Last updated on October 23rd, 2023
Inside: Your hospital bag checklist for labor and delivery. Everything you need and nothing you DON’T.
Due Date
Eeekk if you’ve found your way here, your due date is approaching and it’s time to start getting ready for labor and delivery by packing your hospital bags.
I recommend having your hospital bags packed and ready to go 5-6 weeks before your due date. You always run the chance of going into labor early and this is the LAST thing you’ll want to be worrying about when you do go into labor.
I’ve had so many friends that ended up needing to go to the hospital immediately from one of their routine OB checks in the last trimester for unplanned cesareans or inductions. And other friends who naturally went into labor 3 weeks early (yes – even on their first pregnancies!). So it is most certainly best to be prepared early on for anything that comes your way.
Hospital Tour
Prior to your due date, your hospital should allow you to take a hospital tour. In most places, this can be done virtually right now. During your tour, be sure to ask any questions you have. Ask them what the hospital will provide for mom and baby during and after labor and write this down.
Most hospitals will provide:
- Birthing ball
- Peanut ball
- Water bottle
- Pump and pump parts
- Nursing pads
- Nursing pillow
- Thick hospital socks
- All your postpartum bathroom needs
- Dermoplast
- Pads
- Mesh underwear
- Ice packs
- Perineal spray bottle
- Tucks pads
- Pain medicine
- Prenatal vitamins
- Most of baby’s stuff
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Kimono style onesies
- Swaddles
- Receiving blankets
- Hat
- Socks
- Baby’s first bath supplies
- Bottles and formula
- Diaper cream
- Burp cloths
You’ll learn that the hospital provides pretty much everything you need, which will make packing lighter and easier. They’ll also provide you with some sort of bag to take all of this stuff home in too.
Hospital Bag Checklist
This is a list of what you will need to bring on your own.
Personal
- Snacks for recovery
- Purse
- Wallet (both of you!)
- ID
- Insurance card
The number one thing from this category that you’ll need is plenty of snacks! Stock up on some prepackaged snacks that won’t go bad.
These will come in handy especially if you give birth while the hospital kitchen is closed. You’ll be STARVING after delivery and it’ll be nice to have your favorite snacks on hand.
Alternatively, you could plan to hit up a vending machine, but I like the idea of your partner not having to leave the room. You both will want to stay together and with baby.
For me, I gave birth while the kitchens were open – but I became a little shaky and lightheaded right after delivery while waiting for my postpartum room, so it was nice to reach into my purse and grab a granola bar right away. After all, I hadn’t eaten in almost 24 hours by then, and had just done some really hard work pushing my baby out!
Also, even if the kitchens are open (or you order DoorDash), it still takes awhile for your food to arrive. Trust me, pack allllllll the snacks!
I honestly did not need my wallet, ID, or insurance cards during my stay. My hospital had everything they needed beforehand and in their database. I’m sure all hospitals are different in their policies though, so it’s good to bring it just in case.
My doctor had me fill out the admission paperwork months in advance, so ask if your hospital offers this option. One less thing to worry about when you arrive.
Electronics
- Phones (both of you!)
- LONG phone charger (2)
- camera / video camera + charger
Packing extra long phone chargers is a must so you can have your phone right beside you while you lay in bed during your recovery stay.
I wasn’t on my phone hardly at all before, during, or after delivery – but I did use it to track feedings and diaper changes instead of using the pen and paper sheets the hospital provided.
I continued this practice at home, which is especially helpful when nursing. It helps you ensure baby is taking full feeds and reminds you which side was last used for nursing and so much more.
My favorite tracking app is Glow Baby. It’s got a ton of features including tracking growth. I always plugged in baby’s weight and height stats from doctor visits so I’d have those trends right on hand to refer back to.
Clothes (Mom)
- Flip flops (shower + wearing home)
- LONG robe (1)
- Maternity sweat pants (1-2)
- Nursing tank (1-2)
- Nursing bra (1)
- Cardigan or oversized zip-up hoodie (1)
- Socks (1-2)
- Maternity PJ pants or front-button gown (1)
- Nighttime nursing bra (1)
- Going home outfit
- Maternity sweat pants
- Nursing tank + bra
- Cardigan or oversized zip-up hoodie
- flip flops (even in winter)
What to Wear After Delivery
When packing your own clothes, your number one goal should be EASY, LOOSE, and COMFORTABLE.
