Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom & Baby

Start with your ID and hospital paperwork, comfortable clothes and toiletries, an outfit for your baby, and the things you will grab as you leave, such as your phone and charger. Include a suitable car seat if you are traveling home by car. Use the checklist above to adjust the list to your plans, then check your hospital’s own packing advice.

Aim to have your bag ready around 36 weeks, or earlier if your care team recommends it. Adding your due date gives you a suggested pack-by date four weeks before it. Keep a short list of everyday things to grab on the way out. Your care team’s advice comes first.

Choose Planned C-section to tailor the clothing suggestions. Loose clothes and soft, high-waisted underwear can be useful. Ask your hospital about your expected stay, what it provides, and any instructions for your admission. Your list can be edited if your plans change.

A change of clothes, toiletries, their own medicines, snacks, a phone charger and any parking payment they may need are useful starting points. Check the hospital’s visiting and overnight-stay arrangements. Share the list so they can help with last-minute items.

Choose Twins to adjust the baby clothing and car-seat quantities. Check with your hospital about anything else you may need and whether you should pack earlier. You can add extra items and remove suggestions that do not fit your plans.

What hospitals provide varies. Ask yours before buying or packing these items. The “Check what your hospital provides” section is a reminder to ask, not a list of things you must bring. Use Add to list for any extras you choose to pack.

Yes. Choose Edit list to add your own items or remove suggestions. Removed suggested items can be restored in edit mode. Choose Done to return to ticking off your list. Preparation tasks and packing items both count as “ready.”

Your choices, edits and ticks are saved in this browser when browser storage is available. Share my list creates a link with your selections and edits; it does not include your ticks or keep lists synchronized. Each person ticks off their own copy. Print my list opens a printable version of your current list. Avoid adding private information to an item you plan to share.

If you’re taking your baby home by car, you need a rear-facing infant car seat, installed before the birth. Many hospitals check for one before discharge. A certified child passenger safety technician can check your installation, often for free.

Leave valuables, jewelry and large amounts of cash at home. Skip bulk diapers, wipes and pads, as hospitals usually supply them, and pack only two or three outfits each for you and your baby. Check your hospital’s policy before bringing candles, diffusers or electrical items, and ask your care team which medicines to bring.