Everything you need to bring in your hospital bag – checklist included!

This post contains affiliate links

I have included a free downloadable PDF of my Hospital Bag Checklist at the end of this post!

What should you pack in your hospital bag? 

This is something I researched heavily because if you know me, you know I like to be prepared for any possible scenario. Even for a quick weekend or overnight trip, I will pack for what looks like a month’s worth of luggage. Hey – I like to have options! If this is your first baby, you probably don’t know what to expect and what you will need. Below I’ve listed out and linked everything I packed in my hospital bag, along with things I wish I had brought, and things I packed but did not end up using.

When should I pack my hospital bag?

As for timing, like I said, I like to be prepared. Since a baby reaches viability around 25 weeks, I packed 3 months before my due date. It was a little overboard, I’ll admit, especially since our little guy was late! But, I would’ve been upset if I had gone into labor early and didn’t have what I wanted. I would recommend packing at the beginning of your 3rd trimester, or around 30 weeks. This is when I still had a decent amount of energy and was feeling good. At least throw a small bag together – just in case.

What type of bag should I use for my hospital bag?

I used a carryon size Away suitcase and our diaper bag. I put mine & baby’s stuff in my suitcase and miscellaneous stuff like our letterboard, folder with docs, etc. in the diaper backpack. My husband threw his stuff in a backpack the day of (opposites attract, right?) I had everything packed for myself & our baby in my suitcase and used color coordinated packing cubes which I highly recommend! I packed my stuff in the pink packing cubes and my baby’s stuff in blue packing cubes, since I had a boy. I use these for all of our trips to keep things organized. And it was easy to ask my husband to grab something & tell him which color to look in. It keeps everything organized and separated, and saves space. Some people like to use a weekender duffel bag – this one is really popular.

I also wrote myself a “don’t forget” list and put it on top of my suitcase for last minute items to grab such as my makeup, our snack bag, and travel mirror. Pro tip: put the outfit you want to wear TO the hospital on top of your suitcase with shoes next to it in case you need to grab it in a hurry.

I would recommend packing for 3-4 days, because you never know what will happen. Most people are typically in the hospital for 2 nights on average, but everyone’s situation is different and you won’t know ahead of time what’s going to happen. I’d rather have too much than not enough!

Diaper bag: Dagne Dover
Hospital bag: Away carry-on suitcase
Packing cubes: Amazon

What should I pack?

Here’s the MUST haves:

• Car seat & base installed in your car (read my car seat review here)

• Purse (or at least throw your wallet in your bag – you’ll need your ID & insurance cards)

• Your hospital bag

• Baby’s bag (if not combined with your bag)

• Spouse/support person’s bag

For Mom – Your hospital bag

• Nightgowns (2) – DARK colors are key (black, navy, dark grey)

• PJ set (1 or 2)

• Robe

• Sports bras (3)

• Toiletry bag

• Shower stuff: shampoo/conditioner/body wash/razor

• Slippers – these are my absolute favorite!

• Makeup

• Deodorant

• Perfume

• Dry shampoo

• Makeup remover wipes

• Toothbrush/toothpaste

• Hairbrush

• Blow dryer

• Hair ties

• Travel mirror – I used this to do my makeup in bed a couple times

• Prenatal vitamins – your nurse will give you & charge you for prenatal vitamins unless you bring your own then you can decline them. I also wish I had brought my stool softener from home, since they probably charged me for that at hospital prices.

• Straightener/curling iron if you’re the type that wants to do your hair

• Always discreet boutique diapers – I liked these better than the mesh “underwear” and giant pads they give you at he hospital & was glad I brought some with me

• Going home outfit (sweatpants/loose pants, baggy shirt, dress, slides/flip flops)

• Slides or sneakers (my feet were so swollen)

If you are breastfeeding you will need nursing bras & nursing tanks/tops, nipple cream…nipple shields…all that fun stuff. Read about why I chose not to breastfeed here. 

This is just what I brought – you could wear the hospital gown the whole time if you want! You don’t need a whole lot, but I liked to have some comforts from home. Getting ready in the mornings (showering, putting on makeup, etc) helped me mentally feel better about myself.

Shop my hospital bag essentials on my LTK and Amazon storefront.