Prepare yourself for your delivery day by packing these 7 hospital bag essentials that you truly need for a smooth delivery.
As I prepared for the birth of my first child and gathered my hospital bag essentials, I followed a SUPER EXTENSIVE hospital bag checklist that I received from a child birthing class.
I had a LONG physical copy and checked off every.single.box on the list, striving hard to be sooo well-prepared and ready to go for delivery day.
Now, I fully understand the philosophy “better safe than sorry” and genuinely do abide by that more often than not, but in this instance, “better safe than sorry” was complete and utter overkill.
I was seriously drowning in labor prep items on my way to the hospital.
It took four grown adults (myself, my man, my mom, and a hospital attendant) to carry all my hospital bag (actually, it was multiple bagS, plural) “essentials” to my labor room.
And guess what? I literally NEVER touched 99% of it during my hospital labor endeavor.
Trust me when I tell you I did NOT use 99% of the items. I was fully prepared if I needed said items, but they were unnecessary.
I did not even think about bringing all that excess, overload of hospital bag (non)essentials for my following two labors.
My only concern was bringing the items I found that I legitimately needed.
We’ll discuss legitimate hospital bag essentials I could NOT have lived without in this post and the only things you’ll really need during your hospital stay.
This post is all about hospital bag essentials.
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Hospital Bag Essentials:
What Should You NOT Pack In Your Hospital Bag?
First off, let me say that the hospital will provide you with many things that you won’t have to worry about bringing yourself.
You can save yourself some time and money by not buying the items that the hospital is likely to supply for you.
You may want to contact your hospital ahead of time to confirm what they will provide.
In my experience, the hospital will supply you with the following items for yourself:
- Mesh panties and large pads to line them with
- Witch hazel wipes and perineal spray (for tender, burning, itchy post-labor lady parts)
- Large refillable water bottle
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals (my hospital served DELICIOUS food, I hope yours does too)
- Snacks
- Nipple cream samples
- Extra blankets and pillows (if you ask, but some nurses just offer them to you)
- Your hospital gown
- A landline phone (I wonder if that’ll be a thing of the past soon? I had a baby in 2020, and there was still a landline phone, so maybe not)
Plus, the hospital will supply you with the following items for your baby:
- Pampers diapers for baby
- Trial-size hygiene products for baby (some soaps and shampoos)
- A small pack of baby wipes
- Long sleeve onesie t-shirts (it doesn’t have the snap crotch between the legs, it’s just a shirt, not a bodysuit)
- Receiving blanket
- Baby hospital cap(s)
- Pacifier(s)
- Nipple shield (if you need it or request it)
Hospital Bag Essentials:
What Should Be In Hospital Bag?
Only the essentials (we’ll discuss what those essentials are for sure, next), along with your photo ID and insurance card.
There’s no point in wasting energy packing an abundance of just-in-case items you probably won’t need (unless you want to).
Focusing on what you absolutely need will definitely be enough, and trust me, you don’t need a lot.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Mom?
1. Outfit for yourself
Bring a comfortable outfit for yourself to change into when it’s time to head home (outside of that, you’ll be wearing a hospital gown the whole time).
There will more than likely be a shower in your recovery room where you can get clean and refreshed for your trip back home.
Instead of a traditional bra, don’t forget a nursing bra if you’re planning to breastfeed.
2. Flip flops
Even if flip flops don’t go with your outfit or the weather at the time you give birth, they’re perfect to pop on and off during your hospital stay when you need to get up and head to the restroom, grab your baby, walk around, or whatever it is you need to do.
- Seasonal essentials – Don’t forget other necessary accessories such as a winter or fall jacket if needed, etc. If perhaps you are having a winter or fall baby and would be wearing boots or some enclosed shoes to and from the hospital, I would recommend still packing a pair of flip-flops to pop on during your hospital stay.
3. Hygiene products
You’ll want to bring all your daily hygienic essentials so that you can get fully clean and comfortable before heading home after the ordeal of giving birth.
I brought and HIGHLY recommend the following:
- comb and hairbrush (plus hair ties)
- facewash
- feminine wash
- body wash
- toothpaste and toothbrush
- lip balm
- lotion
- body powder
- adult diapers (I prefer them over the large pads, they’re much more efficient for the task than a pad, in my opinion).
4. Cell phone and charger (with an extra long cord to be safe)
The last thing you want is to be in labor with no way to contact or communicate with those closest to you.
Even if everything goes without a hitch, make sure you don’t forget your phone and DEFINITELY remember your charger.
There’s nothing worse than that dreaded red battery light and no ability to do anything about it.
Aside from notifying loved ones that it’s time to meet the newest member of the family, your phone can come in handy for filming and snapping images of your new baby love.
You may have a snazzy camera you want to use, but for many, their phone’s camera will suffice.
And you never know what apps and internet research you may need to do on your phone.
For instance, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to name my daughter and was literally scouring through internet searches trying to find something unique and beautiful to call my sweet girl.
With our second baby, we knew his first and last name but were utterly stumped about his middle name, so I downloaded a few baby name apps to help make my final decision.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Newborn?
5. Outfit for baby
Bring whatever kind of baby outfit tickles your fancy for going home day.
For my babies, I brought sleepers.
My boys were born in October, so I brought warm, cozy fleece sleepers.
