Packing Your Hospital Bag

Packing your hospital bag can make everything suddenly feel very real, your baby is actually coming!

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Whether you're planning a hospital birth, an induction, a planned caesarean or even a home birth, I recommend having a hospital bag packed and ready before your due date.

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You don't need to take everything you own. A few comfortable clothes, essentials for you and your baby, and some carefully chosen extras can make your time in hospital much more comfortable.

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And one of my biggest tips? Pack the bag with your birth partner. If you ask them to find something during labour, it's much easier if they already know where you've put it!

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What to Pack for Mum

Comfort is the priority.

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Maternity wards can be very warm, so I usually recommend loose, lightweight clothing. Short-sleeved pyjamas with shorts can be much more comfortable than thick nightwear.

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I would consider packing:

• Loose, short-sleeved pyjamas

• Sports bra to wear in labour

• Comfortable clothes to go home in

• Light dressing gown and slippers

• Comfortable underwear — high-waisted underwear can be particularly useful following a caesarean

• Maternity pads

• Nursing bras and breast pads if you're planning to breastfeed

• Silver nursing cups if you plan to use them

• Your own pillow

• Toiletries, toothbrush and toothpaste

• Hairbrush and hair ties

• Deodorant

• Towel (optional, hospital will provide)

• Flip-flops for the hospital shower

• Lip balm - Entonox can make your lips incredibly dry

• Water bottle

• Phone and charger, an extra-long charging cable can be really useful

• Headphones or earbuds

• Any regular medication you've been advised to continue

• Your maternity notes

Try to leave expensive jewellery and other unnecessary valuables at home.

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Packing your hospital bag can also be a good time to think about your birth planning discussions and any preferences or questions you would like to ask.

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Don't Forget Something to Do

This one is especially worth thinking about if you're going into hospital for an induction.

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Induction can involve periods of waiting around, so take something that will help pass the time.

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Playing cards, travel games, a book, tablet, headphones or downloaded films and programmes can all be useful.

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You might not use any of them, but you'll be glad you've got them if you do have a long wait.

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Snacks and Drinks

Pack things you actually like.

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There's no point filling your bag with somebody else's idea of the perfect labour snack if you don't enjoy eating it.

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Depending on your preferences, you might like:

• Fruit or grapes

• Nuts

• Sweets

• Chocolate

• Easy-to-eat snacks

• Honey as a quick source of carbohydrate

• Water

• Sports drinks

• Coconut water

Your birth partner should have food and drinks for themselves too.

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If you've been given specific instructions about eating or drinking, for example, before a planned caesarean, follow the advice given to you by your maternity team.

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Bringing Colostrum Into Hospital

If you've expressed and frozen colostrum during pregnancy, ask your maternity unit how they would like you to bring and store it.

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It will usually need to be transported appropriately chilled or frozen, such as in an insulated cool bag with suitable ice/freezer packs, according to your maternity unit's instructions.

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Make sure your colostrum is clearly labelled as your hospital has advised.

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What to Pack for Baby

Babies don't actually need very much when they're first born.

I'd pack:

• Vests

• Sleepsuits

• Nappies

• Water-based wipes and/or cotton pads

• Muslin cloths

• Cellular blanket

• Hats 

• Clothes for going home

I always recommend taking a couple of different sizes of hats and sleepsuits

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We can estimate your baby's size before birth, but nobody knows exactly what will fit until they're here!

A cellular blanket, the type with small holes in it, is a useful choice for baby.

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If You're Planning to Formula Feed

If you're planning to formula feed usually you need to provide your own milk, ready-to-feed first infant formula can be particularly convenient in hospital especially after giving birth you may not feel up to making up bottles.

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What Should My Birth Partner Pack?

Your birth partner deserves their own bag too.

I recommend a small rucksack containing:

• A change of clothes

• Toiletries and deodorant

• Phone charger

• Snacks

• Drinks

• Anything they may need if your hospital stay is longer than expected

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Hospitals can be very warm, labour can be long and plans can change. Having clean clothes and a few essentials can make a big difference.

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Pack the Bag Together

This sounds like such a small thing, but it can be incredibly helpful.

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Pack your hospital bag with your birth partner rather than packing it alone.

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During labour, you may ask them to find your lip balm, a particular sleepsuit for baby, your charger or something else you've packed.

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If they helped pack the bag, they'll have a much better idea where everything is instead of emptying the entire contents onto the floor looking for one item!

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What If I'm Having a Planned Caesarean?

You'll still need many of the same things.

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Comfortable, loose clothing and high-waisted underwear can be particularly useful because you may not want clothing or elastic sitting directly across your caesarean wound.

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Your hospital will give you instructions about what to bring and what you'll need on the day.

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For theatre itself, you usually won't need your baby's entire changing bag. Your maternity team will tell you what they require, but often only a few immediate essentials such as a nappy and hat are needed.

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I'm Planning a Home Birth - Do I Still Need a Hospital Bag?

Yes. I recommend packing one.

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Planning a home birth doesn't mean we're expecting you to go into hospital.

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However, sometimes circumstances change during labour or after your baby is born and I may recommend transfer to hospital for further assessment or care.

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If that happens, that is not the time I want you or your birth partner trying to pack a hospital bag.

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Have one prepared and somewhere easy to grab.

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That way, if we do decide that hospital is the safest place for you or your baby, your essentials are ready and we can concentrate on you, rather than finding pyjamas and phone chargers.

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Getting Ready to Bring Your Baby Home

Make sure you've organised an appropriate car seat in advance if you'll be travelling home by car.

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You don't necessarily need to carry it around the hospital throughout your stay. Have it safely installed or readily available for when your baby is discharged, following the manufacturer's instructions.

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Pack suitable clothes for your baby to travel home in too, taking the weather into account.

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My Final Hospital Bag Advice

Don't get too caught up in creating the “perfect” hospital bag.

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Pack the things that will keep you comfortable, the essentials your baby needs, something to eat and drink where appropriate, and a few things that make the environment feel a little more like yours.

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Check your own hospital's guidance too, because what maternity units provide and what they ask you to bring can vary.

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And remember, get your birth partner involved in packing it.

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They might thank you when you ask for the lip balm at 2am and they actually know where it is!

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I provide personalised private midwifery care across London, Essex and Hertfordshire, supporting families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

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If you'd like additional support preparing for your birth, get in touch to arrange a free 20-minute consultation.