Hospital Bag Checklist
Let’s talk about packing your bags for the hospital. We’re going to go into a lot of possibilities, but what you actually pack will depend on a few things:
Specifics of your birth plan
What your hospital provides and which of those items you’d like to use
What your hospital will provide for your partner
What your hospital will provide for your baby
Whether you’re a minimalist or maximalist when it comes to packing
Helpful Tips
Consider packing one bag for labor and another for postpartum, especially if you’re bringing a lot. Your support person can grab the second bag after the birth, when it’s convenient.
A big question is always when to have the bag packed, and I recommend packing before reaching 37 weeks. Some people choose to pack earlier. You should do what makes you most comfortable.
The hospital will most likely have many of the items on this list. If you’re on a budget or you’re not picky, you can get away with bringing very little. Find out in advance what will be available. You can ask your care provider or take a hospital tour and ask during that.
Hospital cafeterias are often not open 24 hours. If you give birth in the evening or at night, it may be a long wait before meals are available.
Your support person will also need a bag with clothing, the essentials, and snacks. And maybe a pillow!
What if You’re Not Birthing at a Hospital?
If you’re birthing at a birth center, you may not need as many items. You’ll likely be heading home much quicker than if birthing at a hospital.
If you’re birthing at home, your care provider will discuss what supplies you need to have on hand for your birth.
In either case, there is always a small chance that you could end up transferring to a hospital. This would be in the event certain medical interventions are needed. So it’s not a bad idea to have a hospital bag packed, just in case. You could even keep the items to the absolute essentials, as hospitals do usually provide quite a few supplies.
The List
Here’s a list of items you may need. Remember to check with your birth location to find out what’s provided, so you don’t bring or buy anything you really don’t need.
Documents and Other Essentials
Keys
Wallet
Purse
Cell phone
Photo ID
Insurance card
Hospital paperwork
Directions and parking information
Birth plan
Medications
Electronics
Video camera
Camera
Tripod
Chargers
Extra batteries
Speaker or headphones
LED candles/ mood lighting
Food and Drinks
Healthy snacks for labor (honey sticks, crackers, pretzels, granola bars, trail mix, etc.)
Preferred drinks for labor
Postpartum snacks
Toiletries
Hairbrush
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Contact lenses
Eye glasses
Contact solution
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Floss
Cosmetics
Lotions
Razor
Clothing
Birthing gown
Clothing for laboring in water
Comfortable bras
Underwear
Comfortable, loose-fitting pajamas for recovery
Nursing-friendly clothing
Go home outfit
Slippers
Shoes
No-slip socks
Birth Tools/ Comfort Items
Birth ball
Peanut ball
Speaker or headphones for music
Chapstick
Pillows
Aromatherapy supplies
Massage tools
Eye mask
Entertainment/ distractions
Portable fans
Cold packs
Rice sock/ warm compress
Items to squeeze (stress ball/ comb)
Baby Clothes/ Gear
Car seat
Outfits
Going home outfit
Hats
Blankets
Socks
Diapers
Hand mittens
Recovery Supplies
Pads
Underwear
Peri bottle
Ice packs
Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads
Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray
Infant Feeding Supplies
Nursing pillow
Reference book
Nipple cream
Breast pump
Nipple shield
Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Soothing Gel Pads
Ice packs
Warm compress
Nursing bra
Preferred formula, if applicable
A printable version of this checklist (and more) is available in my Free Resource Library!