The Perfect Hospital Bag Checklist
Okay, the big day is coming into view. It’s time to pack a hospital bag and prepare to welcome baby. The only trouble? There are a million lists out there—and a billion Tiktoks—telling you what to pack. That’s a little overwhelming.
And there are 2 types of pregnant people. The type who avoids packing the hospital bag and the type who obsesses over it. I fell into the latter camp. I read every article, watched every video, and cross-referenced their advice. I took a neurotic, maximalist approach to packing my hospital bag, and the result was a work of art.
This guide will outline everything you need to pack the perfect hospital bag—from essentials (and luxuries) for labor, delivery, and postpartum to packing strategies that ensure everything gets used to reviews of which items were surprisingly clutch and which were unnecessary.
Let’s get started.
What Makes for the “Perfect” Hospital Bag?
Ultimately, the perfect hospital bag will vary from person to person. What matters to me might not matter to you or vice versa. But these general rules will help set you up for success.
Include at least one thing that will make you feel like you.
Items are packed based on when you’ll need them (i.e. labor items grouped together, postpartum items grouped together)
Use labels so your partner can find what you need.
Bring what you need for mom, partner, and baby during each step of the birth and postpartum hospital stay.
How to Pack Your Hospital Bag
Having a checklist to ensure you include everything you might need for yourself and your baby during the hospital stay is helpful. Essentials often include items for labor and postpartum care for the mother, clothing and blankets for the baby, and any specific documents or items requested by your hospital or birthing center.
Top Tips for Packing a Hospital Bag
To make the most of your hospital bag, follow these tips.
Use a Pouch System to Make It Easy to Find What You Need: Pack using labeled pouches to make it easy to sift through the bag and to keep things organized (no one needs a suitcase explosion in the middle of their hospital room).
Use a Separate Bag for Labor and Postpartum: You can leave the postpartum bag in the car until after the birth, giving you less to contend with—which is great because you never know what’s going to happen during birth (you might find yourself being whisked out of the room rather quickly if you need an unplanned C-section).
Make a List for Your Partner: Create a Google Doc listing what’s in each pouch and provide it to your partner in advance. That way if they’re having a hard time finding something, they can Ctrl+F and leave you out of it.
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
The recommended time to have your hospital bag packed and ready to go is around 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. Waiting until the last minute can add unnecessary stress, especially if the baby decides to come earlier than expected. By having your bag packed by week 35, you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the final weeks of pregnancy, knowing that you're prepared for the hospital visit.
Wild Suggestion: Pack Early AF
Packing between weeks 28 and 32 is the best move most people aren’t making. In addition to providing ample time to change your list and order/purchase anything you might need, packing early transforms the hospital bag from “a chore that needs to be completed” into a delightful act of anticipation. It becomes a creative exercise and an extension of your nesting. 10 out of 10 would recommend.
The Absolute Best Things I Packed in my Hospital Bag
Of everything I packed, I was most grateful to have these items. In fact, they were all so solid that they had the nurses saying “I’m going to have to remember that.” Some of them might surprise you…
Sunglasses
You’ll see twinkle lights or candles listed on many hospital bag checklists, but there will be moments when the nurses/doctors need to turn on the overhead lights. Sunglasses allow you to maintain light control for yourself even when you can’t control the light in the room. When you can’t make the whole space a birthing cave, you can make your face a birthing cave. Plus, you look cool as hell.
Tiara ( aka Something That Felt Like Me)
I’m a real tiara person who copes with pain through humor. I packed a tiara in my bag that I threw on when receiving news I didn’t love (like, hey, you’re going to need magnesium). It helped me cope with surprises and pain in equal measure. After birth, when the nurses asked if we wanted a picture, my husband stopped and said, “Do you want the tiara?” You know that I did. In the resulting photo, I looked tired, bloated, happy, and like myself.
I’m not saying you have to bring a tiara. But I am saying…bring something that feels like you and maybe encourages your sense of play.
Face Roller
We kept my metal ice roller in a cup of ice at my bedside. Throughout labor my husband, my doula, and I used the ice-cold roller to massage my face. It. Was. Heaven.
Neck fan + Stroller fan
Wear the neck fan around your neck. Wrap the stroller fan to the side of the hospital bed. Voila, you have a personal cooling system that’s easy to operate and responds faster than the thermostat in the room. You’re welcome.
Newborn Photoshoot Swaddles with Inspo Pictures
Our “first 48” photos look highly choreographed, but it didn’t stress me out. How did we manage? First, the hospital had a photographer. Second, I put the swaddles I wanted to use, complete with inspo pictures, into clear pouches in the hospital bag. When the time came, all my husband had to do was grab the pouch and hand it to the photographer. I got exactly what I wanted, and I didn’t have to worry about communication when I didn’t have the bandwidth for it. Win. Win. Winwinwin.
