What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: Essentials for Mom, Baby, and Birth Partner
- Mama Chick
- Aug 18
- 6 min read
Packing your hospital bag can make your baby’s arrival feel very real—and a little overwhelming! The good news is that you do not need to bring everything you own. Hospitals provide many basic postpartum and newborn supplies, so the goal is to pack the personal essentials that will help you feel comfortable, prepared, and supported during labor and recovery.
Here is a practical hospital bag checklist for Mom, Baby, and Dad, along with a few favorite Mama Chick products to make the experience a little easier.
Mama Chick Pro-tip: Pack everything by approximately 35 to 36 weeks to give you peace of mind and help ensure that you are ready whenever your baby decides it is time to arrive!
✦ Important Documents
Keep all important documents together in a folder in an easy-to-reach section of your bag.
Photo ID
Insurance card
Hospital registration paperwork
Copies of your birth plan
Your pediatrician’s contact information
✦ What to Bring for Labor
Hospital Gown
I generally recommend wearing the hospital-provided gown during labor. Birth is about letting go and getting messy, and using the hospital gown means you don’t have to worry about keeping your own clothing clean.
However, a comfortable robe or zip-up sweatshirt can be helpful for walking the halls, staying warm, or covering up when visitors arrive. I love this Long Kimono Robe that can help you feel covered while walking the halls of the maternity floor.
Slippers
Comfortable, easy-to-slip-on footwear is helpful for walking around your hospital room and the maternity floor.
My favorite Mama Slippers are perfect for this special day!
Hair Ties or a Headband
Keep your hair comfortably out of your face during labor with a few hair ties or a soft headband.
Mama Chick Pro-tip: Teach your partner how you like your hair put up so they can be helpful when you need them most!
Lip Balm
All the breathing you’ll be doing can make your lips feel especially dry. Acquaphor is my favorite lip protectant during labor and delivery.
Refillable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important during labor and throughout the postpartum period. A large refillable bottle with a straw can be particularly convenient when you are lying down or holding your baby.
My personal favorite is the Owala Refillable Water Bottle because it’s easy to sip from and practical for keeping close by throughout your hospital stay.
Portable Phone Power Bank
Hospital outlets are not always conveniently located, and phone batteries disappear quickly when you are texting family, taking photos, playing music, and timing contractions.
My favorite Portable Phone Power Bank charges your phone to 100%, is incredibly easy to use, and offers the convenience of wireless charging—no cords required.
Portable Fan
Labor rooms can feel warm, especially during contractions. The Tunise Portable Handheld Fan can provide a much-needed breeze and is easy for you or your support person to hold or position nearby.
Bluetooth Speaker and/or Headphones
Bring a small Bluetooth speaker or headphones for calming music, guided breathing, meditation, or anything else that helps you relax and stay focused. I particularly love this Bluetooth Eye Mask, which blocks out bright hospital lights when you’re trying to rest and includes built-in Bluetooth audio so you can listen to calming music, guided relaxation, or soothing sounds.
Eye Mask
Love, love, love this Lavender Weighted and Heated Eye Mask for helping you truly rest and relax while tuning out the distractions around you.
Book/Magazine/Prayers/Mantras
Bring a favorite book, light reading material, meaningful prayers, or calming mantras to help occupy your mind and bring comfort during your hospital stay. Labor and postpartum can be filled with quiet moments, waiting, and reflection, and having something familiar and grounding nearby can help you feel more relaxed and at ease.
Castor Oil
Some moms bring Castor Oil for their provider to use externally on the perineal area during delivery. Check with your doctor or midwife beforehand, since hospital policies and provider preferences vary.
✦ What to Bring for After Delivery
Nursing-Friendly Outfit
A soft, loose outfit with easy nursing access can make feeding, skin-to-skin contact, and postpartum checks much more comfortable.
My favorite is this Nursing Nightgown & Robe Set
Nursing Bras or Tanks
I personally love nursing tanks because they combine comfortable support with easy breastfeeding access and can be worn alone or layered under a robe or sweatshirt.
My favorite nursing tank is this 3-Pack Nursing Cami Tank Tops with Built-in Bra
My favorite Nursing Bra is this one by Kindred Bravely since it also conveniently fits wireless wearable pump parts.
