Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag When You’re Having a Baby

Mama, are you getting ready for the big day? I have got you. Here you will find the list of things to pack in your hospital bag. This checklist includes natural options you can pack plus it gives you an idea of what hospitals may provide so you can finally decide what to have and whatnot.    

You can also get the downloadable pdf at the bottom as a checklist so you can prepare and pack easily. 

What to Pack for Mama in Hospital Bag?  

Paper Work 

Make sure you pack personal copies of essential records and ID that you might be asked at the hospital or birth center, such as: 

• Insurance card or ID

• Birth plan 

(Birth Plan is a blueprint of what choices you and your partner have made for the arrival of your child. It also helps your medical service provider support you during your labor and delivery in the best possible way. E.g., we have included delaying cord clamping, no bath for the baby after birth, no pacifier, and other lists of things. Mama natural has free, easy templates በዚህ ሊንክ that you can customize as per your particular choice.)

• Copy of any important medical documents  

Clothes  

• Comfy Delivery Gown – The hospital might provide a gown to wear but if you want to wear your own comfortable cloth during delivery, bring a gown or any other cloth you like.

• Sandals and Socks – You need comfy, functional sandals in your hospital bag to walk around during contractions, take a shower, and slip into the car to go home. Plus, the hospital delivery room might be cold, so it is good to have a pair of socks as well. 

• Bras – You need a nursing bra with easy access to breastfeeding unless you are comfortable being without a bra. 

If you plan to have a water birth and cover your breast, it is good to have a sports bra too. 

• Outfit to Leave the Hospital – It can be comfortable cotton pajamas with easy access to your breast so the baby can breastfeed. 

You can also include a robe if you want to.  

Postpartum Care 

Most hospitals may provide postpartum care supplies. Ask and make sure if they provide during the last weeks of your pregnancy checkups. 

Nonetheless, you need to stock up these postpartum care in your house anyway so you can pack some in your hospital bag. 

• Heavy Flow Pads

You can have depends undergarment that combines underwear and a heavy pad for postpartum bleeding. These are disposable and comfortable. Also, you can use heavy disposable or cloth pads with wide-size underwear. 

• Wide Underwears

Have 2-3 wide-size underwears. 

• Sitz Bath Spray 

This herbal sitz bath spray relieves any soreness and soothing inflammation of the vagina, hemorrhoids, or stitches. 

• Herbal Tincture This after-ease herbal tincture is recommended by most natural-minded midwives to help with after pain. Hospitals provide pain medications if you are not comfortable taking herbs.  

• Calm Magnesium Supplement or Fiber-Rich Drink (flaxseed, chia seed)

Hospitals recommend and give you stool softener after birth. But if you want to go the natural route and avoid the stool softener, calm magnesium supplements, fiber-rich foods, and drinking plenty of fluids help. So pack them all. 

• Nipple Cream 

When your baby starts breastfeeding, your nipples may start to crack and sore for the first few days. Nipple cream like this or coconut oil helps to heal fast and give relief.

Toiletries

Hospitals or birth centers may provide basic toiletries like soap and shampoo, but if you want to pack your own, these are the few things you can include in your hospital bag. Make them travel size as you don’t need much and it won’t take a lot of space in your bag. 

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste 
• Soap
• Sanitizer 
• Deodorant 
• Lip Balm 
• Lotion/ Oil 
• Shampoo and Conditioner 

Labour Tools and Others 

Labor tools and few other things that could help during and or after birth of your hospital stay.  

• Essential Oils 

If you like essential oil like me, bring your diffuser or put essential oils in a rolling bottle to use during labor. Lavender for relaxation and calm. Clary sage to support healthy contractions. Orange and lemon for energy are some of the essential oils I suggest. 

• Heat Compression 

• Towel – If you prefer your towel, pack one for after birth showering. I have seen hospital towels being small, so you may be happy you have your own. 

• Nursing and or Regular Pillow – I heard many moms complaining about hospital beds and pillows not being comfortable. So it may be a good idea to pack your own pillow. 

