The Essential Hospital Bag Packing List

Preparing for giving birth can be stressful, and with so many different things to think about and organise it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming! Don’t stress, we are here to help! Read on for our definitive hospital packing list for you, your birth partner, and baby, and head into labour feeling well-prepared…

For You

Labour can be a long process, so it’s important to have everything you might need to hand! The main things you should think about when doing your own packing are: what you will need for the labour itself (things to calm you down and help you feel more comfortable), what you will need to sustain your body (such as food and toiletries), and what you will need for leaving the hospital with your newborn (e.g. nursing bras and a change of clothes):

• Your birth plan
• Comfy clothes that allow you to move about, and layer for cold and heat
• Your phone and charger
• Healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, or breakfast bars are ideal)
• Your own pillow (even better, your pregnancy pillow)
• Your washbag (including your Stretch Mark Oil to help with dry skin on the ward)
• Extra hair ties (if you have long hair)
• Lip Balm (your lips can get very dry during labour, especially if it’s long)
• An eye mask and earplugs
• Any medications you’re taking
• Sanitary towels or birthing pads
• Large or disposable underwear
• Extra cash (you never know when you might need it!)
• Extra bras (and nursing bras if you’re planning on breastfeeding)
• Towels
• Your slippers
• A change of comfy clothes to wear home

For Your Birth Partner

Though your birth partner won’t need quite as much kit as you, they will still need to prepare to potentially be at the hospital for a long time - the last thing you want is them popping home to pick up something they forgot and missing the main event! Make sure your birth partner is ready and armed with:

• Snacks
• Their phone, camera, chargers, and whatever else they might need to document your experience
• Entertainment (a book or ipad, remember headphones for the latter!)
• Their own pillow 
• Toiletries and a change of clothes

For Baby

Most of the things you have for your newborn can wait at home to greet them when you arrive back from the hospital, but there are a few things that you should bring with you for the time after birth and the journey home:

• Front-buttoned babygrows
• Socks, bootees, a hat (things to warm up newborns in case they get cold)
• Your own baby blanket (especially useful for the return home)
• Muslin cloths for dribbles or spit-up
• An outfit for going home, based on the season (bring layers!)
• A car seat (set this up ready in the car before you go)

Have your bag packed and ready to go at least 3 weeks prior to your due date in case your little has an early arrival!