What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag From a Mom Who’s Been There

Even though you have nine months to prepare for your little one's arrival, it goes by faster than you think. All of a sudden, you're at the end of the second trimester and realize you haven't packed your hospital bag. There are lots of opinions online about what to pack, and honestly, some of the lists can be overwhelming.

It usually doesn't hurt to be overprepared, but it's also important to remember that you don't necessarily have to buy a bunch of new things before you head to the hospital. As a mom of three kids with three very different birth experiences, I'm here to tell you that you don't need as much as you think. Take it from a mom who's been there — these are the things you actually need in your hospital bag.

One Mom's Experience

As a mom of three kids, I understand the panic that comes at the end of pregnancy. You start to question whether you're truly ready and feel rushed to knock everything off your to-do list. Rest assured, it's okay if there are some things you don't get done. If the closet in your guest room stays cluttered, that's okay — but packing your hospital bag is something that's best prepared ahead of time.

When we were preparing for a hospital birth with our first baby, I had an extensive list of everything that needed to go in the hospital bag. Looking back, a lot of the things I packed went unused. When my second baby was (unintentionally) born in the car, I realized that I didn't need as much as I thought I did.

If there are things you want to have with you that will make you more comfortable, by all means, pack them! But don't feel pressured to buy a ton of new things that you may not use anyway.

When Should You Have Your Bag Ready?

Aside from what you should pack in your bag, the other common question new moms ask is: When should my bag be ready? During pregnancy, you're considered full-term at 39 weeks, although early term starts at 37 weeks.

It's a good idea to have your bags ready by the time you're 37 weeks pregnant, even though, as a first-time mom, it's more likely that you'll go into labor after your due date. If you pack it around 37 or 38 weeks, keep it by the door in case you need to add any last-minute items.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Your hospital bag is going to include items for you while you're in labor and after you give birth, as well as items for your precious little one after they're born. Here's a look at what items you need for yourself and your baby.

What to Pack for You

When you look up hospital bag checklists online, you'll often find long lists of items that include everything from flip flops to wear in the shower to a tablet to watch movies on. You can certainly decide what items would make you most comfortable, but the sheer number of items listed can be overwhelming. To keep things simple for you, I've provided a list of both necessary items and optional items that you can bring but probably won't miss if you don't.

Necessary Items to Pack in Your Bag

You want to make sure you're prepared once you get to the hospital, so your partner doesn't have to run back home. Here are the things to make sure you have for yourself in your hospital bag:

• Important documents: When you check in at the hospital, they're going to ask for things like your ID and your insurance card. Make sure you have those in a place where they're easily accessible. If you have a printed birth plan, add that to your bag as well.
• Clothes: When you get to the hospital, they'll likely have you change into a hospital gown. However, you'll want to pack clothes to wear home after baby is born and any other clothes that may make you feel comfortable. If you choose to bring your own clothes to wear during labor, bring things that are loose and comfortable. You can even purchase your own labor gown online that may be more comfortable. Don't forget to pack enough socks and underwear for several days, since you don't know how long you'll be in the hospital.
• Nursing Bras and Breast Pads: If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, nursing bras can make the transition a lot easier and more comfortable. Add a couple of bras in your bag to wear after your baby is born and to wear home. Breast pads are used to prevent leaking, although your milk probably won't come in until three to five days after you give birth.
• Toiletries: Both during labor and after, simple things like brushing your teeth or washing your face can help you feel more like yourself. Pack everything you would need for an overnight stay, such as face wash, soap, shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure you have extra pairs packed also.
• Beauty Products: Even though you probably won't care what you look like while you're in labor, many hospitals have newborn photographers who can take pictures of you, your partner, and your baby after you give birth. Pack some simple items in case you feel like putting up makeup before pictures.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Hydration is so important during labor. Bring a water bottle with you, ideally one with a straw, so you can easily stay hydrated before baby is born.
• Speaker and Playlist: While many things listed on hospital bag checklists are unnecessary, this one is a must-have for me. If you plan on creating a birth playlist, make sure you can access it and bring either a Bluetooth speaker or even just your phone to play music while you're in labor.
• Phone Charger: It's worth it to buy an extra-long charging cable and put it directly in your hospital bag. Whether you're listening to music on your phone or texting everyone pictures after your precious baby is born, you don't want to forget your phone charger.

