I’m a planner (literally, I’m a wedding planner) and in order for my brain to NOT malfunction in the middle of the night due to stress, I need things written down. So, I created this hospital packing list so both my husband and I knew what we needed when the time came to welcome our daughter. I’ve created this “Baby Delivery Hospital Packing List” and edited with items that we actually needed/ used for delivery and our hospital stay. You can also get a free printable version of this list at this link
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links meaning, at no cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. All items are products that I have personally used and believe in
Items to grab the day of
This is a list for your partner or a checklist for yourself so you don’t forget anything!
- Purse/ Insurance card: I personally stopped using a purse about a month before having our daughter because I replaced it with my phone wallet, which has changed my life! But, you’ll need your insurance card for sure, so however you store your cards, you’ll want to make sure to bring them.
- Sleep mask: I use my sleep mask every night so this was an item that I knew I would need to add on last minute. It was SO helpful having it in the hospital when I was trying to sleep during the afternoon
- Phone chargers: Definitely a last minute item. We purposely got some with a double outlet and long cords because we didn’t know what to expect in the room
- Birth ball: I was using mine to sit on at home up until delivery, so this was my last last minute add on. Make sure to get a ball that matches your height, it’s not one size fits all (especially for short mamas!)
Items to have for labor
I separated my items in the bag to make them easier for us to find when I was in labor. Here were the items on top so we knew where it was when I needed it most:
- Birth plan: I’m not a huge fan of birth plans in general (I think the plan should be to have baby and mama healthy!), but I think writing down what your ideal situations are is helpful. I never gave it to the hospital staff, but my husband and I knew what was on it and my preferences (for example: I didn’t want to go straight to an IV so I did a HEPlock on arrival)
- Hair tie and bobby pins: When I get stressed, I NEED everything out of my face, so these were a must for me 🙂
- Massage lotion/ any old lotion: If you have a partner with you, having your lower back massaged is really helpful in all stages of labor. This just makes that a tad easier 😉
- Small ball for massage: Same here. This was SO helpful in getting into areas that felt like there was a knot in them to relive some of that pressure
- Headphones: I’m a very musical person. Having some relaxing music was super helpful, and I know a lot of moms who download guided meditations for early labor too.
- Essential oils: Peppermint, lemon, frankincense and orange are all great to have with you for aroma. My labor instructor recommended putting it on a wet washcloth to smell and MAN did the peppermint smell help me during labor.
- Lip balm: I read this on every mom’s list so I brought some and THEY WERE RIGHT. I drank so much water and ate so much ice and my lips were still so dry our entire stay. #1 item to have
- Water bottle: The nurses were great about bringing me water, but I was glad that I had an extra bottle for the few times it took them longer than usual to bring it by
- Snacks: I have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) so always keep snacks with me. I brought kind bars, pineapple juice (which is apparently great for breastmilk supply) and apple sauce packages. Your doctor will determine if you can eat them or not.
Items for mom post labor
- Medicines: These are all of the medicines that you’ve been taking during your pregnancy (prenatals, etc.) in case you have an extended stay
- Socks/ slipper socks: Hospital floors are GROSS and it can get cold. Slipper socks are great for traction, and regular socks for sleeping
- Pajamas: Comfy clothes. Keep in mind with all clothes in the early post partum that you’ll be about the size that you were in the 6th month of pregnancy (not fair, I know). I wore my pajamas home so didn’t pack an additional leaving outfit:)
- Sweater: It gets cold in the hospital. A nice warm comfy sweater is super useful
- Nursing dress: This one I’m back and fourth on. I didn’t love nursing dresses in general, but it was nice to not have my booty hanging out when my in-laws came to meet the baby 😉
- Nursing bras: Have a few in case you’re there for an extended stay. You’ll want to start wearing them right away.
- Maternity underwear: Sexyyyyy! I bought a cheap pack of underwear that I wasn’t concerned would be ruined with any post-labor bleeding. In the hospital, you’ll be wearing the mesh underwear that they give you but I transferred over before we left for home. I recommend a pair that is high waisted just in case you get a c-section
- Nursing items: This was a big one for me! I packed nursing pads, nipple cream and hydrogel pads and I’m SO glad that I did! I started using the nipple cream and hydrogel pads right away and had very minimal pain breastfeeding.
- Makeup: This is a personal choice, but I wanted to have some makeup to wear for photos with family that came to visit
- Nursing pillow: I didn’t personally use mine in the hospital, but I brought it so the lactation consultant could show me how to use it
- Postpartum girdle: I bounced back pretty quickly after pregnancy, and I think this girdle had a lot to do with it! I started wearing it about 24 hours after delivery (and not religiously) and it also helped with a sore back
- Toiletries: The best part of my hospital stay was the shower that I took 🙂 I brought shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, a comb, toothbrush and tooth paste. Nothing will make you feel more human again than these products
- Flip flops: For the shower!
Items for dad/ partner
If your partner is coming with you, you’ll want them to be as comfortable (as possible!)
- Pillow and blanket from home: They’ll be sleeping on the equivalent of a smaller than twin size pull out chair, so this helped my husband to try to get some sleep
- Changes of clothes: A few outfits so he was comfortable, including a pair of pajamas and…
- A front opening/ button up shirt for skin to skin: Skin to skin contact is really important after the baby is born, plus it’s a great bonding moment! He wore this shirt for my delivery so was ready for the skin to skin after. If you get a c-section, your partner will be able to do skin to skin while you’re being monitored afterward
- Toiletries (including toothbrush and tooth paste): see above. Your partner will want to shower as well so make sure they have anything specific for themselves
- Bathing suit: This was recommended to us but we didn’t use it. It was in case I wanted to labor in the shower so he could be with me without getting his clothes wet
ITEMS FOR BABY
- First picture outfit: If you have a special outfit or receiving blanket that you want them to wear, make sure to bring it! I won’t even suggest one in particular, because they’re all so. cute. and every mama has different fashion 😉
- Going home outfit: Eeee! The fun part! Try to keep in mind the weather but also that babies should always be wearing one layer more than an adult is comfortable in.
- A few pajamas: This is essentially what we kept my daughter in during our whole stay
- Swaddles: They will have blankets at the hospital as well, but we liked having the softer swaddles and practicing with them while the nurses were around to help
- Socks: For tiny cold feet!
- Hats: For tiny cold ears! (They will have these there but you can bring your own if you’d like)
- Carseat: They won’t let you go home without one. Make sure to install the carseat in your car about a month before and get it checked for safety
There you go! If you would like to download this in printable form (for free!) click here. Enjoy your new bundle of joy!
