Your Hospital Bag Checklist: Simple and Organized

Are you looking for the perfect hospital bag checklist to make your delivery go as smoothly as possible? This post has everything you, your partner, and your new baby need before, during, and after delivery.

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Table of Contents

This step in your pregnancy is one of the most exciting ones. Therefore, feeling prepared and organized during this time is essential to you.

I hope this hospital bag checklist helps you during your moments in preparing your delivery!

Download and print your hospital bag checklist below and get packing!

We have three different colors and are working on a "twins or more" and a hospital bag checklist for natural and home births!

First things first...

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag:

The standard rule of thumb is to have your bag packed and prepared by weeks 36-37 if your baby arrives before the due date. (Did you know that only 5% of babies are born on their due date!) However, maybe consider packing your bag two or three weeks earlier if your pregnancy is more high-risk.

Mom's Hospital Bag Checklist

You will want to keep the first few items on hand and in your purse.

Wallet and Folder: Photo ID, insurance cards. YOUR FOLDER: pediatrician's contact information, hospital registration papers, and birth plan. (Be sure to set up your baby's insurance and pediatrician several months before your due date.)
Phone and Charger
Camera: charged battery, charger, and large SD card
Glasses and Contacts: If you have an emergency C-section the anesthesiologists will ask you to remove your contacts, so it is best to bring both.
Nonslip Socks and Slippers: The hospital will provide you with socks, but they are large and hot, and some people prefer to bring their own. (NONSLIP*)
Labor and Delivery Gown: The hospital will provide you with a gown, but Amazon and Caden Lane have beautiful ones with matching swaddles most women prefer to use. I've linked some popular ones below.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Floss
Mouthwash (Travel size)
Lotion/Massage Oil
Face Creams
Razor
Deodorant
Face Wash
Shampoo and Conditioner (Use travel-size containers for this)
Body Wash (Travel size)
Make-Up and Make-Up Remover
Headbands/Ponytails/Scrunchies
Lip Balm/Chapstick
To Pass the Time: Laptop, book, headphones, magazine, or gamebooks like Sudoku or crossword.
Postpartum Items-
2 Maternity/Nursing Bras
Robe and Nursing Gown
Mesh Panties/High Rise Disposable Panties: Depends are the Best and Most Comfortable.
Pads: Overnight Maxi Pads, especially the first two weeks.
Nipple Cream
Witch Hazel: Helps relieve pain associated with tearing.
Upside Down Peri Bottle: The hospital will provide one for you, but from my experience, the Frida Mom Peri Bottle works much better!
Frida Mom has a Labor + Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit with all the necessities.

Hospital Bag Checklist for Natural Birth

Massage Oil: Vitamin E, Coconut, sunflower, and grapeseed oil are all great for perineal massage.
Birth Ball/Peanut: Helps TREMENDOUSLY during labor to relieve pain.
Music: Creating a playlist with music that helps calm you is a great way to help the labor process.
Focal Point: Most women use an ultrasound photo of their baby to help them focus during labor.
Essential Oil Lamp and Oils: Used to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and lessen pain during labor and childbirth

Dad's Hospital Bag Checklist

Wallet
Phone and Charger
2-3 Change of Clothes
Shoes
Pajamas
Underwear and Socks/House Shoes
Toiletry Bag
Toiletries: Body wash, toothpaste & toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
Pillow and Blanket: This is optional, but my husband desperately wished he would have brought his own with our last baby.
Snacks and Drinks

Baby's Hospital Bag Checklist

Car Seat: Install this before your due date. If you can't figure it out, the local fire station will install any car seat for you for free. The hospital will check your car seat in your car before you leave.
Coming-Home Outfit and Hat/Bow: Newborn mittens, especially during the colder months.
Breathable Baby Blanket
Bottles: if you plan not to breastfeed or are not sure.
Nursing Pillow: If you plan to breastfeed, this is a lifesaver.

Optional Items

Headphones and Speaker
Announcement Photo Props: Mommy and me matching swaddle and gown, letter boards, and signs.
Baby Footprint Kits: We found the best baby footprint kits on the market today! The links are added below the photo.