TinyPlayground - Hospital Bag Checklist

What to Bring to the Hospital When You Have Your Baby

This checklist tells you what you should pack in your hospital bag when you go into labor for childbirth.

For You

Pajamas
Flip flops or slippers
Underwear (leave the thong at home, after delivery you will be wearing a pad)
Socks
Outfit to Wear Home (choose a comfortable maternity outfit)
Basic Toiletries (i.e. toothpaste, toothbrush, face wash, face lotion, contact lens solution, deodorant, travel size shampoo, etc)
Nursing Bra - But don't worry if you don't have one yet. Your bra will not affect how you breastfeed. I think I spent most of the hospital time braless anyway.

For Baby

1 Outfit (footed, long sleeve zip one pieces work well)
1 Receiving blanket
1 Hat if you live in cold weather (hospital will give you a baby hat as well)
Infant Carseat

Miscellaneous

Insurance Card
Contact Phone List (family, friends, pediatrician, OB or midwife)
Camera and/or Camcorder (make sure battery is charged and there is room on your memory card)
Pen/Paper
IPod and Speakers (if hospital allows it)
Drinks: Gatorade, clear juices, vitamin water (if hospital allows it)
Snacks (if hospital allows it)
Cell Phone & Chargers
Toiletries and change of clothes for your partner if he is spending the night

Tip: Ask your hospital for a list of items they recommend and what supplies they will provide since where you are giving birth may affect what you pack. I've given birth in both a birthing center and a traditional hospital and the contents of my bag was slightly different. For example the birthing center did not require an overnight stay so I didn't pack an extra set of pajamas which I did for the hospital birth where a 2 night stay was standard.

What to Leave at Home

I'm sure you've seen lists other places with items that I have not included. You are welcome of course to bring whatever you'd like but here are some items I've seen on lists that I recommend leaving at home.

Nursing Pads - You won't be needing nursing pads until your milk comes in which is typically 3-6 days after giving birth.
Lansinoh nipple cream - For the same reason as above, if you are breastfeeding your nipples probably won't get sore until after a week.
Overnight or Heavy Maxi Pads - the hospital will provide these

Comments

Did I miss anything on my list? Is there an item you found helpful in the hospital? Let us know by adding a comment.

Dagmar Bleasdale - 11/8/2009

Great list! I would double up on the baby outfits. My son pooped five times in the five hours we spent at the hospital :) The most important thing that a lot of hospitals don't provide, or you need to ask for: an exercise ball. Laboring on a ball, either sitting on it or hugging it and relaxing your back, helps with a lot of discomfort. My hospital didn't take those cute prints of L's feet, so I would also get one of those kits and bring it to the hospital. They can be bought at baby stores or online. And you could bring your baby book and have them put two additional feet prints in your book. Bring your own pillow, or at least your own, clean pillowcase! If you want them to save the baby's cord blood, don't forget the kit! My company said my hospital has their kits, but ideally you get the kit beforehand. Hope these help, Dagmar Dagmar's momsense

Anonmymous - 12/22/2009

I definitely needed the nipple cream while I was at the hospital, but I got lucky and they had samples for me. If you're breastfeeding, it's safest to bring your own...the small tube doesn't take up much space anyway.

Angela - 4/10/2010

Take your own pads...trust me the hospital provides horrible thin leaky ones...so pack your favorite LONG pads like Poise pads.

*Comments: (accepts HTML tags <a>, <b>, etc)

Name: (optional)

Email: (won't be displayed)

URL: (optional)

Comments are subject to the comments policy open comments policy in a new window .

add comment