The Ultimate Guide To What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag For Mom, Partner, & Baby

January 4, 2022

The time has come mama.

You’ve gone through months of pregnancy, prepping and planning the nursery, you’ve had your baby shower, chosen your little bundle’s name, and you haven’t been able to see your feet for weeks!

It’s almost baby time Breastie!

And the main thing that every mama (first time or tenth time) worries about is what to pack in your hospital bag. Or even when to start packing your hospital bag... or maybe both!

Well, worry no more. We’ve put together a baby hospital bag checklist with everything you need for when labor starts... to when it’s time to take your sweet little babe home. So, if you’re looking for a simple hospital bag checklist, then look no further. We’re here to break things down for you to make your labor and delivery as smooth and happy as possible.

When to start packing hospital bag when you’re pregnant

We know how exciting it is when you’re getting ready to welcome your baby into the world. And how you want to make sure you have everything ready at the drop of a hat when those labor pains start.

And although the majority of women give birth around their due date (or a couple of weeks on either side) it’s still a good idea to be ready in case your baby decides to make their grand arrival earlier than expected. That’s why it’s worth having your baby hospital bag ready around the middle of your third trimester.

In order to prepare for a more comfortable labor, delivery, and recovery, there are quite a few essentials we recommend to bring with you. You’ll also want to have everything you need for your gorgeous milk monster when they arrive. And what if you’re having a c section (elective or unexpected)? Never fear Breast Friend. We’re also going to talk you through a c section hospital bag, so you’re totally prepared.

How many hospital bags will you need?

This is completely up to you Breastie, but some mamas like to have 3 different bags (yep – 3!) One for when you’re in labor, one for when baby arrives (also containing all the newborn essentials), and one for when you’re in the post-labor recovery room.

But, before you start panicking about where you’re going to keep everything, don’t worry! You can always leave the baby arrival bag and the post-labor bag in the car, so your partner or loved one can bring them straight to you as soon as you need them.

Speaking of partners, your birth partner might also want to bring a bag with them, in case labor lasts longer than expected, or they plan to stay with you overnight. In which case, we’ve also got you covered!

Your complete baby hospital bag checklist

There are a few bare essentials you should always include in your hospital bag, and then there are things that are just nice and comforting to have. Both for you, baby, and your partner.

We’ve broken each bag down for you to make it as easy as possible to pack in advance. So, grab a pen and start checking things off our simple hospital bag checklist.

Free "Hospital Bag Checklist" Download

What to pack in your hospital bag when you go into labor

Let’s first have a look at the essentials you should bring with you to the hospital. These are the items that are (in our view) priority over everything:

Your insurance card
A driver’s license or another form of identification
Your birth plan (if you have one)
Any medication you’re on
A car seat for baby, already fitted in the car. It’s a good idea to practice putting it in and out a few times so you’re comfortable with locking mechanisms and straps
Your phone (don’t forget the charger!)
A couple of outfits for baby
A snowsuit for baby if you give birth in the colder months
Clothing for you to wear home (keep everything loose, super comfy, soft, and breastfeeding accessible if you choose to nurse)
Essential toiletries, like face wash, toothbrush and tooth paste, shampoo and conditioner for your first postpartum shower

As long as you have these items with you, then everything else can always be brought to you while you’re in the hospital.

Hospital bag checklist for mom

As well as the essentials listed about, here’s what you should back for when you go into labor and need to head to the hospital:

Clothing

An old t-shirt or nightdress to wear in labor. Be warned - it will most likely get messy so don’t bring anything that’s too expensive or you might want to wear again. It’s also a good idea to have a sleeveless or short sleeve version so the doctors can get access to your arms for taking your blood pressure or any potential canulas. If you want to do skin to skin or breastfeed then a button-down version would also be beneficial (Note: You can also labor and give birth in a hospital gown)
Cozy bed socks – yep, your tootsies will probably get cold
Slippers – perfect for wearing while you’re pacing the ward in active labor or for when you’re in the post-labor ward
A soft night gown, preferably in a lightweight material for if the labor and recovery ward is stuffy and warm, and a robe for in case it is chilly
A couple of comfy outfits – again, go for comfort over fashion. Your body would have been through a lot and comfortable clothing with easy Boobie access is a must
Lots of pairs of postpartum underwear. The hospital will give you plenty of mesh panties, which you can choose to wear or not. If you’d rather wear your own then make sure they are super soft, supportive, and BIG. Yep. granny panties are the way, especially as you’ll be stuffing them with maternity pads for post-birth bleeding
Nursing bras – make sure you try them on before going into hospital so you’re happy and comfortable with them. Your milk makers will be a bit tender and even sore when your milk comes in, and they’ll also swell, so having properly fitted nursing bras is a must... Alternatively you may not even want to put a bra on and in that case, let the boobies be free under your robe or nursing tops

Toiletries and personal items

Most toiletries come in travel size, which is a great option to save on space.

Nursing pads for when your milk comes in
Maternity pads for post-birth bleeding (the hospital should provide these but you may prefer to bring your own stash)
Hair ties, headbands, or clips to keep your hair out of your face when you’re in labor
Your glasses if you wear them
A toiletry bag containing shampoo, conditioner, soap, a washcloth, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, face wash, lotion, lip balm, deodorant, make-up wipes, your makeup essentials, and anything else you might want to make you feel like yourself and refreshed after giving birth. We’re not saying makeup is essential, but if you enjoy wearing it normally, then it might help with making you feel good after giving birth
Massage oils if you’ll want your partner to give you a relaxing massage during labor
A hairbrush or comb

Non-essentials (but nice to have)

Although these aren’t necessarily essentials, it’s nice to have them to make you feel as comfortable and at home as possible.

Your own towel (go for a darker color if possible)
A pillow and blanket from your bed to make you feel more at home
Things to pass the time, such as books, an iPad, magazines, music, etc
Face spray or room mist to keep you refreshed and your room smelling less like a hospital!
Headphones
An eye mask and earplugs
Mints or gum to freshen your mouth
Birth ball – the hospital might have these, but if you’ve been using one at home and you find it helps with pain or relaxing then feel free to bring yours
A playlist of your favorite songs to play during active labor and the birth
Gifts for older siblings – if your baby is lucky enough to have siblings waiting for them, it might be a nice idea to choose a gift to give them “from the baby.” This is a sweet way of making siblings feel included

Hospital bag checklist for partners

Now you know what to pack in your bag, it’s time for your partner to get their bag ready. Here’s everything they’ll need:

Money and a credit card
Any medications and painkillers
Snacks and drinks – they won’t want to leave your side to grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich, so having snacks to hand is a great option
Clothes – you don’t know how long you’ll be in hospital, so it’s a good idea for your partner to have a few changes of clothes and underwear with them
Swimwear in case you choose to have a water birth
A pillow and blanket – they’ll also need to get some rest when they can, and it’ll probably be in an uncomfortable chair. If they have a soft pillow and blanket, it’ll make things a lot nicer for them
Phone, camera, and chargers
Glasses or contact lenses if they wear them
A small bag for essential toiletries
Entertainment such as books, magazines, or an iPad to help pass the time
A “who to call list” for when the baby arrives and you want to share the good news

Baby hospital bag checklist

We’ve covered you and your partner. Now onto your scrumptious newborn. Here’s what to pack in your hospital bag for your new baby:

Clothing – we know it’s super tempting to bring all those adorable little outfits you’ve been buying over the last few months, but your baby really doesn’t need a lot of clothes while they’re in hospital with you. Pack 3 baby onesies (newborn/0-3 months) preferably cotton, a pair of scratch mittens, newborn socks, and a gorgeous coming home outfit! If you end up needing to stay in the hospital longer, more clothes can be brought to the hospital
A baby blanket
Burb cloths
Diaper bag with a couple of Newborn size diapers and baby wipes (the hospital will also provide and you can grab some to take home with you, too)
Pack a nursing pillow and nipple cream along with your nursing pad if you’re planning to breastfeed
A jacket or snowsuit for winter babes
Also make sure to have your pediatrician's number handy

C section hospital bag checklist

Whether you need to have an unplanned c section or a planned one, it’s good to be prepared. A c section hospital bag contains a lot of the same things as a standard hospital bag, with a few additions. Don’t forget, you might end up staying in the hospital a little longer, so it’s good to have everything you need.

You’ll be given painkillers by your doctor post-surgery, and you’ll be encouraged to get out of bed and move around a bit as soon as you feel able. Heads up the painkillers can often cause constipation, so you may want to consider bringing stool softeners (talk to your healthcare professional about this first).

Here are the additional items to bring with you to make your experience as comfortable as possible:

Several pairs of high-waisted cotton underwear. You’ll want the waistband to go as high as possible to avoid rubbing your wound
Baby wipes or face wipes to keep you fresh if you can’t get to the bathroom
A breastfeeding pillow so you can hold your baby without having them resting on your wound
Extra-long charging cable for your devices
Rubber, non-slip shower shoes, or flip flops
Dry shampoo in case you can’t get to the shower and you want a refresh
Snacks with fiber to help keep your bowels moving

You've got this Breastie!

This is such an exciting time. After a long pregnancy, your little one is finally ready to meet you. Knowing what to pack in your hospital bag and having it ready to go when you go into labor will help you feel prepared and calm. Well. As calm as you can be!

We hope these lists help. And, don’t forget. Even if you don’t have your bags with you, your hospital will have plenty of supplies if you need them. And your partner or other loved one can always bring you your essentials while you’re in the hospital.

We’re so excited about the next step in your journey. You’ve got this mama.

At Titty City Design, we believe that every boobie is beautiful, and that should be celebrated. We are a female owned and operated, small business here to spread self love and body positivity with our line of products for the home. A portion of our proceeds go to help support postpartum women and breast cancer patients.