Hospital bag checklist for mom, partner and baby
Short answer: pack three small lists instead of one big one. Mom needs documents, comfortable clothes and toiletries. The partner needs a change of clothes, snacks and a charger. The baby needs a going-home outfit, a blanket and a car seat ready in the car. Before you buy anything, ask your hospital what it already provides.
For mom
- ID, insurance card and any hospital paperwork or pre-registration forms
- A printed copy of your birth plan, if you have one
- Phone and a long charging cable
- Loose, comfortable clothes or a robe, warm socks and slippers
- Nursing bra or comfortable bra, and roomy underwear
- Toiletries: toothbrush, lip balm, hair ties, glasses or contact lens case
- A loose going-home outfit
- Snacks and a refillable water bottle (check what is allowed)
For the partner
- A change of clothes and a warm layer
- Toiletries and any personal medication they take
- Snacks, water and some cash or cards for parking and vending machines
- Phone charger or power bank
- A small pillow, if your hospital allows partners to stay
For the baby
- Going-home outfit in newborn and 0–3 month sizes
- Hat, socks and a swaddle or blanket for the weather
- A few diapers and wipes, if the hospital does not provide them
- An infant car seat installed in the car before the due date — many hospitals check this before you leave
Check with your hospital first
Hospitals differ on what they hand out (pads, diapers, gowns), how many support people can stay, and what food is allowed. A two-minute call can remove half the list. Write the answers down as questions for your next checkup so you don't forget to ask.
Keep the list where you can tick it
A paper list works, but it is easy to lose and hard to share. In Cradlio the hospital bag checklist comes ready-made in three sections (mom, partner, baby), shows your progress, lets you add your own items and shares the list as text with your partner — free, with no sign-up.
This is general preparation information, not medical advice. Follow your hospital's and care team's instructions.
FAQ
When should I pack my hospital bag?
Many parents aim to have it packed a few weeks before the due date, so it is ready if the baby comes early. Ask your care team when they suggest having it ready.
Does the hospital provide diapers and pads?
Many hospitals provide some basics, but it varies. Call or check your hospital's tour page and cross off whatever they supply.
Does my partner need a separate bag?
It helps. A small bag with a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks and a charger keeps the partner from leaving to fetch things at the wrong moment.