The Hospital Bag Checklist
Pack it by 36 weeks and leave it by the door. Most of what goes in is for you, not the baby: the hospital has diapers, wipes, swaddles, hats and formula, and will send you home with the leftovers if you ask.
Three bags, or three sections of one: yours, your partner's, the baby's. And a folder for the paperwork, because the one thing they will ask for at 3am is your insurance card.
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Paperwork and the essentials
- ID and insurance cardEssential
- Hospital pre-registration papersEssential
Most hospitals let you pre-register online in the third trimester. Do it; it saves twenty minutes you won't want to spend.
- Birth plan, one pageNice to have
If you have one, print two copies. Keep it to what matters to you.
- Pediatrician's name and numberEssential
The hospital will ask. Choose one before the third trimester.
- Phone, and a long chargerEssential
- Car seat, installedEssential
Not in the bag — in the car. Installed and checked before your due date; the hospital won't let you leave without it.
Compare four infant car seats →Our pickNuna PIPA aire rxThe lightest carrier here by a wide margin, and it installs with just a seat belt for taxis.
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For you
Comfort, then the postpartum things the hospital's supply doesn't quite cover.
- A robe that opens in frontEssential
For skin-to-skin, feeds and walking the hall. Your own beats the gown.
Our pickKindred Bravely Labor and Delivery RobeYours, not the hospital's. Opens for skin-to-skin and feeds.
View on Amazon - Nursing brasEssential
Two. Soft, no underwire, opens one-handed.
Our pickKindred Bravely Sublime Nursing BraComfortable enough to sleep in, opens one-handed. Buy it in the third trimester; you'll need it the first night.
View on Amazon - Nursing padsNice to haveOur pickLansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
For the weeks when your supply hasn't figured out the schedule yet.
View on Amazon - Going-home outfit for youEssential
Six-months-pregnant sized. Soft waistband. This is not the day for jeans.
- Slippers or slides with gripEssential
Hospital floors. Slip-on, because bending is off the table for a while.
- Warm socksEssential
- ToiletriesEssential
Toothbrush, dry shampoo, lip balm, hair ties, face wipes. The first shower after is one of the great showers of your life.
- Nipple creamEssentialOur pickEarth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
Safe for the baby, so nothing to wipe off before a feed.
View on Amazon - Postpartum recovery kitNice to have
The hospital has pads, mesh underwear and ice packs. Bring your own if you'd rather have the good version.
Our pickFrida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials KitThe hospital gives you some of this. Have your own; theirs runs out at 4am.
View on Amazon - Peri bottleNice to have
They give you one. The angled one is better.
Our pickFrida Mom Upside Down Peri BottleThe angle is the whole product. Nobody who has one regrets it.
View on Amazon - Witch hazel padsNice to haveOur pickTucks Medicated Cooling Pads
Witch hazel. Line the pad with them. Nobody explains this until afterwards.
View on Amazon - Pillow from homeNice to have
A colored pillowcase so it doesn't go home with the hospital's laundry.
- Snacks and a big water bottle with a strawEssential
Labor can be long and the cafeteria closes. A straw, because you'll be lying down.
- Glasses and contactsEssential
Even if you wear contacts. Glasses for the middle of the night.
- Medications you takeEssential
In their bottles, with a list for the nurse.
For your partner
- Change of clothes and toiletriesEssential
Two days' worth. Plan to stay.
- Snacks, more than seems reasonableEssential
- Phone chargerEssential
- Pillow and a light blanketNice to have
The chair-bed is a chair pretending.
- Cash or a card for parking and vending machinesEssential
- A list of who to call, in orderNice to have
For the baby
Short list on purpose. The hospital covers diapers, wipes, hats, swaddles and formula while you're there.
- Going-home outfitEssential
Newborn size and 0–3 months; you don't know which yet. Footed, with a zipper.
- A swaddle blanket for the carEssential
Tucked over the buckled straps, never under them.
Our pickaden + anais Muslin Swaddle BlanketsNot really for swaddling. For everything else: burp cloth, sun shade, nursing cover, blanket.
View on Amazon - Hat and socksNice to have
The hospital hat is fine. Bring one if you want it in the photos.
- PacifierNice to have
Optional, and the hospital has them. If you have a preference, bring it.
Our pickPhilips Avent Soothie PacifierThe one the hospital hands out. If they take it, buy more of the same.
View on Amazon - Burp clothsNice to haveOur pickBurt's Bees Baby Organic Burp Cloths
Soft, absorbent, washable a thousand times. You will need more than seems reasonable.
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Nice to have
- A speaker or headphonesNice to have
- An eye mask and earplugsNice to have
For the two hours of sleep between checks.
- A small gift for the nursesNice to have
Not expected. Appreciated.
- The baby bookNice to have
For the footprints, if they offer.
What you can skip
The part most lists leave out.
- Diapers and wipes
The hospital supplies them. Ask to take the open pack home.
- Formula and bottles
Provided if needed. Yours can stay at home.
- Several baby outfits
They live in a hospital swaddle until the car. One going-home outfit, two sizes.
- Makeup and a full toiletry kit
Bring what makes you feel human. Leave the rest.
- Valuables
Rings come off for delivery anyway. Leave them home.
- A large bag
You'll be carrying a car seat out. Pack light; someone can bring more.
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