Nipple Cream
This is a new must! Nipple cream can provide soothing protection during the early days of breastfeeding, when tenderness is common. I love Earth Mama or Lansinoh Organic Nipple Butter. Both are gentle options that help soothe and protect sensitive skin, and both are safe for the baby during breastfeeding, so they do not need to be wiped off before nursing.
Comfortable Going-Home Outfit
Your body will still be recovering after birth, so choose something soft, loose, and easy to put on. Bonus points for nursing-friendly if you are nursing. Love this versatile Women's Nursing Dress or these V-neck Women's Nursing Shirts that go with any bottoms.
Not foremost on your mind, but high-waisted, soft, and breathable underwear that sits comfortably on sensitive areas could be very helpful. You can use the disposable underwear provided by the hospital, but even better is to start getting familiar with the super-helpful postpartum recovery products in the Frida Mom 11-Piece Postpartum Essentials Kit. It has so many helpful essentials organized together in one ready-to-go caddy, including high-waisted disposable underwear and a curved peri bottle, which can make those first postpartum days so much easier.
Shower Shoes
A pair of waterproof slides or flip-flops is so helpful for staying hygienic in the hospital shower. I love these Foldable Non Slip Shower Shoes because they’re lightweight, easy to pack, and therefore perfect for travel. Great price, great convenience!
Toiletries For Both Mom and Birth Partner:
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Face wash and moisturizer
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner, or Dry shampoo
Hairbrush
Basic makeup
Regular medications in original labeled containers
Change of clothes
Personal pillow and blanket if you prefer to hospital options
Glasses/Contacts and Solution
✦ What to Bring for Baby
Babies need surprisingly little while they are in the hospital because hospitals generally provide diapers, wipes, blankets, and basic newborn supplies. All you really need is a going home outfit (Bonus points if you love it for first pictures!) and you're ready-to-go infant car seat.
Going-Home Outfit
Bring one outfit in newborn size and one in 0–3 months, since it can be difficult to predict which size will fit best.
Choose something comfortable and car-seat friendly (Nothing bulky that can interfere with the carseat harness safety)
For gender neutral, I love this classic Baby Footies With Hat set. Soft, easy to put on, and perfect for any season.
Properly Installed Infant Car Seat
Install the infant car seat base before heading to the hospital, and make sure you know how to properly position and tighten the harness.
Mama Chick Pro tip: Many local fire departments offer car seat installation checks. It can also be a sweet opportunity to stop by, meet your local firefighters, and thank them for all they do for your community! Find a Car Seat Inspection Station Near You — NHTSA
I love the Doona Stroller System for the infant car seat phase. It conveniently transforms from a car seat into a stroller in seconds, so you can move seamlessly through all the different parts of your day without having to disturb your resting baby. It’s especially convenient for quick errands, appointments, travel, and getting in and out of the car.
Best everyday stroller after the Doona → Love the UPPAbaby Vista V3 Convertible Single-to-Double Stroller because it’s a smooth ride with great basket space, it can grow with your family! You can buy it while you have one child and later add the RumbleSeat V3 when baby #2 comes along. You can also add the PiggyBack board and accommodate up to three children in certain configurations (I know, slow down Mama Chick!!!)
Blanket
Once your little one is safely buckled into the infant car seat, a breathable blanket makes the perfect cozy layer over them. You can also gently tuck the blanket alongside your baby’s body to create a snug, comforting feel—especially for smaller newborns. Just be sure never to place a blanket behind or underneath your baby, as this can interfere with proper harness safety.
I love this soft Warm Cozy Fleece, which comes in so many fun color choices!
I also love the Comfy Cubs Baby Car Seat Cover. It provides shade, helps block wind and pesky insects, and—most notably—creates a calm, less distracting space for baby to nap, which can help promote better sleep on the go.
Mama Chick Pro Tip: Even breathable car seat covers can trap heat, especially in warm weather. Always allow for plenty of airflow, check on the baby frequently, and avoid leaving the car seat fully covered for long periods.
*Thank you for reviewing this list of Mama Chick favorites. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
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