Hospital Bag Checklist—What to Pack for Mom, Baby, and Partner
5 min read•Updated November 19, 2025
5 min read•Updated November 19, 2025
Preparing for your baby’s arrival can be overwhelming, but having a well-packed hospital bag can bring peace of mind when the big day comes. Based on expert advice and real-life experiences, the key is to pack early, ideally by week 36, and focus on essentials for mom, baby, and birth partners.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick summary to help you get started:
For Mom:
Important documents: ID, insurance card, birth plan
For Birthing Partner: Change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, and a phone charger.
Optional but helpful: Diapers and wipes (Check beforehand if your hospital/birthing center provides these).
Some hospitals provide basic supplies, so check ahead to avoid overpacking. With your hospital bag ready, you can focus on welcoming your new arrival with peace of mind. Let’s dive deeper into what to pack and why each item matters.
Ready, set, pack!
Download your free Hospital Bag Checklist—and feel confident you’ve got everything covered for you and your baby.
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
If you’re wondering, “When should I pack my hospital bag?” It’s good to keep in mind that your baby might arrive earlier than expected, so it’s worth having your hospital bag (or bags, if you’d like one for labor and delivery and one for after delivery) and your baby’s hospital bag organized and packed during month eight of your pregnancy—just in case.
Pack the bags with your partner or whoever might accompany you to the hospital, so you can double-check the checklist and make sure you’ll have everything you might need. Once they’re packed, keep them handy either in your car or near the door, so you'll be ready to go at a moment's notice.
Keep reading for your full hospital bag checklist to help you pack during pregnancy, and download your printable checklist below!
Here are some common questions from parents:
What are signs that it’s time to grab your hospital bag and go?
Regular contractions, your water breaking, or any advice from your healthcare provider to come in are key signs it’s go-time. Keep your bag by the door or in the car once you reach 36 weeks.
How do I organize my hospital bag so it’s easy to find things?
Pack in sections—one small bag for mom, one for baby, and another for your birth partner. Use labeled pouches or zip bags for quick access during labor.
Printable Hospital Bag Checklist
Download our free hospital bag checklist below to keep track of what you’ve packed—it’s handy and printable!
Getting ready for labor means more than timing contractions—it also means packing a well-thought-out hospital bag for labor that includes essentials for comfort, paperwork, and passing the time. Here’s our handy hospital bag checklist for mom:
C-Section Hospital Bag
Wondering what to bring in your hospital bag for a C-section? If you’re having a C-section or want to be prepared just in case, you can still use the other checklists in this article to help you decide what to pack in your hospital bag. However, these additional hospital bag items might come in handy before and after your cesarean delivery.
These items on our checklist for a C-section hospital bag can make your hospital stay more comfortable and support your healing process.
You might also want to check with your healthcare provider to see if there’s anything specific you need to bring in your post-cesarean hospital bag.
Postpartum Hospital Bag
To make your hospital stay more comfortable after delivery, here’s your essential postpartum hospital bag checklist:
Nightgowns. You’ll need something comfortable to sleep in during your hospital stay, and a soft, loose nightgown is a good option. Choose a front-opening style if you plan to breastfeed.
Heavy-duty maternity pads. The hospital will provide some of these, but you may want to pack a few heavy-duty maternity pads, just in case. It’s normal to bleed a lot after the birth, and maternity pads are softer and more absorbent than standard pads. Initially, you may need to change pads every one to two hours, but within a few days, the flow will start to decrease.
Underwear. Hospitals often provide stretchy underwear, but you may want to pack several pairs that are large enough to wear over heavy-duty maternity pads.
Bras. Be prepared with a few nursing bras or other comfortable, well-fitting bras.
Toiletries. Don’t forget tissues, a hairbrush, a comb, deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, a hairdryer, hair clips, and hair ties. Pack a plastic bag to pop dirty clothes in.
Cosmetics and skin care products. If makeup is part of your usual routine, then don’t forget your cosmetics. Plus, make sure you pack some moisturizer, as your skin may feel drier than usual.
Glasses and contact lenses (if you need them). It may seem obvious, but sometimes it’s these little things that can escape your mind when packing your hospital bag. Don’t forget contact lens solution and a lens case if you use contact lenses.
Phone and charger. Unless you opt for a little digital detox during this special time, don’t forget your phone and charger. You can stay in touch with loved ones, use it to take those first few pictures, and post your special news on social media.
Clothes. Aside from your nightgown, you might choose to take some comfortable clothes to wear during your hospital stay. Pack an extra outfit to wear home. Choose something loose-fitting with a drawstring or elastic waist.
Handouts and reference books. You might have received some handy notes from your prenatal classes or have some reference books about newborns. The doctors and nurses will be able to give you lots of personalized guidance, but you might find these resources more useful once you actually have your newborn in your arms.
Snacks and drinks. Labor can sometimes be very long, so you could consider packing some snacks and drinks. However, speak to your medical team about whether or not you’ll be allowed to eat or drink anything during labor. Also, consider packing some of your favorite snacks for after labor as you may feel like some comfort food during your hospital stay.