Now is not the time to worry about looking cute. You want clothes that are easy to nurse in, easy to go to the bathroom in, and easy to be checked by nurses in. Choose clothes that are comfy enough to nap in, because you’ll be napping any chance you get.
Personally, I lived in a nursing bra, the lovely mesh underwear they provide, and a long robe the entire hospital stay during my son’s birth. I didn’t even wear pants or shirts the whole time! I recommend bringing a longer robe so that if you forgo pants like I did, you are still covered up.
Between constantly nursing, using the restroom (which is a process in those early days) and the nurses checking my stitches a few times a day, it was just easier to wear this ensemble. You’ll likely be doing tons of skin-to-skin time, so I find it easiest to just wear a robe all day with hardly anything underneath.
If you don’t want to be half-naked like I was, than I’d recommend maternity sweat pants, a nursing bra, and a nursing tank. You can add a zip-up or cardigan if you get cold. This is still pretty comfy and easy to nurse in, but leaves you a little more covered up.
For sleeping, you can just wear the robe outfit, the sweatpants outfit, or get a front-buttoning gown for easy nursing access. I can’t recommend this nighttime nursing bra enough. It is hands down, the comfiest thing I own.
Postpartum Swelling
I was pretty surprised at how swollen I was all over after giving birth. I didn’t have high blood pressure, but between the pregnancy and the fluids pumped into me during birth, I was pretty swollen for a couple of weeks.
For this reason, I definitely recommend planning for loose clothing. I bought sweatpants in a size up for wearing home and was so surprised when they didn’t fit!
My belly still resembled a somewhat misshapen pregnant belly after birth and so the waistband just wouldn’t fit around my belly and was super uncomfortable. I still required maternity pants for a couple weeks postpartum and never thought that would be the case.
Additionally, the tennis shoes I wore into the hospital didn’t fit when we were leaving due to the swelling in my feet. Even thong sandals were pretty tight. For this reason, I recommend slip on sandals or loose slip on shoes such as crocs, honestly. Even if it’s winter, you’ll have the car pulled up right to the door when you go home – you can easily get away with socks and sandals/crocs.
Clothes (Dad)
- Flip flops (shower)
- Socks (2)
- Jeans (1)
- Boxers (2)
- Shirts (2)
- Hoodie (1)
- PJ pants (1)
Make sure dad has a change of clothes or two. He’ll feel a little grimy from sitting in a hospital room all day and it’ll feel refreshing to be able to shower after delivery.
Sure, he could always go home for clothes and a shower, but do you really want him heading home after the baby is born? Chances are, you’ll be wanting him right by your side the whole time, helping and learning alongside you.
Toiletries
- Shower Stuff
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- *all travel size bottles*
- Face Stuff
- Face wash
- Face lotion
- Eye cream
- Makeup removing wipes
- you might come in wearing it depending when/where labor starts
- Teeth Stuff
- Toothbrush (both of us!)
- Toothpaste
- Chapstick
- Hair Stuff
- Hair brush
- Hair ties
- Bobby pins
- Extras
- Glasses
- Contacts
- Deodorant
Showering Postpartum
Pack your typical shower routine stuff, but hit up Target for some travel sized versions to save room in your bag. The hospital will likely have shampoo and soap – but having that one comfort from home will make you feel better and cleaner.
I was nervous to shower postpartum between feeling weak and the stitches. This is where you can lean on your partner (quite literally) and have them assist you in the shower, if needed.
For me, just having my husband in the bathroom while I showered, ready to help if needed, was enough. But it’s not unheard of for your spouse to hop in with you and help you out. Labor can be pretty hard on your body and you might need the assistance.
I gave birth in the afternoon, but honestly didn’t even shower until the next day. Sure, I felt grimy. But I was still shaky on my feet, pretty sore, and beyond exhausted. I was surprised by how little I cared about showering that night.
As far as shower supplies, you can totally skip all the extras. I am the type that never goes anywhere without makeup – but it was the LAST thing I was worried about in the hospital. Don’t even bother bringing it.
