What to pack in your hospital bag

As a general guide, it’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag at least three weeks before your due date¹. 

It’s good to bear in mind that only around 1 in 20 babies arrive on their due date¹, so having your hospital bag ready ahead of time means that you’ll have one less thing to think about when your baby decides to make an appearance. It will also mean you’re covered if your baby decides to come early. 

Before you get packing, it’s a good idea to check with your midwife and where you plan to give birth. It may be that they have rules around what you’re able to bring, or provide a hospital bag checklist of their own.

As you prepare for labour and birth, the most important thing is to feel calm, relaxed, and supported. Take a look at our hospital bag checklist for the things you’ll need during your labour and after you’ve given birth:

• Birth plan and hospital paperwork.
• Something loose and comfortable for giving birth - a T-shirt is ideal. If you’re planning a water birth, a bikini or tank top would be a good choice for the birth pool.
• A portable fan. Look for one that sprays water - hospitals can get quite hot, and this can be a welcome relief.
• Hair ties or a scrunchie to help keep your hair back during labour.
• A water bottle - it’s essential to stay hydrated during labour. Top tip: Pack one with a sports lid or a straw to make it easier to drink from.
• A TENS machine, if you plan to use one. TENS tends to be more effective for pain relief during early labour. Check that it’s in good working order and pop spare batteries into your hospital bag, just in case. Before making a decision, chat with your midwife, who can provide helpful advice about using your TENS machine and whether it’s right for you. Keep in mind TENS machines do not work for everyone and check with your HCP or midwife if it is safe to use.  If you’d rather not buy a TENS machine, you can rent one, and your midwife should be able to provide you with more information about how to do this².
• Nursing bras (we’d suggest 2-3) or comfortable and supportive bras.
• Breast pads.
• Maternity pants and pads are a post-birth must for your hospital bag. We suggest taking 1-2 packs.
• A few pairs of knickers, comfy PJs, front-opening nighties, a dressing gown, and slippers. Some flip-flops may come in handy for that post-birth shower, too.
• Toiletries such as your toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, and deodorant. Lip balm is also a great shout, as your lips can get very dry in labour.
• Something weather-appropriate and comfy for your journey home.

Whether you opted for an elective C-section or just want to be prepared for every eventuality, here are a few things to include on your C-section hospital bag checklist:  

• Magazines, books and your iPad or tablet to keep you occupied. If you're having a planned C-section, you're likely to be admitted a few hours beforehand. You’re also likely to be in the hospital for a few days afterwards.
• High-waisted cotton knickers - these will sit above your scar and be less likely to catch or irritate it.
• Front-opening tops that make breastfeeding easy. 
• Loose-fitting clothes that aren’t too tight on your scar. Bring a few changes of clothes to make sure you’re covered for a few days. 
• Slip-on shoes so you don't have to bend to put them on. 
• Cleansing wipes - freshen up easily without numerous trips to the bathroom.

Sometimes, babies just decide to come early. If you haven’t packed your hospital bag in time, rest assured that hospitals are very well equipped to deal with early babies and will provide most, if not everything that you and they need. Your doctor and midwife will also be there to provide any help and support you need when it comes to feeding and general care.

Just focus on you and your baby. There’ll be plenty of time to get the things you need once you’ve got a clearer idea of how long you’re likely to be in hospital.

As Sebastian’s mum says, “My first baby surprised us all by coming early. I hadn’t packed a thing and felt very unprepared. I needn’t have worried, as the hospital staff were fantastic and ensured that my baby and I had the things that we needed until my partner had the chance to get my things together. During my second pregnancy, I made a point of packing my hospital bag at around week 30 - it’s never too early!”

Once you’ve given birth, your focus will be on enjoying those first incredible moments with your baby. Having an easy-to-follow hospital bag checklist can be a real time-saver, making sure you’ve got everything your baby needs right on hand. 

Here are a few new baby basics you’ll need to pack in your hospital bag ahead of your due date: 

• Hats, scratch mitts and babygrows. We’d suggest packing at least four sets.
• Nappies - if you have space, bring a full pack.  
• Muslin squares.
• Fragrance and alcohol-free baby wipes or cotton wool for changing.
• Going home outfit. Keep an eye on the outside temperature so your baby is dressed appropriately for the weather; they should wear a hat for at least the first 24 hours after birth, both inside and outside³.
• Baby car seat suitable for newborns.

You’ll also need a few things to get your feeding journey started, whether you have decided to breastfeed or formula feed:

• A nursing pillow.
• Nipple cream.
• A breast pump and sterilised bottles if you’re considering bottle-feeding with expressed breast milk.
• If you’re formula feeding, a starter pack of ready-to-feed infant formula with sterilised teats is a good call. Most hospitals won't provide you with formula, and don’t have the facilities you need to prepare feeds using powdered formula.
• Colostrum harvesting kit. If you’ve been expressing and freezing your colostrum in the last few weeks of your pregnancy, you could ask your birthing partner to bring it to the hospital ready for when your baby is born.

If it’s been decided that your baby needs to come earlier than your due date, you’ll still need all the things on your hospital bag checklist - you’ll just need them a tad sooner. These things include: 

• Smaller-sized clothes - many clothing shops have a small or early baby range.
• Nappies to fit premature babies. 
• Baby and story books that you can read to your baby. Talking and reading to them can help them to recognise your voice.
• Front-fastening tops and nighties to make any skin-to-skin contact easier. 
• Hand lotion. If your baby needs additional care, you’ll likely have to get used to washing your hands more than usual.

If you’ve chosen to have your partner or anyone else with you during your labour and birth, our hospital bag checklist has them covered, too. Our top ideas include:

• A variety of healthy and nutritious snacks - they’ll need to keep their energy up, too.
• Water bottle. Preferably one with a sports cap.
• Magazines, books or a tablet will come in handy for any waiting around. 
• A pillow to get some rest. Hospital chairs are not renowned for their comfort, and they won’t be offered a bed, regardless of how long you’re in hospital.
• A change of clothes - in case they want to freshen up.
• Phone and charger.

To make sure you’re fully prepared for labour and birth, here are a few final tips for you to bear in mind: 

• While there are no set rules about the size of your hospital bag, remember that space may be a little tight, particularly if you’re on the maternity ward.
• Make sure you’ve got enough room for a 2-3 night stay. Some hospitals are really big, and you may have a bit of a walk to get to where you need to be. A cabin-hold-sized wheelie case can make things a little easier. Alternatively, choose a spacious holdall that you might use for a weekend away.
• Write your birth plan. Eve’s mum says that this was “a great way to feel empowered and in control of my pregnancy and birth. I’d recommend writing one to any parent-to-be - just don’t forget to pack it in your hospital bag!’
• To keep your skin from getting too dry, take Daisy’s mum’s advice: “Hospitals can get really warm and dry out your skin, especially if you’ve used gas and air and feel dehydrated. Pack a lip balm and a bottle (or two) of water (with a sports cap for easy-drinking) in your hospital bag.”
• One of our midwives suggests packing a separate, smaller bag of baby essentials that you can easily find. “If you need to go to theatre, or things move in a hurry, this will help your birthing partner focus on supporting you rather than trying to gather everything you need from your bigger hospital bag.”
• When it comes to the journey home, Jack’s dad suggests having your car seat fitted ahead of time: “Hospitals won’t let you take your baby home without a car seat. Make sure you practice using it well before going to the hospital, and if you’re using Isofix, make sure the base is installed ahead of time… no one wants a battle with a car seat in the car park after having a baby!”