With your baby’s due date around the corner, you’re starting to think about what you should bring to the hospital when the big day comes. Get organized with a hospital bag checklist, and start checking things off your list now!

Below, we’ll offer a checklist of the things you may need during your stay at the hospital. That includes a couple of items for the trip there and your arrival at the hospital as well as what you might want during labor, after delivery, and for your new baby.

Before we dive in, let’s discuss when you should pack your hospital bag.

When to pack your hospital bag

What’s one thing you don’t want to have to do when you go into labor? You guessed it: pack your hospital bag. 

Get your small suitcase ready to go well before your due date so you won’t be caught off-guard if your baby arrives early. 

We recommend packing the items you don’t use on a daily basis early on. Then, write a list of the things you’ll need to throw in at the last minute, such as your toothbrush, wallet, phone, and charger.

Hospital bag checklist

Prep for the trip and arrival

Once you go into labor, it’s game on! You’ll want to be ready to hop in the car and go. Here’s what you’ll need.

1) Car seat

OK, the car seat won’t go in your hospital bag, but it made the list because it must be correctly installed in your car before your due date. You can’t take your baby home from the hospital without it! 

We recommend the Turtle Air by Nuna — a secure travel solution for transporting your baby from day one. 

It’s rigorously tested for top security on the road, and the five-point harness is easy to buckle and unbuckle, ensuring that you’re always ready to ride, stroll, and go, no matter how old your baby is.

Lightweight and compatible with all current Bugaboo strollers, this car seat allows you to seamlessly move your baby from the car to the stroller without ever taking them out of the car seat. 

If you’re not familiar with travel systems, read our article here. 

Once you have your baby’s car seat, install it in your car ahead of time. No matter when your baby decides to come, you’ll be ready! 

2) Paperwork

When it comes to your arrival at the hospital, you’ll need a big dose of calm and all of the necessary paperwork. At the very minimum, that includes your insurance card and personal identification in addition to any paperwork the hospital has asked you to bring. 

Your ID will probably be in your wallet, but pack your insurance card and paperwork in your hospital bag if you aren’t using them now. You can also include a copy of your birth plan if you have one.

Hospital bag checklist for labor

What you will need during labor depends entirely on your preferences. Here are a few ideas, but feel free to adapt this list based on your personal choices. 

3) An outfit for labor

Decide what clothing you want to wear during labor. This might be as simple as a sports bra or a loose T-shirt. Just remember that whatever you wear, you will want to be comfortable in it.

Or, you can choose to wear the gown that the hospital provides.

4) Hair accessories

There’s no need to pack hair accessories, but if your hair is long, you’ll need something to pull it up and out of your way. 

5) Headphones or speakers

If music will be a labor necessity for you, add headphones or speakers to your hospital bag checklist. 

We recommend checking with your hospital to see if speakers are allowed, and then create a labor playlist ahead of time so you have your desired tunes on hand. 

6) Drinks and snacks

A few of your favorite snacks and drinks can go a long way to make you feel a bit more at ease. Although you might not want to eat once labor starts, pack snacks and drinks for your partner, too. 

Note: If you’re planning on getting an epidural, make sure to eat your snacks well in advance because you won’t be able to eat after receiving the epidural.

7) Books and electronics

Your cell phone and charger should be at the top of your hospital bag checklist. Other than those two items, the books or electronics you bring are up to you. 

Just keep in mind that you probably won’t be doing much pleasure-reading during the last stages of labor. That said, consider bringing your favorite magazine, a good book, your kindle, or iPad for the time before and after. 

And, of course, this item on the hospital bag checklist applies to your partner, too. They’ll be accompanying you during labor, but they may want some entertainment options for the hours after delivery when you and your baby are resting. 

Last but not least, don’t forget a camera! If that’s your phone, you’ll have it on hand. If you’re bringing a separate camera, get it ready by charging the batteries and ensuring that the memory card is empty. 

8) Your pillows

Pillows can come in handy for staying comfy and getting much-needed rest. If you’re attached to a specific pillow, bring it along. And, as for your partner sleeping in a chair in the hospital room, a good pillow and blanket can be life-savers.

Speaking of sleeping, pack an eye mask or earplugs as well if you think either one of you will use them.

9) Birthing ball or other accessories 

Based on how you want to give birth and what you’ve decided with your doula or midwife, bring a birthing ball or any other birthing accessories you may need.

Hospital bag checklist for after delivery

After labor and delivery, the hard work is over (although the parenting adventure has just begun!). Here are a few items you’ll want for the hours and days in the hospital after your baby makes their entrance. 

10) Clothing

With labor behind you, you’ll want fresh clothes. Remember that, for a normal delivery, your hospital stay is typically only one or two days. No need to pack a big suitcase. 

If you’ll be breastfeeding, bring comfortable clothes, such as a robe, pants with an elastic waist, a button-down shirt, or comfortable pajamas. Slippers and non-slip socks are also a good idea. 

You may also want to pack special postpartum underwear that will be comfortable during and after labor. 

Last but not least, think about what you want to wear when you go home. Your brand new baby isn’t the only one that deserves a special going-home outfit. 

If your partner is staying overnight with you, they’ll need to pack their own clothes, too.

11) Toiletries

You won’t need makeup unless you think you’ll want the basics to feel more like yourself. But toiletries are, of course, a must. Bring shampoo (or dry shampoo), face wash and lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and the like. 

12) Breastfeeding necessities

If you’ve decided to breastfeed your newborn, put the breastfeeding necessities on your hospital bag checklist. Include a nursing bra and breast pads, nipple cream, burp cloths, and a breastfeeding pillow.

Hospital bag checklist for your baby

Last but certainly not least, you’ll need a hospital bag checklist for the star of the show. The good news is your baby won’t need much for those first few hours of their life. 

13) Baby clothes

You might feel like bringing all the cute newborn outfits you have, but don’t get ahead of yourself. While at the hospital, your baby will spend a lot of time in their diaper during skin-to-skin contact. The rest of the time they may only be wearing a onesie and swaddle. 

Depending on what the hospital provides, you can pack your favorite onesies, a soft swaddle, and a hat and socks. That’s about all they’ll need for the hospital stay. 

The one thing you don’t want to forget is your baby’s adorable going home outfit. 

14) Diapers

The hospital will probably provide all of the diapers you need for your baby. Check with them ahead of time to be sure. But, even if they offer diapers galore, bring your own diapers and wipes if you feel more comfortable. 

Baby Blanket

Since newborns can’t yet regulate their body temperature, it’s good to have a blanket on hand to cover them with when you leave the hospital. This is especially important if it’s cool outside.

Formula

If you’re planning on formula feeding your newborn, you’ll want to make sure you have your preferred brand of formula with you at the hospital.

Ready to go with a hospital bag checklist

With a hospital bag checklist to keep you organized, you’ll feel more confident and prepared for the big day. Once you’ve decided what goes on your checklist, begin to pack your bag so you’ll be ready and waiting to go into labor.

That means your hospital bag is packed (or mostly packed), and the car seat is correctly installed in the car. Opt for a secure car seat, such as the Turtle Air by Nuna, which fits into a base in your car as well as any current Bugaboo stroller. Easy riding and strolling.

With your car outfitted for your new baby and your bag packed, all that’s left to do is eagerly await your new family member and the adventures to come!