What to Pack for the NICU: A Hospital Bag Checklist for Parents

Check with your unit first

Many NICUs limit what can be brought to the bedside, and the rules differ from hospital to hospital. KidsHealth advises checking with the nurse before bringing toys, decorations, or other items into your baby’s space. If they’re allowed, they should be easy to clean, so no stuffed animals. Some hospitals let parents tape pictures to the outside of the incubator. KidsHealth.

So the list below is mostly for you, the parent. For anything meant for your baby, check with your unit.

Hand hygiene matters most of all. KidsHealth notes that everyone who comes into the NICU must wash their hands before they enter, and March of Dimes says clean hands help protect your baby and other babies from serious infections. March of Dimes. The CDC calls soap and water the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. When soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. CDC. A small sanitizer for the car or your bag is handy, but follow your unit’s handwashing routine at the bedside.

Documents, insurance card, and chargers

Keep your ID and insurance card with you. You may be calling your insurer from the hallway, and you’ll need your baby’s information to add them to your plan. St. Luke’s notes you may need your baby’s birth certificate and Social Security number to sign up. St. Luke’s. Our guide to paying for a NICU stay covers the deadlines.

A long charging cord and a small power bank help in case the outlet isn’t close to your chair. Earbuds let you take calls or listen to something calming without disturbing other families.

Pumping supplies

If you’re pumping, ask the unit what it provides (pump, kits, containers, labels) and what you should bring from home. Pack a pumping or nursing bra, nursing pads, and a water bottle. Our pumping guide for NICU moms covers more.

The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water before each use and cleaning pump parts as soon as possible after pumping. For babies born prematurely, under 2 months old, or with weakened immune systems, it recommends sanitizing pump parts at least once a day. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your hospital’s practices. CDC.

Comfort and clothes for skin-to-skin

If your baby is ready for skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care, wear something that opens down the front. The American Academy of Pediatrics says to “simply wear clothing that opens down the front.” HealthyChildren.org. During skin-to-skin, your baby is usually dressed in just a diaper and a hat, placed on your chest under your shirt, with the shirt loosely closed over them for warmth. KidsHealth. Read more in our guide to kangaroo care in the NICU.

Hospital temperatures vary, so layers help. Comfortable shoes, lip balm, and hand lotion make long days easier. Ask your unit whether scented products are OK. Bring any medications you take, and if you’re recovering from a birth, ask your own care team what you need.

Snacks and water

It’s easy to forget to eat when you’re watching monitors. KidsHealth puts it simply: when you take care of yourself, you’ll be more rested and better able to care for your baby. KidsHealth. Keep a refillable water bottle and snacks that don’t need a fridge in your bag. Ask your unit where you can eat and drink, and whether there’s a fridge for parents. Policies vary, so check yours.

A notebook

A simple notebook helps you keep track of your baby’s weight, feeding changes, names of nurses and doctors, and the questions that come to you at 2 a.m. Bring it to rounds. Our questions to ask the NICU team list is a good place to start.

Printable NICU bag checklist

Print this out and check off items as you pack. Cross off anything your unit doesn’t allow.

You don’t have to pack everything at once. If a friend or family member asks how they can help, hand them this list and let them bring a refill of snacks, a fresh change of clothes, or the charger you left at home. Small, specific jobs are often the easiest for people to say yes to. Our guide on how to help a friend with a baby in the NICU has more ideas you can share.

Want to put together a bag like this for someone else? See our NICU care package ideas. Every year we build care baskets for NICU moms in the Treasure Valley. You can help fill one by making a donation.