Printable Hospital Bag Checklist for Mommy to Be – know WHAT to pack for labor and delivery
Despite my husband’s repeated requesting (almost every day for two weeks) that I pack the hospital bag for labor, we still needed to race home – in the two hours the hospital allowed us – to throw some stuff in a bag. (Sure, I spent plenty of time googling “pregnancy hospital bag checklist” – I just didn’t bother to actually PACK the bag. Don’t tell him (husband) I’m saying this, but he was right, and I should have packed the freakin’ hospital bag at 8.5 months pregnant.)
I don’t REALLY know why I didn’t get around to packing the bag before I went into labor.
Perhaps I was avoiding the reality of labor, or maybe I just had other things on my pre-baby to-do list (third trimester checklist) that seemed more important. Those both seem like valid reasons.
It’s actually not an fun to be in labor and asking yourself “What do I need for my labor hospital bag?” (Because really, you can’t answer that, having never been in labor before, and totally unable to concentrate on anything at all.)
So i just ran around grabbing stuff. Any stuff, really. Things that seemed like they might be useful while you’re trying to get a baby out, and things that I had heard I might need. This is a bad bad way to do this, and having a labor bag packing list on hand is probably wise.
Related: Should You Bother Taking a Prenatal Class?
(THIS POST PROBABLY CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. OUR FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY IS REALLY BORING, BUT YOU CAN FIND IT HERE.)
Is it just me, or is there an abundance of “fluffy” pregnancy hospital bag checklist articles out there?
I am a sort of basic kinda girl… I did not pack the “extra stuff” in my hospital bag – music to labor to, or nursing nighties. Like, we know we’re not moving into the hospital, right?
I can’t decide if authors of these labor and delivery bag checklists legit DO take that much stuff with them to the hospital, or if they’re just trying to come up with more stuff to write. Or maybe they add the fluffy stuff to make the birth experience seem more exciting and less… messy. I dunno.
what I ended up using at the hospital. No fluff. (And remember that the hospital has most of the stuff you need – I took a bunch of giant underwear along and didn’t wear a single pair. Those huge mesh hospital undies are awesome. I WILL buy extra of those next time.)
So there I was, at the hospital with a bunch of unused underwear and a husband who hasn’t eaten anything in 24 hours.
We ended up spending FIVE days in the hospital, and inevitably, I had to call my Wonder Women with a list of things I actually needed ASAP – because I had packed a lot of absolutely useless stuff.
Here’s the most important stuff to pack in your hospital bag for labor, stuff you ACTUALLY WILL WANT:
Related: How to get Over 500$ Worth of FREE Stuff for Baby
“While I’m in labor” stuff (put these on the top of your hospital bag packing list!)
Seriously – throw these things in a small bag on TOP of everything else, or in a side pocket so they’re quickly accessible once the real fun starts. Don’t be like me and realize the lip balm is in the car. Seriously. You NEED the lip balm. Labor is hard work and your lips will crack and bleed without it. (An amazing nurse found me some vaseline once I started begging for lip balm.)
♥ Lip balm.
♥ Hair ties.
♥ Socks that you could throw away.
♥ BIG water bottle with straw (this one is ideal). (We didn’t have this and my husband made probably 15 trips to the sink with the tiny cup they gave us. It’s an essential for next time, and you’ll want it after you deliver as well.)
♥ Snack for dad.
“After it’s over” stuff – A Realistic Hospital Bag Checklist
Remember – the hospital likely provides underwear, pads, a peri bottle, over the counter pain killers, stool softeners and all that sorta medically necessary stuff. They also provide diapers, wipes, bum cream and all manor of baby things. (If you want to be 100% sure you won’t be without those things, ask first. But really, you probably don’t need to pack these.) What you DO need:
♥ DARK, comfortable pants. 2 or 3 pairs.
♥ DARK, comfortable (preferably front opening) shirts. 2 0r 3.
♥ DARK, warm socks. 4 pairs. (Possibly socks that you could throw away.)
(Note the trend. Do not take white things to wear after delivering a baby. If you’re confused as to why – read this: 8 things that totally shocked me about postpartum recovery.)
♥ Sleep nursing bra, like this one. (The point here is comfort, not support.)
♥A pack of these undies. YES, you need these. I figured the hospital would give me enough… nope.
♥ Robe. (For if it’s cold, and for covering up quickly. This is one thing I didn’t have that I will take next time.) If you get something super comfy like this, you’ll probably find you sleep in it at home too – for those first few busy nursing months.
♥ Your own pillow. (If you’re picky about your pillow. I am.)
♥ Phone & charger.
♥ Camera (unless you will just use your phone).
♥ Basic toiletries (toothbrush / toothpaste / shampoo / moisturizer / deodorant).
♥ This spray (for your “downstairs” after delivery) – I didn’t get mine ordered in time – but it’s been HIGHLY recommended to me! (The same company makes this cream, which I have just started using on the squishy baby… and I LOVE it.)
