Hospital Bag Essentials: What to Pack
A practical checklist of items to pack for you, your birth partner, and your newborn for your hospital stay.
As your due date approaches, having a well-packed hospital bag ready becomes increasingly important. Whether you're planning a natural birth or caesarean section, staying one night or several, being prepared helps you feel more confident and comfortable during your hospital stay. This guide covers all the essentials you'll need for yourself, your birth partner, and your new baby.
When to pack: Aim to have your bag ready by 36 weeks for a single pregnancy or 32 weeks for twins or multiples. Keep it in an accessible place, and make sure your birth partner knows where it is.
Essential Items for Labour
The items you'll need during the birth itself deserve special attention. Consider packing a separate, smaller bag for these essentials so they're easily accessible when you arrive at the hospital:
- Birth plan: Several copies of your preferences for labour and birth
- Maternity notes: Your antenatal records and any hospital paperwork
- Comfortable clothes: A loose nightdress or t-shirt for labour (front-opening if you plan to breastfeed)
- Warm socks: Labour rooms can sometimes be cool
- Lip balm: To prevent dry lips during breathing techniques
- Water spray or facial mist: For cooling down during labour
- Hairbands or clips: To keep hair off your face
- Massage oil or lotion: If you plan to use massage for pain relief
- Birthing ball: Check if the hospital provides these or bring your own (deflated)
- Music: A small speaker or headphones with a prepared playlist
- Snacks and drinks: Energy-boosting foods and isotonic drinks
- TENS machine: If you plan to use one for pain management
For Your Hospital Stay
Once your baby has arrived, you'll need items for your recovery and hospital stay. Pack these in your main bag:
- Nightwear: 2-3 front-opening nightdresses for breastfeeding
- Dressing gown and slippers: For walking around the ward
- Underwear: 5-7 pairs of comfortable, high-waisted briefs
- Maternity pads: 2-3 packs of heavy-flow pads
- Nursing bras: 2-3 well-fitting, comfortable bras
- Breast pads: If you plan to breastfeed
- Toiletries: Shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush
- Towels: 2 dark-colored bath towels
- Going home outfit: Comfortable clothes (you'll likely still look 6 months pregnant)
- Phone and charger: With a long cable if possible
- Eye mask and earplugs: Hospital wards can be bright and noisy
- Entertainment: Books, magazines, tablet, or e-reader
- Glasses or contact lenses: Plus supplies if needed
- Snacks and drinks: Nutritious options to keep your energy up
For caesarean births: Also include high-waisted cotton underwear (several sizes larger than usual), loose fitting clothes for going home, and a small pillow to protect your wound during the journey home.
For Your Newborn
Your baby will need their own essentials. Pack these items for your little one:
- Bodysuits: 4-6 short-sleeved bodysuits (newborn and 0-3 months sizes)
- Sleepsuits: 4-6 with built-in mittens if possible
- Hat: 1-2 soft cotton hats
- Scratch mittens: 1-2 pairs
- Socks or booties: 2-3 pairs
- Cardigan or jacket: 1-2 depending on the season
- Swaddle or blanket: 2-3 cotton or muslin blankets
- Nappies: At least 20 newborn-sized nappies
- Cotton wool or baby wipes: For nappy changes
- Nappy bags: For disposing of used nappies
- Going home outfit: Weather-appropriate clothes for leaving hospital
- Car seat: Properly installed in your vehicle before the birth
For Your Birth Partner
Your birth partner should also pack essentials for potentially long hours at the hospital:
- Snacks and drinks: To keep energy levels up
- Change for vending machines: In case of a long labour
- Phone and charger: For updates to family and taking photos
- Camera: If you want higher quality photos than a phone
- Comfortable clothes: Including a change of clothes and sweatshirt (hospitals can be cold)
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, deodorant, etc.
- Entertainment: Books, tablet, etc., for quiet periods
- Contact list: Phone numbers of people to update after the birth
- Pillow and blanket: For comfort during overnight stays
Important Documents
Don't forget these essential documents and administrative items:
- Maternity notes: Your complete antenatal records
- Birth plan: Multiple copies for your medical team
- Insurance information: Details of any private healthcare coverage
- Hospital registration forms: If completed in advance
- ID and proof of address: For administrative purposes
- Cash or credit card: For parking or hospital amenities
- Contact information: For your midwife, doula, or other support people
Comfort and Personal Items
Consider these additional items to make your stay more comfortable:
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils or room spray (check hospital policy)
- Comfort object: A special pillow or small personal item
- Photos: Images for focus during labour
- Journal: To record thoughts or birth details
- Water bottle: With a straw for easy drinking during labour
- Nursing pillow: If you plan to breastfeed
- Hand-held fan: For cooling during labour
Final Packing Tips
Remember these practical considerations when preparing your hospital bag:
- Pack separate bags for labour, your stay, and your baby to keep things organized
- Use ziplock bags to organize small items and keep toiletries from leaking
- Don't overpack – hospital rooms have limited space
- Pack clothes in dark colors to hide potential stains
- Label your belongings, especially if your partner may need to find specific items
- Consider what you'll want to wear in hospital photos – many families treasure these first images
Most importantly, remember that while being prepared is reassuring, the hospital will have emergency supplies if you forget something essential. Focus on what matters most – welcoming your new baby into the world.