What do you pack in your hospital bag? Oh gosh, that is a loaded question! First of all, congrats mama to be! You are about to have an experience you will never forget. Coming closer to your due date, you have probably started thinking about the pregnancy checklist, what to pack in your delivery bag, what not to take to the hospital, and your mind might be overwhelmed with all kinds of thoughts! I have actually gone through this twice now, so I know the feeling!
The key is to prepare it as far in advance as possible. Have the bag packed, ready to go and placed either at the door, in the car, or somewhere easily accessible because you never know when you will have to drop everything and go have your baby. Seriously, the due date is an estimate, its more times than not the actual date. So here you go, a list of what you need plus a printable list below. Again, congratulations on your sweet, adorable baby
!
What Do I Pack In My Hospital Bag?
Delivery Bag Items For Mom
- 1-2 Robes
- 2-3 Nursing Tanks
- 2-3 Nursing Bras
- 1-2 Pajamas
- 1-2 Pair Yoga Pants or comfortable pants
- Slippers
or flip flops
- Body Soap
- Water Bottle
- Chap Stick
- Breastfeeding Pillow
- Coming Home Outfit
- Toiletries- Hairbrush, hair ties, headbands, dry shampoo, body lotion, face wash, deodorant, chap stick, cleansing wipes
or flip flopsThings To Pack For Baby:
- Car Seat and Base
- Coming Home Outfit
- Hat/Mittens
- 2-3 Swaddle Blankets
- 2-3 Onesies
- Keepsake Blanket
- Baby Memory Book
- 1-2 Pajamas/Sleep Sack
Items For Dad:
- Pajamas
- 1-2 Change of Clothes
- Slippers/Flip Flops
- Phone/Phone Charger
- Toiletries/Personal Hygiene Products
- Pillow and Blanket
- Warm Sweater or Hoodie
Miscellaneous Items For Your Pregnancy Delivery Bag
- Cell Phones/Power Cords
- Tablet/Laptop
- Birth Plan
- Insurance Card/ID
- Camera
- Snacks
- Cash for Parking/Food
Hospital Typically Provides You With:
- Disposable Underwear
- Maternity Pads
- Diapers
- Nipple Cream
- Nursing Pads
- Formula
- Wipes
- Bottom Spray
- Sitz Bath
- Baby Onesie
- Baby Hat
- Hemorrhoid Pads
Things I Didn’t Need:
- Way too many clothes. The hospital usually provides onesies and swaddle blankets. Babies have accidents, take baths and hospitals will provide a change of clothes for baby. You will also at some point be in the lovely, butt out hospital gown. You don’t need to bring too many outfits, at minimum you and baby will be clothed for the duration of your stay. It does feel better to be in your own fuzzy slippers and your favorite robe.
- Your entire make up collection. Seriously, you just had a baby, you will not have the energy to go full on glam in there. If you do, kudos to you. I took concealer, powder, mascara, eyeliner, chap stick and lip gloss.
Hospital Bag Items That I Loved I Brought:
- Nursing Pillow. Oh my, there is a night and day difference in the breastfeeding experience when you have a little bit of help from a pillow! Yes, you could use the hospital head pillows, but it is really nice when you are exhausted and don’t have to mess with trying to see if you can fold it, scrunch it, or flatten it. It was awesome. Pack one if you can.
>>>CLICK FOR PRINTABLE: Hospital Bag Checklist
Read pregnancy related articles such as:
- 10 Foods You Cant Eat While Pregnant
- 10 Things I Wish I knew While Pregnant
- 10 Important & Practical Things To Do Before Baby #2
- My Top 10 Baby Product List
- Dear Overwhelmed Mom, You’re Not Alone
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I wish I had this list before I had my kids. I had no idea what to pack and always forgot at least one important thing.
This is a great help. I stressed SO much about packing my twins’ bags. I packed what I thought I’d need and sent hubby back for whatever I forgot.
Author
I stressed out with my first one too. It happens to us all. 💖
This is so helpful! I wrote a list too – it’s so fun reading others so I can see what I missed, and how it differs country to country
This is a great list! I jus had my last baby but lists like this were so helpful when I had to get ready for the hospital!
This is such an amazing list to know what to pack. When you’re about to give birth your mind goes all over the place.
