Hospital bag checklist: what to pack for birth
Packing your hospital bag is one of those practical tasks that is easy to keep putting off, but having it ready well before your due date removes a real source of stress. The NHS recommends having everything packed by 36 weeks of pregnancy. Labour can begin earlier than planned, and the last thing you want to be doing while timing contractions is searching the house for your phone charger. A bit of preparation now means that when the moment arrives, you can simply pick up your bag and go.
Should I pack one bag or two?
Packing two separate bags can make the whole experience more manageable at the hospital. The first is your labour bag, containing everything you need during the birth itself. The second is your postnatal bag, packed with items for the hours or days you and your baby spend recovering afterwards. Many maternity wards do not have much storage space at the bedside, and two clearly organised bags make it easier for your birth partner to find what you need quickly. Some people also find it useful to keep the postnatal bag in the car until after the birth, so there is less to carry in on arrival.
What to bring for labour
Your labour bag should cover everything from the moment you walk through the hospital doors to the point your baby is born. Your maternity notes are the single most important item: they hold your full pregnancy history and need to be with you at every appointment from around 28 weeks onwards. Carry them every time you leave the house in the final weeks of pregnancy.
Alongside your notes, bring any copies of your birth plan so that your midwife and birth partner are both clear on your preferences. Comfortable, loose clothing is more practical than anything fitted during labour. A dressing gown and slippers are useful for moving around the ward. If you plan to use a TENS machine for pain relief, pack it with fully charged batteries and practise using it beforehand so neither you nor your birth partner is fumbling with instructions at the wrong moment.
Labour can take a long time, particularly in the early stages. Snacks, isotonic drinks or juice for you, and food and drinks for your birth partner are genuinely important. Maternity wards often have limited access to food outside of meal times, and your birth partner may be there for many hours. Other practical items worth including are cash for parking and the vending machine, your phone and charger, and something to keep you entertained during a slow early labour, whether that is a downloaded playlist, headphones, or a series to watch on your phone or tablet.
- Maternity notes (essential from around 28 weeks)
- Copies of your birth plan
- Comfortable, loose clothing for labour
- Dressing gown and slippers
- TENS machine if you plan to use one
- Snacks and drinks for you and your birth partner
- Phone and charger
- Cash for parking and the vending machine
- Entertainment for a potentially long early labour
What to pack for yourself after the birth
Once your baby has arrived, your needs shift. Postpartum bleeding is heavier than many people expect, and maternity pads are essential. Disposable pants are widely recommended by midwives because they are comfortable, hygienic and easy to dispose of. If you plan to breastfeed, front-opening nightwear or loose tops make feeding easier, and breast pads and nipple cream are worth having to hand from the very start.
Pack a toiletry bag with the basics: shower gel, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and lip balm, which is commonly forgotten but useful during a long labour and afterwards. Comfortable day clothes for going home round out your postnatal essentials. Bring snacks for after the birth too. You are likely to be hungry, and hospital food is not always available exactly when you want it.
- Maternity pads
- Disposable pants
- Nightwear or loose clothing, front-opening if breastfeeding
- Breast pads and nipple cream if you plan to breastfeed
- Toiletries: shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm
- Comfortable day clothes for going home
- Snacks
What to pack for the baby
Babies arrive in a range of sizes, and you will not know exactly how big yours is until they are here. Packing both newborn and 0-3 month babygrows and vests is sensible. Many babies born at term go straight into 0-3 sizing, while others wear newborn clothing for the first few weeks. Taking two to three of each means you are covered either way. A hat is important for keeping your newborn warm immediately after birth, and mittens prevent tiny fingernails from scratching their face. A light blanket or swaddle is useful for keeping your baby snug while you are still at hospital and during the journey home.
For nappies, pack newborn size and bring some cotton wool or gentle baby wipes for nappy changes. Hospitals sometimes have a small supply of basic nappies, but bringing your own means you will not have to worry about running short.
- 2 to 3 babygrows in newborn and 0-3 month sizes
- Vests in the same sizes
- Hat and mittens
- A blanket or swaddle
- Newborn nappies
- Cotton wool or gentle baby wipes
The car seat: sort this before you go in
Your baby cannot legally travel home without a properly fitted infant car seat. This is not something you can arrange at the last minute: the seat needs to be purchased, fitted correctly and ready to use before your due date. Many hospitals and fire stations offer car seat fitting checks if you are unsure about the installation. On the day you go home, dress your baby in appropriate layers for the weather. If it is cold, use a thin layers-and-blanket approach rather than a thick snowsuit in the car seat, as the harness needs to fit snugly against your baby's body.
Frequently asked questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
The NHS advises having your bag ready by 36 weeks. Babies can arrive earlier than expected, and having your bag prepared avoids a last-minute rush.
What size babygrows should I pack?
Pack a mix of newborn and 0-3 month sizes if possible. Many babies born at or near term go straight into 0-3 clothing, while others fit newborn sizes for the first few weeks. If you know your baby is likely to be larger from scan estimates, pack 0-3 and skip newborn.
Do I need to bring my maternity notes?
Yes, always. Your maternity notes contain your full pregnancy history and are essential for any care team looking after you during labour and immediately after birth. Carry them with you to every appointment from around 28 weeks.
What do I need for the baby on the journey home?
Your baby must travel in a properly fitted infant car seat. Ensure it is installed correctly before your due date. The hospital will not let you leave without one. Dress your baby appropriately for the weather and use a blanket rather than a thick snowsuit in the car seat.
Getting ready for your baby's arrival?
Cubby tracks feeds, sleep, nappies and your baby's vaccine schedule from day one, shared with everyone who helps care for them.
Start free