Don’t Waste the Space— “Recommended” Items to Skip
Different lists told me to pack these. I don’t think you need them, and here’s why…
Nursing Bras: You’re not going to put on a bra. Don’t waste the space.
Breast Pump: If you need one, the hospital can lend you one. Don’t give yourself another bulky item to carry.
Documents: Everything is digital. We did not need the printed copies of anything we brought.
Jewelry: I touched none of it.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom
Birth Plan/Birth Preferences Sheet
Slippers
Light Control
Eye mask
Battery-operated twinkle lights
Sunglasses
Temperature Control
Neck fan
Stroller fan
Hair Accessories
Hair ties/scrunchies
Bobby pins
Bows/headbands (for when you have the impulse to look cute)
Toiletries
Face wash
Face moisturizer
Face mask
Shampoo and conditioner
Shower gel and body lotion
Hair styling products
Pimple patches
Tech accessories
Extra-long phone chargers)
Snacks
Snacks for mom after birth
Snacks for birthing partner during labor
“Feel Better Right Now”
Makeup remover/face cleaning wipes
Face roller/massager
Skyn eye masks (for cooling/depuffing)
Sheet mask
Fancy comb or brush
Purse-size perfume
Aquaphor
Tide pen
Lip balm
Essential oils
Clean felt pads
Frankincense
Myrhh
Clary sage
Jasmine absolute
Clary sage
Entertainment
Books/magazines (for someone to read to you)
Laptop or tablet with movies/shows
Labor Clothes
Labor and delivery gown/kaftan (if you’re bringing)
Cozy socks
Comfort
Pillow (with a cute pillowcase so it photographs well)
Blanket
Towel
Water bottle
Postpartum Cozies
2-3 sets of pajamas
Cozy socks
Robe
Going home outfit
Hospital Bag Checklist for Partner
Pillow
Blanket
Towel
Toiletries
Water bottle
2-3 sets of pajamas/loungewear
Going home outfit
Headphones
Phone charger
Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby
Swaddle blankets/accessories for “first 48” photoshoot
Boppy/nursing pillow
Going home outfit (or outfits if you want options)
Hospital Bag FAQs
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Packing for a hospital stay, especially for childbirth, can be challenging due to the limited space and the desire to be prepared for every eventuality. If you find yourself unable to fit everything into your hospital bag, here are some strategies to consider:
Consider a Second Bag: Pack one bag for labor and delivery and one bag for postpartum. That way you can have everything you need when you need it. And you can store the postpartum bag in the trunk of your car until after baby arrives (or ask someone to bring it for you.)
Prioritize Essentials: Focus on the absolute must-haves for your hospital stay. This typically includes identification, insurance information, a change of clothes, basic toiletries, and any specific medical items you may need. For childbirth, include items for the baby like a going-home outfit and a car seat.
Use a Checklist: Before you start packing, create or use a pre-made checklist tailored to your specific needs. This can help ensure you're not packing unnecessary items and keeping to only what you will likely use.
Pack Smart: Use space-saving packing techniques, such as rolling clothes instead of folding them, using travel-sized toiletries, and packing items inside shoes to utilize every inch of space.
Digitalize What You Can: Instead of carrying books, magazines, or physical documents, use digital versions on your phone or tablet. This can save a significant amount of space.
Ask the Hospital What’s Provided: Many hospitals provide basic toiletries, diapers, wipes, and postpartum care items. By knowing what’s already available, you can eliminate redundancies in your bag.
Delegate Items to Visitors: If you expect visitors, you can ask them to bring items you didn't have room for or that you find you need later, such as snacks, extra pillows, or specific items from home.
Review and Repack: If your bag is too full, take everything out and review each item again. You might find that some items are not as necessary as you thought, or there may be smaller, more compact versions of what you intended to bring.
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Hard no. The hospital will provide what you need in terms of baby blankets, diapers, formula, and kimono tops during your stay. You can pack the baby items with the rest of your hospital bag, since it’s a pretty short list. Be sure to bring a going home outfit, a nursing pillow, and whatever you want for “first 48” photos if you’re doing those in the hospital.
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If you bring your own pillows and blankets, you’ll need 2-3 bags, depending on the size. Plan for one full-size suitcase for labor and delivery (this will have your pillows, blankets, and towels in it), a carry-on suitcase, and maybe a tote bag for quick-grab items.
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It depends on how much you pack. If you’re bringing your own towels, blankets, and pillows, then you’ll need a full-size suitcase and maybe a carry-on or smaller duffle bag. If you are not bringing your own pillows and blankets, you can probably fit everything in one full-size suitcase or 2 smaller bags.
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Packing a hospital bag for the arrival of a second baby often comes with a bit of experience and understanding of what you really need. However, timing can still be a bit tricky, as second babies can sometimes arrive earlier than expected. It's generally recommended to have your hospital bag ready to go by the time you are around 34 to 36 weeks pregnant. This timing helps ensure you're prepared in case your baby decides to arrive early.