Hospital Bag Checklist

There are a thousand hospital bag checklists, but this one’s mine. It includes the products I actually used and needed for all of my births. I have this list saved on my phone to send to my pregnant friends, but hopefully the links and explanations here will be helpful as well.

Please note, as an Amazon associate, I receive commission from qualifying purchases, but I recommend only the products I’d personally use. And I’m picky 😂

Regular Overnight Items

• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, face wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc.)

• Hairbrush

• Hair ties (bring several, and ensure they are easily accessible for both labor and postpartum, especially if you’re planning to nurse)

• Lotion

• Chapstick (essential for labor as well—laboring mamas tend to have very dry lips)

• Face wash

• Shower flip-flops, if you’re uncomfortable showering barefoot in a public shower

• Any regular medication

• Glasses, contacts, contact solution, eye drops, if you need them

• Your regular purse or bag that you’re used to having on you

Labor Items

A note here: I gave birth unmedicated, so the midwives and nurses at my hospital allowed me to eat and drink freely while I labored. Not all hospitals allow this, and if you’re planning to have an epidural, you are not allowed to eat or drink. Regardless of whether you’re planning to have medication, I recommend eating a healthy meal before going to the hospital. This will give you energy for labor. You may not have an appetite, but try to eat if you can. These are the products I brought with me to help me labor successfully.

• Your birth plan. Not everyone has a birth plan, but if you do, print a few copies and have them available to hand to your nurses/midwife/doctor. Be sure to point out specific parts if you’re passionate about anything in particular. My care teams were always very attentive to my plans, but that’s not the case for everyone, so remember to be your own advocate, and ensure that any of your birth assistants or witnesses understand your plan and can advocate for you if you can’t.

• A fan. I used a hand-held battery fan and a stronger corded one. My husband called this the real MVP of labor, as it felt invaluable during the peak of my contractions.

• Juice boxes. I didn’t always feel like eating and drinking while I was laboring, but my doula held a juice box to my lips after every contraction, and I think the hydration and sugar really helped keep me strong and energized.

• Water bottles. I’m normally a fan of reusable water bottles as much as possible, but if the water at your hospital is unfiltered or gross, it’s nice to have filtered water available, especially when the nursing thirst kicks in after delivery.

• Nut bars: I way overpacked on snacks for my first delivery, but the one thing I was thankful to have on hand every time was a nut or protein bar. This can be helpful for laboring and for postpartum when you feel the need for immediate sustenance.

• Pillow and blanket. The hospital obviously provides pillows and blankets, but I found my familiar pillow and throw blanket from home to be very comforting during labor and a lot more comfortable than the hospital options after delivery. I just threw everything in the washer immediately when I got home.

Baby Items

• Diaper bag. This is not completely necessary but nice to use to pack any baby supplies that you’re bringing with you or taking home from the hospital

• Baby soap. I like to use simple, fragrance-free soap for my babies, so I brought my own. You can also skip the hospital bath entirely if you want to.

• Swaddle. The hospital will have swaddling blankets, but they’re hard to manage. If you’re planning to use some kind of Velcro swaddle for your baby, go ahead and bring it with you. My hospital also provided a Velcro swaddle, but not all do.

• Pacifier. Many hospitals recommend waiting to offer a pacifier to promote successful breastfeeding, but if you are in a state of extreme tearful exhaustion while trying to nurse your brand new baby in the middle of the night, you might be happy to have one on hand.

• Hakaa or electric pump. The hospital will have a pump if you need it, but if you have one you’re planning to use, it might be nice to have the hospital’s lactation consultant teach you how to use your own. Babies can latch and get colostrum immediately after birth, but it usually take a couple days for your full milk supply to come in. You may not need a pump at all in the hospital (I never did), but you might be glad you have it just in case!

• Baby zipper pajamas. You can bring a cute outfit if you really want to, but zipper pajamas are easiest for the hospital stay and the ride home.

• Infant car seat

Postpartum Items

• Nipple cream. You may not get chapped nipples immediately, but it’s always good to be prepared.

• Witch hazel. I liked the spray kind to soothe my nether regions when I went to the bathroom, but other people like to place the pads in their underwear

• Magnesium. The hospital will provide stool softener if you ask, but I found that the combination of magnesium supplements with the stool softener made for the least-scary postpartum poop.

• Flushable wipes. Some people can only use peri bottles to clean up in the bathroom after birth, and while I found the hospital-provided ones helpful, I also appreciated being able to gently wipe myself down as well.

• Robe or loose, nursing-accessible pajamas. I use the hospital-provided gowns for birth, but after I showered, I liked to switch to my own loose comfy clothes. They need to be loose to be nursing accessible and to make room for your postpartum belly and postpartum pad.

• Adult diapers. I used the hospital mesh underwear and ginormous pads for my first 2 births because I felt silly buying adult diapers, but I dropped my pride for my third experience, and kicked myself for not doing it sooner. Adult diapers are infinitely easier to manage postpartum bleeding than the giant slippery pads and underwear that the hospital provides. They are more secure and leak-proof. I promise you won’t regret it.

• Entertainment. I did not find myself in need of any kind of entertainment during my hospital stays, as I was distracted by my new baby, regular check-ups, and visitors. But a lot of people prefer to hold off on visitors while in the hospital, and some people have a longer stay than I did. So bring a book or a tablet or or an e-reader, or your crochet project, etc, just in case you find yourself bored with nothing to do.

• Slippers or other slip-on sandals or shoes. The hospital will likely provide grippy socks, but I liked to slip into my Birkenstocks whenever I stood up so I didn’t bring all the floor germs back into bed with me.

• Comfy going-home outfit and nursing bra. I liked to bring a loose shirt and maternity leggings or bike shorts, depending on the weather. You will still look about 6 months pregnant when you leave the hospital, so make sure you bring something that will fit your belly, your big boobs, and your postpartum pad.

• Phone charger with a long cord. The outlet is not likely to be conveniently placed.

• Camera. I just used my phone, but some people are actually good at taking pictures and prefer something more specific to capture the hospital stay.

Things I Didn’t Bother With, But You Might

• Cute laboring gown. Dumb. It’ll just get covered in birth fluids. Save your money, and let the hospital handle that laundry. Literally nobody cares how you look while you’re in labor

• Make-up and hair-styling tools. Again, why bother?

• Cutesy newborn signs and matching mother/baby clothes. Just pricey and unnecessary. But if you really want them, go for it.

• Labor playlist or affirmation cards. These things were personally just not helpful coping tools for me, but other mamas swear by them!

• Essential oils. Clary sage is supposed to encourage regular contractions. Lavender can help soothe you during labor. Peppermint can help with labor nausea and with postpartum peeing (if you put few drops in the toilet hat and let the fumes rise). Again, I just didn’t find the need for these, but a lot of people really like them! Just make sure you don’t diffuse them in your room, as some people could have adverse reactions to them. (For instance, you don’t want a pregnant nurse in a room while clary sage is being diffused.) Place any desired labor oils on a rag and breathe them in near your nose.

• Electric heating pad. Heat can be a life saver for back labor and for postpartum cramps. I used the hospital heating packs for my labors, but not all hospitals have those readily available, so you might be glad you brought your own!