Free Printable Labor and Delivery Packing List: 20 Essential Items
If you’re here checking out this Labor and Delivery Packing List, chances are you’re equal parts thrilled and nervous to be ready to bring that little one out into the world. Congratulations mama! It’s almost go-time! After having been through this process myself 6 times, and having spoken with countless other moms about their experiences, I’ve created this list of the 20 most essential items to pack for your hospital birth.
Here are the items, as well as a short summary about why they made the list. Once you’ve read it through, download your own Free Printable Labor and Delivery Packing List
15 Essential Items for your Labor and Delivery Packing List
1. Copy of your Important IDs (Photo ID, Insurance card, Hospital Forms)
Put together an envelope of these important documents for your hospital admission. You may be able to pre-register for your hospital stay online, which is wonderful!
Make sure you still keep your Insurance card and Photo ID where you won’t forget them. You’ll typically need photo ID at check in.
2. Cell Phones and Chargers
And I’m going to add here, pack an extra long charger or two. Who knows where the nearest outlet will be, especially for mom. You’ll want plenty of cell phone juice so you can call family and friends, text out pictures of your new little one, and scroll through Instagram in your down-time.
3. Birth Plan
If you have created a birth plan, make sure you bring a copy for your doctor, nurses, partner, and any other support individuals who may be coming along.
Prep your hubby/partner ahead of time so they know the most important parts of your birth plan and can help make sure you’re supported through the birthing process. Keep this birth plan simple and easy to read. Bullet point a few of your most important goals so they’re easy to see.
4. Glasses/Contacts & Solution
You’re going to be getting a lot of paperwork to look over and you’ll have other things to sign. Don’t forget glasses (if you need them) on your labor and delivery packing list.
If you wear contacts, glasses can still be nice to have as a backup. Hospitals can be really dry, and glasses may be more comfortable to wear during your stay.
5. Camera
If you have a nice camera, now’s the time for it to shine! Make sure you have the battery charged before you leave for the hospital, and that your SD card is inside and ready to go! Prep your partner on what pictures/video you would really like during/after the birth.
6. Car Seat
As far as I’m aware, there aren’t any hospitals that will allow you to take baby home without an infant car seat. Make sure you bring it! My experience has been that when we’re ready to go home, dad has to bring the car seat into the hospital, where baby is put inside and the staff makes sure the straps and everything look secure. Then dad carries baby in the carseat out to the car.
Once you get the car seat, I recommend just sticking it in the car so you’re ready to go and don’t even have to think about this anymore. One item checked off your labor and delivery packing list!
7. Snacks
Babies come when they’re ready, which sometimes means the middle of the night! We’ve had multiple times when we’ve been stuck in the hospital with no food other than what we can find in vending machines. Take snacks for down-times when you can’t get other food (and dad doesn’t want to leave you for a Taco Bell run).
I may get in trouble saying this, but snacks are great (if usually contraband) during labor as well! You’re not supposed to eat during labor per most hospital rules, but in a long labor sneaking a snack or two can really help keep your energy up.
8. Earbuds
A lot of women find music really soothing during labor. I’ve enjoyed having a labor and delivery playlist on my phone during my labors. Earbuds can also help block out surrounding noise and keep things nice and soothing. If yours are wireless, make sure you keep them well charged leading up to delivery.
9. Hair Ties / Brush / Dry Shampoo
Keeping your hair up and out of the way can be really nice during labor. I’ve done a couple of labors without an epidural, and a couple with one, and I honestly felt like it was really nice to have my hair tied back either way.
I was also really glad to have a brush and some hair product to fix my hair up afterward. Dry shampoo can be great to have along in case you’re not quite feeling up to a shower, but don’t want to feel so gross after labor.
10. Cozy Socks
The hospital can be pretty chilly, and not only can a pair of cozy socks keep you warm, but they just add that extra level of comfort! Especially when the floors are tile and extra shocking to bare feet. Make sure yours have non-slip grip, as the floors can also be slick in socks.
Your hospital will probably have a generic pair you can wear during your stay, but pack your own if it’ll help you feel more comfortable.
11. Granny Undies (or Depends)
You’ll get some really wonderful GINORMOUS pads from the hospital, and you’ll want to wear them. Trust me. These things are not going to be easy to hold in place with your cute little panties. Buy a pair of granny underwear or boxer type undies that’ll let you hold onto these huge pads.