It’s common for new parents to wonder what to bring to the hospital for their newborn. This baby hospital bag checklist has all the essentials you’ll need in those first days after your newborn arrives:
Here are some common questions from parents:
How do I pack my hospital bag differently for winter or summer births?
For winter, pack a warm blanket, hat, and layered clothes for your baby. For summer, lighter cotton outfits and breathable swaddles keep your newborn comfortable.
How can I avoid overpacking my hospital bag?
Stick to the essentials—comfortable clothes, toiletries, key documents, and baby basics. Check with your hospital to see what items they already provide before packing.
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What to Pack in the Hospital Bag for Your Birth Partner
As a birth partner, whether you’re the father, friend, partner, or family member, you may want to pack a hospital bag with useful items to support your loved one during their time in the hospital. Here’s our birth partner hospital bag checklist for dad, partner, friend, family member, or whoever your support partners will be:
Snacks and water. Labor can be thirsty work even for supportive partners. Consider packing some snacks and water, as well as change for the hospital vending machines.
Phone, camera, and/or video camera, plus chargers and batteries. Don’t forget to pack a phone to stay in contact with loved ones, and for some entertainment during downtimes. The camera will come in handy to take some happy snaps. (Make sure the camera’s memory card has plenty of free space on it.)
Clothes. Labor is an unpredictable process, so a change of clothes is always a good idea, as you never know how long the stay will be.
Toiletries. After a long labor, you might need to freshen up in the shower. Most hospitals are fine with this, but you can confirm this beforehand.
Spare glasses or spare contact lenses. It might be a long day, so having spares of these essentials could come in handy.
Small pillow. You might appreciate getting a bit of rest during downtimes, as well.
Entertainment. Something to do: Books, a tablet, and a personal music player are all good options.
Sibling Hospital Bag
If your older child/children will be staying with family or a sitter while you're in the hospital, pack a small bag to help them feel comfortable and cared for:
This little bag helps keep things familiar and fun for the sibling(s)-to-be while you focus on welcoming the new baby.
What Not to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Although it’s a great idea to be prepared, you don’t need to overpack your hospital bag. And there are some things that many hospitals don’t allow, so it’s a good idea to double-check beforehand.
Here are a few things you probably won’t need to pack in your hospital bag:
Too many clothes. You'll likely be in your nightgown for most of your stay, so you won’t need a lot of clothes. Pack a going-home outfit that is comfortable and easy to put on, like leggings and a loose shirt.
Valuables. Leave valuables, such as jewelry, at home where it will be safe. The last thing you want to worry about is losing something important while you're focused on giving birth and taking care of your new baby.
Electronic devices. Your phone and camera might come in handy, but you won't need larger devices such as portable TVs or music players. If you want to watch or listen to something, remember to have headphones handy so you don’t disturb other guests.
Too much food. A few of your favorite snacks and some water is good to have on hand, but don’t bring too much food with you. You might not get a chance to eat it, and if your stay is longer than expected, the hospital will likely provide you with food, or your partner can bring some extra snacks if needed.
Diapers and wipes. Hospitals usually provide a few newborn diapers, but it’s always comforting to have your own on hand. Pack some Pampers Swaddlers—they’re soft, gentle, and perfect for your baby’s first days.
Before you go, download the Pampers Rewards App. It helps you stay organized for those first busy days. You can choose the right fit for your little one, track development, and earn $10 Pampers Cash for every 10 diaper scans, most boxes have 2 scans. You’ll be earning rewards in no time!
FAQs at a Glance
It’s a good idea to wear something loose and comfortable during labor. Your hospital will likely give you a hospital gown to wear during delivery, but you can also bring your own nightgowns, slippers, socks, and nursing bras for after the birth.
You might want to pack some healthy snacks to keep your energy up during labor, such as granola bars or dried fruit. And if you have some favorite snacks, these may act as comfort food for you after giving birth. Bringing a reusable water bottle is also a good idea to keep yourself hydrated during your stay.
Some essentials for going home after giving birth include:
Car seat for your baby, correctly installed
A baby blanket
An outfit for your newborn to wear home
Comfortable and loose clothes for you to wear home
You can find more essentials to pack in your hospital bag for labor or after delivery in our helpful checklists throughout this article.
It’s good to check with your hospital first, but the hospital may provide you with baby diapers and wipes during your stay, a hospital gown, slippers, disposable underwear and pads, and basic toiletries. However, feel free to use our helpful checklist and pack items in your hospital bag that will provide you with added comfort.
For summer, pack lightweight cotton clothes, a swaddle or muslin blanket, a sun hat for the trip home, and a car seat cover to keep your baby cool and shaded. Don’t forget newborn diapers, wipes, and a going-home outfit.
In winter, bring warm layers like a soft hat, mittens, socks, a fleece onesie or footed sleeper, and a cozy blanket. A warm car seat cover or bunting bag is essential for the ride home, along with the usual newborn essentials.
If you're getting close to your due date, it's helpful to know how to time your contractions as well as how to spot other signs of labor. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you're going into labor—they'll be able to let you know when it's time to grab your hospital bag and be on your way. Good luck!
While you’re here and in the mood for preparing for the birth of your baby, download the Pampers Rewards app. You can use the app to earn rewards for all the diapers you’ll be buying once your little one’s here.
