Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist for Anxious Moms
If you're the kind of mom who ruminates about how delivery day is going to go and rereads every baby product review, you’re in the right place. Packing your hospital bag shouldn’t add to your stress!
Think of it as a controllable variable in a world of uncontrollable ones when it comes to giving birth and stepping into newborn parent life. Even if you forget something (which you won’t, I promise!) everything is figure-out-able and your support system (partner, family, doula) and hospital staff are going to do everything they can to get you what you need.
Consider this your calm, clear, you’ve-got-this guide curated by a postpartum doula who has supported hundreds of families.
Below is everything you truly need for mom, baby, and your partner, plus a bonus section with extra items that help anxious moms feel grounded and in control.
What to Pack for Mom (The Essentials)
These are the items almost every mom actually uses during labor and postpartum recovery.
✔️ Your hospital paperwork + ID
Keep it in an easy-to-reach pocket.
✔️ Birth plan (if you have one)
Keeping your birth plan simple makes it easier for everyone to support you the way you want.
✔️ Phone + charger with a long cord
Hospital outlets are weirdly far from the bed.
✔️ Comfortable robe or loose cardigan
Preferably something that can open in the front for nursing or skin-to-skin.
✔️ Nursing-friendly pajamas or a gown
You’ll want something soft, non-restrictive, and easy to get on/off.
✔️ Non-slip socks or comfy slippers
Hospitals run cold and floors are… floors.
✔️ Going-home outfit
You’re going to want soft leggings or joggers and a loose top. You’ll still look about 6 months pregnant, which is totally normal and expected.
✔️ Toiletries
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Lip balm (the air is DRY)
Hair ties / scrunchie
Face wash + moisturizer
Dry shampoo
Deodorant
✔️ Snacks
Labor is long. Hospital cafeterias close. Enough said.
✔️ Water bottle with straw
Makes drinking during labor and breastfeeding way easier.
✔️ Heavy-duty postpartum pads or adult diapers
The hospital provides some, but you may prefer your own.
✔️ Nipple balm
Even if you’re unsure about breastfeeding, it helps with dryness.
✔️Shower shoes
Going barefoot in a hospital shower is not what we want for you.
What to Pack for Baby (The Essentials)
Hospitals supply a surprising amount, so you don’t need a ton.
✔️ Two going-home outfits
One backup in case of spit-up or blowout.
✔️ Onesies or sleepers
Bring 1–2 if you prefer your own over hospital onesies.
✔️ Swaddle or wearable blanket
Some babies love the hospital swaddles, others break out like ninjas.
✔️ Car seat (installed in the car)
They won’t let you leave without this.
✔️ Baby blanket
For the ride home or extra warmth during snuggles.
What the hospital usually provides: diapers, wipes, hats, formula (if needed), suction bulb, bath supplies.
You can register for a lot of these things. If you need help with setting up your baby registry, be sure to check out my virtual service here!
What to Pack for Your Partner
Partners always think they need nothing until they’re sleeping in jeans on a plastic couch. But also when I say what to pack for your partner, I mean they can pack this all themselves. You are not their mommy. But if they’re looking for some guidance:
✔️ Change of clothes
Or two.
✔️ Toiletries
Just the basics.
✔️ Pillow + blanket
Their bed is basically a glorified chair, so bringing a pillow and blanket helps.
✔️ Snacks + drinks
For everyone’s sake.
✔️ Phone charger
They need to keep their phone charged to relay all the messages from family and friends!
✔️ Entertainment
Headphones, Kindle, something to pass long hours.
✔️ Cash or card for vending machines / parking
Surprise parking fees are a universal experience.
Extra Things to Bring If You’re an Over-Anxious Mom
Not required, but VERY comforting for moms who like to feel ultra-prepared.
Calming + Grounding Items
✔️ A small essential oil roller (lavender or peppermint)
For labor anxiety or nausea.
✔️ A mini handheld fan
Helps with hot flashes during labor.
✔️ A grounding object
Something that feels comforting like a stone, stress ball, bracelet, or even your favorite scrunchie to hold.
✔️ Noise-canceling earbuds
Hospitals can be loud. These help you rest.
✔️ Portable Speaker
To play whatever music makes you feel more at home or at peace.
Control + Organization Tools
✔️ A folder for paperwork
For things like birth certificates, discharge papers, and feeding logs. This keeps them all contained.
✔️ A “hospital cheat sheet” card
Numbers for the nursery, lactation consultant, and nurse’s desk.
✔️ A small bag for dirty clothes
No mixing your cozy robe with hospital gowns.
✔️ Extra-long list on your phone of “things to grab last minute”
Like makeup bag, pillow, wallet, charger. Reduces spiraling.
Comfort Items That Make the Stay Feel Less… Hospital-y
✔️ Your own pillowcase
Makes the room feel more familiar and looks better in photos.
✔️ Warm socks or slippers
If your anxiety rises when you feel cold.
✔️ Your favorite blanket
Hospitals can feel cold and impersonal, so a soft blanket from home really helps.
✔️ A mini makeup or skincare routine
Not required at all, but feeling a little more like yourself can reduce anxiety.
What You Don’t Need to Pack (Even If You’re Spiraling)
This is where anxious moms can overdo it. You can confidently leave these home:
✘ A ton of baby outfits
✘ Fancy postpartum underwear
✘ Breast pump
✘ Full makeup kit
✘ Giant towels
✘ Laptop
✘ Multiple swaddles
✘ Books you won’t touch once contractions hit
The hospital provides so much more than you think, and anything you forget can usually be brought later.
Other Things You Can Do to Reduce Anxiety Before Delivery Day:
Feeling anxious before birth is incredibly common, especially if it’s your first time or you’re the type who likes to feel fully prepared. A few small habits can make a huge difference in how grounded and confident you feel walking into the hospital.
Do a practice run with your partner.
Take a quick drive to the hospital, figure out where to park, and know which entrance to use after hours. Removing the “unknowns” helps your brain relax.
Pack your hospital bag early.
Even if it’s just the basics, having it by the door gives you an instant sense of control and readiness.
Create a simple birth preferences sheet.
Keep it short and easy to read. It’s not about scripting the whole experience! It’s about communicating what matters most to you so your care team can support you.
Talk through your biggest worries.
Whether it’s with your partner, your doula, or a trusted friend, saying your fears out loud often takes away some of their power.
Practice a breathing technique you like.
You don’t need anything fancy. Slow inhales through the nose and long, gentle exhales help calm your nervous system almost instantly.
Limit the late-night Googling.
Stick to reliable sources or ask your doula instead. Endless scrolling usually fuels more fear than clarity.
Set up a few comforting things at home for postpartum.
Knowing your cozy robe is washed, your pads are stocked, and your freezer has a few meals can reduce so much mental clutter.
Focus on what is in your control.
You can’t predict every moment of labor, but you can prepare your support team, your space, and your mindset.
Remind yourself that you’re not doing this alone.
Your nurses, doctor or midwife, and your doula are all there to guide you. You don’t have to have everything figured out! You just have to show up, and you’re already doing that beautifully.
If you’re an anxious mom, preparation is your superpower! It means you care deeply and want to show up for your baby in the best way possible. This checklist covers everything you truly need, plus a few comforting extras that help you feel settled, grounded, and ready for whatever your birth experience looks like.
You’ve got this. And your bag is officially packed.
Looking for more resources to support your exciting new journey into motherhood? As a postpartum doula, I specialize in helping you create a calm and easy environment to bring your baby home to where you feel supported and confident. From sleep programs to ask-me-anything-calls, I’m here to ease your anxieties and help make the postpartum weeks blissful instead of stressful!
