Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom and Baby
Mar 24, 2025
Rita Singha
Pregnancy Health
Packing your hospital bag early can save stress and ensure you're ready when labor starts. Here's a quick summary of what you'll need:
For Mom: Loose clothes, nursing bras, toiletries, ID, insurance cards, birth plan, and recovery items like maternity pads and nipple cream.
For Baby: Two outfits (newborn and 0–3 months), blankets, diapers, and a properly installed car seat.
For Support Person: Comfortable clothes, toiletries, snacks, and chargers.
Pro Tip: Use packing cubes or separate bags for mom, baby, and partner to stay organized. Aim to pack by 36 weeks and check what your hospital provides to avoid overpacking. Keep your bag in an easy-to-access spot for a smooth and stress-free hospital stay.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom and Baby - The ULTIMATE Packing Guide
What Mom Needs to Pack
When preparing for the hospital, focus on comfort and practicality to make recovery smoother. Start with essentials like clothing, personal care items, and recovery supplies.
Clothes and Personal Care Items
Choose loose, breathable clothing that accommodates your post-delivery body. Maternity leggings are a solid choice since they often remain comfortable after giving birth.
Opt for soft, wireless nursing bras or tank tops that adapt to postnatal changes. Look for designs with easy-to-use clips for one-handed access during nursing or pumping.
"I bought nursing tank tops that were quick to unclip, allowing my baby to reach my breasts easily. They had a supportive panel inside that held my breasts very well, and were more comfortable than all the bras I tried", Peggy explains.
Pack breathable cotton pajamas, ideally with tops that button down the front. This style makes skin-to-skin contact with your baby and breastfeeding much easier. Plus, having your own pajamas can help you feel more at home.
"In most cases, it's okay to wear your regular clothes postpartum. You don't have to stay in the hospital gown", says Dr. Alrahmani, Board-Certified OB-GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist.
Bring a robe, grippy socks, and slip-on shoes for walking around the hospital and heading home. Swollen feet are common after delivery, so shoes that don’t require bending over to tie are a big help. If you’re planning to labor in water, pack a dark-colored sports bra or bathing suit top for added comfort.
Don’t forget your essential toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Using your favorite products can provide a comforting sense of normalcy.
"Some things I liked having were a couple of comfy outfits, a nursing bra, and makeup. It's nice to have a sense of normalcy when you know your world has changed forever", adds Dr. Alrahmani.
Documents and Birth Plans
Keep your driver's license, state ID, insurance cards, and any pre-registration forms handy. Having these ready can save time during hospital admission.
If you’ve created a birth plan, bring multiple copies. While flexibility is crucial during labor, a written plan helps your medical team understand your preferences for pain management, delivery positions, and postpartum care.
Recovery and Nursing Items
Once you’ve packed clothing and documents, add recovery essentials to your bag. Items like nursing pads, nipple cream, extra-absorbent maternity pads, disposable underwear, and perineal spray can make a big difference during healing.
Nursing pads are helpful for managing leaks as your milk supply adjusts. Disposable, absorbent options are convenient and keep you feeling dry.
A lanolin-based nipple cream can ease discomfort during early breastfeeding. These creams are safe for both you and your baby and can make the transition to nursing smoother.
"The best thing I packed was lanolin nipple cream – along with the knowledge from friends that, even though breastfeeding can be difficult at first, it soon gets easier", shares Katie, a mom of two from the UK.
Postpartum bleeding, or lochia, is often heavier than a typical period. Extra-absorbent maternity pads are a must for reliable protection. Disposable underwear also offers secure and comfortable coverage during this time.
For added comfort, pack a perineal spray, especially if you have stitches or hemorrhoids.
"Witch hazel pads are great for hemorrhoids as well as lining your pad or ice pack to soothe your perineum... You can also put a little witch hazel in your peri bottle", suggests Michaela Ward, APRN-CNM, Midwife at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
What Baby Needs
Bringing your newborn home from the hospital is a big moment, and having the right essentials can make the transition smoother. While hospitals typically provide basic supplies, a few personal items can help ensure your baby’s comfort and safety. Here’s a quick guide to what you’ll need, covering clothing, care items, and safe transportation.
Baby Clothes and Blankets
Pack two outfits: one in a newborn size and another in 0–3 months, since it’s hard to predict which will fit best.
