Your Hospital Bag Checklist

Preparing for the arrival of your little one is so exciting – painting the nursery, picking out their newborn going home outfit, getting all their tiny clothes washed and organized, installing the car seat, and more. Among all of those tasks is one that seems small but is just as important as the rest: packing your hospital bag. 

What is a Hospital Bag?

A hospital bag is a bag full of the essentials that you bring with you to labor and delivery. It’s usually packed and ready to go ahead of time, either sitting by the door or, better yet, in the car. 

Make sure it’s somewhere accessible and you don’t have to run around at the last minute trying to find what you need. Active labor is not the time for laundry and packing. 

When Should I Pack My Hospital Bag?

In comparison to all the other seemingly Herculean tasks to be done before baby’s arrival, packing a little bag might seem like something you can put at the bottom of your to-do list. However, having that bag ready to go is very important, and getting it done early takes one more thing off your plate. 

Aim to have your hospital bag totally packed by at least the beginning of your third trimester, or around 28 weeks. It may be beneficial to pack even earlier if you:

• Have risk factors for early labor
• Are pregnant with multiples
• Have an induction scheduled

How Big Should My Hospital Bag Be?

The real answer is that it depends on what makes you feel most comfortable. If you’re a light packer, a small duffel can work. If you need more items, like pillows and blankets from home, don’t feel ashamed to bring them. A large suitcase (or a few!) is fine, too. Your partner can pack their own bag, which makes it much easier to keep things organized.

What Should I Pack in My Hospital Bag?

We’ve broken our hospital bag packing recommendations down into three categories: the essentials, clothing, and extras. This should help you plan accordingly as you start to pack your bag.

The essentials are items we feel are must-haves during labor, delivery, and postpartum times at the hospital. We also list clothes that are ideal for new mothers and babies during the hospital stay and some bonus extras you may want to have on hand. Feel free to add your own favorite items to this list and tailor it to your wants and needs.

Your Complete Hospital Bag Checklist:

Essentials 

• Driver’s license
• Insurance cards
• Birth plan
• Cash (for vending machine purchases)
• Extra-long phone charger
• Your favorite water bottle
• Snacks
• Car seat

Clothes

• Robe for Mom
• Slippers/sandals
• Socks
• Going home outfit for baby
• Nursing bra
• Loungewear

Extras

• Electrolyte packets
• Hair clips/ties
• Mints/breath strips
• Folder (for all the random paperwork that seems to pile up)
• Accessories for photos
• Mom and me matching hospital outfits
• Newborn hospital blanket
• Baby book
• Birth stats sign

The Hospital Bag Essentials for Mom

It’s important to bring essential documents, like driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and your birth plan, to the hospital. Also, bring a small amount of cash for vending machine purchases, especially during those middle-of-the-night feedings. 

We also recommend you bring an extra-long phone charger. Outlets can be few and far between in a hospital room, and you’ll want to keep your phone charged to take pictures and update your family and friends. 

Pro tip: Put these items on your partner’s to-do list so you don’t have to worry about it as you’re rushing out the door when the time comes. 

Labor Must-haves for Your Hospital Bag

The number one rule: stay hydrated! Bring your favorite water bottle to keep your fluids up. Additionally, bring some good snacks with protein and high-quality carbohydrates. Having something to eat and drink during labor can improve health outcomes and even help shorten labor. 

Some of our favorite labor snacks are: 

• Peanut butter crackers
• Protein shakes
• Nuts and dried fruit

Hospital Bag Essentials for Your Newborn

Though you don’t need much for baby at the hospital, it’s still a good idea to pack a few things. Perhaps most importantly: bring the car seat. If it’s an infant-specific seat with a base, make sure to install the base ahead of time so you just have to bring the seat inside. If it’s an all-in-one, install it correctly ahead of time so it’s ready to go when you are. 

If you plan to use formula, the hospital will have bottles and formula available for you through your stay. However, if you only want to use a specific formula brand or bottle type, bring a few bottles and enough formula to last a few days. 

Pro tip: If you’ve already chosen a pediatrician for your child, consider bringing a document with their contact info. 

