Diapers, maternity pads, bottles: these are worth checking before you start filling a shopping basket. Your hospital may supply some of them, or it may ask you to bring your own.
Get your hospital’s maternity packing list first. Once you know what is covered, you can put your energy into the things you will actually need to bring.
Ask the hospital before you shop
If the packing list leaves you guessing, ask about these three things:
- Recovery supplies: Will you need to bring maternity pads, postpartum underwear, a peri bottle or towels? How much should you bring for the expected stay?
- Baby supplies and feeding: Are diapers, wipes and baby clothes provided? If you plan to use formula, ask which kind and format are available and whether you need bottles or nipples. If you expect to pump, ask about equipment and whether to bring your own pump for help learning to use it.
- Your support person: Can they stay overnight? Are meals and bedding provided?
Use those answers when you pack. Hospital supplies vary, and “formula provided” does not mean that every brand is available. If your baby needs a particular formula, arrange that with the maternity unit beforehand.
Download the free 3-page hospital bag checklist (PDF). No email signup is needed.
For you, start with the everyday essentials
These are the things I would pack first:
- Admission documents requested by the hospital, plus your birth plan if you have one.
- A list of medicines, supplements and allergies, and any medicines the hospital asks you to bring.
- Phone and charger. A longer cable can help if the outlet is away from the bed.
- Glasses and other personal aids you use each day.
- A small wash bag with your usual toiletries.
- Shoes or slippers with a nonslip sole.
- A comfortable bra, if you wear one, and a loose outfit for going home.
Choose clothes that are easy to get on and off. If you plan to breastfeed, a front-opening top or another style with easy access can make feeds less fiddly. After a C-section, choose a waistband that does not rub the incision.
Add the recovery supplies your hospital asks for
Pack the pads, underwear, peri bottle and other supplies listed by your unit, in the quantities it recommends. If you prefer your own disposable underwear, try the fit before packing a whole supply.
Ask your care team whether you need pain-relief sprays, stool softeners or nipple cream, and what the hospital provides. During your stay, check with the team before taking medicines yourself, and follow the discharge instructions at home.
If feeding repeatedly hurts, or your nipples crack or bleed, ask your maternity or lactation team for help with positioning and latch. Cream cannot do that job. For a planned C-section, follow the hospital’s fasting and medicine instructions; add an abdominal binder only if the team recommends one and explains how to use it.
Choose a few comfort extras
You may also want your usual lip balm, a hair tie and a water bottle. A straw may make drinking easier one-handed. For food and drinks during labor or before anesthesia, follow your maternity team’s instructions.
If you would rather wear your own nightwear, start with one set and a spare, then adjust for the expected stay. A favorite pillow is another optional extra if the hospital allows it. Put it in a distinctive pillowcase so it is easy to spot when you go home.
For baby, think about the stay and the journey home
- Clothes for going home, plus a spare. Choose for the weather. You can bring another size if you are unsure of fit, then add any clothing the hospital requests for the stay.
- Diapers and cleaning supplies from the hospital’s list. Set aside a small change kit for the trip home too.
- Formula and feeding equipment, if needed. Bring what you have agreed with the unit, including any required preparation and storage supplies.
A swaddle is optional. Ask whether the hospital allows your own, choose a nonweighted one that fits your baby, and follow its instructions. For sleep, put baby on their back in a separate crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress. Keep pillows and loose bedding out.
Stop swaddling as soon as baby shows signs of trying to roll. That includes garments that still restrict the chest or body even with the arms out. The AAP’s swaddling guide explains this distinction.
Get the car seat ready before you need it. If you will travel by car, choose a rear-facing seat suitable for your newborn’s size. Install it using both the seat and vehicle instructions, and practice adjusting the harness. In the U.S., you can find a certified technician through NHTSA and arrange a check ahead of time. Ask the hospital about its discharge procedure too.
For the ride, remove the swaddle and dress baby in thin layers. Buckle and tighten the harness before adding a blanket over it for warmth, keeping the face clear. Thick clothes or blankets under the straps can prevent a snug fit. See NHTSA’s harness guidance.
Give your support person a small bag too
Pack a change of clothes, a warm layer, toiletries, their usual medicines, glasses and a phone charger. Snacks and a drink bottle are useful if food is hard to get overnight, along with a way to pay for meals and parking.
If overnight stays and personal bedding are allowed, they may want a small pillow or blanket. A book or earbuds can fill the quieter stretches. The hospital’s sleeping arrangements will help you decide how much to bring.
Pack early and leave a short grab list
Have the main bag ready several weeks before your due date. The NHS suggests at least three weeks ahead; follow your maternity team’s advice if you need to prepare earlier.
Two small bags can make things easier to find, or you can use labeled pouches in a bag you already have. Keep admission papers near the top. Let your support person help pack so you will not have to explain where everything is while you are in labor.
For a longer stay, set aside extra clean clothes at home and agree who could bring them. If no one can, plan the quantities with your maternity unit before admission. At discharge, check with the nurse before packing hospital supplies to take home, including any quantities or charges.
Finally, write down the things you are still using each day: phone, wallet, glasses, toiletries and medicines the team has asked you to bring. Leave that note with the bag. When it is time to go, you or your support person can work through it without trying to remember everything.
If you are still choosing supplies for home as well as your hospital bag, you can keep your list in an Amazon Baby Registry. Set up an Amazon Baby Registry
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