Packing a Hospital Bag

A list of everything you need for packing a hospital bag for Mom, Dad and Baby!

If you need help deciding what else to get done before baby arrives, check out my Third Trimester To Do list here.

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Hooray! It’s finally time to start thinking about what to pack in your hospital bag! As exciting this task can be, it also can be overwhelming. You want to know what to pack with out overpacking, but also afraid you’re not packing enough and leaving something you might have forgotten/thought you didn’t need.

Well, Mama, you can relax a little knowing you found a good checklist to make this a little less stressful for you.

These are the tips I followed when I packed my hospital bag, and I found myself prepared for a comfortable (well, as comfortable as it gets) 3 day stay at the hospital. This is my simple and straightforward checklist for packing a hospital bag.

Check out my list of Postpartum Essentials here!

When To Start Packing A Hospital Bag

Have your bag packed once you’re around 35 weeks. It’s hard to say when is a good time to have everything packed, but every pregnancy is different and it’s good to play it safe and be prepared.

You’ll want a bag for Mom, one for Dad, and one for baby. Or, if you are like me and like to keep things as simple as possible, one bag big enough for the three of you (easier to grab and keep track of when you’re in a hurry!)

I was able to pack everything I needed in a rolling carry-on case and then I had a backpack with my breast pump in it. I like that it had different compartments so I could keep things organized, and the fact that it was on wheels. Since I had to rely on my husband to bring everything in, I wanted to make it as easy as possible for him. I gave birth during the start of COVID, and once we were in the hospital we could not leave. So my husband was not able to make multiple trips to the car to bring our stuff in. Hence, the easier the better.

Packing For Mom

Toiletry Bag

I highly recommend going out and purchasing travel sizes of all your toiletry necessities. You can have everything packed before hand and not have to worry about remembering them on your way out the door. You can keep these items in a smaller bag (toiletry bag or even a ziplock bag) which will be easy to grab when you need to use them. I used a small zip-up bag that I already had.

Items you’ll want in this bag are shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, and razor. If you wear makeup daily you’ll want makeup removing wipes as well. You’ll want to bring anything that will help you feel refreshed and like yourself again after giving birth.

Delivery Gown

You can get some really cute delivery gowns with matching swaddles for your baby on Amazon. These are great because you can bring something you know will fit you and you’ll be comfortable in. The gowns at the hospital tend to be bigger and possibly a little beat up.

I personally wore a sports bra that zipped up in the front. It didn’t take up a lot of space in my bag and was super easy to remove when the baby was born and we did skin to skin. They’re also great for nursing or you can just wear them around the house if you decide not to nurse. This is the set I purchased.

Socks

While you’re hanging around your room, you’ll want to keep your feet warm from those cold hospital floors. A couple pairs of thicker socks works perfectly, plus you don’t need to pack slippers! Win win!

Bras/Underwear

Whether you decide to wear a sports bra or a delivery gown while in labor, you’ll still want at least one bra for the day you go home with your new little one. These nursing bras have good support and are also extremely comfortable. I love them because they come with expanders so you don’t have to worry about purchasing multiple sizes for when you start losing your baby weight. (Or when you suddenly have giant boobs when your milk comes in!)

When it comes to underwear, you’ll want to get some that are one size bigger than you would normally wear. Your tummy will be sore and in recovery mode, and loose-fitting clothes are your friend. Get some that are comfy and not too expensive, that way you can toss them if they get ruined. Pack some extras in your bag.

Lip Balm

This is something I didn’t think of until I was reading up on what to pack for my own bag. You’re going to be breathing through your mouth alot, so this was a lifesaver for me! You never know how long you will be in labor (34 hours for me!) and your lips will get chapped quick!

Hair Ties

This may seem silly, but you will want your hair up and out of the way. Be sure to pack a couple just incase you don’t have one in your hair already when you’re on your way to the hospital!