I definitely wish I had this list before I had my babies!! A lot of the lists that I read on Pinterest were lacking a few of these items and I did feel a litttle behind. I did better with my second kiddo! Great post
Author
Yeah I was definitely more confident with my second about what I wanted to bring. Thanks!
Great list! Love her little Hello World onesie, so cute!
Author
Thank you! 💕
This is a great list and all super helpful when I was having my babies.
OMG I love her onsie!!! <3 Very detailed list! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Great list! I will definitely need to remember all of these things when I need to deliver!
This is indeed a good list to pack for hospital. I didn’t got time to do all this. I went to hospital for normal check up and after that they didn’t let me go. I was developing preeclampsia,so the doctors said you will be discharged after delivery only. My baby came to this world two months early. She is healthy now. But I didn’t got anytime for baby shopping.
Author
Oh wow, I’m glad she is ok now but what an experience! Yeah, sometimes we cannot control things and they happen. ❣️
Your list is perfect! Not too much and just the right amount of at home items to make your feel more comfortable!
Author
Thank you! 💓
Great list! Hoping to have one soon, will definitely refer back to this list;)
Great list! I delivered my first at 9:50 pm and I had NOTHING to eat! It was horrible. Snacks are the most important in my opinion, after birthing my baby, I was seriously starving!!
Author
Same here! Hospital food just wouldn’t cut it! 😆
I only packed my bag for my first baby, but I don’t rerememb if I brought it 😂😂😂 My other two came so early i never could pack my bagb I’m hoping thit little one stays in full term so I can pack my bag. Great list!
Author
I hope so too and congratulations!! 💓🎉🤱🏻
Great list! I heavily overpacked. I brought all the baby stuff but for me all I used was my robe, a going home outfit, toothbrush, slippers and some snacks.
Ha I wrote about what I took to the hospital this week, too! And I totally agree, no makeup for me next time. I barely brushed my hair
I totally agree – leave the makeup at home!! I barely brushed my hair.
Awesome suggestions on what to pack! I remember feeling pretty clueless with my first baby!
Such a great list! Chap stick is a must and I agree with not needing so many baby clothes and makeup.
Great comprehensive list! I’d only add homeopathic remedies to this list…for me. New mommas will find this list very helpful.
This is an awesome list! I remember my brother asking me to bring he and his wife a whole bunch of stuff from home when they had their first – it’s tough to remember everything!
So true! I never thought I would need so many clothes for the baby, but after my first I realized I need like 3 outfits because they might have an accident in one or two!
Great and thorough list! Saving this for when my time comes with hubby :-).
Love that you included a list for the dad too, he’s usually forgotten 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
This list is great! I definitely recommend a robe and nursing tanks. Those were so helpful for me.
Great list! I was such a minimalist when I packed my bag and I still didn’t use most of it! It helped that I lived 5 minutes from the hospital and people could bring me whatever I needed if I forgot it!
You are so organised! Lovely to remember dad too – most people dont think of him! We didny need most of the stuff we packed tbh lol
This is a great list! So helpful that it is printable as well :).
All great ideas! I remember way back when that I had a bag packed a week in advance as I didn’t want to forget anything.
Such great ideas! I wish I had something to reference when I was packing my bag!
GREAT LIST!
This is a perfect list! Last time I forgot my toothbrush, shampoo, and contact solution! haha!
Great list! I agree about the nursing pillow. Especially in those first few weeks when they’re so tiny. It makes a world of a difference
This is a great list. Especially for a first time Mom!
Great list! I’m definitely packing snacks this time! My other four babies were all born when the cafeteria was closed, and my husband and mom had to go out to find something that was opened!
Totally agree about bringing a nursing pillow. It’s so hard at first to get comfortable, especially if you have a c-section.
Great list! When I was in the hospital with my first I totally didn’t think about a coming home outfit for myself… I sure learned my lesson!
This is a good list!
Great list! Km expecting my 2nd in December and I remember with my 1st I didn’t have any of these things. I had to have my best friend go to my house to pick the baby’s clothes up and I was so out of it,I wore the same things I had on when I was admitted. I plan on having my bag by the door by the end of October.
This is such a great list! The pillow felt like the most important thing I brought with me. Those hospital pillows are AWFUL.
Great list! I agree that you do not need to bring too many outfits for you and baby. My baby stayed in the hospital provided clothes and blankets until the day we went home, and I stayed in PJs.
This list is perfect. I’ll be packing my bag soon so I will print this out for reference.