Go for clothes that make diaper changes easy. Simple onesies and sleepers with easy access are ideal, as your baby will mostly be swaddled during the hospital stay. For the going-home outfit, pick something with separate leg openings to accommodate car seat straps. A onesie with footed pants or a sleeper that opens at the legs works well. Don’t forget hats and socks to keep your baby warm, especially in cooler weather.
Make sure to wash all new clothes and blankets ahead of time. Choose a blanket thickness suited to the weather. While hospitals often provide swaddle blankets, bringing a few soft ones from home adds an extra layer of comfort.
Diapers and Care Items
Most hospitals provide newborn diapers and wipes, but if you prefer a specific brand, pack a small supply of your own.
Consider bringing a soft receiving blanket and baby mittens to protect your newborn’s delicate skin and prevent accidental scratches.
Car Seat Setup
Before heading to the hospital, double-check that your infant car seat is installed correctly in your car. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it’s secure, and practice fastening the harness so you’re confident about getting it snug. The chest clip should sit at armpit level for proper safety.
With these essentials, you’ll be ready to bring your little one home comfortably and safely.
What Your Support Person Needs
Your support person plays a crucial role during labor and delivery, often staying by your side for hours. To ensure they can fully focus on supporting you, it’s important they come prepared with their own essentials. Here’s what they’ll need to stay comfortable and ready.
Clothes and Comfort Items
Long hospital stays call for cozy, practical clothing. Think sweatpants, t-shirts, pajamas, and an extra set of clothes. Comfortable footwear, like sneakers, Crocs, or slip-on shoes, can make a big difference when spending hours on their feet.
Don’t forget toiletries - packing a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner can help them feel refreshed. Since hospital bedding can be thin, bringing a favorite pillow, blanket, or even a lightweight sleeping bag can add a much-needed touch of comfort.
Food and Electronics
Energy and hydration are key. Healthy snacks like trail mix, fresh fruits, and veggies are great options, but check with your hospital about any restrictions on outside food. A reusable water bottle is also a must for staying hydrated.
Electronics are another essential. Pack devices like a phone, tablet, or e-reader, along with their chargers and a portable power bank to keep everything running. And for those quieter moments, entertainment options like downloaded podcasts, books, or a tablet loaded with shows or movies can make the wait more bearable.
How to Pack Smart and Stay Organized
Once you’ve gathered your hospital essentials, packing them in a smart and organized way can save you a lot of stress. When labor begins or you’re recovering postpartum, the last thing you want is to dig through a chaotic bag to find something important.
Use Separate Bags or Packing Cubes
Think of your hospital bag as a filing cabinet - each category of items should have its own "folder." Liesel Teen BSN, RN, a labor and delivery expert, strongly recommends this method:
"I'm a BIG fan of packing individual bags for labor, recovery, partner, and baby. This keeps everything so much more organized."
Packing cubes or small bags in different colors can make this approach even easier. For example, keep all your labor essentials - like lip balm, hair ties, and slippers - in one cube that’s easy to grab. Postpartum recovery items, such as nursing bras and a going-home outfit, can go in a separate section you won’t need until later.
Color-coding is a game changer. Use blue for baby’s things, pink for your postpartum needs, and green for your partner’s essentials. This way, anyone helping you can find what’s needed without asking a million questions.
When packing, place heavier items at the bottom to protect fragile ones, and roll your clothes instead of folding them. This saves space and keeps wrinkles at bay.
Check What Your Hospital Provides
Before you start packing everything under the sun, take a moment to call your hospital and ask what they supply for new moms and babies. Many hospitals provide basic gowns, disposable underwear, and toiletries for moms, as well as diapers and wipes for newborns.
Specifically, ask about recovery items like nursing pads, peri bottles, and mesh underwear. Some hospitals even supply baby blankets and hats, though you’ll likely want to bring your own special going-home outfit.
Don’t leave it to guesswork. Hospital policies vary widely - some facilities offer everything from shampoo to phone chargers, while others stick to the basics. Knowing what’s provided can help you avoid overpacking or forgetting something important. And don’t forget to pack for the weather, since conditions can change quickly.
Pack for the Weather
Your due date gives you a ballpark idea, but babies don’t always arrive on schedule. Be prepared for the weather you’re most likely to encounter, and pack a few backups just in case.
