Introduction

As your due date gets closer, it is very easy to forget something in the rush of the final weeks. Packing your bag ahead of time lets you focus only on the birth when you head to the hospital. This list is a general suggestion; be sure to also check the list from the hospital where you will give birth.

When Should You Pack It?

  • ✅ Pack your bag without leaving it to the final weeks
  • ✅ Keep it near the door, in a spot everyone knows
  • ✅ Show your partner or support person where the bag is and what is inside

Documents and Small Things

  • ✅ ID card
  • ✅ Health insurance information
  • ✅ Pregnancy records and test results
  • ✅ Phone and a long charging cable
  • ✅ Water bottle and a straw; follow your healthcare team's instructions about eating and drinking during labor or surgery
  • ✅ Small snacks

For Mom

  • ✅ Front-opening nightgown or pajamas (2)
  • ✅ Cardigan or robe
  • ✅ Nursing bra
  • ✅ Nursing pads
  • ✅ Postpartum pads
  • ✅ Comfortable underwear
  • ✅ Socks and non-slip slippers
  • ✅ Personal care items such as a toothbrush, shampoo and a comb
  • ✅ Comfortable clothes for going home

For Baby

  • ✅ Undershirts or bodysuits (3–4)
  • ✅ Sleepers or rompers (2–3)
  • ✅ Booties/socks suited to the season; a hat for outdoors. Mittens are not required; don't use loose or tie-on pieces
  • ✅ A blanket for carrying your baby while supervised; for sleep, a non-weighted sleep sack in the right size and thickness. Don't put a loose blanket in the crib
  • ✅ Burp cloths
  • ✅ Newborn diapers
  • ✅ Gentle wet wipes
  • ✅ Going-home outfit
  • ✅ A car seat that suits a newborn's height and weight and your car, and can be installed rear-facing; don't choose one by the “0+” label alone

For Your Support Person

  • ✅ A change of clothes
  • ✅ Charger
  • ✅ Water and snacks
  • ✅ ID and bank card
  • ✅ The baby car seat already installed in the car

Small Tips

  • Ask your hospital for its list; some hospitals provide diapers, clothes or care products.
  • Keep your documents in a single folder at the top of the bag.
  • Wash baby clothes ahead of time with a fragrance-free detergent.
  • Putting the baby's clothes and diapers in a separate small bag makes them easier to find.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have signs of labor, your water breaks, you have bleeding, your baby is moving less, or anything else worries you, don't wait to get the bag — contact your doctor or the hospital where you will give birth.

Summary

A bag packed in advance takes some of the rush out of the day of the birth. Use this list together with your hospital's recommendations, and show everyone at home where the bag is.

Sources

This app is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your doctor or pediatrician for decisions about your baby's health.