Best Clothes to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Hospitals and birth centers provide gowns, but they can be ill-fitting, scratchy, and not very comfortable. You’ll love the versatility of a pregnancy hospital robe for labor and postpartum time, as it allows for easy access as well as an extra layer of modesty if visitors arrive. Bring a comfy lounge set or pajamas for after baby is born so you can feel your best. 

Pregnancy Hospital Robes for Labor

A comfy pregnancy hospital robe is just the thing you need to stay relaxed and cool while you walk the halls, do your prenatal stretches, and work through every contraction. A pregnancy hospital robe is also great because it’s super stretchy with loose enough sleeves to gain IV access when needed. It also opens with simple yet secure ties in the front so you can get in and out quickly. 

Pro tip: One of our favorite hospital hacks is to wear the lounge robe backwards during labor so that if you get an epidural, your anesthesiologist has super quick and easy access to your back. 

Pack a Pair of Easy-On Hospital Shoes

Finally, consider grabbing a cheap pair of flip-flops or slip-on slippers to wear around the hospital during your stay. You won’t want to put your shoes on every single time you get up, but you also won’t want to step directly onto the hospital floor. Choose something affordable that you can either clean easily or toss at the end of your visit. 

Pack Nursing Bras for Simple Breastfeeding

If you choose to breastfeed, one of the best things you can pack in your hospital bag is a high-quality nursing bra to make breastfeeding more comfortable. For the first few weeks postpartum (and sometimes beyond), baby may be cluster feeding, and you may find yourself in just a nursing bra and some cozy lounge pants. Sometimes it’s helpful to pack a few different styles – you'll get a feel for what works best for you as your feeding journey progresses.

Our Favorite Nursing Bras

Kyte Baby’s classic nursing bra provides all the support you need while also offering quick, easy clip-down access for breastfeeding. Its slim profile ensures it won’t be too bulky under clothing and won’t be extremely noticeable. The super-stretchy fabric easily adapts to the many changes your body undergoes during pregnancy and the postpartum period. 

Our cross-front bralette is another favorite for nursing, especially if the clip-down styles aren’t your favorite. The simple cross design ensures easy access and is comfortable enough to wear under your favorite pajamas. As a bonus, both nursing bra styles are stretchy enough to accommodate your favorite hands-free breast pump if that’s the route you choose. 

The Best Postpartum Pajamas

Pajamas and lounge clothes are essential hospital bag items because you need to be comfortable while recovering and learning to care for your newborn. For your hospital stay, many new parents love button-down bamboo pajamas because they allow for easy nursing and skin-to-skin access, plus they’re much easier to put on if you are having a tough recovery and can’t move around as well as you’d like. Available in short and long-sleeve styles, these postpartum PJs don’t miss. 

A good nightgown is also popular. Our sleeveless nightgown keeps you nice and cool if your hospital room is a bit too toasty. The empire waist keeps nursing pads in place, even without a nursing bra. Best of all, it’s just as buttery soft as all your favorite baby items from Kyte Baby. 

Each nightgown or set of pajamas is available in tons of stylish prints and fun colors, so you can pick out something new and exciting to help you feel more like yourself, even amongst the postpartum chaos. You can even grab some cute baby items for matching mommy and me newborn outfits! 

Pro tip: C-section mamas should consider packing gowns or high-waisted lounge pants that won’t press on the incision site. 

Newborn Hospital Outfits

You won’t need a ton of newborn hospital outfits during your stay, but it can be fun and convenient to pack a few different things, especially since tiny baby clothes don’t take up much space in your hospital bag. Above all else, keep it simple. 

Bamboo onesies, zippered footies, infant gowns, and even sweet little matching sets make great options for those newborn hospital outfits. It may be helpful to have a few extras in case of accidents. As tempting as it is, don’t go overboard. Once you’re home, you have all the time in the world to dress your little one in all those precious clothes. 

Hospital Bag Extras

Your bag is filled with all the new mom essentials and baby items you’ll need to have for labor and beyond, but don’t feel like you can’t make room for the sweet accessories and items you want to bring along! Grab that baby book to capture those newborn footprints at birth, and don’t forget your sweet birth stats sign for their first photo shoot! Here are the extras we love to see:

Mommy and Me Hospital Outfits

Perhaps one of the sweetest things you can pack in your hospital bag is adorable mommy and me hospital outfits. With such a large range of bamboo clothing to choose from for both mom and baby, it’s easy to find something that matches perfectly or has complementary colors for that coordinated look. 

