What Should I Pack in My Hospital Bag?

Your midwife can advise you on your hospital bag

If you’ll be giving birth in your local hospital, then your midwife will know what it offers to new mums in terms of supplies so you can decide whether to bring your own nappies, face masks and hand sanitiser, for example.

Alternatively, you might decide to take a maternity ward tour in the last few weeks of your pregnancy and ask staff what are the labour bags essentials and the labour bag desirables.

When should I start packing my hospital bag?

You can start packing your bag whenever you feel the need to. However, according to the NHS, you should have it ready to go by 37 weeks. Some women like to start putting in basic items like babygrows, hats and mittens from around 20 weeks, especially if they’ve found out the sex of the baby.

If you start packing your hospital bag with the basics from 30 weeks or so, then even if you go into labour early, you’ll have most of the things you need for the birth.

What sort of bag should I buy for the birth?

You don’t have to buy any particular sort of bag for your labour bag, but you might want to use one with partitions and pockets so that you’re not confronted with a big jumble.

You’ll almost certainly be very tired after the birth and rummaging around in a seemingly amorphous mass for your phone charger can be a real pain. Put things like tubes of creams and shower gels into one easily accessible pocket, phones, chargers and other devices in another and so on.

A wheeled suitcase is an even better option and if you know you’ll be having a Caesarian section, moving a suitcase on wheels can be easier than lugging a bag around by its strap.

Does the baby need their own hospital bag?

This is a great idea, especially if you know you’ll be staying in hospital for a few days after the birth. Clothes, nappies, wipes and toiletries take up a surprising amount of space so you may find that two bags is best. Your baby’s hospital bag could seamlessly transition into their everyday change bag, so check out our range here.

Whatever the style, leave your hospital bag by the front door

Once you’ve packed everything you need for labour, you should leave your bag (or bags) by the front door so you or your partner can grab it en route to the maternity ward. 

So, now you’re primed and ready for some packing action, here’s everything you’ll need for your labour bag.

The big hospital bag checklist

• Your maternity notes - these are especially important if you have to head to the hospital in a hurry. 
• Loose clothes - to make the journey home more comfortable.
• Your favourite toiletries - you’ll probably have a shower after the birth and having your usual shower gel, toothpaste, body lotion and deodorant will help you to feel a little more like yourself.
• Your birth plan - most women include this in their notes, but you might keep yours separate, so don’t forget it.
• Your labouring outfit - you’ll need comfortable clothes that are loose and easy to put on, take off or open. Labour can make you feel hot and cold with no rhyme or reason and you might want to get dressed to wander about a bit, especially in the early stages.
• Comfortable slippers or flip-flops - for those wanderings.
• Your books, podcasts, music, portable speakers, puzzles and magazines - labour can actually be a bit boring at times, especially if you’re being induced or waiting for a C-section so you’ll need something to keep you occupied. 
• High-energy snacks and lots of fluids - drinks cartons with straws are particularly helpful and a range of easy-to-eat snacks such as dried fruit, nuts and preprepared smoothies are handy too.
• Accessories - no one’s suggesting you wear your best pearls for labour, but hair ties and clips are invaluable if you need to keep your hair off your face. Lip balm and body lotion can also help you to feel more comfortable.
• Thick fluffy socks - lots of women feel very cold immediately after delivering their baby, so a pair of socks will help to keep your feet warm.
• Your contact lenses, solution and any medication you’re currently taking - although you may be in a hospital, it can take a while to replace your meds, so don’t forget yours.
• Your baby’s car seat - you can’t leave hospital without it.

Your post-birth hospital bag supplies

• Large and very absorbent maternity pads - you will bleed and lose fluids after the birth, even if you’ve had a C-section, so be prepared. 
• Huge knickers! Sorry, we had to add the ! Whichever size knickers you’re wearing in the last month of pregnancy, buy a load more in the next size up (sorry). They’re not glamorous, but you will love them anyway. Make sure you get some that come up above any potential C-section incision for added comfort.
• Big towels, preferably dark in colour - giving birth is a messy business and so old dark towels that you can wash when you get home is a great help.
• A nursing bra or three - be prepared for your boobs to grow by another cup size when your milk comes in! 
• Some muslins - newborns can be messy eaters and so some clean muslins will make those early feeds a bit easier for you both.

Your baby’s hospital bag

After all, he or she is the reason for going to hospital, right?

• Lots of vests and babygrows - keep the clothing simple for the first few days as you’ll be sleep deprived, sore and, well, wondering which way is up. However many vests and suits you initially pack, bung in a few more.
• A warmer babygrow or sleepsuit for the going-home outfit - unless it’s the height of summer, your baby might feel a bit chilly on their first outing into the world. Bring a baby blanket as well as it's useful in strong sun and cold winds.
• A few hats - who doesn’t love a newborn in a hat? Hats are also useful for retaining body heat as newborns can’t regulate their own temperature.
• Scratch mittens - lots of new parents are shocked by how long their baby’s nails can be, especially if they came along a little late. Babies also have no idea what they’re doing and can clutch at their own faces with their tiny talons.
• Nappies - if you’ve decided to go down the reusable nappy route then why not start while you’re in hospital? All you’ll need is your cloth nappy bundle and a wetbag and you’ll be on your reusables journey before you’re home.
• Reusable wipes - for nappy changes and general cleaning up of that lovely newborn skin and hair (ahhh, we can smell it from here…).

Your birth partner’s hospital bag

OK, your birth partner is probably a bit more mobile than you are, but do you want them nipping off home or to the shops to pick up snacks or clean socks?