Packing for the hospital before giving birth is one of those “known unknowns.” On one hand, no one wants to pack too much, then arrive at the hospital with a ton of luggage, change rooms several times, and realize half of it is unnecessary. On the other hand, being stuck in a dry hospital room without lotion or lip balm was terrifying. You may not know what you need until you get to the hospital.
“The most important thing to have in your birth bag is something that makes you feel safe and loved,” says Greer Kirschenbaum, MD, a neurologist, doula, and author of The Parenting Revolution. “When we feel safe and loved, hormones needed for labor, like oxytocin, are released, our bodies open up, and we are able to have a successful birth.”
Beyond these affirmations, there are also items that will be helpful to mothers, caregivers, and babies themselves, both during and after labor. We consulted professional midwives to find out which items are best to include in your hospital bag checklist to ensure it doesn’t waste space.
Parents should feel comfortable and supported during the birth and after the birth. Here are some things to bring:
☐ Snacks. “I can’t stress enough how important snacks are because even if you don’t eat during labor (which I don’t recommend), nine times out of 10, once your baby is born, the restaurants will close and you’ll be starving,” says Sabrina Ortolano, MD, OB/GYN, and owner of IPSB Bodywork School. “The best food you’ll ever eat is the first bite you have after your baby is born. I recommend simple foods that are high in protein, glucose, and electrolytes that provide both partners with enough energy. That way, no one has to run out to buy groceries, and you can focus on what’s next.”
Recommended foods include honey bars, nut butters, protein shakes, coconut water, electrolyte powders, Gatorade, apple juice, cranberry juice (since catheters can cause urinary tract infections), instant soups, teas, granola bars, trail mix, and dried fruit. “During prime time,” which is shortly after delivery, “peanut butter is especially recommended,” Ortolano added.
☐ Pack clothes. “While the hospital will provide you with maternity clothing, disposable socks, and underwear, you’ll likely be there for a few days after delivery and be prepared for an extended hospital stay,” says Casey Selzer, a registered midwife and senior director of patient programs at Oula. “Bring a change of clothes or two, including loose, stretchy pants, a button-down nightgown for easy skin-to-skin contact with your newborn, and layers like zip-up sweatshirts, as the hospital can be chilly and you often can’t control the temperature in the room. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, you may want to pack a well-fitting nursing bra and some pads as your milk starts to come in, as well as a set of clean clothes to wear when you get home from the hospital.”
☐ Comfortable slippers, socks or flip-flops. “Trust me, you don’t want to walk around barefoot in the hospital,” Ortolano said.
☐ Travel-friendly toiletries. “The hospital will provide you with basic supplies, but bringing a zip-lock bag with a few personal items will make you feel right at home,” Seltzer said. “Hair ties or headbands, lip balm, a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, hand cream, and nipple cream if you plan to breastfeed are all good options.” Don’t forget to pack any daily medications you and your breastfeeding partner might need.
☐ Speakers, music player, and playlists. “I recommend a slow, meditative playlist that you can breathe or sing along to, and another that’s faster-paced and that you can move to,” says Dr. Kirshenbaum. “I would practice breathing and moving to this music before labor starts so you can get into the desired state during labor.”
☐ Comfort items. “Hospitals are designed as sterile, impersonal spaces,” Seltzer said. “Bring something from home to make your space feel like home. Pillows, a lightweight travel blanket, a photo from home, an aromatherapy spray, and a weighted eye pillow can all be part of this gift bag.”
☐ Heating pads and ice packs. “Heat can help ease back pain during labor, and ice can help reduce inflammation,” says Ortolano. “Stack heating pads and ice packs in a quarter to maximize their effectiveness. Tip: Place the heating pad in a large, sealable bag before using it, before putting it in your pillowcase—it will get dirty.”
☐ Use softer lighting, like LED candles or flickering lights. “Hospital labor rooms have very bright overhead lights, and I recommend turning them off as soon as you enter the labor room, or dimming the lights and using softer lighting,” says Dr. Kirschenbaum. “This can make a huge difference in your body’s perception of safety in the labor room, from tense to relaxed.”
☐ Letters of support from friends, family, and loved ones. “You can hang these in the delivery room,” said Dr. Kirschenbaum, adding that words of encouragement such as “I can handle hard things!” or “I carried my baby, and I can have mine!” can help boost morale. She also suggests hanging a sign on the door for hospital staff that says, “We strive to create a calm and relaxing environment in the delivery room. Please respect the quiet in our room.”
☐ Electronic charger. “While you don’t need your phone during labor, you definitely will need one afterward,” Seltzer said. “Outlets may be hard to reach in the delivery room or postpartum ward, so bring your longest charging cable and keep your phone charged so you can capture all those cute newborn moments on camera and have the whole family close by.”
☐ All important information. This includes information you want to share with the hospital staff, such as your birth plan and postpartum plan (if you have one). Also include administrative documents you will need at the hospital, such as identification, wallet, and insurance card.
☐ A second hospital bag specifically for postpartum. How you pack is just as important as what you pack. “After all, the delivery room is always full of germs, and you definitely want to feel like you’re walking into the postpartum room feeling clean and fresh,” says Ortolano. “And you don’t want to lug a huge bag into the delivery room. You’ll be exhausted, so choose two small weekend bags that are easy to find. The second bag should hold your nursing bras, cute pajamas, and travel toiletries—pack like you’re going on a long weekend trip.”
Hospitals usually provide most of the things a baby might need, but fortunately, a newborn needs much less than you might think.
☐ Bring home clothes and blankets. You don’t need to pack a lot of baby clothes, but a photo is a must. Be sure to choose clothes that are user-friendly while the umbilical cord is still in place. Remember: blankets are fine when your baby is awake in the stroller or car, but loose blankets are dangerous if your baby is sleeping – a sleep sack that can be worn is better.
☐ Swaddle or baby carrier. “Both you and your baby will benefit from skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible after birth,” says Dr. Kirschenbaum, so be sure to invest in a baby carrier.
☐Children’s brochure on the marks left behind after babies are born. “You’ll never have this opportunity again,” Ortolano said.
☐ Coconut oil: “Applying a small dab of coconut oil to your baby’s skin when changing his diaper will help clear his first stool, which is a sticky, greenish-black substance called meconium,” says Seltzer.
Marissa (she/her) has been covering a variety of parenting topics for Good Housekeeping since 2018, from postpartum parenting to empty nest parenting; she previously wrote about parents and families for Parents and Working Mom magazines. She lives in Brooklyn with her toy-collecting husband and daughter, and sometimes helps the team answer bar trivia questions or posts movie-related content on Twitter and Blue Sky.
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