For winter, include warm layers and nursing-friendly cardigans. If you’re expecting in summer, choose lightweight, breathable fabrics, but remember hospitals are often chilly, so a light sweater might still come in handy.
Pay special attention to baby’s car seat outfit. It needs to fit snugly under the safety straps without being bulky. Since you won’t know their exact size until they’re born, pack two going-home outfits: one in newborn size and another in 0-3 months.
Lastly, make a list of items you’ll need to grab at the last minute, like your phone charger, daily medications, or toiletries. Keep a notecard with this list on top of your bag to make sure nothing gets left behind.
Conclusion: Get Ready for a Smooth Hospital Stay
Packing your hospital bag doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking it down into simple steps - organizing essentials into separate bags or packing cubes, checking what the hospital provides, and considering the weather - you can make the process much easier.
The timing matters, too. Aim to have your bag ready by 36–37 weeks of pregnancy, or two weeks before a scheduled delivery. This gives you time to double-check everything without the stress of rushing. As Dr. Madhu Goel, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Fortis La Femme, wisely says:
"As an expectant mother, the best gift you can give yourself (and your little one) is the peace of mind that comes with delivery day preparation."
Early preparation not only reduces stress but also helps you feel more in control when the big day arrives.
Keep your packed bag in a convenient spot - like by the door or in your car - for quick access. Attach a checklist for last-minute items (like your phone, wallet, or medications) to your bag. And don’t forget to download helpful apps ahead of time, such as a contraction timer or a white noise generator.
Preparation goes beyond just packing. Being mentally and emotionally ready for labor is just as important. Signing up for childbirth education classes early can help you feel more confident and reduce anxiety. In fact, research shows that attending these classes increases the likelihood of a vaginal birth by 25%[1].
For extra support, consider programs like Rita's Pregnancy 101. Their prenatal classes cover relaxation techniques, breathing, and baby care basics. With expert-led sessions that include prenatal yoga, meditation, and trimester-specific advice, they offer flexible scheduling and continuous online support to help you feel ready for labor. Building confidence and knowledge now can make a big difference when the moment finally arrives.
FAQs
What should I do if my baby arrives earlier than expected and I haven’t packed a hospital bag?
If your baby decides to make an early entrance and your hospital bag isn’t packed, don’t stress - just focus on grabbing a few key items quickly. Start with comfortable clothes for yourself, basic toiletries, and any important paperwork, like your health insurance card and hospital pre-registration forms. Keep in mind that hospitals typically provide plenty of supplies for both you and your baby, so you won’t need to bring everything.
One thing you’ll definitely need is a car seat for your baby, as it’s required before you can leave the hospital. If possible, enlist the help of a partner, friend, or family member to gather items from home or pick up any last-minute essentials. And don’t forget, the hospital staff is there to help, so even if your bag isn’t perfectly packed, you’ll be well taken care of.
How can I make sure the car seat is installed correctly before heading to the hospital?
To make sure your car seat is installed properly, start by thoroughly reading the manuals for both the car seat and your vehicle. Pay close attention to the specific instructions for your car seat model and vehicle type.
The safest location for children under 13 is the back seat, so always install the car seat there. Use either the seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) to secure it - but never use both at the same time. After installation, perform the inch test: try moving the car seat at the belt path. It shouldn't shift more than 1 inch in any direction.
Check that the car seat is reclined at the correct angle to keep your baby safe and comfortable. If you're unsure about the installation, reach out to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician for help. Many hospitals and local organizations offer free car seat inspections, giving you peace of mind before your trip to the hospital.
What should I look for in nursing bras and postpartum recovery essentials to stay comfortable after delivery?
Choosing the Right Nursing Bras and Postpartum Recovery Items
After delivery, comfort becomes a top priority, and selecting the right nursing bras and postpartum recovery essentials can make a big difference. When it comes to nursing bras, focus on soft, breathable fabrics that offer both stretch and support. Features like easy-access clasps for breastfeeding, minimal seams, and flexible designs that accommodate size changes are especially helpful. During the initial weeks, skip underwire bras to lower the chance of blocked milk ducts.
For postpartum recovery, certain essentials can make the healing process smoother. Pack postpartum pads to manage heavy bleeding, ice packs to reduce soreness, and a peri bottle to maintain hygiene. Other useful items include high-waisted supportive underwear and over-the-counter pain relievers to ease discomfort. These simple but effective items can help you feel more at ease and support your recovery journey.