My girl was born closer to spring, so I brought her a pretty beige and rose-covered sleeper with the feet out but did put newborn socks on her little tootsies.
I brought two sizes since I didn’t know how large my baby would be.
So I had one newborn size and one 0-3 months.
Bringing both sizes turned out to be smart-thinking because my firstborn was 8 lbs 2 oz. and 22 inches long.
He was petite enough for newborn size, but his little body was a bit long, so the newborn size sleeper seemed to restrict his ability to fully stretch out his legs and body if he wanted to, so the 0-3 month size worked much better for him.
My following two little ones fit snug as little bugs in their newborn clothing.
6. Car seat
You absolutely MUST have one to transport your baby home safely.
I’m not positive if all hospitals operate the same, but our hospital won’t even let you leave with your baby without physically seeing your car seat and your baby strapped into it before you head out of your hospital room.
Check with your insurance provider because they may provide you with a car seat for free.
We chose this one for our newest little bundle of love.
7. Baby lotion
The only hygiene product you should initially need is baby lotion.
My baby’s skin was disturbingly dry (I’m being dramatic, it wasn’t that bad), but I desperately wanted to moisturize my baby.
Aside from that, your nurse will wash your baby, give you ointment (if you have a baby boy, for his circumcision), plus they provide a small package of diapers and wipes and travel-size soaps for your baby, so lotion is the only thing you need to bring.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Dad?
If you want to prepare hospital bag essentials for your man, he should be good with the same items as you.
He’ll need hygiene products (if he’s going to spend the night), plus sleepwear, a cell phone charger, plus snacks.
That’s all my man needed.
If he (or you) prefers a more sophisticated camera to capture your delivery experience, then pack that as well.
I found our iPhones to be just fine.
We used a digital camera for our first childbirth but opted for cell phone pics with our last two babies’ deliveries.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
What Do You Wear During Labor?
If you’re curious about what attire you should prepare to adorn yourself with during labor, let me tell you…ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, except your hospital gown.
You’ll be butt booty naked beneath it, and that’s just what you need for your situation.
The hospital will provide you with one to wear during your time there, or you can opt to get a custom labor gown that’ll be yours to take to and from the hospital and keep forever after, like this one on Etsy.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
Should I Pack A Pacifier In Hospital Bag?
Packing a pacifier is entirely up to your preference.
It’s not an absolute necessity to bring one, because, again, the hospital has pacifiers on hand that they can and will give you.
I’m not a massive fan of their pacifiers.
They’re better than nothing, but my babies preferred the MAM Newborn pacifiers.
The petite newborn-size pacifiers are perfect for a tiny newborn mouth.
The kind the hospital provides is longer and skinnier than I like (or my baby’s liked).
But, again, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so go ahead and pack that pacifier with your hospital essentials.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
Where Should You Keep Your Hospital Bag?
I recommend keeping your hospital bag very close to the door (where it’s easily accessible) and in your line of sight, so it’s not out-of-sight-out-of-mind where you’ll forget all about it (especially in a spur-of-the-moment, unexpected situation).
Having it close to the door in and of itself will assist significantly with easy access and visualization.
I recommend hanging a coat hook by the door and hanging your prepared hospital bag from it.
Hang it at a height that’s in line with your vision, where you’ll make eye contact with it straight away rather than having it too high or too low to notice it’s there.
Or if you’re bringing rolling luggage, just leave it close to the door.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
What Week Should You Pack Your Hospital Bag?
Preparing your hospital bag about a month before your expected due date is a safe bet just in case your little angel decides to make an early arrival.
Since a full-term pregnancy can range from 36-40 weeks depending on the person, it’s a good idea to get packing by week 32 of your pregnancy in case you’re one of those individuals who’s more likely to wrap up their pregnancy around week 36 rather than week 40.
I was a 40-week carrier but met a couple of women in my birthing class who were built only to carry their fetus for 36 weeks.
Give yourself plenty of wiggle room and stress relief, knowing you’re already prepared for the unexpected by prepping your bag by 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Friendly Tip – *DON’T wait till the last minute!*
Hospital Bag Essentials:
My Hospital Bag Recommendations
These types of luggage are the perfect size for bringing all your necessities and any additions you may deem necessary.
You can use both or decide which style fits your comfort level.
For my first pregnancy, I brought both.
But I found the rolling luggage better suited my needs and my heavy, out-of-shape pregnant body for my last two pregnancies.
And don’t worry, the rolling one is not a huge, full-size suitcase that’ll be hard to manage.
Instead, it’s a 20-inch carry-on size that does the trick just fine.
Hospital Bag Essentials:
In Summary:
What you absolutely need for yourself and your baby are the following:
1. Outfit for yourself
2. Outfit for baby
3. Flip flops
4. Hygiene Products (I needed the following):
- facewash
- comb and hairbrush (plus hair ties)
- feminine wash
- body wash
- toothpaste and toothbrush
- lip balm
- lotion
- body powder
- adult diapers
5. Baby lotion
6. Cell phone and charger (with extra long cord to be safe)
7. Car seat
*And don’t forget your photo ID and insurance card*
Don’t be nervous, you can do this mama, and now you’ll be even better equipped for your big (incredibly exciting!) day with your arsenal of undeniably necessary hospital bag essentials.
Best of luck!
This post was all about hospital bag essentials.
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