You are in the home stretch! It is your third-trimester, and you are ready to meet your little bundle of joy! To prepare for the big day, you’ll want to have a few essentials (plus a few extras) packed in your hospital bag.
There are certain things you’ll definitely need to pack (like a properly installed car seat). There is also a whole slew of extras you can pack to simply make your stay more enjoyable. After you have the necessities packed, it’s up to you how many of the additional items you feel you may want.
Continue reading about when to pack your bag, what will likely be provided to you by the hospital, and the big one – what to pack in your hospital bag for your baby, your partner, and yourself.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you use them, at no cost to you.
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
The short answer – when you’re about 36 weeks pregnant.
Few babies arrive on their actual due date, so it’s best to be prepared ahead of time. Obviously there will be a few items, like your toothbrush, that you may not pack quite so early, but everything else can be kept in a bag by the door.
Also, don’t forget to properly install the infant car seat around this time too. Refer to the directions in your car and car seat manuals, and you can learn even more from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What the Hospital Likely Provides
Check with your hospital or birth center to find out exactly what they provide during your stay. They will more than likely cover all the basic necessities, but you should call them directly if you have any questions. Better yet – consider taking a pregnancy tour to see exactly what you’ll be experiencing.
These things are commonly provided:
For mom –
- Hospital gown
- Grip socks
- Basic toiletries – soap, shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste
- Towels/washcloths
- Disposable mesh underwear with thick pads (a.k.a. your new best friend)
- Postpartum-care products, like a peri bottle
- Standard pillows and blankets
- Labor tools, like a birthing ball
- Meals and beverages
For baby –
- Diapers & wipes
- Swaddle blankets
- Standard onesie & hat
- Pacifiers (if desired)
- Formula (if needed)
The nurses told me to take home many of the things in my room, like toiletries, thick pads, a peri bottle, and any other postpartum care products they had supplied. I wish I had asked my hospital ahead of time what they would provide, because I could have saved my own money on supplies.
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
You have to decide what is essential for you and what is not. An item that is essential for one person may be more of an extra for another. Once you discern the difference for yourself, you will know which items on this list you absolutely need to pack and which you can leave at home.
For mom –
- Hospital paperwork, photo ID, & insurance card – you likely will have your photo ID & insurance card in your wallet anyway, so consider just packing your whole wallet. The hospital where I delivered required our paperwork to be completed digitally, so hard copies were unneeded.
- Medications – this includes any prescription medications as well as non-prescription, like for allergies.
- Birth plan – if you have one, bring 2-3 copies.
- Nightgown or pajamas – I packed 3 nursing nightgowns that I planned on continuing to use when we returned home. You will want something front-opening if you plan to breastfeed. I pretty much lived in these for the first few weeks (okay, months) – Ekouaer Sleeveless Striped Nightgown, Ekouaer Full Slips Nightgown and Ekouaer Short Sleeve Nightgown.
- Socks – the hospital will likely provide you with socks, but I tossed in a couple pairs of my own for after delivery.
- Flip flips – if you think you might use the shower, toss in a pair of cheap (Old Navy) flip flops.
- Lip balm – your lips will likely become dry during labor, and you will appreciate some relief and hydration. I thought this was a silly, unneeded item and therefore did not pack it. I was so grateful I happened to have some in my purse that day, because my lips were so, so dry, even with ice chips!
- Nursing Bras – since you will be sleeping in a nursing bra for the foreseeable future, look for a super comfortable one. They even make sleep bras designed for nighttime comfort. I wore my sleep bras significantly more often than my real nursing bras, especially in the first couple months.
- Toiletries – shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, and body soap. If you wear contacts, don’t forget to pack your glasses, contact solution, and lens case. You can go as simple as this list, or as elaborate as your whole make-up bag, full-size hair products, and your hairdryer. Personally, I never even opened my make-up bag.
- Phone charger – you will need to recharge your phone so you can take more pictures of your precious little one! Plus, labor itself can take a while, and your phone may provide some needed distraction.
- Underwear – if you have a c-section, you may prefer disposable postpartum underwear for awhile while your stitches heal. Otherwise, you may be ready to graduate from the hospital mesh underwear after a day or so. Remember that a lot of bleeding postpartum is normal, and you will want underwear large enough to hold a thick pad and dark enough to hide any stains.
- Clothing – aside from nightgowns, you may want some comfortable, loose clothing to wear during your hospital recovery. Consider button-down or nursing tops if you are planning to breastfeed. Personally, I wore nursing nightgowns the entire time; I felt they were attractive enough to wear in front of the close visitors we had. Plus, I had just. given. birth. I could wear whatever I wanted!
- EXTRAS: birth music playlist, book or other reading material, breastfeeding pads or pillow, personal pillow, heavy-duty maternity pads, and snacks – all totally up to you!
For baby –
- Bodysuits
- Going home outfit
- Diapers & wipes – these will likely be provided by the hospital, but if you have something specific in mind, you could certainly bring your own. Our nurses even let us take the extra diapers home!
- Swaddle/receiving blankets – these will be provided by the hospital, but you could bring your own, if you want.
- Socks, booties & mittens
- Formula & bottles – if needed; check with your hospital on their policy.
- Car Seat – you can’t leave the hospital without a properly installed infant car seat.
>> Make sure you have your diaper bag all ready to go with The Ultimate Diaper Bag Checklist.
For your partner –
- Comfortable clothes – you are likely staying overnight for at least 1 night, so pack some comfy clothes, because the chair or pull-out sleeper is probably not going to be all that comfortable!
- Toiletries – the basics, like toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and daily medications. Plus glasses, contact solution, and a lens case if needed. Partners usually aren’t provided with the same essentials as mom.
- Phone & charger – you don’t want to be unable to capture these special moments on camera!
- Pillow – totally optional; the hospital will likely have one for you, but you may want your own. My husband used the pillows and blankets provided by the hospital.
- Snacks & water – snacks, snacks, and more snacks; if your partner is anything like my husband, he’ll need a few protein-based snacks and some water to tide him over until his next meal. Labor can be a l-o-n-g process, so he’ll need to refuel and stay hydrated.
- Entertainment – something to do during downtime, like a book, magazine, or tablet.
The time has come – choose a small suitcase or other bag to be your designated hospital bag. My husband and I packed separately in one medium size bag each. I packed simplistically and relied on many of the things the hospital offered; for example, I didn’t pack my own pillow, blankets, or excessive amounts of outfit changes.
Do what works for you! If you feel more comfortable knowing that every single thing you could possibly ever need for those couple days is with you, pack them. You earned it – you just delivered a baby! But, if you prefer to not be weighed down by all the extras, then pack less. Download the Hospital Bag Checklist, and Happy Packing!
Leave a comment! Which of these products did you find to be your biggest sanity-savers? Did you pack anything else that you considered a must-have?
About the Author