The same goes for hair stuff – I just rocked a bun straight out of the shower the whole time and was perfectly content with that. Your main priority is going to be resting your worn out body and taking care of your newborn. The rest won’t matter, I promise.
Breastfeeding
Nipple cream is a must! The hospital will only provide lanolin nipple cream (and only if you ask) and it’s so sticky and gross.
The Earth Mama Nipple Butter is so smooth and non-greasy. It doesn’t feel yucky on you and totally helps with any rawness or chapped nipples you experience nursing.
All other breastfeeding supplies should be provided for you by the hospital.
Baby
- Car seat (base already installed)
- Car seat cover
- Car seat blanket
- going home outfit
- think: comfortable
- pacifier + clip
Baby honestly doesn’t need a whole lot. The hospital provides pretty much everything you could want.
Make sure you install your car seat way before your due date. Watch some YouTube videos a little bit before your due date (and bookmark them on your phone!) for how to strap baby into the car seat properly when you leave the hospital.
This is an area of safety you won’t want to guess with. And it can be more challenging than you think if you don’t have prior experience. Also: your baby will most likely scream while being buckled in because it’s all so new for them. So factor that stress in.
I know it’s really tempting to bring a ton of cute clothes to the hospital and dress baby up – but it really isn’t practical or necessary. The hospital will provide swaddles and onesies for you. And you’ll be doing so much skin-to-skin time, that all those cute clothes will just sit in your bag anyways.
As far as a ‘going home outfit’ is concerned, plan something cute but comfortable. I know it’s tempting to put baby in tutus and doll-like clothing, but really, a one-piece zipper jammie outfit will be perfect. You’ll want baby comfy and warm and baby will just be sleeping through this process anyways and covered in blankets.
I honsestly wouldn’t even bring the diaper bag. They will load you up with tons of diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and burp rags that you won’t need to dig into your own supply while in the hospital. It’ll be one less bag to worry about.
Pro Tip: When you are loading your bags into the car upon hospital discharge, tuck some wipes and a diaper or two into your purse and leave that with you in case baby has a blowout as your spouse packs the car. Speaking from experience here!
What You DON’T Need
It can be tempting to bring a bunch of stuff when you’ve never gone through labor before and don’t know what to expect. But here is a list of things that you certainly do NOT need to bring.
- Bath towels
- Pillow
- Blankets
- Your own water bottle
- Makeup
- Hair styling stuff
- Tons of baby clothes
- Diaper bag
- Diapers, wipes, diaper cream
- Entertainment such as movies and books
- More than 1-2 bags
I Promise, You Don’t Need It
I know the hospital towels aren’t great – but really, you can survive for the 1 shower you will likely take while there. Plus, you’ll be bleeding so much, you wont want that all over your nice towels from home.
I know it might be tempting to bring a pillow and blanket, but I wouldn’t recommend it. One, do you really want all those icky hospital germs on your stuff? Two, you can request more pillows and blankets from the nurses. Three, it’s just a few nights – you’ll survive without your own. They are SO bulky to lug into the hospital.
You definitely don’t need to waste room bringing your own water bottle. You’ll be provided a huge one and you can fill it with more water and ice whenever you want.
Make up and hair styling stuff will just waste room in your bag. Any spare time you do have will be spent snuggling your newborn, eating, or napping. Skip this for sure!
As mentioned earlier, baby really doesn’t need much of anything. Leave your supplies and cute clothes at home.
You 100% will not have time or any interest in entertainment items such as books and movies. You’ve got your phone – you’ll be fine with that alone.
Lastly, think about entering the hospital. Your husband will likely wheel or walk you in and he will either A) also be managing all the bags while assisting you or B) walking back to the car alone later to get the bags once you are for sure admitted. Either way, he’ll be managing all your bags alone. Don’t make your husband take more than 1 trip or carry 3 bags, a pillow, a diaper bag, and your blanket.
Congratulations and Good Luck
You are going to do wonderful mama! Giving birth is not easy, but every ounce of struggle and pain will be so worth the precious gift of meeting your baby. Before you know it, you’ll be holding your sweet newborn in your arms and wondering how you could have possibly made something so beautiful and perfect.
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