Your hospital bag packing list
Whether you plan to give birth in a hospital, a birthing center, or at home, you'll need to pack a birth bag. Take it from Wildwood’s very own, Elizabeth, who planned a home birth and had one item left on her to-do list when she went into labor: packing her just-in-case hospital bag. Naturally, while she was 9cm dilated and ready to transfer to the hospital, her husband ran around in half a panic, not knowing what to bring.
Let’s all learn from that stressful moment and agree to have our hospital bags packed nice and early – like by 36 weeks, just in case. Because we know that birth can present some surprises… like labor lasting longer than expected (pack a little extra!), or a home birth turning into a hospital birth (we celebrate home birth, and want you taken care of should your birth have something else in store!). We hope to offer you the peace of mind that comes with having all the details squared away.
Remember, you’ll be packing for yourself and for the baby, and your partner or support person will have their own packing needs and responsibilities, too. Check out our printable birth bag checklist for easy reference when packing, but also know that if you show up at the hospital without your stuff for any reason, they’ll have all the basic necessities for you and your baby – you don’t actually need to bring anything. Your thoughtfully-packed hospital bag adds a layer of comfort, and allows you luxuries beyond the basics.
So let’s dive into it. Here’s what to pack for yourself:
Consider the ambience.
Whether giving birth vaginally or by cesarean, you’ll want to create a comforting, oxytocin-producing environment. Think about all the things that might help you feel cozy, warm, and safe. That could include music (bring your own speaker, and remember the charger!) with a few thoughtfully-curated playlists, essential oils to put on a cloth or cotton pad, a pillow and easily-washable blanket from home, pictures that warm your heart to look at, or battery-powered candles or twinkle lights to string about your room.
There’s an entire video in our online birthing course dedicated to setting up your birth space with intention. Sign up to check it out now!
Keeping it cozy.
If you want to labor in your own clothes, your own birthing gown or a long t-shirt or robe work well – bring one for the birth and something clean and comfortable to change into after. If you plan to spend any of your labor in water, bring items you don’t mind getting wet, like a comfortable sports bra or bathing suit top. It can also be nice to labor in a nursing bra for easy access during your golden hour(s) after your baby is born. Also important are warm socks (ideally non-slip), and slip-on shoes or slippers for walking around in your room. If it's summer time, or you tend to run warm, consider a portable fan or folding fan (windows don't usually open in hospitals!).
Think about nourishment.
Most birth centers have families bring their own food, but hospitals provide food and drink for the duration of your stay, sometimes enough for a partner or support person to share as well. Regardless, hospital food isn’t always the most enticing, and many people prefer to bring their own. You may be a professional snack packer and meal planner already, but if you need a few suggestions, we’ve got some ideas to get you started. Think: a few things salty (pretzels, salted popcorn), a few things sweet (muffins, carrot cake or banana bread, chocolate covered anything, fruit snacks), protein-rich foods (your favorite cheese, jerky, nut butter sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, protein bars), and some crunchy fruits and veggies (apples, pears, carrots, cucumber sticks) to scratch any craving that might arise. If you get an epidural, you will be asked to limit your intake to clear liquids. Come prepared with your own savory broth, your favorite tea, and electrolyte drinks (some care providers also consider gummy bears a clear liquid! Ask in advance). For full meals, you might scope out some nearby restaurants ahead of time where you can order takeout. When you’re in labor, you’ll probably want to stay away from anything overly rich or spicy.
Postpartum comfort.
After your baby is born, you’ll change into clean and comfortable clothing - whatever was comfortable and fit in the final weeks of pregnancy will likely also be comfortable and fit after birth. For tops, you’ll want easy access to your chest if you’re planning to nurse – a robe can work really well for these early days. You’ll also want a nursing bra and maybe even nipple pads in case you leak colostrum or milk. Large, loose, comfortable, and high-waisted underwear tends to be the most comfortable, regardless of whether you have a vaginal and cesarean birth.
You sure clean up nice.
Whether for labor or postpartum, you’ll need a few toiletries. Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush and hair ties (if you need them), at minimum. The hospital also has everything you need for a shower, but many people prefer to bring their own: face wash and moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, and deodorant, and a large, soft towel because the ones at the hospital are often small and scratchy. Keep in mind that your baby’s nose and skin will be very sensitive to the ingredients of your products, so it’s also a nice option to just rinse off with water or use sensitive, harsh-chemical-free products. You’ll of course need to bring your contacts and/or glasses if you wear them. And don’t forget to leave a little room in your bag to take home all the free postpartum and newborn goodies the hospital will load you up with!
Now that you’re all taken care of, here’s what to pack for your baby:
For going home.
The most important thing to bring for your baby is the car seat that they will go home in. It should already be installed in the car, and checked by a professional (it’s free!). You’ll also want to bring 2-3 outfits, including head and foot covering for the trip home if it’s chilly outside. Finally, bring your Pediatrician’s contact info, including their email and fax number so the hospital or birth center can share your baby’s medical records.
Newborn care possibilities.
If you know you’ll be bottle feeding from day one, bring at least two bottles. The hospital will have formula on hand, but you can also bring your own if you have a preferred brand. Some families know they want to use swaddles from day one. The hospital will help you swaddle your baby with a newborn hospital blanket, but if you’d prefer to use your own, like a velcro or zipper based swaddle, that will go in your hospital bag, too. You might consider a pacifier, and a white noise machine, to help soothe the baby (and you!) and maximize everyone’s rest. You’re welcome to bring diapers and wipes (especially if you plan on cloth diapering), but the hospital will have lots of disposables on hand and will even send you home with some!
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about what your support person should bring.
The hospital will be focused on you and the baby and won’t supply much for your loved one. Your birth partner will likely be by your side for as many days and nights as you’re in the hospital, so they’ll need to pack everything they need to be comfortable during that time, too.
Support people also need to sustain their energy during the (sometimes long) process of labor, and will need their own supply of food and drinks. These foods should not be overly fragrant, since people in labor are often highly sensitive to strong smells. They should also bring a few changes of comfortable clothes (they might get messy during labor…), as well as something cozy to sleep in. A few forms of entertainment might offer a welcome distraction during down-time, such as a book or tablet (and headphones!). Sleep accommodations for spouses or birth partners are usually limited to a couch, cot, or reclining chair. A pillow and blanket from home, or even a sleeping bag, can offer both warmth and comfort. To stay feeling refreshed, they should bring toiletries, and possibly their own towel. Remember, again, that newborns are very sensitive to scents and chemicals in products, so lean as natural and unscented as possible in the early days. Your birth partner should also bring a few copies of your birth plan and be prepared to present it to anyone providing you care. They should also print and bring any other handouts from the course, like the BRAIN printout for asking questions and decision-making, the labor position guide for ideas on how to move during labor, etc. for easy reference during labor. And as we mentioned before, it’ll be their job to grab any last minute items before leaving home, like toothbrushes, chargers, and food from the fridge.
Print this list!
We know there’s a lot to pack, and a lot to remember. We want to make it easy for you: download our printable checklist to guide you through it. Preparing in this way will allow you and your partner to be settled and present on the day you meet your baby.