The Best Hospital Bag Checklist!

This isn’t television. When those contractions hit, the last thing you’ll want to do is run around looking for the outfit you bought months ago for the baby to take their birth announcement pictures in. Babies are on their own schedule so you’ll want to start preparing your bags around 36 weeks. Preparing your hospital bag can be both exciting and overwhelming. You’ll read tons of lists and hear 60 people tell you what you do or don’t need. 

Don’t worry, I’m here to make this easy. I mean… in reality all you need to have a baby is yourself and a carseat. BUT there are some things that can make your stay more enjoyable. So I’ve come up with a list to help you cover your needs without looking like you’re moving into the hospital. 

Getting to the point of packing your bag is such a fun milestone. While thinking of your own items, consider practicality and comfort. You want to make sure you’re relaxed and as comfortable as possible. So consider items that will make the hospital a little more homely. For example, I absolutely LOVE Ralph Lauren pillows. Hospital pillows are as thick as paper. So I purchased new pillows and pillowcases to take with me. To pack, I used one large suitcase for myself, dad and baby. Within that suitcase I organized our items using packing cubes.  And then I also utilized her diaper bag. 

When it’s time to head home, don’t forget to take the items from the hospital room! Those are yours! There will be plenty of things that you can use for baby or for your postpartum recovery that you can take from the hospital. Empty. Those. Drawers. Items like diapers and wipes will be provided at the hospital. So you don’t HAVE to fill your diaper bag with those items from home. However, if there’s a certain brand you’d prefer then of course, bring them. 

Here’s my Hospital Bag Checklist! You can also print it to add notes of your own. Check out my Amazon List to shop my Hospital Must Haves.