Loose Clothes

Pack a couple baggy t-shirts and sweatpants to stay comfy in. I wouldn’t recommend leggings unless the waistband is very loose. You don’t want anything too tight around your mid section. You could also pack a long, loose dress if you want to look more put together when you go home.

Snacks

This is actually something my doctor recommended when we started discussing getting ready for the hospital, and boy am I glad she did! Yes, you can get food through vending machines or through the cafeteria, but packing your own snacks means you have your favorite treats whenever you want, and you don’t have to leave the room! (Score!) Pack something that will give you energy while in labor, like nuts or trail mix. Then pack something extra to give yourself a little treat for all your hard work afterwards!

Packing For Dad

Even though your packing will mostly be consisted of stuff for mom and baby, it’s important not to forget about Dad! If he is anything like my husband and procrastinates doing everything to the last minute, (love you, hunny!) then here is a small list so you can sleep better knowing you are all prepared.

Toiletries

You can pack these with your own toiletries so that they are all in one place. Pack some shampoo, body wash, a toothbrush and deodorant at the very least. He may even want shaving cream and a razor, unless he’s a scruffy dude like mine.

Clothes

Pack for a couple days for him. T-shirts, pants, underwear and socks. Be sure to pack some pajamas or sweatpants for him to sleep in, too!

Blanket

The hospital will provide him with a pillow and a very…very thin blanket. At the very least, have a cozy blanket ready to go. He’s going to need to get as much rest as possible, too, so that he’s ready to help you out whenever you need it.

Snacks

You can’t forget snacks for Dad either! My husband was over-the-moon happy when he saw I packed him a bag of m&ms!

Packing For Baby

This is probably the most exciting part of packing a hospital bag. It’s important not to stress too much about this. What’s important is that you have everything you need at home. You actually don’t need a whole lot for your baby at the hospital. I kept my packing VERY simple. Just remember, the hospital will have almost everything you need to care for your new arrival including diapers and wipes, nasal aspirator, nail clippers, and so on. Trust me, do not worry about anything other than what I have listed. I mean it, leave that nursing pillow at home!

Onsies

Pack a few plain (newborn) onsies. Your baby will most likely be swaddled for the most part during your stay, so you don’t need to go overboard.

Socks

Those teeny tiny feet are going to be freezing once your little one enters the world! While this is completely normal, you’ll want to keep them as warm as possible. Pack 2 or 3 pairs of socks, even though they might slip off multiple times throughout the day.

Blanket

The hospital will have plenty of swaddles for you to use. When you go home, you’re going to want to keep your little one cozy during the car ride. I’m really glad I packed a warm blanket for that reason.

Going Home Outfit

This part is the most exciting! Have fun with this. You’ll be taking a lot of pictures so pick something cute!

Car Seat

The hospital will want to check your car seat to make sure it meats safety standards, as well as show you how to use it and to properly buckle in your little one.

Last Minute Items

There were a couple things that I absolutely had to wait to the last second to pack. I wrote a list of these things and kept it with my hospital bag so I didn’t forget about them when it was time to go. These items were phone chargers, ID’s and insurance cards.

Hospital Bag Checklist

Here is a recap of everything you will need. Or if you would prefer a printed version, here is a free printable!

For Mom

• Toiletries
• Delivery Gown
• Socks
• Bras/Underwear
• Lip Balm
• Hair Ties
• Loose Clothing
• Snacks
• Phone Charger
• ID
• Insurance Card

For Dad

• Toiletries
• Clothes
• Blanket
• Snacks
• Phone Charger

For Baby

• Onsies
• Socks
• Blanket
• Car Seat

Bring your breast pump, too! Check with your doctor, but chances are the hospital staffs a lactation consultant who can show you how to use yours.

All in all, packing a hospital bag is not that bad. This is an exciting time in your life, and hopefully this is one less thing you need to stress about. You got this, Mama!

Do you still need to set up your baby registry? I have a post here on where to start!