Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Baby and You

Packing your hospital bag is one of those exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) milestones of pregnancy. When should you pack it? What do you actually need versus what's just nice to have? And what will the hospital provide?

After talking to hundreds of new parents, we've compiled the ultimate hospital bag checklist - the practical essentials plus a few items you'll be glad you brought.

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag

Pack between 35-37 weeks. This gives you time to be thorough without rushing, and you'll be ready if baby decides to come early.

Where to keep it: By your front door or in your car. When it's go-time, you don't want to be searching.

For Labor & Delivery

Essentials

Photo ID and insurance card - You'll need these at check-in
Birth plan (if you have one) - Multiple copies
Phone and charger - Long cord recommended!
Comfortable pillow - Hospital pillows are thin
Lip balm - Hospitals are dry and you can't drink during labor
Hair ties and headband - Get hair out of your face
Glasses/contacts - If you wear them (labor can be long!)

Comfort Items

Robe - For walking the halls during labor
Non-slip socks or slippers - Hospital floors are cold
Music playlist or speaker - Create your calm environment
Massage oil or lotion - For partner to use during labor
Focal point item - Photo or small object for concentration

What the Hospital Provides

Most hospitals supply:

Hospital gown
Mesh underwear
Pads
Basic toiletries
Blankets
Ice chips/water

For Recovery (After Baby Arrives)

For You

Going home outfit - Loose, comfortable (maternity clothes still!)
Nursing bra or comfortable bra
Comfortable underwear - High-waisted works best
Your own toiletries - Shampoo, toothbrush, face wash
Nursing pads - If planning to breastfeed
Nipple cream - Lanolin or similar
Flip flops - For the shower
Snacks - Hospital food has hours; hunger doesn't

For Baby

Going home outfit - Weather appropriate, easy to put on
Swaddle blanket - Muslin or stretchy
Car seat - REQUIRED (installed and checked before you go!)
Extra outfit - In case of accidents
Baby hat - Newborns lose heat through their heads
Socks or booties - Even in summer

For Partner/Support Person

Change of clothes - They might be there awhile
Toiletries - Hospital stays can be 2+ nights
Snacks - Lots of them
Phone charger - Separate from yours
Pillow and blanket - Hospital chairs aren't comfortable
Cash - For vending machines and cafeteria
Entertainment - Book, tablet, work laptop

Don't Forget: Memory-Making Items

This is where most checklists fall short. You'll want to capture these fleeting moments!

Photo & Video

Camera (or good phone) - Charged with empty storage!
Extra battery/power bank
Tripod or phone holder - For family photos

Keepsake Prep

Nice paper or cardstock - Ask nurse to do footprints on YOUR paper
Baby book - If you want hospital info filled in there
Ink pad for footprints - Optional, hospitals usually have this
Coming home outfit - Something special for first outfit photos

Pro tip: Take a photo of the hospital footprint they give you! These prints often smudge over time, and a photo backup lets you create custom keepsake products later. At MyBabyPrints, we can transform that footprint photo into onesies, blankets, canvas art, and more.

What NOT to Pack

Save space by leaving these at home:

Jewelry - Can get lost, not allowed during C-section
Lots of baby clothes - You'll mostly use hospital blankets
Diapers and wipes - Hospital provides these
Books you won't read - Labor is not reading time
Too many outfit options - Decision fatigue is real
Expensive items - Hospital rooms aren't secure

The "Just In Case" Bag

Keep a separate bag with items you might not need but will be glad you have:

Extension cord - Outlets are never where you need them
Eye mask and ear plugs - Hospitals are loud and bright 24/7
Thank you cards - For nurses and staff
Battery-powered fan - Hospital rooms can be hot
White noise app - On your phone

Checklist by Bag

Your Main Bag

☐ ID and insurance card

☐ Phone and long charger

☐ Comfortable pillow

☐ Robe and non-slip socks

☐ Toiletries

☐ Going home outfit

☐ Nursing bra and pads

☐ Snacks

Baby Bag

☐ Going home outfit (+ backup)

☐ Swaddle blanket

☐ Hat and socks

☐ CAR SEAT INSTALLED

Partner Bag

☐ Change of clothes

☐ Toiletries

☐ Snacks

☐ Phone charger

☐ Pillow/blanket

☐ Cash

Memory Kit

☐ Camera/phone charged

☐ Nice paper for footprints

☐ Photo of nursery for scale

☐ Baby book (optional)

Final Tips

Pack in sections - Use packing cubes or separate bags

Label everything - Especially chargers

Leave bag accessible - Not buried in your trunk

Tell partner where everything is - They might need to find things

Don't stress about forgetting something - Hospitals and nearby stores have most things

The most important things you'll bring to the hospital? Yourself and your baby. Everything else is just stuff. You've got this, mama.

*Planning ahead for baby keepsakes? Once you get that hospital footprint, snap a photo and upload it to MyBabyPrints to create custom keepsake products. We'll transform that precious print into onesies, mugs, blankets, and more.*