Hospital Bag Essentials

It’s D-day — delivery day of your little one, and amidst the rush of adrenaline, you waddle out to your car fitted with baby’s car seat, and buckle in as your partner places your carefully curated hospital bag in the car. You have everything you’ll need, and you know this, because, hopefully, you found this article on hospital bag essentials.  

If you’re like most parents, you’ve likely studied dozens of hospital bag lists, compiling a collection of must-have items on the day of baby’s delivery. You’ve likely planned for best case, worse case, and everything in between. You’re a good parent, and that’s what you do! As a hospital-based birth doula I’ve seen the plethora of things new parents pack in their bags for the big event. I see the things that are used, and the things that get brought right back to the car after sitting in the room for days. There are all different types of birth scenarios, birth plans, and family needs, and this list sets out to you all of the different options to find the best things to pack for you!

As a doula, I strive to make delivery day as smooth as possible, and that includes the much considered, poured over, planned-to-pieces hospital bag. Here is what I, as a certified doula who has assisted with dozens of hospital births, would pack in a bag for a delivery stay, as well as an additional list for an extended hospital stay. So, sit back, put your feet up, close your twenty tabs of hospital bag lists, and read on! 

Typical Hospital Stay Packing List (1-2 nights)

Bare Minimum (i.e., baby is ON THE WAY, quick-pack-a-bag-and-let’s-go!)

• Car Seat for bringing baby home

• Wallet/Insurance info

• Birth plan

• A list of prescription meds for the parent giving birth, and any prescription meds your partner may need during the labor process

• Nursing bra

• Going home clothes- packing loose layers is always a safe bet!

• Easy to Slip-on Shoes (you may not need them running out to the car, but you will when you come home or walking hospital halls)

• 1-2 outfits for your Partner

• A couple of sweaters and layers (It can be chilly in the hospital, even in the summer!)

• Toiletries (don’t forget lip balm — since often medications can be drying — or ponytail holders)

• Phone cord (extra-long is best!)

• Snacks/drinks (water bottles, pre-packaged smoothie drinks, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, granola bars — electrolyte drinks and bone broth are also great energy boosters in labor)

• Baby home coming outfit (but we know you’ve been planning this for months!)

Extras — i.e., you’ve had time to pack calmly, baby comes after or on their due date, or you need a labor induction and know you'll have time to settle in

• Comfortable lounge outfits for post-partum (an all-season robe is GREAT for over the hospital-issued disposable underpants)

• Additional nursing bras and/or a sports bra for labor (dark colors are ideal to not show blood in pictures)

• One or two sleepers and/or swaddles for baby (the hospital will provide these, but it’s nice to have some more personal ones on hand.)

• Silverettes and/or nipple balm (hello nursing!)

• Non-slip socks

• Flip flops (for the shower you’ll definitely want after labor)

• Sound machine (helps tune out all those “hospital” noises — or the other people in labor)

• Speakers for music, and a pre-prepared playlist for labor

• Headphones (for you or your partner to listen to things without disturbing the others much needed sleep!)

• Any “quick guides” or labor/breastfeeding books you may want to reference/ and or names and numbers of lactation consultants

• Labor comfort items - lacrosse ball for counter pressure, fan, labor comb, TENS unit, massager, etc.

• Ambience (battery-operated candles, twinkle light, affirmation cards)

• Your own pillows and bath towels (hospitals will provide these, but personal ones are a nice comfort measure)

• Baby keepsake book (for handprints, dating, times of arrival, etc.)

• Hard candy/ and or gum (this can help with pain management as well as feel refreshed… especially if you have an epidural and are bed bound for a while without being able to brush your teeth!)

• Camera- you may want to just use your phone, or you may want a more specific set up.

• Nursing pillow/boppy

• Blow-dryer or a little makeup in addition to the average toiletries

• “Who to call” list / Visitor list (having a premade list for calls/visitors is helpful to alleviate stress)

• Books, tablets, apple TV or firestick plug into TV (labor can be a long process, and having a way to wind down and pass time can be helpful for both you and your partner.)

Extended Hospital Stay Goodies

If you know you’re having a high-risk pregnancy or are at-risk for a pre-term birth— you may want to prepare for an extended stay at the hospital… these are some helpful things to have available for someone to bring to you.

 **make sure whoever you would want to access these items has an extra house key

•  A few comfortable lounge clothes that will fit you postpartum (again, remember layers!)

•  Breast pads (You’ll start leaking when your milk comes in a few days postpartum!)

•  Postpartum Care Items: additional pads, salves/comfort items, a belly binder for after a c-section, or postpartum support underwear/leggings

• Breast pump, storage bags, milk catchers or haaka

• A few extra onesies or snap sleepers for baby (if baby is in the NICU, snap sleepers can accommodate the cords they are hooked up to)

• Entertainment items not originally packed (like books, tablets, etc.)

• Your own Blankets/Pillows (these are necessary when sleeping for a while at a hospital

• Slippers or easy to slip on/off shoes

• Snacks (the hospital cafeteria isn’t open when you get your middle-of-the-night, nursing, hunger pains!)

My hope is that these lists provide some ease of mind as you prepare for your exciting day and crosses off at least one less thing you have to research for. Or, if you find this as you scramble for an expected delivery, you’ll know just what to grab!

Happy Birthing!