The Best And Latest Hospital Bag Checklist For Giving Birth

If you are looking for a realistic, not-bring-your-entire-home type of hospital bag checklist, you have come to the right place. This list covers all the essentials and must haves, while excluding all of the little gadgets that only add to your packing, and you most likely won’t need during your hospital stay.

First things first. When should you pack your hospital bag?

It is advisable that you have your hospital bag packed when you are around 33 weeks (give or take).

My advice

You can pack your hospital bag as soon as you want, but don’t wait until you are 35-36 weeks. Sometimes babies come a little earlier than expected, and you don’t want to be unprepared. For me, the right time was around the 32 weeks mark. It was early, but it worked for me.

Now, let’s dive right in!

Mom’s hospital bag

• ID and insurance card – Make sure these are in your wallet. You will need to present them at the hospital.

• Your birth plan and OB information – If you have a birth plan, make sure to bring it along. As well as your OB information.

• Comfortable going home clothes – It can even be the same clothes you put on to arrive at the hospital. You will spend your stay wearing a hospital gown and will not need changes of clothes.

• Comfortable loose underwear – Do not pack your cute, lacy underwear. Pack cotton underwear that is comfortable and not tight. Trust me, you will be sore and will appreciate those big panties.

Note: If you are having a c-section, make sure that you have underwear that is high waisted. This way it will sit above your incision and won’t rub against it.

• Going home socks – Add socks to your hospital bag for your discharge.

• Lip balm – Make sure to pack your lip balm to keep it handy during your hospital stay. The hospital does not provide this.

• Hair brush and hair tie – You might not be in the mood to blow dry your hair, but this doesn’t mean you want to look like a scarecrow, lol.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste – The hospital will provide these for you, but you might be more comfortable bringing your own. However, if you do not have a preference, you may choose to use the ones that the hospital provides.

• Robe – Pack a comfortable robe for your hospital stay. You will be wearing a hospital gown the whole time, and as you may already know, they can open in the back and leave you exposed. Your robe will keep you covered.

Tip: Some people do not pack a robe at all. Instead, they request a second hospital gown to wear as a robe. This could be a great option if you want to limit your packing or do not want to go out and buy a new robe.

• Deodorant – No explanation needed ; ).

• Phone and phone charger – Our phones are not only our form of communication, but our cameras as well. You will want to take photos of your new baby. So, make sure to pack it and the charger as well.

Baby’s hospital bag

• Car seat – This one doesn’t go in the bag, but it’s a MUST. Many hospitals will not release a newborn without a car seat. I remember that every time I gave birth, a nurse came to my room to secure the baby in their car seat and walked us out to our car. So, don’t forget it!

Note: Install the car seat in the car prior to when you are expected to give birth. It will save you so much time and stress. The last thing you want, is to stress trying to figure out how it works as you are leaving the hospital.

• Pediatrician info – The hospital will need this information. Have it on hand.

• Pacifiers – This will depend on if you are planning to use one for your baby. But it is a life saver. Sometimes, babies just need to suck on something (even if they aren’t hungry) to soothe themselves. Some parents choose to use one of their fingers, but I prefer the pacifier.

Note: Bring more than one. They will inevitably drop on the floor at some point. You want to have backups.

• Going home clothes – Pack a cute outfit to bring the baby home for the first time.

• Bib – On the ride home, your baby may spit up. You want to have something handy for a quick clean up.

Your support person’s hospital bag

The hospital does not provide anything for your support person (except for a pillow). Make sure that they have their necessities packed.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Phone and phone charger
• Deodorant
• Change of clothes and underwear for the course of your hospital stay
• Socks
• Towel

What NOT to pack in your hospital bag

• Grippy socks – The hospital will provide you with non-skid socks during your hospital stay. No need to buy them. However, if you feel more comfortable getting your own, you are welcome to do so.

• Menstrual Pads – You will be provided with as many menstrual pads as you need. Use them. Keeping in mind, that menstrual pads occupy so much luggage space, it’s not worth it.

• Baby clothes – Don’t pack baby clothes for your hospital stay. They won’t need it. The hospital will provide you with clothes for your little one. Your baby will vomit and poop all over them. You know what that means, laundry. You do not want to leave the hospital with a bag of baby laundry that you need to wash when you get home. Use the hospital’s baby clothes.

• Diapers – DO NOT pack any diapers. The hospital will provide you with all the diapers your baby is going to need during your stay. Save your diapers for when you get home.

• Baby wipes – You will be provided with as many wipes as you will need during your stay. Save your wipes.

• Formula – The hospital has formula and they will gladly provide you with as much as you need during your stay. You do not need to pack any.

Don’t think that by not bringing these supplies with you, you are taking advantage of the hospital. You are not. The truth is, that you are already paying for all these services.

Forbes says that “On average, giving birth costs around $18,000”. And that’s just the average, it could be more depending on where you live or if you are having a c-section. Make use of the resources that are being offered to you guilt-free.

Optional

• Lotion – you may pack your preferred lotion in your hospital bag.

Note: The hospital will provide you with lotion. However, the hospital’s lotion is very water based and does not always feel super moisturizing.

• Breast pump – If you are planning to pump while in the hospital, you may bring your own breast- pump.

Note: Many hospitals will provide you with a pump during your stay. Just confirm with your hospital if this is a service that they provide. However, sometimes they provide it but only upon request, they might not have one available (speaking from experience).

• Make-up – You may or may not use it. But if you feel that you will need it and would like to bring it along, pack it.

• Hair tools – If you have a hair tool (or several) that you use on a daily basis, and think that you will need it, then add it to your hospital bag.

Tips

• Take home the Peri Bottle – I can’t say this enough, take the Peri bottle home!!! The Peri bottle is a little squishable bottle that the hospital will use to clean you up. It is a life saver, and it comes in soooo handy while you are recuperating. You can squirt the water to clean yourself while sitting on the toilet and the water pressure is just right so that it won’t hurt you. That little bottle will become a part of your bathroom routine.

Psss… you can even ask your nurse for an extra one to take home. They won’t mind ; ).

• Take home any extra mesh underwear – While you are in the hospital, they will provide you with mesh underwear. They are AMAZING! Take home any extras that you may have in your room, or even ask the nurse for some extras to wear at home. You might even prefer to wear those instead of the one you packed to go back home.

• Take home any extra supplies – Take home any diapers, menstrual pads, and even formula that are in your room at the time you are discharged. All those supplies belong to you, so pack them.

• If possible, feed the baby before going home – It will save you the headache and anxiety of having your baby crying their lungs out on the way home because they are hungry. Trust me when I say, this is not a fun experience.

It’s time to get packing!

Packing your hospital bag is so exciting. You must be full of anticipation to meet your baby (and to not be pregnant anymore) and see their face for the very first time. It may seem like a lot to do, and the day is quickly approaching. Just take it step by step, and one day at a time.

Have fun packing your hospital bag!

Psss… You might be feeling a little nervous about giving birth and unsure as to what to expect. You might be interested in reading 12 Things You Should Expect When Giving Birth.