My Hospital Bag Checklist

Making my hospital bag checklist was exciting and yet stressful. It was important to me that I packed everything I needed without going overboard. The research began.. about what to bring, what not to bring and everything in between. I still had no idea what to expect, however I did get some really helpful tips. First, my goal was to keep my hospital checklist as simple/minimal as possible and to organize everything. I wanted Robbie to be able to find anything WITHOUT having to dig through it all. Remember everything you take to the hospital you have to take home…with a baby… and probably with limited sleep. I separated the hospital bag checklist into section: The bags, packing for Mom, toiletries and bedside bag packing for Dad and of course packing for the new baby. Lets get started… 

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Hospital Bag Checklist: The Bags

I just pictured myself needing something, in the middle of having contractions and Robbie digging through everything to find whatever it was I needed. If you don’t already know, I have a slight The goal when packing your hospital bag is to keep things to a minimum and keep it as organized as possible. The easier it was for Robbie to find something the better. My hospital bag checklist starts off with the bags themselves.

Luggage Set

If you don’t already have a small roller bag, then this is a great option. We have this luggage set and it has held up wonderfully. (Currently 4.5 stars, with over 56,000 reviews on amazon!) When it comes to the hospital and labor, I wanted it to be as simple and easy as possible. This suitcase is the perfect size, rolls great, is available in a ton of colors/patterns. It also comes with a tote bag that sits on top of the upright roller bag. I was able to pack everything I needed for me, husband and baby in the upright/tote. It was great. Think about leaving to go home. Remember everything you pack in your hospital bag you have to take home…with a baby… and probably limited sleep

Another option is an oversize weekend bag. I personally feel like I am more organized in an upright roller bag, but a weekend bag would work fine. Whatever you are more comfortable with.

Packing cubes

I wanted my hospital bag to be completely organized so that when I needed something Robbie would know exactly where to go to find it. I organized my hospital bag into these packing cubes.

Toiletry Bags

I used these to help organize all my health/beauty items. I used one for shower items (travel shampoo/conditioner, body wash, face cleanser) I used the second one for beauty items needed outside of shower (contact solution, contact case, toothbrush, deodorant, face moisturizer, etc) The last one held postpartum items. (nipple cream, perineal spray, etc.) 

Bedside Bag

The purpose of this bag is to stay at the bedside, usually on a roller cart thing or similar. Basically anything I would need at the bedside. Think about what you want close to you at all times. Your must haves might be a little different than mine, but here is what I included in mine, … my brush, my glasses, chapstick, facial spray, extra hair tie, hair clips, portable charger, a few snacks and drivers license and insurance card.

Hospital Bag Checklist: For Mom

Robe

I love this robe!!!! Seriously… LOVE!!! It’s long, lightweight and soo soft!! It comes in a ton of colors!!! I looked for something that was lightweight, but  would still cover me up completely, especially with visitors.  It’s great for night nursing and for overall lounging around the house. Did I mention how soft it was? I started using it home when I was pregnant, I did not wait for the hospital.

Hospital Gown/ Nursing Dress

I have read of moms delivering in this. Some women want to feel as “at home” as possible. I’ll be honest, the thought of delivering in my clothes wasn’t appealing to me. I did want to this easy dress as an option in case I wasn’t comfortable in the hospital gown. It comes in a ton of colors! The shoulders unbutton for nursing, the back unbuttons for epidural access and the front opens for easy vag checks/delivery. You can adjust the waist with the tie. It was one of my bulkier items, so If you really want to save space. Skip this and just wear the provided hospital gown. I still think its a great item to have the first few weeks at home.

Shoes – Shower Sandals/Slippers

Nothing fancy, you just need a pair of *slip resistant* sandals or flip flops. I love these cushionaire sandals for around the house so these were perfect to throw in the hospital bag! They can be used in the shower, to walk around and for the ride home! I wear true to size, but I did read reviews that women with wide feet should size up one.

Underwear

Quite a few boxes needed to be checked off on this search for the perfect pair of postpartum underwear. Not too granny panty-ish, plenty of coverage, something you could wear for C-section or vaginal delivery, super comfortable, supportive but not too restrictive. These were perfect. In black of course. (Trust me…black!) If you have a vaginal birth, you can opt to wear the mesh underwear the hospital provides. However, I was ready to be out of those. I was so glad I packed these! They kept my pad and a perineal ice pack without it being too tight.

Nursing Bra

I bought 2 of these nursing bras. Normal life, I wear underwire and need a full coverage supportive bra. I did not expect good things from a nursing bra, but this comfy bra was surprisingly supportive.

Portable Fan

I did not have a fan when I delivered, but if I could go back and bring one thing…a portable fan would be it. There are a ton of options. I got this portable fan for our son’s stroller. I like it because you can move the legs in whatever position you prefer. If your hospital bed has handles on the side you could attach this there. If you don’t, then this could mostly definitely sit on top of your bedside table.

Hospital Bag Checklist: Toiletries

I organized my toiletries into 3 toiletry bags and my bedside bag. The toiletry bags were separated into shower items, outside of shower items and postpartum items.

Shower Items/Wet Bag

• Travel Size Shampoo & Conditioner- Mom/Dad use the same kind to eliminate needing to pack multiples. You can always pack a travel size dry shampoo, but you will still need the shampoo for Dad. My advice pack both. They are small and don’t take up much room.

• Travel size face wash

• Body Wash- Mom and Dad use the same kind.

NOT Shower Items

• Deodorant- Bring one for mom, and one for Dad.

