It’s finally time! Your due date is here and you’re about to give birth to your little one. What do you need to take with you to the hospital? Our hospital bag checklist for moms is a great place to start. But what should be included on that list?
Here is a comprehensive guide to everything you will need for yourself and your baby when you go to the hospital.
You’re about to have a baby! Congratulations. This is an amazing and life-changing time. You’re probably wondering what you need to take with you to the hospital when it’s time to give birth. it is possible to overpack and to also under-pack.
It is a good idea to relax, and not overthink your hospital bag. There are things you can pack to make your stay more comfortable for your hospital stay, but the delivery nurses will provide you with things you absolutely need for the baby.
If this is your first pregnancy, you may not know what to expect. Whereas, a veteran mom will know what hospital bag essentials she’ll need. Your support person can also help you to pack your bag.
Ultimate Hospital bag checklist for moms
Important documents
It is very easy to forget to pack your important documents in your hospital bag. These could be your driver’s license, insurance card, and birth plan. Do you have a birth plan? This is a good thing to bring with you to the hospital. It will help your nurses and doctors know what you want and don’t want during labor and delivery.
Comfortable Clothes
You’ll want to pack some comfortable clothes to wear during active labor. You may also want to bring a robe and slippers or socks.
You will typically have to wear a hospital gown during labor, but you can wear your own clothing afterward.
Phone Charger
Make sure to pack your phone charger and your cell phone! You’ll want to take lots of pictures of your new baby and you’ll want to stay in touch with family and friends.
Lip Balm
Chapstick or lip balm is a hospital bag essential, especially if you’re having a winter baby. The hospital air is very dry and can chap your lips.
Own Pillow
If you have a pillow that you love, bring it from home! You may be in the hospital for a few days and you’ll want to be comfortable. We all know how hospital pillows and hospital beds in general are not known for their comfort.
Granola bars
You’ll want to have some snacks on hand, even though the hospital will provide you with meals. Granola bars are a great snack to have in your hospital bag and more nutritious than whatever you can find in the hospital vending machine.
Hospital food is not always that delicious and granola bars are also good to have on hand as a snack for your birth partner.
Water bottle
Staying hydrated is important, especially during labor. Pack a water bottle in your hospital bag and make sure to drink lots of fluids.
Hair Ties
You may want to pack some hair ties in your hospital bag, especially if you have long hair. You’ll want to put your hair up during labor.
Dry Shampoo
You may sweat a lot during labor. You may not feel up to getting a full shower after giving birth or even being allowed out of bed at first. Dry shampoo is a hospital bag essential for new moms.
What to pack in your toiletry bag
Toothbrush and toothpaste
You’ll want to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste in your hospital bag. You may not feel like brushing your teeth after giving birth, but it’s important to keep up with your oral hygiene.
Face wipes
Face wipes are great to have in your hospital bag. You may not feel like washing your face, but you’ll want to at least wipe your face with a face wipe.
Deodorant
You may sweat a lot during labor, so deodorant is a hospital bag essential. You’ll want to feel fresh and clean after giving birth.
Body wash
Once you’re able to get up and take a shower, you’re own body wash from home will really have you feeling refreshed.
Lotion
Your skin will probably be dry from the hospital air, so lotion is a hospital bag essential.
Maternity Pads
You don’t want to forget a good supply of maternity pads for after birth bleeding. Bring plenty, for the first couple of days this can be pretty heavy so you’ll want to change frequently to stay comfortable.
Mesh Underwear
Some moms prefer to use the disposable mesh underwear for the first few days, so you don’t need to worry about leaks and laundry, just throw it away and replace.
If you’re not sure what size to go for, size up from your regular size. You won’t want anything too tight around your stomach and it takes some time for your uterus to contract back down to its pre-pregnancy size.
You can find most of the toiletry items in travel size so that they don’t take up as must space in your duffel bag. Duffel bags make great delivery bags.
Hospital bag checklist for moms that plan to breastfeed
Do you plan on breastfeeding? If so, you’ll want to pack a few extra items in your hospital bag.
Nursing bra
You’ll want to pack at least two nursing bras in your hospital bag. You may not feel like wearing a bra after giving birth, but you’ll want to have one handy for breastfeeding.
Nipple cream
Your nipples may be sore after giving birth and breastfeeding. Nipple cream is a hospital bag essential for moms who plan on breastfeeding.
Nipple Shields
Nipple shields can also be helpful if you are experiencing a lot of pain while getting used to feeding. Take advice from your midwife or a lactation consultant, there should be someone there in the hospital to help you out with this.
Breast pump
If you plan on pumping, you’ll want to pack your breast pump in your hospital bag. You may not need it, but it’s always good to have it just in case.
Nursing pads
You’ll want to pack some nursing pads in your hospital bag. You may not need them, but they’re always good to have just in case you leak milk.
Breastfeeding pillow
A breastfeeding pillow is a hospital bag essential for moms who plan on breastfeeding. The nursing pillow will help you to position your baby correctly while nursing, and can make you both more comfortable in the early days.
What to pack in your hospital bag for a c-section
If you’re having a c-section, you’ll want to pack a few extra items in your hospital bag.
Loose fitting clothes
You’ll want to pack some loose-fitting comfy clothes in your hospital bag. You’ll be sore after your surgery and you’ll want to be comfortable.
A comfy robe
A comfy robe is a hospital bag essential for moms who are having a c-section. You’ll want to be able to cover up while you’re in the hospital.
Slippers
You’ll want to pack some slippers or socks in your hospital bag. You’ll be walking around the hospital and you’ll want to keep your feet warm.
You may also want to bring some flip flops to wear in the hospital shower.
What to pack in the diaper bag for baby
You’ll want to pack a few essentials for the new baby in the diaper bag.
Change of Clothes
You’ll want to pack at least two changes of clothes for the baby. You never know when they’re going to have a blowout.
Going home outfit
You’ll want to pack a going-home outfit for the baby. It should be something comfortable that they can wear in the car seat, but it’s a lot of fun to pick out something really cute to take your baby home – after all, I’m sure there will be a lot of pictures.
Blanket
You’ll want to pack a blanket for the baby. They may get cold on the way home from the hospital.
Infant Car Seat
When it’s time to get discharged from the hospital, you’ll need to make sure you have the infant car seat ready with you as you can’t leave the hospital to go home without it.
If this is your first baby, make sure you or your partner knows how to fit it safely in the car, so that you’re not working it out for the first time with a brand new baby waiting.
Packing a hospital bag can be overwhelming, but it’s important to be prepared. This hospital bag checklist for moms will help you to pack everything you need for your hospital stay. The good news is the hospital will supply most of what you need for the baby.
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If you know a mom who’s getting ready for birth and preparing for this huge moment in her life, why not help her out and send over this check list.
Good luck!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
This is a great list and very practical! I love that you don’t have any frills on this. You really don’t need a lot when you go to the hospital, but it’s important to pack essentials!
This is a great checklist. Super useful for new mums!
Wish I had it back when I was having my kids. I just had to sit down and think and write my own list… with my cluttered mommy brain! :))