What You Should Bring To The Hospital

The arrival of your new son or daughter is a time of excitement and joy. It's often a hectic time as well, so it can be difficult to remember to pack everything that you need to bring to the hospital.

About a month before the baby's due date, you should make sure you have the following items. Pack as many beforehand as you can. Use the following checklist as a guide to getting organized for the big event.

Items For Mom

Note that your hospital will supply you with a gown, slippers, disposable underwear, and basic toiletries. While it’s nice to have your own clothes with you, labor and the first few days postpartum is a notoriously messy time, and you may not want to bring out your brand-new lingerie.

  • Nightgown and bathrobe
  • Slippers
  • Bra and nursing bra
  • Breast pads
  • Socks (several pair)
  • Underwear (several pair)
  • Hair ties, "scrunchies"
  • Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, lip balm, lotion, deodorant
  • Comfortable and loose fitting clothing to wear home

Items For Baby

  • Going home outfit for baby
  • Receiving blanket
  • Warm clothing to wear home/heavy bunting or blanket (if cold weather)
  • Baby socks
  • Baby hat (especially for cold weather climates)
  • Baby car seat. (Call the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT for more information on the safety rating of a particular model.) A car seat is required by law and should be properly installed in your car before you go to the hospital.

Items For Labor Coach

  • Stopwatch, or watch with a second hand for timing contractions
  • Phone list of contacts to announce birth to friends and family; cell phone, phone card, calling card, or change for calls
  • Snacks and drinks for the coach, and, if allowed by the hospital, for you
  • Massage rollers, massage oils to relieve back pain due to labor
  • The object you've chosen to use to focus your attention during labor (the "focal point")

Items For Hospital Staff

  • Health plan insurance card
  • Hospital admissions papers (you may have to be pre-admitted)
  • Pregnancy medical file; over-the-counter and prescription medication information
  • Birth preferences
  • Your pediatrician’s name and contact information, so the hospital can let the office know your baby has arrived

Other Important Items

  • Money for parking
  • Camera, still or video or both, film, batteries, videotapes
  • Books, magazines
  • Music (portable music player; favorite tapes, or CDs)
  • Inspirational items such as rocks, crystals, lockets, and photographs.



Review Date: 12/9/2012
Reviewed By: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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