
Hospital Bag Checklist
For the Birthing Person:
• Photo ID, insurance information, hospital forms
• Birth plan (4-6 copies)
• Eye glasses (if applicable)
• Cell phone and charger
• Ear buds or mini blue tooth speakers
• Slippers or non-slip grip socks (most hospitals provide socks)
• Warm over-sized robe
• Chapstick
• Non-scented moisturizer
• Ponytail holders
• Maternity bras (no underwire) or cotton sports bras
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, travel size shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, face wash,
hair brush) – some hospitals provide limited toiletries
• Sugar-free hard candy and honey sticks for labor (boost of quick energy when eating is no longer
allowed in some hospitals)
• Snacks for postpartum recovery (non-perishable, chocolate, nuts, dried fruit)
• Loose-fitting night gowns (if one will be used in labor then make sure it can come off easily and
you don’t mind it being ruined)
• Loose-fitting clothing to go home in
• Flat shoes or sandals to go home in (feet may be swollen)
• Breastfeeding pillow (especially helpful when breastfeeding or holding baby after cesarean)
• Maternity underwear (hospitals will provide mesh panties and pads)
• Essential oils (dab oils on cotton balls and keep in sandwich size Ziploc bags so you can easily
remove smell when you want) – (optional)
• Flameless candles (optional)
• Tennis balls for comfort measure massages (optional)
• Pen and pad (optional)
For the Support Person:
• Change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Cell phone and charger
• Snacks and change for vending machines
• Any daily prescription medication
• Comfortable pillow and warm blanket for overnight stay in recovery room (hospitals may
provide thin blankets and flat pillows)
For Baby:
• Infant car seat
• Long sleeve onesies with buttons (buttons allow easy access for monitoring if NICU stay is
anticipated)
• Coming home outfit (one newborn size and one 0-3 month size)
• Newborn hat
• Warm blankets when time to take outside to car