The Essential Hospital Birth Bag Checklist Every Expecting Parent Needs

Don't overpack or under pack for your hospital stay. Here are your doula - approved must haves for your hospital birth.

Take it from us—your friendly neighborhood doulas who've supported thousands of families across Central Florida over the past decade—here’s what you really need to pack in your hospital birth bag. We’re sharing our tried-and-true favorite brands—the ones we trust as doulas and know really work for birth, recovery, and baby. Please know that the links below are our affiliate links to our Amazon shop.

DOULA - APPROVED MUST HAVES:

• Car seat - We love the 3 in 1 car seat option that can adjust as your child grows.

• Phones and extra long chargers (x2)

• Driver's License & insurance card

• Comfortable labor and birthing gown

• Comfy button down sleepwear

• Robe

• Comfortable nursing bra - made sustainably and from organic cotton

• Nursing tank - we love Pact garments because they are made sustainable and from materials like organic cotton

• Breathable loose pants/skirt

• Postpartum panties (x3)

• Easy slide on shoes

• Super cozy socks - these are made of wool

• Your own pillow - because the hospital pillows are truly the worst.

• Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, nipple balm, lip balm, deodorant

• Hair brush, hair ties, and hair clips

• Snacks for you and your partner

• Electrolyte powder

• Baby's first going home outfit - 2 piece is recommended to avoid contact with the umbilical cord

• Headphones or ear plugs to drown out the alarms and beeps

• Sleep mask

• Music + speaker

• Heating pad - great for labor and after birth cramps

• A soft blanket - hospital rooms are freezing and the linens are quite stiff and thin. Prioritize your sleep!

• Breast pump - when a lactation consultant comes around, ask for a tutorial on your specific breast pump and to check the sizing on your flanges

• A tumbler with a bendy straw for labor.

This isn't a must have item but I highly recommend bringing a few essential oils. Birth can have funny or foul smells at times and it REALLY helps save the embarrassment if you can mask some of the bodily odors with a the aroma of Lemongrass or Lavender! It's an added bonus because aromatherapy is known to enhance your mood!

We hope you enjoyed our checklist of items to pack for your hospital birth! Check out our blog for other super informative posts about all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

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Contributing Writer(s) for CFBN: In Joy Birth. This content may contain opinions that may or may not be shared by all CFBN Members. The content provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice; it is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical health professional.

Author Bio

Heather Rich and Alyssa Lake are the dynamic duo behind In Joy Birth, bringing their expertise and passion to new and expecting families. They have over a decade of experience and have served thousands of families over the years as labor and birth doulas and postpartum doulas as well as doula mentors. We share evidence based information and sprinkle in a touch of holistic alternatives to keep our clientele informed. Our passion lies in educating and empowering new and expecting parents.