The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Giving Birth

For those of you approaching the end of pregnancy, you might be feeling the weight of it all- both literally and emotionally. The anticipation is exciting, but the physical discomfort can be tough. Just a reminder to all the parents-to-be out there that it's okay to feel overwhelmed.

Here are some ideas to help you prepare your hospital bag ready for baby's birth day! I hope you find the article helpful in your preparations.

Preparing Your Hospital Bag

Whether you are choosing to birth in a hospital or at home it is worth packing a birthing bag.

A hospital bag is essential for all hospitals births, but for home it can provide easy access to the things you may need during labour, birth or postpartum. It also provides an easy way to grab a bag if a transfer to a hospital is required.

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag

You can start packing whenever you want to but it's a good idea to pack your hospital bag during the third trimester. Try to have it ready by week 35 in case your baby decides to arrive early.

• Keep the bag handy in case your baby arrives earlier than expected. I kept mine by the front door.

• Double-check the bag with your birth partner to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.

• Consider packing a hospital bag checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything important.

Packing Tip!

Why not use pods or wet bags to ensure everything is clean, neat and organised? If you put things in separate bags it can help to have a little note in your birth bag (eg. "baby clothes in rainbow pod, mum's CSP in galaxy wet bag") so that a midwife or partner can help find items easily for you.

Showing your birth bag to your birth partner and making a list is really handy, so they know where to find things for you or baby.

What to Pack In A Hospital Bag for Mum

Labour and Delivery Essentials

• Hospital file and medical records

• Birth plan if you made one

• Comfortable clothing for labour

• Dressing gown and socks

• Lip balm, deodorant, body lotion

• Water spray and sponge

• Comfortable pillow(s)

• Relaxing entertainment such ipod, headphones or speakers

• Tens machine - good for labour & postnatal recovery

• Eye mask and earplugs

• Hair ties

• Wash bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash

• Glasses or spare contact lenses

• Any regular medications you need to take

Post-Delivery Recovery

• Nightdresses

• Post partum maternity pads (consider reusable cloth pads. 10 pads for a short stay or 20 for a longer stay)

• Several pairs of comfortable underwear that you don't mind getting messy (consider period pants 4-5 pairs)

• Nursing bras

• Nursing pads (consider reusable breast pads)

• Slippers or comfy slip on shoes to wear on the ward

• Wash bag with basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)

• Hairbrush & hair clips or ties

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding pillow

• Phone and charger

• Comfortable loose clothing for you to wear home

• Snacks and isotonic drinks

• Peppermint tea and chewing gum (for post caesarean)

• Wet bag dirty clothes to be sent home for washing

What to Pack In A Hospital Bag for Your Baby

New Baby Essentials

• Babygrows and vests (allow 5 per day)

• Socks and booties

• Baby hat

• Scratch mitts

• Cord tie

• Blanket

• Nappies allow 10 per day(consider reusable nappies)

• Wipes (consider reusable wipes for quicker gentler clean ups)

• Muslin squares

• Check with your unit whether you need to bring bottles or formula if you are planning on formula feeding.

• Going-home outfit

• Car seat for the trip home

• Wet bag for sending dirty nappies/wipes/clothing home for washing

Top Tips!
Remember to prewash clothes and reusable nappies. It's particularly important to prewash reusable nappies a couple of times which means they'll be more absorbent, perfectly ready for baby to use!

If you're using muslins as nappies practice folding before baby arrives. There are printable guides for nappy folds on The Nappy Lady website which can really help in those early days. Remember the Jo fold can be prepared in advance and stored in the correct fold so nappies are pre folded ready to pop on baby.

What to Pack for Your Birth Partner

Partner Essentials

• Snacks and water bottle

• Phone charger

• Camera

• Toiletries

• Spare glasses or contact lenses

• Small pillow

• Entertainment

• Comfortable clothes

• Healthy snacks

• Small change or payment card for vending machines

Comfort and Entertainment

Labour Comfort and Entertainment

• Music or white noise machine

• Massage ball or other comfort measures

• Books or magazines

• Phone and charger

• Camera

Snacks and Drinks

Labour and Post-Delivery Snacks

• Healthy snacks (e.g. granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)

• Water and other hydrating drinks

Personal Care Items

Toiletries and Personal Care

• Toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush)

• Deodorant

• Lip balm

• Body lotion

• Flip flops

What not to bring to bring

• Too much clothing for baby. You'll find baby will largely be in babygrows and vests.

• Jewellery you'd be sad to lose

• Any other valuables

• Large amounts of money.

Packing Tips

How to Pack Your Hospital Bag

• Pack a hospital bag with essentials for mum, baby, and birth partner

• Keep the bag organized and easy to access. Consider pods and wet bags to keep everything neat and tidy

• Consider packing a hospital bag checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything important

• Pack your hospital bag at least 3 weeks ahead of your due date, in case your baby decides to arrive early

Now Relax!
Once you have your hospital bag packed make sure you relax and enjoy these last weeks before baby's arrival.