Hospital Bag Checklist

On average, parents who deliver vaginally stay in the hospital for one to two days. If you deliver via c-section, you’d be looking at closer to three or four days. Keep your length of stay in mind as you select what to pack in your hospital bag. 

Tip:  Ask your hospital what they provide for mothers and take those things off your hospital bag checklist. 

HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR MOM

• Photo ID, insurance info, hospital forms and birth plan

• Eyeglasses (if you wear them)

• Cell phone and charger

• Two or three pairs of warm, nonskid socks (for walking the halls before and after labor)

• A warm robe or sweater you don’t mind sacrificing to the cause

• Lip balm (hospitals are very dry)

• Headband or ponytail holder 

• Sugar-free hard candy or lozenges to keep your mouth moist during labor (candy with sugar will make you thirsty)

• Non-perishable snacks (find out if your hospital room as a fridge)

• 2 maternity bras and nursing pads 

• Toiletries and personal items: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, contact lens case and solution (remember, travel-sized products are your friends)

• Loose, lightweight clothing (maternity wards can often be hot)

• Comfortable going-home clothes in six-month maternity sizes, and flat shoes

•Nipple Cream

•Adult Diapers (The hospital will provide pads, but adult diapers might be more comfortable.)


Optional hospital bag checklist items for mom

• Very light reading (think magazines and newspapers, not War and Peace)

• Earbuds to listen to music on your phone

• Bath towel (the hospital will probably supply a very thin, small one)

• Hairdryer

• A comfy pillow from home (with a case that can get ruined, in a pattern distinguishable from hospital white)

• A few pairs of maternity underwear that can get ruined (the hospital will have disposable pairs, if preferred) 

• Breastfeeding pillow

•Eye Mask for sleeping

HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR BABY

• Approved infant car seat 

• A coming-home outfit (bring clothes in different sizes to make sure they fit!)

• Warm blankets

HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR PARTNER

• Cell phone and charger

• A change of clothes

• Toiletries: toothbrush, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, contact lens case and solution

• Snacks (you don’t want your partner eating all of yours!)

• Entertainment, whether it’s something to read, listen to or watch

• Camera or video camera with batteries, charger and an extra memory card

• Any daily prescription medication