What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Preparing for the arrival of your baby is an exciting yet nerve-wracking time, and one essential step is packing your hospital bag for labor and delivery. Having a well-organized checklist can help alleviate some of the stress and ensure that you have everything you need for a comfortable and smooth experience. In this blog, we'll guide you through the hospital bag must-haves for both you and your newborn, covering essentials from car seats to toiletries and everything in between!

Baby and Parents

Ensuring you have all of the essentials for mom, dad, and baby is key to a smooth and stress-free hospital stay during labor and delivery. Here’s our list of must-haves! 

• Car seat of your choice

• Blanket to tuck around your baby, especially if it is cool outside

• Slippers that can be tossed after your hospital stay

• Portable fan

• Sound machine

• 2 baby outfits - 1 for coming home and 1 for hospital photos (Note: we recommend avoiding gowns for the ride home)

• Pillow and cozy blanket for you and your partner

• Robe or cozy clothes allowing easy access for skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, and belly checks (Note: dark colors are best to avoid blood stains)

• Easy skin-to-skin shirt for your partner

• Towels if you want larger ones (Note: Hospital towels are small, coarse, and used, but we recommend them to avoid excessive laundry once you get home!)

• Snacks and drinks

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, chapstick, hair ties and clips, dry shampoo, etc.)

Many moms bring their breastfeeding pillow, but we recommend leaving it at home. They have regular pillows you can use, and this also ensures less laundry when you return home.

You may also consider packing a small bag with birthing essentials such as honey sticks, coconut water, bone broth, affirmation cards, flameless candles, etc. We also recommend essential oils! Our favorites include lavender, frankincense, clary sage, surrender and gratitude oils from Young Living.

what the hospital provides

The hospital provides some essentials that you do not have to worry about packing, making it easier to focus on personal items that will enhance your comfort and experience. These include:

• Diapers and wipes

• Baby blankets and swaddles

• Pads and mesh underwear

• Hospital gowns

• Medications

• Belly binder (if needed)

• Peri care items: peri bottle, Dermaplast spray, Tucks pads, Hydrocortisone or Preparation H Cream, ice packs, and nipple cream

Everything you need for your baby is provided, as well as peri care items for mom! All other items listed above are for your additional comfort and convenience.

You may shop these hospital bag items on our liketoknow.it!

We also have checklists for your nursing cart and postpartum caddy once you’re home as well! 

For more tips and helpful insights into postpartum, consider our video course - Baby 101: Moving Into Your 4th Trimester!