If you are planning to have your baby in a hospital, one essential task on your to-do list is to get a hospital bag packed. This bag will accompany you during your stay at the hospital for the delivery of your baby, ensuring you have everything you need to welcome your little one into the world comfortably.

The third trimester of pregnancy can be a very busy time for expecting parents. Trying to figure out what to pack, and what is better left out of a hospital bag can be a huge task. Maybe you’ve already been wondering what, when, and how you should pack this important hospital bag and gotten overwhelmed with all of the options.

Today, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of what you should pack in your hospital bag along with valuable tips to make sure that you’re well prepared for the big day.  

Keep reading for more details.

Packing Tips

• Choose a small bag. You will most likely only be in hospital for 24-36 hours. Storage space tends to be limited. You can always pack an extra bag of additional items you may need for a longer hospital stay and leave this at home. Your support person can go home and pick up this extra bag, if needed, after the baby has arrived
• Have your bag packed and ready to go by 36 weeks pregnant
• Keep items that you intend to use during labour at the top of your bag for easy access
• Label your items with your name. Things can become lost in hospitals and will be easier to reunite with their owner if labeled
• Don’t pack valuable or sentimental items as sometimes things can get lost at hospitals
• Brightly colored items are harder to misplace at the hospital or accidentally end up in the hospital laundry
• Make sure your labour support person is aware of where the bag is in case you are unable to get the bag yourself before having to go to the hospital

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For Labour

• Hot water bottle or heating pad
• Birth ball (if hospital doesn’t have one or you want to use your own)
• Two nightgowns or long t-shirts (if you don’t want to wear a hospital gown) such as the gowns by Lila or Ella Bella. These gowns are specifically designed to be comfortable and stylish while still accessible for medical procedures or labour comfort measures.

• Pair of warm socks
• Hairband, headband, hair elastic, or barrette to keep your hair off your face
• Lip balm
• Favourite juice, tea, or frozen juice bars. Most labour and delivery units will have a kitchen space with a fridge/freezer that patients are able to use.
• Snacks for you and your support person
• Personal comfort itemsPillow – make sure you use a bright and colorful pillow cover so you can easily distinguish your pillow from the hospital pillows
• Blanket – again, bring one you can easily tell apart from the hospital ones
• A focus point. A picture or photo that has special meaning for you that you can focus on during contractions.
• A list of Labour Comfort Measures and/or Labour Positions that feel comfortable for you.
• Camera or video camera if you don’t have a smart phone (be sure to check the hospital’s policies on recording births)
• A playlist of relaxing music. Don’t forget to pack headphones or ear buds in case you need to use these.
• Handheld massage tools or tennis balls
• Flip flops for shower. Try them out at home to make sure that they do not slip when wet
• Bathing suit/bathing top for yourself (if you want to wear a top while in the shower/tub)
• Slippers with a non-slip sole
• Glasses – don’t wear contacts during labour & delivery
• Large Towel in a bright color. The hospital towels are often small and scratchy. Having a towel from home can be much more comfortable. Keep in mind that light colors could get misplaced or mixed up with hospital laundry. We recommend bringing a brightly colored one to avoid this from happening.
• Many people recommend bringing hard candies. These are fine for the early parts of labour. However, during the tougher parts of labour, we recommend using lollipops instead as candies could potentially become a chocking hazard.

Personal Items/Toiletries

• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Hair Care Products
• Skin Care products
• Make Up
• Contact Lenses with Solution. This is for after you have given birth. Wear your glasses during labour and delivery.
• Lanolin Nipple Cream. A great one is the Lansinoh Nipple Cream

• Breastfeeding Pads
• Deodorant
• Any prescription medications that you regularly take and may need. Be sure to check with nursing staff and your primary caregiver before taking any medications during labour
• Large Sanitary Pads if you don’t want to use hospital ones. Don’t use tampons right after giving birth. Most healthcare professionals recommend that you wait until 6 weeks after giving birth before using tampons.

For the Support Person

• Change of Clothes
• Bathing Suit if your support person will be supporting you in the tub/shower
• Essential toiletries
• Sleeping bag or bedding along with a pillow. Bring brightly colored items. Most hospitals will provide some sheets and/or blankets, but others may only provide a sleeping mat/surface or recliner type chair.
• Comfortable clothing to sleep in
• List of Important Contacts if the contacts aren’t programmed into your or your support person’s phone. We do recommend that you store numbers of anyone you want called in your phone for easy access.

For Postpartum

• Comfortable clothing for daytime such as sweatpants or yoga pants and a T-Shirt. You can also bring comfortable pyjamas if you prefer. If breastfeeding, pick tops that can easily accommodate breastfeeding.
• Comfortable shoes. Slip on ones often work the best. Some people get swollen feet after giving birth. So, bring shoes that are comfortable, easy to put on, and have a little give in case your feet swell.
• Several pairs of loose-fitting Underwear. The hospital will usually provide a pair of mesh panties with pads but if you prefer to wear your own underwear, bring comfortable ones from home.
• Bring ones that do not have any underwire in them.
• Clothes for the ride home. Bring ones that are maternity sized or loose fitting. You won’t return to your pre-pregnant size immediately after giving birth. That will take a bit of time. Pack clothes that you will be comfortable in.

For the Baby

• Disposable Diapers or Cloth Diapers. Many hospitals will provide a few diapers for after baby is born. Check with your local hospital to see what they will be providing. Even if you are planning on using cloth diapers for your baby, we usually recommend using disposable diapers for the first few days. Baby’s first poop, also known as meconium, can be very sticky and is sometimes hard to get off cloth diapers.
• Baby Wipes. Many hospitals will provide dry wipes to use on baby. Some parents find it easier to use commercial baby wipes to clean baby’s first poop.
• Undershirts or Onesies
• Newborn Sleeper outfits
• Newborn hat
• Receiving blankets
• Scratch Mittens
• Seasonal items such as a warmer blanket or outdoor hat
• An Infant Car Seat that is approved by Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Make sure that is not expired. Look for dates and proper Canadian labelling on your car seat to ensure it is one approved for use in Canada. Make sure that your car seat is properly installed in your vehicle.

We recommend that you read the information at the following links to ensure you choose the right car seat and install it correctly

 

Other Items You May Want to Pack

• ID such as your Driver’s License
• BC Services Card (if your personal health number is not listed on your driver’s license)
• Long Phone Charging Cable with charger. Some hospital rooms do not have many accessible power plugs. Bringing a long charging cable will give you more options when you need to charge your phone. Label your charging cable and charger. These are some of the most common items that are left behind in hospital rooms.
• Camera if you aren’t using a smart phone.
• Eye Mask. While hall lights are usually dimmed in most hospitals, it is often still a bit too bright for some people to get some sleep. An eye mask can help block out even more light.
• Ear Plugs. These are especially useful if your hospital has shared rooms and you happen to be in one of these shared rooms.
• Change for Vending Machines

By thoughtfully preparing and packing your hospital bag, you will be ready to greet your baby with comfort and confidence.

Do you have something else that you think should be added to our list? Please email us and let us know.

Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy, and best wishes for a smooth and joyful delivery experience!

Remember, you can get a free copy of our Ultimate Hospital Bag Packing Checklist in an easy to use printable format

Sign up to our mailing list, at the bottom of this page, and a free packing checklist will be emailed to you.