Hospital Packing List Guide for Mom, Dad, and Baby

When I was getting ready for the end of my pregnancy, I was wondering what to take to the hospital when being induced. I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on my hospital packing list for my delivery and share tips with fellow moms-to-be.

Post originally written in 2015; updated in 2020.

I read a lot of articles on what to pack in your labor and delivery suitcase and many of them were repetitive, and some had some great ideas that I haven’t thought of. So here is what I packed, and my discussion on whether I used the items or not. Read on for your perfect hospital bag checklist for mom and baby!

My Labor and Delivery Hospital Packing List – what to take to the hospital when being induced

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For Mommy – General:

Sweat pants
Several tank tops/t-shirts
Robe
Maternity Jeans or Leggings
Sports bras/nursing bras
Underwear
Pads
Warm hospital socks
Slippers
Toiletries – for showering, teeth brushing, deodorant, etc that you would travel with plus lip balm
Hair ties
Sweatshirt (that zips in the front)
Cell phone chargers
Camera
Purse with ID and insurance cards
Granola bars

For Mommy – Labor:

Birth ball
Tube sock with two tennis balls (counter pressure and massage) – awesome advice from my doula
Birth plan (with copies)
Cards with inspiring quotes that my doula gave me
Entertainment: DVDs, Kindle, music
Gatorade

For Baby:

Clothes: sleep sack and onesies
Hat
Socks
Special going home outfit
Swaddle blanket
Car seat
A couple of diapers, just in case

For Hubby:

Pillow and blanket
Change of clothes
Toiletries

Did my hospital packing list serve me well?

Overall I think I did well with my packing list. I knew they wouldn’t let me eat, but I also know that I get light-headed if I don’t eat, so we packed a lot of Gatorade with us to keep me alert. The birth ball was awesome for my labor and I am so glad I brought it.

As for the entertainment – I didn’t use it at all. We didn’t watch any of our DVDs during labor and I didn’t even turn my Kindle on. We tried to get the music going during pushing, but it wasn’t working.

The first two days I spent in hospital gowns, so most of my clothing went unused. But I left the hospital in my maternity clothes because of the post-delivery body issues. I also used the hospital mesh underwear so I wouldn’t soil my own and their pads (because OMG people! it is like a period from hell).

I was really happy I packed some extra items for the baby because the hospital photographer people came and I was happy we had a cute yellow sleep gown to put Baby H in. I’m glad I had a decent looking shirt for myself since I was in a few of the photos. The photos turned out so lovely. The hospital provided diapers and wipes as well as some socks and shirts for the baby so we didn’t really need to use what we brought.

Hubby stayed with me the entire time I was in the hospital and camped out on the bench cot thing so he definitely needed his own bag. So there you have it, this is what I remember from my hospital packing list.