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The big day is almost here. What to pack in your hospital bag for labor and delivery is important to know. It is beneficial to pack for you, spouse or birthing partner and baby. Having all bags packed and ready to go by 35 weeks pregnant. If you are high risk and know there is a possibility that you could go into labor early, then you should have your bag packed by 30-32 weeks or sooner if your doctor advises. In this blog I am going to show what to pack in your hospital bad for labor and delivery.
Your baby might arrive earlier than expected, so it’s worth having your baby hospital bag packed just in case. What to pack in your hospital bag for labor and delivery is necessary.
This checklist will help you prepare everything you’ll need for yourself, your spouse or birth partner and your new baby.
Once all the bags are packed, keep them in a designated place either in the car or by the front door, so you’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
WHAT THE BIRTH CENTER USUALLY PROVIDES
Most first-time mom’s overpack and that is understandable since it is your first time going to the hospital in labor. Knowing ahead of time what your birthing place provides you will help alleviate the need of bringing excessive things that you will not use.
All facilities are different, so if you have any questions, be sure to call to ask before you arrive. You may even want to schedule a hospital tour during your pregnancy to learn more about what you can expect during your stay and what they will provide.
For mom, birth centers generally provide:
- hospital gowns
- grip socks
- birthing ball
- large cups for water and ice
- basic toiletries: soap, shampoo
- disposable mesh underwear
- thick sanitary pads
- after-care items, like peri bottles
- prescription and non-prescription medications
- standard pillows and blankets
- nipple shields
- breast pumps, manual or electric
For baby:
- preemie, newborn, or size 1 diapers
- basic wipes
- flannel swaddle blanket(s)
- hospital-branded onesies
- standard knit hat
- shampoo/soap
- pacifiers
- formula
- prescription and non-prescription medications if needed
HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR MOM
If you deliver vaginally you can expect to stay one to two days in the hospital. If you deliver via c-section it will be closer to three or four days. Keep your length of stay in mind as you select what to pack in your hospital bag.
• Photo ID, insurance info, hospital forms and birth plan (if you have one)
• Cell phone and charger; we recommend bringing your regular USB charger cable or a portable power bank.
•Two or three pairs of socks. The nonskid kind are great for walking the halls before and after labor. These warm and super-fuzzy pairs are comfortable, or you could try these short hospital socks that you can reuse for your postpartum workout classes
•A warm robe, it’s nice to have something warm.
•Lip balm because hospital’s can be very dry environment.
• Headband or ponytail holder; It’s nice to keep your hair away from your face while your laboring because you will probably sweat.
•Sugar-free hard candy or suckers to keep your mouth moist during labor.
•2 maternity bras and nursing pads to ensure leak protection.
• Toiletries and personal items: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, contact lens case and solution. Travel size are perfect option for your hospital stay.
• Loose, lightweight clothing and sleepwear.
• Comfortable going-home clothes. You can also just wear the same outfit you wore to the hospital, yes it will still fit.
OPTIONAL HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR MOM
• Air pods or Earbuds to listen to music on your phone.
• Hairdryer, consider this travel size blow dryer
• A comfy pillow from home with a non-white pillow case. There are some fun pajama and pillowcase sets.
• Breastfeeding pillow, especially as a first-time mom having a nursing pillow is essential is positioning while feeding your little one. My favorite is the Boppy Original Nursing Pillow. If you are expecting twins the Twins Pillow is amazing. I used it with my second because it was so large. I loved how it had pockets that most singleton nursing pillows didn’t have. I also got a fun boppy cover to go with each of my daughter’s theme’s. Don’t forget a cover they help when baby accidentally spits up.
• Matching hospital outfits for you and baby; mommy-and-me sets
•Gifts for older siblings. Some parents bring gifts for the new baby to “give” to older brothers and sisters, such as small toys or a big brother or big sister t-shirt. Each time my girls were born the baby gave her sisters a baby doll and some jewelry. This makes the older siblings know their baby is excited to have them.
HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR BABY
Figuring out what to pack in a hospital bag for baby can be overwhelming. Your baby will get clothes, diapers, and blankets from the hospital to wear during their stay. The nice thing is you don’t need to many things for baby. Here are the essentials you’ll want to add to your baby hospital bag:
• Approved infant car seat. The base should already be installed into your vehicle before you arrive to the hospital.
• A coming-home outfit and hat Some burp cloths or cloth diapers for catching any spit-up while burping your baby.
• Warm blankets for leaving the hospital. Check out these nice monogrammed ones definitely isn’t required, but they make for great photo opportunities.
HOSPITAL BAG CHECKLIST FOR PARTNER
Now that you and baby are all packed don’t forget about packing a bag for your partner! Since you’ll both likely be spending a night or two in the maternity ward, gather up some overnight essentials. Here’s what to put in a partner’s hospital bag:
a partner’s hospital bag:
• Cell phone and charger
• A change of clothes
• Toiletries: toothbrush, deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, contact lens case and solution
• Camera with batteries, charger and an extra memory card
MOM’S EXTRAS FOR PACKING A HOSPITAL BAG
Since you stay a few days after the baby is born, having a few clothing options is nice. With hormones and everything, I sweated like crazy. It’s good to have other options especially with people always coming to visit.
Bring the baby book. You or your partner can fill it out while you are in the early stages of labor. They will need to get footprints so ask them to put it in the baby’s book also. My hospital gave me copies to put in their baby book.
Cookies or fruit platter for the medical staff. Doctors and nursing work long hours and giving them a simply thank you gift is a great way to thank them for all their hard work. My first two deliveries I had my husband go get something the day after the baby was born to give the staff. With our third I brought the treat with me since I was being induced.
Now your bags are all packed you can sit back and relax and enjoy the last few weeks of being pregnant. Knowing that you are prepared for when you go into labor will help you stay calm and just focus on getting to the hospital.