The nursery is almost ready, the onesie with the prettiest print is already hanging in the closet, and suddenly everyone's asking: have you packed your hospital bag yet? Your hospital bag is the bag that's ready to go the moment labor starts. That way, there's nothing left to think about when it happens.
The short answer: pack your hospital bag around weeks 36 to 37, even if you're planning a home birth. It holds your documents, comfortable clothes and toiletries for you, a first outfit for your little one and a few things for your partner. Below you'll find the full checklist, plus our tip for the handiest bag.
When should you pack your hospital bag?
Pack your hospital bag around weeks 36 to 37 of your pregnancy. From 37 weeks you're full term and your baby can arrive at any moment. If you start earlier, you have plenty of time to spot what's still missing.
Planning a home birth? Pack a bag anyway. Sometimes a birth doesn't go as planned and you need to go to the hospital after all. And if you're hoping to go home the same day, you'll still want your things together.
A few things that make it easier:
- Keep the bag in the same spot by the front door, so nobody has to look for it.
- Agree with your partner who grabs what at the last minute, like your phone, charger and insurance card.
- Ask your hospital what they already provide. Not every hospital has diapers, maternity pads or baby clothes ready for you.
Checklist for you
You're the main character, so start with your own things. Go for comfort above all: loose, soft and easy to put on and take off.
Documents and money
- ID and insurance card
- Bank card and a little cash
- Your prenatal records and, if you have one, your birth plan
- Phone numbers for your midwife or doctor, the hospital and your postnatal care
Clothes
- A loose shirt or nightgown to give birth in, preferably cotton
- Pajamas or comfortable clothes for afterward
- Roomy underwear that fits maternity pads well
- A nursing bra (handy even if you're not breastfeeding)
- Warm socks and slippers
- A cardigan or sweater
- An easy outfit for the trip home
Toiletries
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant
- Hairbrush and hair ties
- Lip balm (your lips can get dry from all the breathing)
- Shower things and a towel
- Maternity pads
Food, drinks and the rest
- A water bottle with a straw
- Snacks like glucose tablets, granola bars or crackers
- A treat for after the birth, because you've earned it
- Your phone, a charger with a long cable and a power bank
Tip: keep your toiletries and documents in a separate pouch. You can take them out in one go without rummaging.
Checklist for your baby
Your little one needs less than you think. You don't know exactly how big your baby will be yet, so bring two sizes.
- Two sets of clothes in newborn and 0–3 months: bodysuits, pants and tops or sleepsuits
- Wrap-style bodysuits, which you can put on without pulling them over your baby's head
- Two hats and a pair of socks
- A cardigan or jacket for the trip home
- A blanket or swaddle
- A few muslin cloths
- A pack of newborn diapers and baby wipes
- A changing mat, handy if you need to change your baby on the go or in the car
Don't forget the car seat. Without an approved car seat, your baby can't ride home in the car. So put it in the car ahead of time, or next to your hospital bag by the door.
Checklist for your partner
Your partner is there for hours too and may stay the night. A small bag of their own, or their own compartment in your hospital bag, saves a lot of searching.
- ID, bank card and some change for the vending machine or parking
- Clean clothes and underwear in case it takes longer
- Toothbrush and deodorant
- Food and drinks: a long labor makes your partner hungry too
- Phone and charger, and maybe a camera for the first photos
Tip: feel free to leave the car seat and the things for the trip home in the car. Your partner can grab them as soon as you're allowed to go home.
Want it all on one page? Download the checklist as a PDF.
Which bag should you use as a hospital bag?
Lots of parents pack a weekend bag or a small suitcase. That works, but you'll end up digging for that one charger at the bottom. Our tip: use your diaper bag as your hospital bag. You'll need it anyway, and this way it's already packed and ready to go.
A BAERE Amsterdam diaper bag is made for exactly this:
- At 56 x 38 cm, it's roomy enough for your things and your baby's.
- Thanks to the 6 handy slip pockets, everything stays organized and nobody has to dig around endlessly in your bag.
- The zip pocket inside keeps your documents, bank card and phone separate.
- The sturdy fabric keeps the bag upright, so you can easily open it with one hand.
Here's a smart way to organize it: baby things in the main compartment, your toiletries in a pouch and anything you need to grab quickly in the side pockets. Slide the changing mat in flat along the side.
After the birth: from hospital bag to diaper bag
Once you're home, you unpack the hospital bag and its second life begins. Take out your own things and fill it with what you need when you're out with your baby: diapers, wipes, a spare outfit and a muslin cloth. You'll find exactly what to pack in our diaper bag checklist.
That way the bag comes along on the first walk, to your baby's first check-ups and for that first coffee out. And when the diapers are long gone, you just use it as a shopper or weekend bag. For more than just diapers, right?
Still busy with the rest of your prep? Take a look at our blog on the baby essentials list too.
Hospital bag FAQ
When should my hospital bag be ready?
Around weeks 36 to 37. From 37 weeks you're full term and labor can start at any moment.
Do I need a hospital bag if I'm having a home birth?
Yes. With a home birth, you may still need to go to the hospital. With a packed bag, you won't have to look for anything.
How many maternity pads should I bring?
One pack is enough for the first few hours. Ask your hospital what they provide.
Does my partner need to bring a bag too?
It's handy if your partner is staying the night. Their own compartment in your hospital bag works fine too.
What's the best bag to use as a hospital bag?
A large bag with compartments, like a diaper bag. You'll find everything quickly and keep using it after the birth.
