The Complete Hospital Bag Checklist – Essentials for Labor in 2021

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You have made it to the third trimester and are beginning to feel a thousand different emotions. The third trimester can feel like a race to finish all the items on your to-do list. You need to find a pediatrician, finish the nursery, send thank you cards from baby showers, and much more.

One of the most important items on your to-do list is finalizing your hospital bag. There are many hospital bag checklist on the internet. Most of these checklists have many unnecessary items and are overwhelming.

While working as a labor and delivery nurse I have seen many mommas come in with way too much. I am talking multiple suitcases, multiple bags, blankets, pillows, and more. Most of the items don’t even get touched.

To avoid packing too much and getting overwhelmed, here is a realistic hospital bag checklist that has the essentials. You can always add extra items that would make your delivery experience more specialized to you.

What Week Should I Pack My Hospital Bag?

Packing the hospital bag is usually one of the last items to get checked off on the to-do list. Many expecting mommas wait until after all the baby showers and after they have all their favorite items. Packing your hospital bag should actually be done much earlier.

Unfortunately, no one can expect how your labor experience will go or when the time will come. It could be much earlier than anyone expects. So, go ahead and throw some stuff in a bag. It may not be perfect, but it will be something to grab in case of an emergency.

Pack enough to get you through one night and a family member can always bring the rest. Being prepared just a little is much better than not being prepared at all.

What Are the Essentials for a Hospital Bag?

When creating your hospital bag checklist it is easy to add more and more and more. You read more online and hear more suggestions from friends and family. You think, “Oh maybe I should get a custom hospital gown, maybe a letter board in the room would be cute, maybe I do need a hair blowdryer”.

I am not saying don’t bring these things, but I am saying they are not essential. The essential items are things I recommend packing so your not naked, hungry, unsafe, unsanitary, or unhappy. You can always include extra items if you have more room or I suggest having a family member bring them.

Now, let’s see what truly is essential.

Hospital Bag Checklist – For Mom

• Toiletries – Bring your main items to keep you feeling clean and refreshed. Get travel size if you can.
  • Chapstick! This is a lifesaver during labor. The heavy breathing drys your lips out quickly and chapstick is a must in my opinion.
• Clothes – When you arrive one of the first things you will do is change into a gown. So think about what you need after baby has arrived. Remember, your visitors can always bring you more and take home what you don’t need.
  • Loose clothes – Something easy to get on and off and not restricting. A few pair of sweatpants and shirts will work.
  • Comfy PJs – The looser the better
  • Nursing Bra – Think comfort and functionality. Save your best bras for later.
  • Leggings – Only for the last days of your hospital stay. They are great for belly support but can be a nuisance for things such as routine medical assessments.
  • Robe – only if you are a robe kind of momma. This can be very easy to work around and also very cute for any picture if you choose to match with a baby swaddle.
  • Footwear – PLEASE wear something on your feet. The floors are gross and you should always have footwear. Pack something loose-fitting such as crocks, slippers, or flip flops.
  • Going home outfit – Of course, it should be comfortable. However, it is likely a picture will be taken this day, so you may want to think of a cute choice.
• Charger – This one is a no-brainer, just don’t leave it behind.
• Makeup – Completely up to you. No need to get into full glam, but if you want to bring some concealer and mascara then go for it.
• Snacks – To avoid a 2-day old turkey sandwich at 3 am, bring some of your favorite snacks.
• Water bottle – I thought it was genius when laboring moms would have their own spill-proof water bottle in bed with them. It prevented them from having to wait on Dad or their nurse to get them a drink and they could remain laying down.
• Paperwork – It is likely that you have completed registration before you arrive, but if you want to add backups then don’t forget your wallet, ID, insurance card, and Birth Plan if you have one.

Hospital Bag Checklist – For Baby

• Newborn Clothes
  • A few outfits or sleepers in newborn and 0-3 months will be just fine. They will get dirty the second you put them on and your baby will spend most of their time in the hospital-provided onesie.
  • Outfit for hospital pictures if you are interested.
  • Going home outfit – Choose an outfit that you will want to treasure forever, and choose it in 2 different sizes. A visitor can also bring this when it is closer to discharge day.
• Swaddle blankets – These can be great for pictures and swaddle practice, but the best swaddle blanket for your newborn is the one at the hospital. They are the perfect size and there are tons of them. Don’t ruin all of your brand new ones just yet and only pack a couple.
• Baby Book – Ok, maybe this one isn’t an essential, but I would most definitely bring this. The nurses are pros at footprints and I thought it was a great idea when moms would bring their baby book in to capture the first footprints. These would be the same on the birth certificate and done with good ink, not the faded ink provided in the baby book.
• Nursing Pillow – This one is also optional. They can be great for some mommas and just in the way for others. They are awkward and take up a lot of space, but if you use them right they can be multi-functional. Use it for breastfeeding or a pillow for yourself at night. A visitor can also bring it up after baby is born.

Hospital Bag Checklist – For Dad

• Toiletries – Just the essentials. If you are close to home, dad can always freshen up at home while your mom visits for awhile.
• Clothes – Whatever is going to be most comfortable and appropriate for runs to the gas station or back home. Dad can always run home and get whatever he needs.
• Charger – Because you always need it, just don’t forget to take it back home.
• Firestick – It might sound crazy, but it is so smart. They are small and you can easily plug them up to the TV. This way you can enjoy your favorite shows and make the long days and sleepless nights a little easier.
• Snacks – Dad doesn’t want old turkey sandwiches either. Bring dad’s favorite snacks to keep him awake for midnight diaper changes.

To Bring in Later or Have Someone Bring

I highly suggest letting your visitors bring in extra things. Here are some examples:

• Letter Board – I do think a letter board is very cute in a labor or postpartum room and goes great with pictures. However, it is not realistic to have that in your hospital bag. This is an easy item a friend can bring and take back with them.
• More snacks – Have a visitor bring take-out or just some extra snacks.
• Diffuser – These can be great in a labor or postpartum room, but no need to bring it right away. Let a visitor bring it up and take it home before discharge.
• Car Seat – Of course you will need a car seat, it’s the law, but leave it in your car or have someone bring it up when it’s time to go home.

Recommended Dont’s

There are a few items that I have seen moms bring and I question why. Here are some items I recommend not bringing and saving your time and space.

• Your own pillow – This one is actually a labor and delivery superstition. Bringing your own pillow is bad luck. I recommend waiting until after baby is born and having someone bring in a pillow if you really need it.
• Granny Panties – Please pack some underwear but don’t waste money on buying special granny panties. There is no such thing as special granny panties. The hospital has the best ones you can find, there is an endless supply, and you can throw them away after every use with no guilt.
• Computer – You will not have much time for anything else than caring for your baby and if you do, then you should be sleeping. You risk it being lost in the hustle of everything and honestly it’s not worth it.
• Jewelry or any valuables – Again, it is just not worth it. Earings get lost during labor or the rush to the OR. You are likely to move rooms and unfortunately, things get kicked under furniture to never be seen again. I would leave it at home.
• Don’t bother to bring things the hospital already has and works just fine such as:
  • Nursing pads – It is rare that you would even need them yet.
  • Pacifiers – The hospital kind was made for newborns. Keep the other kind at home and you can worry about trying those out later.
  • Nipple Cream – All you need is lanolin and guess what, that’s what the hospital has.
  • Heating Pad – The hospital has one and it works just fine.

Now You Are Ready to Get Packing

It truly doesn’t matter how far along you are, grab a bag and throw some things in. Adjust it as needed. This will calm your nerves knowing you are prepared for anything.

Take this list as a recommendation and add or take away whatever you would like.