♥ Breast pads – JUST in case you’re still in the hospital when your milk comes in. (Grab 10 FREE pairs of reusable breast pads here with the coupon code mommyonpurpose50)
Optional, but you’re probably going to have your first family picture a few hours after delivery, and you will look like you are dying without these things:
♥ Hairdryer and hairspray, unless you have wash and wear hair. (I have wash and scare hair. Very different.)
♥ Concealer, mascara, blush. (I did not regret taking these things one bit. I DID use them.)
And since you’re not the only one there:
♥ Change of clothes for dad. (Or at least underwear and a shirt.)
♥ Pillow & blanket dad (can leave this in the car until later).
♥ Book or magazine for dad. (Maybe you want one too, but I didn’t. I had sleeping / hanging out with my baby to do.)
♥ Nursing Pillow. (Grab a FREE nursing pillow here with the coupon code mommyonpurpose50.)
Baby Hospital Bag Checklist:
Baby REALLY doesn’t need you to take a bunch of things to the hospital, I promise. The hospital has almost everything you’ll need. Really!
♥ Sleeper / coming home outfit for babe.
♥ Blanket for babe. (These are the nicest ones I’ve ever found!)
♥ Car seat, installed. (Grab a FREE car seat canopy here with the coupon code mommyonpurpose50. I have one of these and I love it!)
Related: 20 Awesome Baby Hacks for New Parents
Grab this free printable hospital bag checklist here!
You can PRINT this hospital bag checklist by clicking here to open the PDF. (No email required!)
Your hospital bag for labor doesn’t have to be a big deal.
Don’t over stress about the checklist for hospital bag too much, and don’t hugely over pack. Even in five days, we hardly used half the things we brought. The pillows, the clean clothes, the toiletries, the snacks, and the phone and charger were the things we would have truly missed.
(And the lip balm. You really will want that.)
What essentials would you add to this realistic pregnancy hospital bag checklist? Are labor music and nursing nighties high priority for you ? Am I missing out by not having the fluffy stuff on my hospital bag checklist?
First time I was in labor a small fan would have been helpful. Instead my husband had to blow on my face the whole time. Lol
Great tip! I don’t remember feeling hot but I definitely remember sweating, so it’s entirely possible that I was hot lol.
You are so right! Four time mommy here and my bag looked pretty much like yours (minus the hair dryer, I’m a ponytail girl). Clothes for after delivery (comfortable and disposable, but something I wouldn’t mind being photographed in. I’d buy a set or two of inexpensive but cute pajamas). My favorite body wash and shampoo (that first shower after delivery is AMAZING, and having your own supplies helps you feel more like yourself after the emotional rollercoaster of labor and delivery). And definitely chopstick. And mints. Hospital air and controlled breathing means dry mouth and lips. Grippy socks for walking the halls (but don’t be upset at having to throw them away. I dripped all kinds of bodily fluids on the floor ?). Take advantage of all the things the hospital will provide and save your own stuff for when you get home. Did I mention all the bodily fluids? Ha!
HAHA yes the bodily fluids! Nothing clean and tidy about delivering a baby 😉 lol
I was totally dying for lip balm too! Finally a nurse found me Vaseline. I don’t think they let me drink water though because I was a c-section. Thanks for posting a realistic list!!
Hi Kelsie! Yes! Lip balm, right? So important! lol
This is a good list and awesome advice i Remember the first time I over carried stuff.
At least this time I will carry the basics
Thanks for this list and the printable comes just in handy when I need to.
HI Frida!! SO glad you like the printable 🙂 Congrats on upcoming babe!!
Thank you for this. I am a soon to be new mom and I just want to know what will be used and what won’t be while I’m in the hospital. I don’t really want to carry extra stuff if I don’t have to.
Congrats on the upcoming babe Ashley!! I felt the same way!!
Thank you so much for this! I was feeling that a lot of the lists had affiliate links too and I’m definitely not trying to over-pack like my sister did! Haha her poor husband had to lug those bags from room to room because she moved rooms twice! We also ended up having to do a Target run to get her items that she didn’t pack, but she had PLENTY of outfits for the baby! 🙂
Hey Caroline! LOL yes, we do tend to over pack for babe in our excitement. We didn’t even use most of the stuff we took for him 😛
I wanted a small pair of scissors or nail clippers to trim down (not remove) the darn ankle and wristbands. They were too long and kept poking the baby in the eye or back of the neck while trying to feed the baby. That would have been so helpful.
Great tip!
I’ve never taken a robe and I always see it on people’s lists. I guess it could be nice, but I’m a “less is more” when it comes to clothing (I can’t layer or I go insane). Also wear my own clothes at the hospital?? Let someone else do my laundry + the gowns make for easier nursing access than a shirt. I don’t have disposable clothing and I hate wearing pants until I’m forced to leave the hospital. A giant pad +ice packs don’t fit in even my biggest maternity pants.
I wouldn’t add anything, and this was much more realistic than other lists I have seen.
I’ve never been allowed to drink while in labor, so a cup and snacks for dad are on the list, but once I deliver I get a 32 oz mug, so I don’t bring one for myself.