Hospital bag: what you need, what you won't use, and a printable checklist
When to pack your hospital bag, what you need, what the hospital already provides, and what not to forget, like the car seat Thai law requires. A printable checklist for mom, baby and dad.
Ask 10 moms who have given birth, and almost all of them will tell you, “I packed a full bag, but used less than half.” Plenty of others will say, “I forgot one tiny thing and had a hard time all night.”
So we’re not here to get you to pack more. We’re here to help you pack the right things, so your bag is lighter and you don’t forget what really matters. The full checklist is further down, ready to tick off and print.
When should you pack your hospital bag?
Quick Answer: Start packing at around 32 to 36 weeks, and keep it by the door or in the car so you can grab it right away.
Your baby won’t check the calendar before arriving. Pack a bit early, so if your waters break at 3 a.m., you can just grab the bag and go.
Before you pack, call the hospital once
Quick Answer: Many hospitals already provide basic supplies. Asking first can make your bag half as heavy.
These questions are all you need:
- Does the birth package include diapers, baby clothes and postpartum pads?
- What does the room have: towels, soap, hospital gowns?
- Is there a birth registration point in the hospital?
- Can dad stay overnight?
7 things moms say they “packed but never used”
Quick Answer: Pretty things, lots of things, and things the hospital already provides are the three groups that usually go home unopened.
- Lots of baby outfits. Most babies wear hospital clothes throughout the stay. The outfits you bought only get worn on the day you go home.
- A big pack of diapers. Many hospitals provide them during your stay. Bring just a few for the trip home.
- A full makeup kit. Honestly, hardly anyone has the energy for makeup. Lip balm and face cream are enough.
- Pretty pajamas that don’t button at the front. They make breastfeeding very awkward. Go for ones that open at the front.
- Books or work you plan to do. You’ll have much less free time than you think (trust us).
- Baby toys. Newborns don’t need them yet.
- Bottles and formula. If you plan to breastfeed, talk to the nurse first. Many hospitals provide them if needed.
Things moms wish they hadn’t forgotten (from experience)
Quick Answer: Small items that make hospital life much easier, and the things you need for going home.
- A long charging cable. The outlets in hospital rooms are often far from the bed.
- Bendy straws or a water bottle with a straw, so you can drink lying down without getting up.
- Lip balm. The air conditioning and heavy breathing during labor make your lips very dry.
- Hair ties. Tiny, but you really can’t do without them.
- Non-slip sandals. You need to be careful walking to the bathroom after the birth.
- A loose enough outfit for going home. Your belly doesn’t shrink right after the birth, so you can wear a maternity dress home.
- A car seat. This isn’t just a “nice to have”. It’s the law (read on below).
Car seats: required by Thai law, but many families don’t know
Quick Answer: Since September 5, 2022, Thai traffic law requires children up to 6 years old to sit in a child safety seat, and that includes newborns on the day they go home.
If it were us, we’d buy and install a rear-facing infant car seat before month 9. Try installing it yourself once first, because the first time usually takes longer than you think. If you’re unsure, many car service centers and car seat shops can check it for you.
Documents: keep them in one envelope, grab them in one go
Quick Answer: Parents’ ID cards, the prenatal record book, the hospital card, insurance documents and the house registration book.
The house registration book matters more than you’d think, because after the birth, parents must register the baby’s birth within 15 days, using the birth notification issued by the hospital. Have all the documents ready from the start, and you can register the birth quickly without running home to fetch anything.
Tips for packing so things are easy to grab
- Use cloth pouches or zip bags by category: mom’s things, baby’s things, documents, delivery room
- Put the delivery room bag on top
- Tuck a checklist inside the bag so whoever is with you can find things for you
- Tell dad or whoever is coming with you where everything is ahead of time, because by then mom may not have the energy to say a single word
Checklist (tick and print)
Tick away, this device will remember.
Documents (in one waterproof envelope)
For mom
For baby
Check with the hospital first. Many provide these during your stay
Small bag for the delivery room
Dad / whoever comes with you
Questions parents ask
01At how many weeks should I pack my hospital bag?
Start packing at around 32 to 36 weeks, and have it ready to grab by 36 weeks in case the baby comes early.
02What does the hospital provide? Do I need to bring my own?
Every hospital is different. Many include diapers, baby clothes, postpartum pads and basic supplies in their birth package. Call or ask the hospital for its list before you pack, so you don't bring duplicates.
03Do I need to bring a car seat to the hospital?
Have it ready before the day you go home, because since September 5, 2022, Thailand's Land Traffic Act requires children up to 6 years old to sit in a child safety seat. Install it in the car before your due date.
04What documents do I need to bring for the birth?
Mom's and dad's ID cards, the prenatal record book, the hospital card, health insurance or healthcare coverage documents, and the house registration book (ทะเบียนบ้าน), which you'll use to register the birth.
05Within how many days do I need to register my baby's birth?
You must register the birth within 15 days of the day your baby is born, using the birth notification issued by the hospital. Some hospitals have a birth registration service point, so ask when you're admitted.
06Should mom's and baby's things go in separate bags?
Two bags, or separate pouches in one bag, make things much easier to find. We also recommend a small extra bag for the delivery room, with only what you need while waiting to give birth.
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