Free Tool
Hospital Bag Checklist
A printable hospital bag checklist with everything you, baby, and your partner need. Check items off as you pack. Your progress saves automatically.
0 of 54 items packed
Start checking off items as you pack.
Documents and Essentials
0/5Comfort During Labor
0/10Postpartum for You
0/13For Baby
0/8For Your Partner
0/9Nice to Have
0/9When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
Have your bag packed and sitting by the door by 36 weeks. Babies have their own timeline, and being ready early means one less thing to think about when contractions start.
Install your car seat and have it inspected before your due date. Many fire stations and hospitals offer free car seat checks. Your baby cannot leave the hospital without one.
Pack light. A two-night stay does not need a full suitcase. Hospitals provide mesh underwear, pads, diapers, basic toiletries, and receiving blankets. Focus on comfort items and going-home outfits for you and baby.
Pro Tips From Birth Workers
The Long Charger
Bring a 10-foot phone charger. Hospital outlets are never where you need them, and you will want your phone close during labor and postpartum.
The Pillow Trick
Bring your own pillow in a bright or patterned pillowcase. It is more comfortable than hospital pillows, and the color keeps it from getting mixed in with hospital linens.
Snack Strategy
Pack protein-dense snacks (bars, nuts, jerky) for your partner and for postpartum recovery. Hospital cafeterias close, and vending machines only go so far.
Packing for a C-Section or Twins
The checklist above covers every birth. A planned cesarean or a twin delivery adds a few things worth tucking in alongside it.
If You Are Having a C-Section
- High-waisted, soft underwear and pants that sit well above the incision
- A small pillow to hold against your belly when you cough, laugh, or stand
- Slip-on shoes, since bending is hard for the first few days
- Stool softener, if your provider approves, and peppermint tea for gas
If You Are Having Twins
- Two of everything for baby: outfits, hats, swaddles, and going-home sets
- A double car seat setup, installed and inspected ahead of time
- A larger nursing pillow made for tandem feeding, or two regular ones
- Extra snacks and a bigger water bottle, since recovery and feeding two takes more fuel
Hospital Bag Questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
Most providers recommend having your hospital bag packed and ready to go by 36 weeks. Babies can arrive early, so having everything prepared by the start of your ninth month gives you peace of mind. Install the car seat and keep the bag by the door.
What should I not bring to the hospital?
Leave valuables, expensive jewelry, and too many electronics at home. Skip the nice pajamas for labor (things get messy). Hospitals provide mesh underwear, pads, diapers, and basic toiletries, so you do not need to overpack those. Bring comfort items and going-home outfits instead.
How many outfits should I pack for the baby?
Pack two outfits in different sizes: one newborn and one 0-3 months, since you will not know your baby's size until they arrive. Include a hat, mittens, and a swaddle blanket. For a typical 2-day hospital stay, one to two outfits is plenty.
Can I print this hospital bag checklist?
Yes. Use your browser's print option on this page for a clean paper copy, or sign in and check items off here so your progress follows you from phone to laptop.