As a mom of three I have packed three hospital bags for labor, and for each delivery my bags have gotten lighter. I’ve learned what will actually need, and what sounds good on paper (like my hairdryer). As much as I believed I needed everything the first time around, I quickly realized I was too exhausted to even look at most of what I packed. One thing every mom-to-be needs is a good checklist with ideas for what to pack in hospital bag for baby.
This post is sponsored by Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Baby
I am a list maker. I love checklists. In fact, I currently have one on each side of my computer for projects I am working on. So it will come as no surprise that I recommend a hospital bag checklist. Yes, I even had one for my third hospital bag — it was just much shorter.
While some checklist items are universal like an infant car seat, other items are more of a personal preference like lip balm. That’s why I love the checklist in the Hello Baby! app from Orlando Health — it is completely customizable.
The Hello Baby! hospital bag checklist starts with preloaded suggestions, from there you can add or delete items as you see fit. And since it is on your phone you can work on your checklist anywhere – like waiting for your OB. When it is time to pack your bag, you can even check off items as you pack. (My favorite part of list making.)
Hospital Bag For Labor
For each of my deliveries, I packed two bags — one hospital bag for labor and delivery and a second for postpartum care. I didn’t want anyone to have to worry with a big bag as I was moved from one room to another, and there was too much going on to have to dig through clothes to find my lip balm. (Or rather, instruct my husband to dig for me.) Plus, a smaller labor bag (basically just an extra-large tote bag) made it easier to get in and out for false labor scares.
The Hello Baby! app has a great list to start from, including some of my favorites and it is easy to customize. Here’s what was in my hospital bag for labor:
- Birth Plan
- Notes from your OB
- Wallet / ID
- Lip balm
- Devices and chargers (bonus, cordless chargers!)
- Note pad and paper (I had my husband take notes for me to look back on later)
- Snacks (for my husband so he didn’t get hangry)
- Fuzzy socks with floor grips
- Hair ties
- Sweatshirt (before things really get started, I always get the chills)
Hospital Bag For Baby
Once settled in my postpartum recovery room, my husband retrieves my real hospital bag for baby from the car. The larger bag contained comfort items for the duration of my hospital stay including necessities and cute things. Here’s my list:
- Comfy PJs
- Nursing bra
- Slippers
- Nursing pillow
- Pillow (with bright pillowcase so it doesn’t get mixed up)
- Toiletries
- Makeup
- Dry shampoo
- Going home outfit for mom
- Cute onesies for baby
- Cute bow or hats for baby
- Going home outfit for baby
- Soft toilet paper
- Baby wipes (I’m not a fan of the wash clothes supplied at hospitals)
- Gifts for older kids
- Infant seat (Not in the bag, but a must in the car!)
One thing I brought with me the fist time that I slimmed down in the future was my hairdryer. It sounded like a good idea, but I didn’t have the energy for all of that. Instead, I recommend a good dry shampoo.
Like everything else with labor and delivery, every mom has her personal preferences. That’s why a customizable list on your phone like the one in the Hello Baby! app is perfect. Add your favorites and delete the things you don’t need until you have the perfect checklist for what to pack in your hospital bag for baby.
Orlando Health Hello Baby! App
The Hello Baby! Winnie Palmer Pregnancy App helps keep you organized and informed throughout your pregnancy. From weekly updates about your baby to tools like a kick counter and water tracker, the Hello Baby! app helps parents-to-be prepare for the big day. For those who plan to deliver at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies (like me), you can also find specific hospital information including arrival instructions.
The Hello Baby app can also help you gather pregnancy week by week pictures.
Download the free Hello Baby! app today to help you prepare for your big day and get all of those checklists ready.