It’s the final stretch! I’m sure you’ve got the nursery ready, you’re taking birthing classes and now you’re thinking about what to pack in your hospital bag! Hopefully you’ve been making some meals to freeze ahead for post delivery and now it’s time to pack your hospital bag.
The suggestions I’m giving are what I personally did and will do for future babies, as well as the suggestions and advice from fellow moms.
You can download and print my quick guide with a check list to make packing a bit easier for you, so you don’t forget anything! There’s also some space to write additional things you’d like to bring. My downloaded version is a compilation of what you REALLY need with space to customize it to make it your own. Remember this list is not only for you and your baby, but you can’t forget about your partner! She/he will most likely be there for the same amount of time that you are, so making sure you have items for them, will be nice – you’re welcome!
When to pack your hospital bag?
Typically you want to start getting your hospital bag ready around 36-37 weeks. Since you’re most likely still using a lot of your items (toiletries, shoes, electronics, chargers), I would strongly recommend writing, or printing, my list so that when it’s time to actually go to the hospital, your partner can quickly go through the checklist to get those remaining items. The things you aren’t using now (baby clothes, some of your clothes, snacks, birth plan etc), you can pack now.
What to pack your items in?
So you could either pack two bags – a smaller one for labor, which will include maybe essential oils, comfy clothes you plan to labor in, and snacks. Then a bigger bag with items for after delivery, which includes baby’s clothes, you and your partner’s clothes, and toiletries. However, my husband, who was the one who carried everything preferred to just have one bag and only one bag to focus on. We ended up using a gym bag, which had a bunch of zippers and different compartments for easy organization. A pocket for baby’s clothes, a pocket for toiletries, and the main pocket for our clothes and bigger items. Talk to your partner and see what kind of bag, or how many bags they prefer to bring. Remember, you’ll be coming home with a baby and a car seat and you’ll both be exhausted, so find something practical
What does the hospital provide?
The majority of hospitals/birthing centers provide everything you’ll need for you and your baby. I would encourage getting a hospital tour and asking them what all they provide and what they recommend you bring. Most hospitals and birthing centers will provide diapers, wipes, swaddle blankets, hats, receiving blankets, formula and bottles (if needed), lanolin, breast pads, pumps (if needed), maxi pads, mesh underwear, peri spray, and towels.
Although they give you all these items, you might want to bring your own versions as well. For myself, I brought my own shower shoes and shampoo/conditioner, and my own nipple cream instead of lanolin.
One thing to do when you leave the hospital – take all of that with you 😉 You’re essentially paying for it. So take allllll the diapers they give you, the wipes, the blankets, the maxipads etc.
What to pack in your hospital bag for Mom and Partner?
Documents
- ID/drivers license
- insurance card
- birth plan! (even if you went over it with your OB/midwife, you’ll want to bring a copy for the nursing staff)
Food:
So the research on whether or not you can eat during labor is definitely debatable, but I’m seeing more and more OBs/midwives allow food depending on your situation. It’s crazy to me to not let moms eat . That’s like telling an Iron Man or Triathlete that they can’t fuel up for their race. They’ll tell you, that’s ridiculous! You need food for energy, especially during labor.
It really comes down to the type of food though. You obviously don’t want a huge heavy meal, because that will stay in your digestive tract. What you want is food that is easily digested and provides you with energy. I strongly encourage taking food, not only food for yourself but your partner too! What kind of food or snacks?
 Easy Meals
These easy meals are for when the cafeteria is closed and there’s no food around. You’re not in transitional or active labor, but you’re hungry and know you should fuel. I recommend:
- peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or Crustables)
- cup noodles (all you need is hot water)
- instant soup
- oatmeal packets
It’s quick and easy to make, and provides you with the energy you need for your ‘marathon’.
Substantial snacks
These are also quick snacks, but not so much of a meal. These snacks can be
- granola bars
- apple slices
- energy bars
- rice cakes
Quick energy snacks
This snack is for when you’re in active labor. You feel nauseous, don’t exactly want anything, but you need a burst of energy to keep going. Examples of this are
- honey sticks
- Swedish Fish
- Sports gels
- Coconut water – gives you electrolytes as well as some sugar
It’s just a quick bite of sugar for a boost of energy. Remember, you’ll want to make sure you’re bringing snacks for your partner as well! They’re going to be hungry and needing the energy/fuel to continue encouraging and motivating you during labor.
For myself, I used the honey sticks in between contractions. My husband would bring me the honey stick and I would just take a quick bite of it and it gave me much needed energy to keep going. You can read my birth story here
You’ll also want food for the days after delivery. Depending on your hospital, the cafeteria might be closed after certain hours. You might be SUPER hungry after delivery (I know I was!) and the meal they gave you might not be enough. I was so happy to have cup noodles or oatmeal where you just add hot water. The nurses station has hot water as well as a microwave, so just be sure to ask.
