Are you wondering what you need in your hospital bag for mom and baby? Here’s a simple hospital bag checklist that you can easily print out and use yourself.
Our little girl will be here before we know it! My hospital bag has been packed since about 35 weeks, and this 2nd time around I feel like I know exactly what I need!
With my first child, I packed things I didn’t use, and didn’t pack things that I wish I had! It was a learning experience, and now I’m fully prepared this second time around.
There are so many different lists out there for what to bring in the hospital bag, and I think a lot of them are way too complicated, at least for me.
I’ve kept mine super simple and even created a free simple hospital bag checklist for you. You can also scroll to the bottom of the post to print it off there.
If you are wanting to keep your hospital bag simple and minimalist, this is a great list. You’ll be glad you didn’t over pack because that means there is less stuff to keep track of.
You’ll have more time and energy to bond with your newborn baby!
Simple Hospital Bag Checklist
The hospital will provide all of the essential items you need while you are there. However, it is nice to have some comforts from home.
What to Pack For Labor and Delivery:
-socks
-hair ties
-chapstick
-phone charger
-earbuds
You really don’t need much for delivering your baby. The less you have, the less you’ll have to keep track of during an already pretty intense time.
Of course, if you are planning on using specific laboring supplies like essential oils or sitting balls, you’ll want to add those to your list.
But I found that I wanted socks to keep my feet warm, hair ties to keep my hair pulled back, chapstick for chapped lips, and my phone while I waited for the labor to progress.
What to Pack For Mom:
-2 or 3 maternity bottoms (fit at 6-7 months pregnant)
-2 or 3 maternity t-shirts/tanks (fit at 6-7 months pregnant)
-sweater, robe, or lightweight jacket
-socks
-2 nursing bras (day and night)
-toothbrush and toothpaste
-hairbrush
-dry shampoo
-deodorant
-makeup
After you give birth, it takes time to get back to the size you were before pregnancy. Your belly will still be big. Instead of stressing over it and trying to fit into clothes that don’t fit, bring comfortable, stretchy clothes that fit you when you were around 6-7 months pregnant.
The last thing you want to be is uncomfortable in your clothes while you are dealing with and learning so many new things as a new mom.
My advice is to wear your clothes instead of the hospital gowns if the hospital allows. You’ll feel so much better in real clothes. You don’t have to bring a bunch of different outfits or your whole makeup stash.
But just doing a few things to make you feel human again will make a huge difference. So be sure to bring basic personal hygiene products like your hairbrush, deodorant, and toothbrush.
As far as makeup goes, I brought just a few things that were easy to put on. I wanted to feel good when visitors came, but certainly wasn’t decked out. I brought CC cream, blush, and mascara. That’s it!
The hospital will provide you with pads, ice packs, underwear, and all the other personal things to help you heal.
What to Pack For Baby:
-car seat
-going home outfit
-socks or booties
-blanket
-hat
-pacifier
Your baby really doesn’t need a lot, other than you! The hospital will provide diapers and wipes, blankets and a onsie. My hospital even provided a swaddle sleep sack which was so easy to use!
What to Pack for Dad
I asked my husband what he thought I should add to this list, and he said, “I didn’t need anything. Just food!” Ha!
It really depends on your husband though. Is he staying overnight at the hospital with you? If he is, he’ll need to pack basic over night essentials.
Other than that, he probably doesn’t need much. Here are some things to consider.
- cash for food or a few snacks
- phone charger
If spending the night:
- toothbrush
- razor
- deodorant
- change of clothes
- pillow and blanket
I hope this list is helpful. Be sure to print out the free printable checklist below. Also, you can see what to stock up on before your baby arrives.
God bless you as you give birth to your newborn. You’ve got this, Mom!
Get the simple hospital bag checklist here.
In the video below I shared some more details and show you exactly what I have in my hospital bag for mom and baby.
Products Mentioned (affiliate links):
Vera Bradley Diaper Bag
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
The time you pack your bag is really up to you. You could pack it as early as you would like.
However, you’ll want to pack your bag sooner rather than later. That way you aren’t packing at the last minute, and it’s one less thing to think about when things get busy.
Once you are about a month out from your due date, that is a great time to have your hospital bag packed. I packed mine at 35 weeks.
What to Leave at Home
The hospital will provide with you with all of the essential items you need to deliver your baby and to recover from delivery.
They will also provide you with everything you and your baby need those first days while you’re in the hospital. If you want to keep things simple, which I recommend, keep these items at home.
- diapers
- breast pump
- formula
- breastfeeding pillow
- extra baby clothes
- excessive makeup or hair products
- extra clothes for yourself
- books, planners, activities
- baby books
- excessive snacks
Why Pack a Simple Hospital Bag?
You’ve read this far and realized there are a lot of things you don’t need at the hospital. However, you may be wondering why not be over prepared.
You will be busy in the hospital as you recover from delivery and bond with your new baby. The last thing you need to do is managing all of your stuff.
Keeping your hospital bag minimal will help you spend less time searching for things. You won’t have to look through a bunch of bags to look for your socks or hair tie.
Instead you’ll know exactly where it is because you won’t have a lot of things to keep track of.
I hope this list has helped you keep it simple! God bless you as you give birth to your baby!
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