some comfortable and covered up. Hospitals can get particularly chilly at night, so layers are a good idea.
• 1 Comfortable Daytime Outfit: Comfort is key for those moments when you can catch a quick nap. Check with your partner to see if there is something, in particular, they may want you to wear for a “going home” outfit for a keepsake family photo.
• Toiletries: Just like mom, keep it simple and stick to the things you use every day. Unlike mom, consider whether or not you plan to pop back home for a quick shower or any additional clothes.
• Chargers: Don’t forget to bring chargers so you can keep everyone updated, coordinate visitors if desired, and share the news after the baby arrives. Outlets can be hard to come by, so any kind of multi-cord charger is a great idea. Generally speaking, the longer the cord the better!

The Hospital Bag Checklist with a Few Extras

The bare necessities truly may be all you need in your hospital bag, but here are a few additional things to consider if you have space:

• Non-perishable and one-handed Snacks for the birthing person 
• Powdered Electrolytes, coconut water, or sports drinks for rehydration and energy during labor
• Extra Snacks/Food for Partner
• Coping Aids (such as essential oils, massage tools, lotion, a heating pad, etc.)
• Environment Enhancers (such as photos of loved ones, printed affirmations, battery-powered candles, etc.)
• 1 or 2 Comforts from Home (such as pillows, blankets, slippers, towel, robe, etc.)
• Laptop, Tablet, and/or Portable Speaker for passing time or coping during an induction or long labor
• Ear Buds or Headphones to help you focus on coping through contractions while you listen to music, guided meditations, white noise, or whatever you desire during labor
• Camera or Camcorder if you want something other than your smartphone
• A Sleep Mask and/or Ear Plugs, especially if you are a light sleeper or you want to minimize disruptions during labor

Partners: keep in mind, you’ll likely be sleeping on a couch or reclining chair. The hospital should provide pillows and blankets, but they can be scratchy and thin. You may want to strongly consider bringing your own, even if you just keep them in the car until you’re ready for some Zzzs. Depending on how far away from the hospital you live, you may also want to put some extra clothing in the car in case your stay is longer than expected.

The “Ready for Anything” Hospital Bag Checklist

• A Pacifier (if you’d like to use one from day one)
• A Bottle and your preferred Formula if you don’t intend to breastfeed and have a preferred brand. (Keep in mind, you will also have the option to use whatever the hospital stocks or request donor breastmilk.)
• Your own Swaddling Blanket or Velcro Swaddle (for pictures, the drive home, or easy swaddling)
• Baby Book for immediately documenting hand/footprints and birth details
• Nursing Pillow and Nipple Cream if you have a particular brand you prefer
• Your own Hospital Gown if you’d prefer not to use a standard hospital gown
• A Pregnancy Pillow can be wonderful for getting more comfortable in a hospital bed during both labor and postpartum, especially if you have an epidural. Just know that it could end up with blood and other fluids on it.
• HDMI Cord and Adapter for connecting the computer or tablet to the TV in the hospital room
• Your own Breast Pump and Pump Parts. If you need a pump while you are in the hospital, a pump and the parts should be provided to you. That being said, some people prefer to bring their own. If you do use a hospital pump while in the hospital, you can bring home the used parts (flanges, membranes, bottles, etc.) just like you would with any other hospital-supplied supplies.

Leave Some Extra Room

Pick a bag that’s bigger than you need or bring an extra empty bag so you can take any leftover supplies from your hospital room (such as pads, wipes, or diapers). Some hospitals will even send you home with a care package of additional supplies. If there’s something you want more of, you don’t need to be sneaky or try to hoard it. Just ask!

Planning to deliver at home or in a birth center?

When it comes to packing for a birth center birth, your checklist will look a lot like those listed above. The biggest difference is that you don’t need to plan to stay as long. Just like with hospital birth, you’ll want to call ahead or schedule a tour so you can get a rundown of what will be available to you, what to expect, and answers to your questions.

For a home birth, we recommend you round up the essentials you may want during labor and the immediate postpartum period so you have everything in one place. Pack a basket or bag of snacks and hydrating drinks to set out in the kitchen. Fill a travel kit with any personal care items you might need someone else to grab for you. Gather any coping aids you may want to use. Set of a set of clothing for labor and another for the immediate postpartum period. You’ll be glad to have everything in one place, and it will make it so much easier for your team to help retrieve something for you! 

You should also consider having a small hospital bag ready to go just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, right?

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag

Unless you’re planning to have a scheduled c-section, there’s no telling when your baby will arrive. According to an article by The Bump, “6% of babies were born late (week 41 and after), 12% arrived early (before week 37), and 82% showed up on time (between weeks 37 and 41).” It’s a good idea to have your bag ready to go by week 37 so you’re ready when your baby is.

Share in the Comments

If you’ve already “been there, done that” we’d love to hear what you didn’t need and what you wish you had brought in your hospital bag. Was there anything your partner had to run home for? Anything you should have left at home? Share what you packed or any questions you have in the comments below!

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