Hospital Bag Checklist PDF/Printable

I’ve shared the questions people ask you along the way of your pregnancy journey over the last few months. Now we’ve entered a new phase. Everyone knows it’s coming to an end soon, so the usual questions have become, “how much longer do you have?” and “have you packed your ‘Go Bag’?” At first I didn’t even know what a Go Bag was. Just being honest!! Anyway, I could see myself either overpacking and/or forgetting the most obvious thing(s). So I asked a few new mom friends andon Instagram. With all their help, here’s a Basic Hospital Bag Checklist (with an easy printable when the times comes for you)!

Hospital Bag Checklist

As it turns out, I think more parents pack too much and include items they didn’t end up using. While some things like speakers for music and aromatherapy may be necessary for some mothers-to-be, I included those only as extras in my hospital bag checklist, not mandatory!

It’s important to find out how long your hospital/doctor usually keeps new moms and babies. My doctor and hospital say 1-2 days for a routine birth and 3-4 days for a c-section.

Also, our home isn’t that far away from the hospital, so on the off-chance we forgot something, my husband could go home and grab it. But, I really don’t want him to have to do that. I know he’ll want to stay with the little guy and me!

hospital bag checklist for mom

So in reality, you only need a few things – namely an outfit to wear home and your toiletries. For the sake of your sanity, however, there are a few other items that I’ve thrown in.

First up are pajamas or lounge clothes. I can wear the sexy hospital gown as much as needed (and easily get it changed), but I prefer pants and shorts to a dress-type usually. The only thing to remember here is that you want to keep everything very loose. A button down or nursing top is best.

Some other items for sanity? I’ll be taking my bathrobe and we’re sticking in a bath towel. Rumor has it that the hospital towels are tiny and insufficient. Since everyone assures me a shower feels like heaven after birth, we might as well make the process as comfortable as possible, right?

Hospital bag checklist for dad/partner

As I said, I don’t want my husband to have to go home for anything. He won’t be sporting the hospital gown or a robe, so he needs clothes and undergarments for at least two days.

And then his toiletries. Since he’ll be sleeping with us in the room, his pjs or some kind of loungewear will be necessary as well!

What to Pack for Your Baby

Until you get ready to leave the hospital, your little one doesn’t need much. You need an outfit for him/her to wear home. One nurse recommended a onesie, pants, socks, and a beanie. She encouraged either a onesie with feet or pants to prevent any irritation from the carseat on the way home.

Speaking of which. Your car seat should be installed in the car. If you have trouble like we did, there are many places that offer checks and instructions, but make sure to allow at least 3-4 weeks before your due date to guarantee an appointment.

Also. We’re hoping to try cloth diapers at least at home. One family friend recommended we start using them as soon as possible so our little guy gets used to them. One of the nurses told us that if we bring them to the hospital, the nurses on duty will try to help us figure them out!

What Else?

So here’s where suggestions really started varying. The most universal recommendation here was snacks and charging cords for phones. Both of these are musts as far as I’m concerned.

A few other recommendations: an extension cord, chapstick, water bottle, book, and notepad. And then of course speakers, headphones, and anything else you think you might need to either get through labor or to enjoy your first days together in the hospital!

And we’re packing everything in one bag – my favorite Samsonite Weekender Bag!

What To Actually Put in Your Hospital Bag