The Only Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist You'll Ever Need
Wondering what to pack in your hospital bag? Let's cover everything you will need for labor, delivery, postpartum recovery, and heading home. Don't forget to download our free printable checklist to ensure nothing gets left behind!
What to Actually Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Packing your hospital bag is one of the last big milestones before meeting your baby, but it can also be one of the most overwhelming. A quick search online will leave you with dozens of hospital bag checklists. Many of these are packed with items you'll never use. The result? More confusion, more overpacking, and more decisions to make.
The good news is that preparing for the hospital doesn't have to be complicated. The goal shouldn't be to pack everything you could ever need. It should be to pack what will help you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to meet your sweet baby for the first time.
Let's Make Packing Easier...
I've created a free Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist that you can use when packing your bag. I have labeled each item as a Must Have, Nice to Have, or Optional Comfort Item, making it simple to decide what belongs in your bag without second-guessing yourself. Whether you're a minimalist packer or someone who likes to be prepared for every possibility, this checklist helps you build a hospital bag that works for you.
Download the free Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist here and pack with confidence, not overwhelm.
Below I have outlined some underrated items that were absolute must-haves for me when I packed my bag for my third delivery this past spring. Whatever you decide to include in your bag, know that you are ready for this, Mama. Get excited to meet the newest member of your family!
Download the free Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist here and pack with confidence, not overwhelm.
My Top 10 Hospital Bag Must Haves as a Mom of Three
Clothing
Comfortable lounge set
Save this for after your post birth shower! Changing into a cute and comfortable lounge set after showering will have you feeling refreshed and ready to recover. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the newborn snuggles!
Nursing Bra
If you plan on nursing, a nursing bra is a non-negotiable. Look for options that are supportive but comfortable. I would recommend going with a bralette style instead of a traditional bra for the hospital. You don't want anything with padding or underwire for those first few days. Don't forget to request a consultation with a lactation consultant to get some tips on positioning and latching baby before heading home.
Outfit and props for hospital photos
For each of my three babies, I packed a swaddle, a bassinet sheet, and a personalized name sign to capture some precious first photos in the hospital. Those quiet moments before heading home are so special, and you'll never regret taking a few extra minutes to document them. If you're looking for inspiration, Pinterest is full of beautiful newborn photo ideas that are simple to recreate in your hospital room. They really are only this little once, and you'll be so grateful to have those memories to look back on for years to come.
2 pairs of newborn pajamas with footies and fold-over mittens
I cannot stress the footies and mittens enough! Babies are not able to regulate their body temperature the way that adults do so generally they need a bit more coverage. Baby socks are the absolute worst and DO NOT stay on. Footie pajamas are the perfect solution because you won't have to worry about cold toes or lost socks. Fold-over mittens are another great feature to look for in newborn pajamas. They prevent baby from scratching themselves accidentally and save you the trouble of purchasing and putting on newborn mittens. Pro tip: another great thing to look for in newborn pajamas is a double zipper for diaper changes. Anything with snaps or single zippers are no gos in my house.
Velcro Swaddle
Newborns are STRONG! Even though they are super sleepy immediately after birth, they eventually regain their energy and will do pretty much anything possible to break out of a swaddle. Using a blanket style swaddle never really worked for me, I found velcro options to be way more secure. Why swaddle a newborn? Newborns have a very strong startle reflex which will cause them to jolt themselves awake. Swaddles suppress that reflex and help them feel more comfortable since it mimics conditions in the womb.
Hygiene
Toiletries
It is really nice to be able to take a hot shower after labor and delivery. Not only is it relaxing but it makes you feel a bit more like yourself again after hours of hard work!
Shower shoes
I am the type of person who always wears shower shoes in a public shower but let me tell you there is NO WHERE more important to wear shower shoes than in the hospital. I am sure they do a great job cleaning the bathrooms but I could not imagine stepping foot in there without a pair. Grab a cheap pair of water resistant flip-flops that you can toss after.
Adult Diapers
I did not bring these to my first birthing experience but after using them once I got home, I literally made a note in my phone to pack them in my hospital bag for the next time. They are a game changer because they are as absorbent as the mesh undies with overnight pads BUT they are way more comfortable, secure, and discrete. I would definitely recommend bringing some with you and making sure you stock some at home in your postpartum kits.
Technology
Extra long phone charger
Whether you are still in labor and delivery or you have transferred to the mom baby unit, you are going to want your device charged and ready to go. I ended up using so much battery listening to birth tracks in labor and delivery that by the time I made it to our room my phone was on low battery. I was so grateful to have an extra long cord so that I could charge while in the bed and spread the good news to friends and family.
Headphones
An absolute must have if you are planning on listening to any birthing tracks or affirmations. There is so much noise in a hospital room and this allows you to tune it all out and go deep if you want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
It may seem early to be thinking about your hospital bag, but it is better to be prepared than to regret not having gotten started sooner.
- Week 30 - start thinking about items you would like to include in your hospital bag and order everything that you don't have yet
- Week 32 - if you are a high risk pregnancy, aim to have your bag packed this week
- Week 34 - if you are a low risk pregnancy, aim to have your bag packed this week
- Week 37 - keep your fully packed bag (minus devices) in your car from this point on
What does the birthing facility usually provide?
Birthing facilities usually provide most postpartum supplies and necessities for baby. If you have strong preferences on certain brands, then I would recommend bringing your own. Check out my free printable for all of the specifics!
Should I bring my own pillow and blanket?
Hospital pillows and blankets are anything but luxurious. I know many moms who have brought their own pillows and blankets to be more comfortable. However, I personally chose to keep mine at home because I didn't want them to get ruined or lost.
That being said, I would recommend bringing a pillow and blanket for your partner! They spend most of their time on an uncomfortable recliner or pull out couch so they will appreciate some extra comfort.
What NOT to pack?
- Jewelry and valuables - your hospital stay will be super busy and may include changing rooms multiple times so the less to keep track of the better
- Full size toiletries - keep them travel size
- Your entire make up collection - just bring the essentials
- Diapers and wipes - very bulky and usually provided by the birthing facility
- Too many outfits for you and baby - you both will probably spend the majority of your stay in a diaper haha
What are your top packing tips?
My number one tip is to keep a piece of paper or sticky note on top of your suitcase with things that need to be added or need to be grabbed as you are leaving. Sometimes labor progresses quickly or you unexpectedly have to go in for a medical complication, having everything clearly listed out will help you or your partner finish your bag and get moving as efficiently as possible.
I also love using packing cubes to keep everything organized within your suitcase. There were many times during labor that I asked my husband to grab me items out of my bag and if they were not organized like this, everything probably would have ended up on the floor!
One last recommendation is keeping everything that you will need during labor and delivery on top for easy access instead buried under a pile of outfits that you plan on wearing during recovery.
If you are ready to start packing, be sure to download my free Pregnancy Hospital Bag Checklist. With organized packing lists for Mom, Baby, your partner and a handy "Before You Leave" checklist, it's designed to take the guesswork out of preparing for the hospital so you can focus on what truly matters.
Wishing you a smooth delivery, a healthy recovery, and a beautiful beginning to this next chapter. You've done the preparation and now it's time to look forward to meeting your baby.