The hospital does have some mesh ones you can use in a pinch. But something more substantial (that you can lose to the cause, since you’ll probably want to throw them out afterward) is great.
12. Nursing Bra
You may not totally need this in the hospital, but I did have my milk come in during one stay and it was brutal without a nursing bra, since my gown didn’t have a way to hold in my nursing pads, and regular bras just don’t work for nursing.
Do yourself a favor and pack one just in case. This goes hand in hand with #12
13. Nursing Pads
If you don’t pack these, the hospital probably has some you can use. My philosophy is to take home whatever the hospital regularly provides (like baby diapers) and to not use anything from the hospital that is extra. The hospital is going to charge more for these items than it costs to just bring them along.
It’s possible your milk won’t come in until after you’re home, but I still like nursing pads because they help keep things clean when I’m using nipple cream (see #13)
14. Nipple Cream
Giiiirl. Get it. Bring it. That little baby is going to chafe you up a bit (regardless of how well they latch) and having some nipple cream can really help soothe you where you’ll need it, as well as preventing cracking. Bring some from the store (like lanolin).
THEN (write this down. It’s going to be a lifesaver). Ask your doctor for Newman’s Ointment. It’s only available by prescription. It’ll change your life. It includes a little bit of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti- fungal, and it feels a slight bit numbing (like a cool, minty sensation). It not only adds a lot of extra soothing to the girls, but it helps prevent mastitis/yeast problems. I use this stuff for AT MINIMUM the first few weeks I’m nursing.
15. Toiletries
I pack travel size toiletries that I love. It’s just more calming and homey to be able to use the scent I choose, and if you decide to shower, do you really want to have to use that shampoo/body wash combo stuff you get at hotels/hospitals? It’s just brutal on the hair and I always kick myself when I have to use it.
Pack up your own body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razor… whatever will help you feel pretty and clean and relaxed!
16. Jammies or Comfy Clothing
You really don’t have to wear that hospital gown once you’ve given birth. Nothing makes you feel more like a real person than wearing your own clothing. Make sure it’s still easy for the doctor/nurse to get in where they need to (like to check your uterus). And remember you’ll still look several months pregnant for the next few days, so make sure it’s loose enough to be comfortable.
17. Pillow for Dad (or partner)
There are often places (like a fold down couch… or maybe just the couch) for Dad or another birthing partner to sleep. If you want Dad to spend the night (during labor or postpartum) it’s a nice idea to bring a pillow from home. The hospital does have pillows, they’re usually pretty flat and uncomfortable.
Leave this in the car- you don’t need to worry about it during labor, but it’s nice to have handy once it’s time to sleep.
18. Going home outfit (You)
You won’t be wearing a hospital gown home, and chances are it’s not too exciting to think about getting back into whatever maternity outfit you were wearing when you came. Pack a cute outfit for yourself to wear home! Yoga pants (probably still maternity ones) are cozy with a loose top. Once again, you will still be looking a bit pregnant at this point, so don’t even think about packing pre-pregnancy jeans.
19. Going home outfit (Baby)
It’s not absolutely necessary, as the hospital will probably put baby in a onesie. But it’s just really fun to play dress-up and bring an outfit or two you love for your new little baby! You’ll be taking pictures, and it’s nice to get to choose what baby is wearing in them.
Layers are really helpful, especially for the ride home. In the hospital you can keep baby snuggled in a blanket, but on the ride home baby will need to be buckled in the carseat, so a hat, jacket, socks, etc can help baby stay warm during the ride.
20. Your Newborn Photographer’s Contact Info
This is a shameless plug to make sure you have contact info for your newborn photographer. Don’t wait until you get home from the hospital to contact your newborn photographer! If you already have a session planned, you’re on the ball! Just reach out and let your photog know that you’re good to go.
If you haven’t scheduled your session yet, now is the time to get on your photographer’s calendar! Most photographers like to schedule baby to be in the studio within the first two weeks or so.
Labor and Delivery Packing List (Free Printable)
I hope you enjoyed this Labor and Delivery Packing List! Is there anything you would add? Comment below and let me know! To download your free printable, just click the button below.