Optional Items to Pack in Your Bag

If it's something you would normally pack for a few nights away from home, it should probably go in your hospital bag! Aside from the things everyone should have, here are some optional items that you can pack:

• Your Own Labor Gown: At the hospital, they'll give you a hospital gown to wear, or you can choose to wear your own loose-fitting clothes. Some moms choose to buy their own labor gown, which you can usually find online in a variety of colors and patterns.
• Anything That Will Help You Sleep: The hospital will provide you with pillows, blankets, and anything else you need to sleep. But if you can only sleep while wearing an eye mask or with a specific pillow, make sure you add those items to your bag.
• Slippers or Other Shoes: Some moms recommend bringing extra shoes, such as slippers to wear around the hospital, or flip flops to wear in the shower. They're not necessary, but if they'll make you more comfortable, add them to your bag.
• Entertainment: Whether you have a long labor or you're just trying to pass the time postpartum, you might choose to pack a book, magazine, or other form of entertainment in your hospital bag.
• Comfort Measures: You might be planning an unmedicated birth or planning on getting an epidural. Either way, there are some additional comfort measures you might want to pack, such as a birth comb or a TENs unit.

Pro Tip: Speak with the Hospital First

There are some other items that aren't listed that the hospital will likely have on hand. Things like pads and disposable underwear for postpartum, a birth ball for comfort during labor, and socks to wear at the hospital.

To make sure you have everything you need, talk with the hospital first to find out what they'll provide you with. If all else fails, it's better to pack something extra rather than not have something you need.

What to Pack for Your Baby

Your hospital bag shouldn't just include things for you — when you leave, you'll be taking your little one with you! Here are some things to pack for your baby:

• Car Seat: You won't be able to leave until this is installed, and some car seats can be tricky to install the first time. Ideally, have the car seat ready to go by the time you're 37 weeks.
• Going-Home Outfit: If you have a special outfit you want your baby to wear home, don't forget to pack it in the bag. Whatever outfit you choose, make sure it's weather-appropriate.
• Diapers and Wipes: Your little one will go through a lot of diapers, even in those first few days. The hospital will likely provide some, but it's a good idea to pack your own as well. Since you don't know exactly how big your baby will be, pack a couple of different sizes instead of only packing newborn diapers.
• Clothes: The same is true for baby clothes when it comes to sizes. Instead of only packing newborn clothing, you might want to pack a couple of 0-3-month items as well. The clothes to pack for your newborn may include a few bodysuits and pajamas. Make sure the items you pack are easy to put on and take off (i.e., pajamas with zippers instead of buttons).
• Blankets: Baby blankets are a must for your hospital bag. After having three babies, I swear by the muslin style blankets and refuse to buy any other kind. They work as a blanket, swaddle, and nursing cover all-in-one.

Tips for Your Partner

Once you get to the point in your pregnancy where you start to pack your hospital bag, things start to feel more real. It's an exciting time! You're taking care of the hospital bag for yourself and your baby, but remember that your partner needs a bag too. They'll likely pack their own bag, but here are some things you might want to suggest they pack:

• Toiletries
• Phone and Phone Charger
• Snacks (make sure to avoid anything with a strong smell)
• Clothes
• Pillow
• Reusable Water Bottle

Much like your bag, suggest your partner pack anything they may need to stay comfortable overnight. You won't know ahead of time how long you'll be in the hospital, and although your partner could leave to grab something if necessary, they'll likely want to stay by your side.

One Last Note

Packing your hospital bag ahead of time is important because once you go into labor, it's going to be difficult to remember what you need. At the end of the day, it's better to have extra things you don't need than to be missing things you do need. I always tell new moms to keep it simple because if you scroll long enough on social media, you might think you need to spend hundreds of dollars on custom items to be comfortable during labor, but that's not true.

If you want to splurge on some items for you to bring, like a labor gown or a new set of pajamas to wear postpartum, there's nothing wrong with that. But don't feel pressured to spend extra money just because someone online said you should. Pack the items that will help you be most comfortable, and skip the rest.

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