A nursing pillow is to support you during breastfeeding. I didn’t find a nursing pillow very helpful during my first, so I don’t pack it in my hospital bag or even use it later, but I know some moms who swear by it. 

Snacks

Most hospitals don’t allow you to eat and drink anything other than ice chips during labor due to fear of aspiration risk. Still, I suggest packing some, at least for after birth and for your partner. On the contrary, the birth center allows you to eat and drink whatever you want during labor. 

Also, you might not like the food provided by the hospital, so having something to snack on and your favorite drink is not a bad idea. You may find yourself very thirsty and hungry after birth, so having something you enjoy is great. Here are some of the examples you can include in your hospital bag:

• Coconut Water – for energy and electrolyte 
• Granola Bars  
• Dried / fresh fruits
• Nut butter – to spread on a slice of bread
• Dates  

You may also pack frozen food if you want to eat your own food. You can ask to put it in the fridge when you arrive at the hospital/birthing center and heat it in microwaves when you want to eat. 

What to Pack for Baby in Your Hospital Bag?  

• Car Seat

A car seat is a must-have. It is also one of the things you need to buy new as it expires. I suggest you install it in your car in the last days of your pregnancy, so you don’t forget and or spend time figuring out how to install a car seat after labor contractions kick in.   

• Receiving Blanket 

Swaddle or warm blanket (if it is winter season) 

• Go Home Outfit 

Have a couple of onesies and hats or sleepers. I have seen hospitals give some new onesies and a hat, but pack a few in your hospital bag if you want your baby to wear washed clothes. 

Mix up newborn and 0-3 months size clothes. Sometimes the newborn size runs too small. Personally, I don’t buy newborn-size clothes because the baby doesn’t wear them at all. After all, it is too small or only wears it for a few days, so I prefer to start with a 0-3 month size. 

• Baby Nail Clipper 

Believe it or not, babies are born with sharp nails, and they scratch their cute faces. So bring a nail clipper to trim your newborn baby’s nail. It doesn’t take much space. 

• Diaper and Wipes 

Pack non-toxic disposable or cloth diapers and wipes unless you are okay using whatever diaper the hospital provides. 

• Feeding Bottle, Formula, and Pacifier

If you have a plan to formula feed your baby or if you cannot breastfeed for whatever reason. And if you have a specific brand of formula you choose and want your baby to feed with a particular type of bottle, pack your own.  

But first, you must check whether your hospital allows you to bring feeding bottles and formula because hospitals may not allow it due to safety and liability concerns. 

Though, I highly encourage you to try breastfeeding. Even a few days of breastfeeding is great if you can’t do it for longer. Here in this post, I have all the information you need to know about breastfeeding, its benefits for you and your baby including why it is the best thing you can do, tips, and basically everything you need to know. 

What to Pack for Dad in Your Hospital Bag?  

I know you’re the one who will give birth, but daddy will be with you the whole time, and it is good to pack basic toiletries, snacks, and a change of clothes for him. 

Also, pack a light blanket for the night. When I gave birth to our son, I was transferred from the birth center to the hospital (you can read my birth story here). And I didn’t have a blanket for him, assuming I will give birth in the birth center and leave in a few hours after birth. We had to call our friends and bring a blanket because we stayed a couple of days in the hospital. 

Gadgets 

• Childbirth Affirmations 

Childbirth affirmation is a great way to keep you motivated when you get a break from contraction in between. I like mama’s natural affirmation. You can also prepare your own just by writing down your favorite affirmation on a notepad. 

Some women like birth affirmation soundtracks, an alternative to the card affirmation that requires you or someone to read it. 

• Music 

If you’re someone who enjoys music, make sure you load up your favorite music on your phone or iPod, or MP3 player and include it in your hospital bag. 

• Phone 
• Camera 
• Charger 

Your phone or camera charger or charger for any other electronics you may be bringing.

Mamas, did you use a hospital bag checklist before? Was there anything that you wished you had packed but didn’t? Do you find this checklist helpful? Let us know in the comments below!