
What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: A Complete Checklist

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: A Complete Checklist
Here’s our handy checklist put together by the wonderful Midwife Pip for mum, partner and baby!
As you hit your third trimester and your due date approaches, one of
the tasks that comes to the forefront is packing your hospital bag.
There is nothing more frustrating than forgetting that one much needed item, and no one wants to be packing their bag while in labour, so being organised is a good idea.
However, often packing the hospital bag consumes more energy and time than it needs to. So, let’s take away the second guessing and stress by breaking things down.
What type of bag to use as your hospital bag?
There is no right or wrong type of bag to use as your hospital bag and it makes sense to try to utilise a weekend bag, small suitcase or a pushchair changing bag that you may have already to save buying new. A bag with compartments can allow for more organised packing. Also, perhaps consider having a separate bag for your birth partner such as a rucksack so that they can access all their essentials independently without rummaging through your bag. A rucksack such as the iCandy Peach 7 changing bag is ideal because when you leave the hospital, and their arms are full carrying the car seat and other bags it can just be put on their back instead.
When to pack your hospital bag?
It is good to understand that a baby is considered full-term from 37 weeks of pregnancy, but of course it is also common to still be pregnant beyond your estimated due date. The normal window for a baby to be born is between 37 and 42 weeks, but there are some babies who decide to make an earlier appearance, so it is a good idea to have your hospital bag packed and ready from around 35–36 weeks – just in case!
What to pack in your hospital bag?: Mum
Maternity notes and your birth preferences
Your playlist/music/speakers
TENS machine (if planning to use)
Clothing to birth in that is comfortable and allows you to move freely
A comfortable pillow
Some entertainment: a pack of cards, music, phone charger, books, etc.
Lots of snacks
A straw water bottle
A flannel
A wash bag and toiletries
Large cotton knickers: around five pairs
A pack of maternity pads
A comfortable bra (if planning to breastfeed, choose a nursing-style bra)
Slippers or flip-flops
Dressing gown
Comfortable nightwear
Comfortable day outfit to wear home
An extra-long phone-charging cable
Some cash and/or bank card (for paying for parking or a trip to the shop if you fancy it)
Baby
A few (3 or 4) sleepsuits
Around 3 bodysuits or vests depending on the temperature and time of year
A hat
A cardigan (if it is cooler outside)
A snowsuit (for going home if it is cold outside)
A few muslins
A blanket
Plenty of nappies (a pack of 20 is a good idea)
Cotton wool or fragrance-free wipes
Car seat (remember to practice fitting this with the help of a specialist prior to leaving for hospital)

Birth Partner
Lots of snacks (no one wants a hangry birth partner)
A change of clothes
A simple wash bag to keep them feeling fresh
Some entertainment, such as a book or podcast

Tips for making your hospital bag packing easier
In my experience it isn’t usually mum who is getting things out of the hospital bag during labour and birth, it is more likely to be your birth partner or midwife. With this in mind you might want to encourage your birth partner to pack the bag so they know where to find everything! It also worth bearing in mind who you are packing for, this will be at least 3 people - mum, birth partner(s) and baby (or babies).
For ultimate ease and organisation use packing cubes or clear bags so you can pack and labels items easily - nappies, first outfit, post-birth outfit etc. and each is in a labelled or see through bag to grab when you need. Labelling is especially useful if you are taking in clothing for your baby in different sizes (i.e. newborn and 0-3 months) so you don’t have to check labels for which size is which. It is helpful to know however that most newborn sizes will fit babies up to around 9–10 pounds.
Have a dirty bag, this saves you having baby poo stains mixing with your clean tops but also your postpartum self will thank you for this when you get home, and you can just take the dirty bag out and fling it in the wash.
Finally, remember you are unlikely to be in hospital for very long, it could be somewhere from six hours to a few days depending on you and your baby’s needs but it means you don’t need to pack for a two-week holiday and your unpacking self will be grateful to you keeping it to the essentials.
Once all packed, leave your bag by the front door with your hospital notes so you don’t forget them when the time comes. If you are planning a homebirth, I recommend having a transfer bag packed so that, should you need to go into hospital, you have everything you need ready.
Written by Midwife Pip: @midwife_pip
Pip an experienced practicing NHS Midwifery Sister, MSc, author of Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth, KGH hypnobirthing diploma, founder of the Midwife Pip Podcast, pelvic health specialist, pre and postnatal trainer and, importantly, a mum. Pip is an enthusiast of all things women’s health and wellness. Having worked with many families, for many years Pip see’s every day the void in high quality information available. Pip is on a mission to change this and to make sure that all women can access the information they deserve and need to be empowered and supported through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys.