Hospital Bag Checklist: What You Actually Need (And What to Skip)

You'll find countless hospital bag checklists online, many with 50+ items that will have you packing a suitcase for a two-week vacation. The reality? You need far less than you think, and hospitals provide more than you realize.

Here's a realistic guide to packing for your birth experience.

When to Pack

Have your bag packed and ready by 35-36 weeks. Even if you plan to go to 40 weeks, babies have their own timelines.

Keep your bag by the door or in your car so you're not scrambling when contractions start.

What the Hospital Typically Provides

Before packing, know that most hospitals offer:

• Hospital gowns
• Grip socks
• Mesh underwear (surprisingly comfortable!)
• Postpartum pads
• Peri bottle
• Ice packs
• Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)
• Diapers, wipes, and receiving blankets for baby
• Swaddles
• Formula and bottles (if needed)
• Breast pump (during stay)

Call your hospital to confirm what they provide.

The Must-Haves

Documents & Essentials

• Photo ID for both parents
• Insurance card
• Hospital pre-registration paperwork
• Birth plan (2-3 printed copies)
• Phone and charger (long cord recommended)
• Car seat (installed in vehicle, not in your bag!)

For Labor

• Lip balm – Hospitals are dry, and you can't drink much during labor
• Hair ties – Keep hair out of your face
• Glasses/contacts – You'll want to see your baby clearly
• Focal point – Photo or object for visualization

For After Birth

• Going-home outfit for you (loose, comfortable, nothing fitted)
• Nursing bra (soft, no underwire)
• Slippers or flip-flops – For walking the halls
• Robe – More comfortable than a hospital gown for visitors
• Your own pillow (in a colored pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up)

For Baby

• Going-home outfit – Seasonally appropriate, easy to put on
• Car seat – Properly installed and ready

For Partner/Support Person

• Change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Snacks – Lots of them (cafeteria hours are limited)
• Phone charger
• Cash – For vending machines or parking
• Pillow/blanket – Hospital furniture isn't comfortable

Nice-to-Haves

These aren't essential but can enhance your experience:

Comfort Items

• Essential oils (check hospital policy)
• Battery-operated candles – Mood lighting without fire hazard
• Bluetooth speaker – For your labor playlist
• Eye mask and ear plugs – For rest (hospitals are noisy!)
• Your own towel – Hospital towels are thin
• Warm socks – Comfier than grip socks

Entertainment

• Book or magazine – For early labor waiting
• Tablet with downloaded shows – Hospital WiFi can be unreliable
• Cards or games – For passing time

Extras

• Nursing pillow – Though hospitals often have them
• Nipple balm – For breastfeeding comfort
• Your own snacks – For after delivery when you're starving

What to Skip

Save the space and leave these at home:

Probably Not Needed

• Lots of baby outfits – One going-home outfit is enough
• Diapers and wipes – Hospital provides plenty
• Books for baby – They sleep, they don't read
• Expensive jewelry – Leave valuables at home
• Multiple changes of clothes – You'll live in a gown and robe
• Hair dryer – You won't care about your hair
• Makeup – Same logic
• Too many visitors gifts – Focus on recovery
• Work laptop – Just... no

Common Over-Packing Mistakes

• Bringing your entire bathroom
• Multiple outfit options
• Heavy items like a birth ball (hospitals have them)
• New shoes that might not fit swollen feet
• Anything you'd be devastated to lose

Packing Tips

Use Three Bags

1. Labor bag – What you need during labor (lip balm, hair ties, phone charger, focal point)
2. Postpartum bag – After delivery essentials (robe, going-home clothes, toiletries)
3. Partner bag – Their stuff, separate and easy to find

Keep It Light

You'll be carrying this while in labor, or your partner will be juggling it with other tasks. Less is more.

Leave Some Room

You'll leave with more than you arrived with—diapers, pads, medical supplies, gifts, and your baby!

Prepare Your Partner

Make sure they know:

• Where everything is in the bags
• What you want them to bring in first
• Where the car seat is and how to use it

The Car

Keep in your car (not the hospital bag):

• Installed car seat – Practice before the big day
• Blanket – To cover baby
• Barf bag – Just in case (motion sickness postpartum is real)
• Going-home outfit – Some people leave this in the car until needed

A Word on Birth Plans

Include your birth plan in your hospital bag, but also:

• Email a copy to yourself
• Save it on your phone
• Share it with your partner
• Discuss it with your provider beforehand

Our birth plan builder creates a clean, printable document perfect for your hospital bag.

Last-Minute Additions

Add these right before you leave:

• Phone and charger
• Glasses/contacts
• Wallet with ID and insurance
• Any daily medications
• Fresh going-home outfit (not packed for weeks)

The Bottom Line

Your hospital bag is meant to enhance your birth experience and recovery, not stress you out. When in doubt, leave it out—you can always send someone home for forgotten items.

The most important things you're bringing to the hospital are yourself, your support person, and the excited anticipation of meeting your baby. Everything else is just extra.

Use our interactive packing list to check off items as you pack and make sure nothing is forgotten.