What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag
As your due date approaches, it’s a good time to start packing your hospital bag. To ensure you, your partner and your new bundle of joy are as comfortable as possible, here are some essentials we recommend you include in your go bag.
Upon Check-In
- Insurance Information
- Photo ID
- Birth Plan
Labor + Delivery
- Massage aids/tools
- Roller ball
- Foam roller
- Massage ball
- Unscented lotion
- Water bottle
- Hair tie
- Extra-long sheet for partner pressure relief
- Birth ball (if your hospital doesn’t provide you with one)
- Pair of socks for walking the hospital halls
- Swim suit for hydrotherapy
- Snacks (enough for you + your partner)
- Honey sticks
- Granola bars
- Veggie + fruit slices
Postpartum
- Nursing bras, tanks and/or bralettes
- Nursing pads
- Nipple cream
- Breast pump (to learn how to use it, if applicable)
- Robe
- Zip-up hoodie or nursing cover up for easy access to feed your baby
- Loose fitting clothes, preferably in black or dark color
- Change of clothes for your partner
- Padsicles (ice packs for your queen Victoria)
- Normal toiletries for you and your partner
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Hair brush
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Face wash
- Lotion
- Bath towel (optional)
- Cell phone charger
- Camera
- Pillow (optional)
- Other items for your partner
- Laptop + charger
- Books + magazines
For Baby
- Undershirt + sleeper
- Socks (if sleeper doesn’t have feet)
- Going home outfit
- Blanket
- Infant car seat with instructions
- Baby book for footprint (optional)
- Hat and extra blanket for cold weather
- Mittens to prevent him/her from scratching her face
- Bath products for hospital to use (optional)
Most hospitals will provide you with a hospital gown, disposable underwear and sanitary pads during your stay. They usually also provide diapers, wipes, a bulb syringe, soap + circumcision supplies for boys (if applicable), undershirts, gowns and blankets for your baby. Check with your hospital to know for sure what they will and won’t provide you with so you know exactly what to pack in your hospital bag!