Packing your hospital bags can be one of the most stressful things (besides knowing the fact that you’re about to have a baby soon!) No matter if you are having a baby in the winter, spring, summer or fall you don’t want to be running back and forth getting items that you forgot.

Hopefully, by now you have completed your third-trimester to-do list or are in the process of completing any last-minute checklists. You want to make sure your house is stocked up with food, toiletries, diapers, wipes, and any other necessities that you use on a daily basis.

Don’t forget to put together your postpartum recovery kit before your baby comes. You don’t want to be running to the store anytime soon since your body will be sore and still recovering from labor.

Before we dive right into items to pack let’s start off with when to pack your bags.

Like I say to all my readers make sure to read to the bottom of the post to make sure that you don’t miss anything!

When To Pack A Hospital Bag 

You don’t stress too much about when to pack a hospital bag. But if you are like me I have stressed anyways! Talk to your OBGYN or Midwife about when a good time would be. A good time frame is around 37 to 38 weeks because you never know exactly when your little one will arrive unless you have a set induction or c-section date.

I remember when I packed my hospital bag. I was so excited so I packed early thinking I was going to go into labor early. And when I say early I pack at 36 weeks! That was a big mistake because every time I would see our hospital bags It was a reminder that I was not having a baby yet…and our sweet little girl came three days late.

I was so excited to pack my hospital bag but I was also very NERVOUS! I didn’t want to forget anything. It is like packing for a vacation you are bound to forget at least one thing! But in this situation, I wanted to have everything.

Truth is, you do not need to bring your or your baby’s whole closet. Depending on what type of delivery you have you may want to pack a few more extra things just in case you end up staying longer than anticipated. I am glad I packed a few more changes of clothes for my husband and extra things for me. Because we ended up staying in the hospital for three days after having our baby due to some heart complications.

To help with your preparation I have made a checklist of items mamma, baby and daddy need for a winter hospital bag!

For Mamma 

Moms that deliver vaginally on average stay in the hospital for one or two days. If a c-section is done staying in the hospital is typically four to five days.

When packing a hospital bag keep in mind how long your stay may be. You may also want to look ahead at the weather. That way to can plan ahead to leave your house a little early so that you can drive safely and get to the hospital in plenty of time. You can even check and see what the hospital provides so that you know what items you don’t need to pack.

Most hospitals will provide diapers, wipes, maternity pads, and mesh underwear. If you go on a hospital tour make sure to ask what they provide so that you know ahead of time what the hospital will provide.

Use this list to pack for the mom-to-be hospital bag: 

1. Winter Coat

2. Cozy Non-slip socks

3. Warm & Comfy Winter Clothes To Go Home In

4. Photo ID, Insurance Information, and Birth Plan

5. Winter Hat

6. Robe To Wear In The Hospital

7. Eyeglasses (if you wear them)

8. Chapstick

9. Ponytail Holder Or Headbands

10. Your Own Pillow

11. Healthy Non-Perishable Snacks

12. Nursing Bra/Maternity Bra

13. Nursing Pads

14. Toiletries

15. Maternity Underwear 

16. Blanket

17. Nursing Pillow

18. Towel

19. Small Shampoo & Conditioner Bottle

20. Body Soap

21. Winter Boots

For Baby

Surprisingly your little one won’t need much. Most hospitals provide diapers and wipes and may even send you home with extra. The hospital also provides a had and a blanket for your baby but if you would like to bring one you can. Here are the essentials to pack:

1. Super Warm Going Home Outfit

2. Hat

3. Socks

4. Warm Blanket

5. Burp Cloths

6. Pacifier

7. Fleece Booties

8. Car Seat

9. Hand Mittens

For Daddy

You’ve now packed a bag for mom and baby but, don’t forget to pack one for daddy-to-be! Pack things to keep your partner entertained since you will most likely be there for a day or two. Here is a checklist for your partner’s bag:

1. Winter Coat

2. Hat

3. Warm Winter Clothes

4. Winter Boots

5. Ipad Or Computer

6. Cell Phone And Charger

7. Toiletries

8. Pillow

9. Warm Blanket

10. Snacks

11. Warm Socks

Most of the items in the hospital bag will be for you. Dad and baby don’t need too much at the hospital. When you bring your baby home you will use A LOT of stuff! You also want to make sure your newborn has the necessities at home before they arrive.

Once you get the hospital bags packed with what you need and you feel satisfied, find an easy spot to put them near the front door so when it is time you can grab and go! Packing your hospital bag is so exciting. I have said before it is a little overwhelming especially if you are a first-time mom since you have never done this before and you don’t want to miss anything!

I packed and re-packed our hospital bag a few time just to make sure I had everything we needed. And to be honest, the first time I packed our hospital bag I basically packed our closets so I re-did ours a few times.

Once I officially packed our hospital bag it was a lot smaller and a lot less stuff then the first few time. And guess what? we had everything we needed. I was able to fit all of our stuff into one bag plus my husband had a small bag to carry his necessities like his phone, camera, book, iPad and a few snacks. Don’t stress and if you need to spend a few days slowly packing your bags. Just so that you can make sure you have everything you need!

If you do happen to forget something don’t panic I am sure a family member would be nice enough to grab what you forgot!

Hope that you found this list helpful! What is one thing that you are excited about the most!? Let me know in the comments below! 

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