The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist for New Moms in 2025
The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist for New Moms in 2025
Preparing for your baby's arrival is exciting, but packing your hospital bag can feel overwhelming. What do you really need? What can you skip? And most importantly, when should you pack it?
As a mom-founded company, we've helped thousands of parents prepare for their hospital stay. This comprehensive hospital bag checklist covers everything you need for labor, delivery, and those precious first days with your newborn.
When Should You Pack Your Hospital Bag?
Pack your hospital bag by 36 weeks (or earlier if you're having multiples or have any complications). Even if you're planning a home birth, it's smart to have a bag ready just in case you need to transfer to a hospital.
Pro tip: Keep your bag by the door or in your car so you're ready to go at a moment's notice!
Choosing the Right Hospital Bag
Before we dive into what to pack, let's talk about the bag itself. You'll want something:
- Spacious enough to hold 2-3 days worth of items
- Easy to carry when you're in labor or recovering
- Durable and wipeable (hospitals can be messy!)
- Stylish because you deserve to feel good
Our Weekender Travel Bag is specifically designed for hospital stays. It's roomy, has multiple compartments for organization, features wipeable vegan leather, and looks elegant in photos. Many moms also bring a Signature Diaper Bag for all the baby items.
What to Pack for Mom
Documents & Essentials
- ✅ Photo ID and insurance cards
- ✅ Hospital pre-registration paperwork
- ✅ Birth plan (multiple copies)
- ✅ Phone charger (extra long cord!)
- ✅ Wallet with cash and credit cards
Clothing for Labor & Delivery
- ✅ Comfortable labor gown or oversized t-shirt (the hospital provides gowns, but many moms prefer their own)
- ✅ Robe or cardigan (hospitals are cold!)
- ✅ Non-slip socks or slippers
- ✅ Sports bra or nursing bra (2-3)
- ✅ Hair ties
Postpartum Clothing
- ✅ High-waisted underwear (disposable or ones you don't mind ruining)
- ✅ Nursing-friendly pajamas or loungewear (2 sets)
- ✅ Going-home outfit (think comfortable, not pre-pregnancy clothes)
- ✅ Comfortable shoes
Toiletries & Personal Care
- ✅ Toothbrush and toothpaste
- ✅ Face wash and moisturizer
- ✅ Shampoo and conditioner
- ✅ Body wash
- ✅ Deodorant
- ✅ Lip balm (hospitals are dry!)
- ✅ Hair brush
- ✅ Glasses or contacts (if needed)
- ✅ Makeup (optional, but nice for photos)
- ✅ Your own pillow (in a colored pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up)
Hospital Tip: Most hospitals provide basic toiletries, but having your own favorites makes you more comfortable.
Comfort Items
- ✅ Snacks (granola bars, crackers, nuts)
- ✅ Water bottle with straw
- ✅ Bluetooth speaker for music
- ✅ Essential oils (lavender for relaxation)
- ✅ Massage tools or tennis ball for back labor
- ✅ Eye mask and earplugs
What to Pack for Baby
Clothing
- ✅ Going-home outfit (newborn AND 0-3 month sizes - you never know!)
- ✅ Onesies (2-3)
- ✅ Sleepers (2-3)
- ✅ Socks or booties
- ✅ Hat and mittens
- ✅ Swaddle blankets (2)
- ✅ Weather-appropriate outer layer (jacket or bunting for cold weather)
Note: The hospital provides diapers, wipes, and basic clothing during your stay, so you mainly need the going-home outfit.
Baby Gear
- ✅ Infant car seat (MUST be installed before you go!)
- ✅ Pacifiers (if you plan to use them)
- ✅ Bottles (if you're planning to bottle feed)
- ✅ Receiving blankets
For Feeding
- ✅ Nursing pillow (optional but helpful)
- ✅ Nipple cream
- ✅ Breast pads
- ✅ Formula and bottles (if formula feeding)
What to Pack for Your Partner
Don't forget about your support person! They'll need:
- ✅ Snacks and drinks (hospital cafeteria hours are limited)
- ✅ Change of clothes
- ✅ Toiletries
- ✅ Phone charger
- ✅ Pillow and blanket (hospital chairs aren't comfortable)
- ✅ Entertainment (book, tablet, etc.)
- ✅ Cash for parking and vending machines
What NOT to Pack
Save space by leaving these at home:
- ❌ Jewelry or valuables
- ❌ Your entire makeup collection
- ❌ Too many outfit options (you'll be in pajamas most of the time)
- ❌ Newborn diapers (hospital provides these)
- ❌ Baby bathing supplies (you won't bathe baby until you're home)
Organizing Your Hospital Bag
Use the compartment method to stay organized:
- Main compartment: Clothing and larger items
- Front pockets: Documents and essentials you need quick access to
- Side pockets: Snacks and water bottle
- Separate smaller bag: Baby's going-home outfit and items
Consider using a Monaco Snack Bag to keep all your snacks organized and separate from everything else. Many moms also pack a Petit Diaper Bag just for baby's items to keep things separated.
Hospital Bag Packing Timeline
32-34 Weeks
- Purchase or gather all items
- Wash baby clothes
- Install car seat
35-36 Weeks
- Pack your bag completely
- Place it by the door or in your car
- Make sure your partner knows where everything is
37+ Weeks
- Do a final check
- Add any last-minute items
- Relax knowing you're prepared!
After Baby Arrives: The Bag You'll Actually Use
Here's something many new moms don't realize: the bag you take to the hospital isn't necessarily the bag you'll use every day with baby.
For daily outings with your newborn, you'll want something more compact and organized. Our Signature Diaper Bag is perfect for everyday use with 9 organized pockets, stroller straps, and a changing pad included. If you prefer something smaller, the Petit Monaco Diaper Bag is ideal for quick trips.
Pro tip: Many moms get both! Use the Weekender Travel Bag for the hospital and longer trips, and a Signature or Petit for daily use. Check out our Bundle Deals to save when you purchase multiple bags!
Final Tips for Hospital Bag Success
-
Pack two bags if needed
- One for labor, one for postpartum
-
Label everything
- Use a colored pillowcase or luggage tag
- Take photos of your packed bag so you remember what you brought
- Leave room for items you'll receive at the hospital (samples, paperwork, gifts)
-
Don't stress
- Hospitals have most essentials if you forget something
What Moms Wish They'd Known
We asked our Luli Bebé community what they wish they'd packed (or wish they'd left at home):
Wish I'd Brought:
- "A longer phone charger - the outlets were far from the bed!"
- "My own pillow made such a difference"
- "Snacks! I was SO hungry after delivery"
- "A going-home outfit in a bigger size than I expected"
Wish I'd Left at Home:
- "I packed way too many outfits - I lived in the hospital gown"
- "All those baby outfits - we only used the going-home outfit"
- "My breast pump - the hospital had better ones"
Ready to Pack Your Hospital Bag?
Now that you have the complete checklist, you're ready to pack with confidence! Remember, the most important things are your documents, a few comfort items, and a going-home outfit for baby. Everything else is just a bonus.
Need the perfect bag for your hospital stay? Browse our Weekender Travel Bag Collection - designed by a mom who knows exactly what you need. Available in 6 beautiful colors to match your style.
Questions about what to pack? Drop a comment below! Our community of moms loves to share their experiences and tips.
Shop This Post:
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Weekender Travel Bags
- Perfect for hospital stays
-
Signature Diaper Bags
- For everyday use with baby
-
Petit Monaco Diaper Bags
- Compact option for quick trips
-
Bundle & Save
- Get multiple bags and save