• Face moisturizer/lotion

• Travel Size Body Lotion

• Toothbrushes/Travel size toothpaste

• Prenatal Vitamins and other Vitamins/Medication- Depending on your hospital you will probably need to check in any medications with the nursing staff.

• Optional: Dry Shampoo- You might not feel like washing your hair and that’s OK!!! I’ll be honest. I most definitely did not want to. I wanted to wait until I got home if at all possible. For one, I did not pack a hair dryer nor did I want to. Had I stayed one more night I would have washed my hair. Every birth is different, I just was not up to it. Living Proof Dry Shampoo if my personal favorite! I love the way it smells and it actually cleans the hair. (Some just coat the hair strands) It is a little more pricey than other, but for what it does, Im ok spending the extra.

• Optional: Make- Up. I wear minimal makeup anyways. So I packed my normal stuff in a ziplock bag. This consisted of powder, mascara and tinted lip balm, my bronzer powder and a neutral eyeshadow. This is completely up to you. The only reason I brought the bronzer and eyeshadow was for picture purposes. I didn’t want to look flushed in all the pictures. This is completely 100% what you are comfortable with. If you tend to wear more makeup then you may want to bring a few more than my essentials.

Postpartum Items

• Dermaplast – If you are planning for a C-section skip past this. I brought dermaplast because everyone swears by this stuff. I wasn’t sure if my hospital had this on hand so I brought it just in case. My hospital did supply it. When I was discharged they actually gave me a bottle, so I didn’t really need to bring it, but I don’t regret packing it at all. It doesn’t take up much room and trust me you will want to have this! SO either pack just in case or reach out to your delivering hospital to find out if they provide this.

• Disposable Nursing Pads – This is a huge box. Grab about ten and put some in this bag for the bathroom and a few in your bedside bag.

• Upside Down Peri Bottle- AKA “Mom Washer” The hospital will provide a peri bottle, but Im so glad I brought my own because this one is easier to use upside down.

Bedside Bag

• Facial Spray– Im addicted to this stuff and can not live without it I make me feel fresh and clean. It was a must for me and I kept this in my bedside bag to use frequently.

• Chapstick– THIS IS A MUST!!!!!!! My lips were so dry from labor breathing (and of course I gave birth during the COVID a pandemic so the face mask didn’t help either) I would have been completely miserable without this!

• Glasses/contacts/travel size contact solution

• Hair ties

• Hair brush

• Phone charger block/cord– Make sure if you take a cord/block, its a good length because you never know if an outlet will be close or not. This 2 pack 10ft charger block/cord is perfect. There’s no telling where the closest plug will be from your bed.

• Portable charger. Ok. For real, this portable charger is awesome. It is used daily at the house and on the run. We even gave them out as Christmas gifts because we love them so much. It has a foldable AC plug so you can charge using a wall outlet without the need of an extra charging cord. It has a Type C, Micro and lighting end to use for multiple devices. Its lightweight and slim! I seriously love it.

Hospital Bag: For Dad

When it comes to packing for Dad, its not that they aren’t important, but they will need way less than what you will need. Most of their shower stuff is already packed in the toiletry bags listed above. I asked my husband if we went back in time, what would be bring and he said a pillow and a small fleece blanket. Here is the super simple what to pack Dad list

• 3 changes of clothes

• Underwear

• Socks

• Phone charger (either cord/changing block or a portable battery charger

• Pillow and Blanket- per my husband 🙂

Hospital Bag Checklist: For Baby

I will admit I did slightly overpack for the baby, but I’m not mad about it. Baby stuff tends to not take up too much room, so it was fine. The hospital provides onesies, swaddles, newborn hat, diapers, bottles, vaseline, gauze, etc. In reality you really don’t need much. Baby will be swaddled most of the time. 

• First pictures… what do you want baby to wear? A cute onsie, sack or swaddle… with bow or hat of course. If I could go back, I would have brought a personalized swaddle blanket instead of a onesie outfit. A swaddle is so much easier, but that’s just me!

• Muslin Blanket – I love these muslin blankets! They are great quality, come in a 4 pack and are so easy to wash. These are great for swaddling. ( Edit: 2 years later and these are still our favorites!)

• Going Home outfit (I would bring a newborn and a 0-3 months just to be safe)

• Pacifier– Our hospital provided one, but I wasn’t a fan of that one and it didn’t seem like Lucas was a fan either. When we got him home he did much better with this pacifier.

• Boppy Pillow– I read PROS & CONS for bringing the poppy pillow. However, I do not regret bringing it at all. No matter what, I could not get comfortable with the hospital pillows. This is one of the items that made my life easier and it was worth the money in my opinion. 

Optional:

Diaper Bag- Personally, I did not see the point of having a diaper bag on hand. It was just one more thing to carry and move around. But in the future when it comes to needing a diaper bag for on the go, check out my diaper bag checklist for newborns post.

Photo props. There are a ton of ideas for newborn hospital pictures. I opted for a customized small wooden announcement sign. It was super small and did not take up much room at all. There are a ton of options available.

OK, there you have it. My complete list of what I packed in my hospital bag.

RELATED: Diaper Bag Essentials: What You Really Need to Pack

Conclusion:

My advice…. try not to overthink it. (Hah! Easier said than done, am I right?) Just remember what you bring you have to pack up and take home also. This days will be a whirlwind, you are going to be running on adrenaline and the less you have to pack back up the better. Your partner will also thank you, especially if the hospital doesn’t have luggage carts!