Items for “down there”
Think Granny panties, maxi pads, padsicle, peri spray, etc. The hospital will give you mesh underwear and some giant maxi pads, but you can bring your own as the hospital’s were too bulky and uncomfortable. I made my own padsicle, with this recipe, which is supposed to help with healing and pain down there 😉 You can also make your own peri spray (postpartum healing spray) made with essential oils, which is what I did.
Robe
There’s something nice about wearing a robe. You can be naked underneath, or have just your bra and underwear on, and it still be okay to walk around the hospital in your robe.
Clothes
You’ll want
- birthing gown or comfortable clothes for labor if you decide not to wear the hospital gown
- sweatshirt/sweatpants in case you get cold
- 2-3 outfits post delivery
- going home outfit
Undergarments
You’ll want
- 2 pairs of socks. I recommend the ones with traction so you can walk around in them and not slip
- granny panties! If you’re having a c-section, I recommend underwear that will go well over the incision.
- nursing bras
The hospital might have the mesh underwear, but once again – ask them what they’ll provide you
Shoes
- Shower shoes/flip flops if you don’t feel comfortable showering barefoot
- Slippers for walking around the hospital
Toiletries
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- face wash
- shampoo/conditioner/body wash
- make up (for those first pictures as a family)
- deodorant
- hair ties
- brush
- chapstick
- lotion
- contact lens solution if you use it, and glasses
- Medication (if you take any)
- your own peri spray, pads, Depends (if you want to bring your own, but the hospital should have some)
Electronics
- iPad/tablet
- phones
- chargers
- camera/GoPro
- speakers (if you’d like to play music or sounds)
- extension cord
Breastfeeding Essentials
You don’t really need much besides your breasts to breastfeed, but it is nice to have breastfeeding items on hand. Most likely the hospital will give you lanolin/nipple cream, breast pads, pumps, nipple shields (if necessary), but you could bring your own nursing pillow (although I don’t recommend it since you can just use your body as the natural pillow or use the pillows they provide. I feel like it’s just one more thing to carry). I also recommend a nursing bra and/or nursing tank top.
Entertainment
This was suggested by a couple moms and it’s probably a good idea to have just in case you’re bored and it’s going to be a couple hours till your body really progresses or for the days while you’re in recovery. My suggestions are
- cards…my husband and I love Uno, which we actually played =)
- crosswords or Sudoku
- chess/checkers
- magazines/books
- your phone/tablet/iPad
- a playlist with inspirational music or birth labor music
Gifts for staff (optional)
I ended up giving a gift to my midwife, doula, and birth photographer. You can find someone on Etsy to make you something like the picture below. I have a friend who made mine
.Hospital Bag Essentials for Baby
Car seat
You’ll definitely want the car seat installed and ready to go before you even go into labor. I recommend installing it around 35 or so weeks pregnant, just so it’s out of the way and you don’t have to worry about it. A few hospitals will do a car seat check before you leave the hospital to make sure it’s installed correctly and securely, but many, unfortunately, do not due to liability reasons.
I would recommend calling ahead of time to see if there is someone on staff who is Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) certified. Having someone who is CPST certified will ensure your car seat is securely installed, teach you how to correctly place your baby in the car seat, and show you where the straps should go. If the hospital/birthing center does not have someone on staff who is CPST certified, you can find one in your area at this link
Baby Clothes
- 2-3 outfits for the hospital
- going home outfit
- blanket/swaddle
- socks
- beanie/hat
Most hospitals provide you with swaddles, blankets, hats, diapers and cleaning items, should you decide to bathe your baby at the hospital, but I would recommend calling them ahead of time to find out what all they provide. I personally, brought my own colorful swaddle and a cute hat =)
Miscellaneous
I’m took my own diffuser and essential oils and my husband brought a bottle of whiskey to celebrate (LOL). Some ideas of miscellaneous items that you can bring that were suggested by moms are
- own pillow/blankets
- white noise machine (since hospitals are pretty loud)
- If you plan on encapsulating your placenta, you’ll want to add a kit or someway to handle it
- straws – to make drinking your water easier
- Tennis ball/massage ball or back massager to relieve muscle stress/tension while laboring
- Words of affirmations/birth affirmations/quotes
- Empty reusable bags to fill with things you may have accumulated
- Heating pad (especially if you have back labor)
- Eye Mask!!!!! – this is something I strongly recommend! There are so many lights on in the hospital and they come to your room in the middle of the night to check on you and baby, so wearing a eye mask helps keep things dark…you’re welcome
The longer you labor at home the less you need in your hospital bag and the more you need access to it at your home!
With my checklist (see below), I have a section where you can write your miscellaneous or “Other” items. This will make it easy to remember and grab, especially if you’re still using the items up until delivery.
Remember to have things for your partner as well! Try not to stress though, you’ve got enough on your plate. Cheers mama
