My Hospital Bag Packing List for Mom, Dad, Baby

You know you’re in the home stretch when it’s time to pack for the hospital!  I’ve got as much as possible packed and ready to go for D-Day (which could be really any time in the next few weeks…at latest, we’ll have a baby on February 9th).

I’m just one of those people that needs a good old fashioned list to organize anything…and I mean anything.  I don’t think I could function without some kind of list each day.  And that totally includes getting ready for the hospital.  So I’ve been scouring the internet for ideas (and trying to remember what in the world I needed last time) for the past couple of weeks.  I thought I’d share my list today in the best form I know…a pretty set of printables!

All three of these lists fit on 8.5×11″ paper, if you’re the printing type.  You can click the link below each one to go to the pdf version for printing.  Or, you could just do what I do and pin them for later…again, link below each one for that!  And I’ve included my notes and links to favorites (affiliate links used) on a few items under each list too.

Pajamas – don’t make the same mistake I did and only pack a couple of pairs…if you have a c-section, you’ll be required to stay longer, which means more clothing changes.  Without going into the details, wardrobe changes are often required after you have a baby…I’ll leave it at that.  Bring something that might have fit you at 6 months pregnant or so, because you’ll still have a little bit of a tummy and you want to be comfortable!  I like the kind that button down the front…makes nursing much easier.
Going Home Outfit – Softer, casual maxi dresses work best, in my opinion.  I wouldn’t recommend pants that button (again, you’ll still look pregnant and, if you have a c-section, that’s just not going to work).
Robe
Comfy House Shoes
Flip Flops – The (cheap) rubber kind are great for the shower at the hospital!
Open-Front Sweater – Convenient for nursing, especially recommended if you’re having a baby in the winter months
Nursing Bras – Bring 3-4 of these…again, wardrobe changes are sometimes needed.  And wear one (or a sports bra) to the hospital the day you deliver…you don’t realize it, but you won’t really have another chance to change bras before the baby is born since you’ll be hooked up to wires and tubes shortly after you get there.
Nursing Pads – The hospital will give you a few, but it’s nice to have your own (I’d go disposable to limit the amount of laundry you have to take home).
Nipple Shield – This is something I didn’t have last time that I wish I had tried…I think our nursing experience would have been a lot smoother.  One of those things you hope you don’t need, but nice to have in case you do!
Nursing Pillow
Nursing Cover
Lanolin – Great for those first few (uncomfortable) days of breastfeeding!
Comfy Panties
Ponytail Holders
Headbands
Shaper – Talk to your doctor on whether or not you should wear this immediately after delivery…some recommend it, some don’t (c-section mammas come to mind).
Gown – If you choose to have a cutesy one instead of the standard hospital one for delivery
Socks
Pillow – Hospital pillows are notorious for being not-so-comforable, and it’s nice to have a little bit of the comfort of home while you’re there!
Brush
Computer/iPad
Cell Phone Charger
Camera/Charger
Glasses/Contacts/Solution
Hospital Admission Paperwork
IDs/Credit Cards/Insurance Documentation
Magazines – For the (rare) occasion that you need something to do. 🙂
Makeup – Unless you’re superwoman, don’t plan on doing this every day…but it is nice to make you feel a little more human again, especially before you go home.
Chapstick
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Mouth Wash
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Wash/Soap
Loofah
Dry Shampoo – Sometimes you have to go a couple of days without a shower after delivery, and this is great to keep your hair from looking terrible!
Makeup Remover
Pads – I personally preferred the pads (aka the mesh panties) that the hospital supplied last time, but a lot of people don’t…I think it’s just personal preference.  If you do buy pads, get the biggest Depends you can find.
Lotion
Hair Dryer
Deodorant
Brush
Gifts for Nurses – A little sweet treat is always appreciated at the nurses’ station!
Big Brother/Sister Gift – A fun little surprise for big brother or sister definitely helps with their bond at first!
Birth Plan
Towel (for car) – Just in case, it can’t hurt to sit on this on the way home.  Some women like to bring their own towels for the shower too, but I don’t remember the hospital ones being an issue.

Pillow – If he’s stuck sleeping in one of the chairs in your room, this is definitely needed!
Blanket
Change of Clothes – I’d do at least one, two if you don’t live close to the hospital.
Underwear – Again, 1-2 changes
Cell Phone Charger
Deodorant
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Glasses/Contacts/Solution
Brush
Snacks – I’d opt for more filling options rather than junk food…those days can get long and there might be a stretch where dad can’t get away to eat a meal!
Bottled Water
Change for Vending Machine

Going Home Outfit – Don’t forget the hats and blankets that normally go with these outfits!
Diapers – The hospital has plenty of diapers, but if you have a preference you might want to pack a few.  Diaper changes are sometimes needed on the way home too, so at least grab a couple when you leave the hospital. These Huggies and these Pampers are our favorites for newborns!
Wipes – Same as diapers, at least have a few on hand
Diaper Cream
Burp Cloths – This is the best time to use those cutesy ones you got at your baby shower!
Pacifiers
3-4 Hats
Socks
Mittens – Newborns like to claw at their faces (see my daughter’s hospital pictures if you don’t believe me), so I can’t recommend these enough.
Bows – If you’re having a girl, it’s kind of fun to go on an try a couple on her at the hospital. 🙂
Baby Book – It’s a nice keepsake to have your visitors sign the book.  The company I have linked did Emmie’s book and it was just beautiful!
Car Seat – Have the base installed before you ever go to the hospital…one less thing for dad to worry about while you’re there!
Receiving Blankets – 1-2, don’t really worry too much about this because you’ll get blankets from the hospital.  But a couple for the ride home might be needed.

Alright veterans, what am I leaving out?  Leave your suggestions in the comments below!