For an adorable newborn going home outfit that matches Mom, try a zippered footie for baby with a relaxed V-neck for Mom. The footie pajamas will keep baby nice and warm on your journey home, while the T-shirt has that perfect loose fit for supreme postpartum comfort, all while still looking cute and coordinated.

If you’re having your second baby or beyond, big siblings can get involved in mommy and me hospital outfits, too. A toddler tee to match mommy or a twirl dress in a fun print will surely make the new big sister or brother feel extra special. 

Accessories to Capture the Moment

Other than lots of fun baby clothes, there are some other items that can make your hospital stay better. You’ll take more pictures than you could ever imagine, so it’s fun to bring a few things to make them even cuter, if that’s even possible. 

Phone cameras are great these days, but if you’re someone who likes physical cameras, don’t be afraid to bring one along. Consider a sweet newborn hospital blanket as a backdrop for your photoshoot; it’ll add some character and color to an otherwise drab hospital room. You can simply put your baby on it on top of your hospital bed or wrap the little bassinet mattress pad in it for a cleaner look. 

There’s nothing better for newborn photoshoots than bundlers and knotted gowns. These classic pieces are simple, soft, and stunning, allowing your little one to be the true star of every portrait you take. You can even snap a few shots with mother and daughter matching gowns for birth announcements or social media posts. 

Do I Need to Pack Comfort Items for My Newborn? 

For the most part, the only comfort item your newborn baby will need is you. While you’re in the hospital and as you recover at home, skin-to-skin time is preferred for both parent and child. Skin-to-skin contact in the first few weeks postpartum is one of the best things you can do to bond with your baby. 

The classic newborn hospital blankets will be available for use (and the nurses will be able to swaddle your baby like a pro – and help you learn, too!). So, aside from the extras you want for newborn hospital photos, you can leave the rest at home.

Things You Don’t Need to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

Don’t waste space in your bag by packing any books, e-readers, magazines, or any other entertainment items. You won’t have much time for extracurriculars while you’re in the hospital, and any spare time you do have, you’ll probably want to spend sleeping or simply staring at your perfect newborn. 

You also won’t need any fancy clothes. You may want to pack a cute Mommy and Me matching hospital outfit for pictures or for going home, but always prioritize comfort and function over looks. Choose lightweight, breathable bamboo clothing items that will keep you comfortable, enable breastfeeding if you choose, and are easy to get on and off. 

Skip the Toiletries and Personal Items

Here’s some great news: hospitals have everything you need as far as toiletries and personal items, and they’re happy to provide them. The nurses’ station or your room’s restroom will be fully stocked with:

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Soap
• Postpartum mesh undies
• Pads
• Peri bottles
• Breast pumps and parts
• Dish soap

Of course, if you have any skin sensitivities or are partial to your favorite moisturizer or shampoo, having a few travel-size items doesn’t hurt. If you’re not worried about brand or type, don’t worry about packing it and save room for the fun stuff.

You Won’t Need Most Baby Essentials

While a well-stocked diaper bag will become your lifeline over the next few years, you may be surprised to learn that you don’t need many things from it during your hospital stay. Just like toiletry items for parents, the hospital will have anything you could ever imagine for your baby. Hospitals stock your room with:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper cream or ointment
• Baby soap and shampoo
• Newborn hairbrushes
• Formula

It may also be beneficial to have a little extra space in your hospital bag for bonus items and supplies. Many hospitals encourage parents to take extras of all the essentials in the hospital room to help bolster their stock at home, so grab those diapers and wipes while you can!

Partner’s Hospital Bag Packing List

Focusing on Mom and baby is obviously the priority, but don’t forget about your partner. Make sure they pack a bag with all their essentials, too. Grab chargers, favorite snacks, extra clothes and pajamas, and anything else they may need during your stay. If you want to surprise them, treat them to a cozy new pair of matching men’s pajamas to wear at the hospital.

The Perfect Hospital Bag

At the end of the day, what you pack in your hospital bag is a highly personal choice, and you should pack whatever you think you’ll need to feel your best, whether that’s matching mommy and me newborn outfits or your favorite sweats and T-shirt. The goal is to make your hospital stay as easy, comfortable, and cozy as possible. You’ve got this!