Hospital bag checklist

For both mum-to-be and birth partner, there are a surprising number of things to keep track of when labour starts. But there are ways you can prepare in advance, so the arrival of your baby can go as smoothly as possible.

Here we go through the top things to put in your hospital bag – whether you’re planning for a vaginal birth or a C-section – as well as how to prepare for the journey to the hospital or birth centre on the big day.

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When to pack your hospital bag

The NHS recommends packing it at least three weeks before your due date, but with one in 13 UK babies being born before 37 weeks, it's never too soon.

You may want to get it ready from around 27 weeks if you're expecting twins or multiples or have been told by your medical team there's a possibility you could give birth early, for example if you've got pre-eclampsia.

If you've left it late, don't panic: you can buy a ready-made one to cover the basics and we go into more details on this further down.

Download our hospital bag checklist

We've put together a checklist of hospital bag basics for you and for your newborn, as well as useful extras you might not have thought of.

Download it to your phone or print it out to carry with you so you can tick things off the list as you go.

What to pack in your hospital bag

Our advice is to pack two bags – one for you and one for your baby – to make things easier to find. 

Your birth partner could bring a bag, too, with essentials they may need themselves such as a toothbrush, medication, a phone charger and even a pillow for a more comfortable kip in a chair.

Hospital bag for mum

• Comfortable clothing. For example, nighties/nightdresses or T-shirts for labour, birth and beyond - front-opening if you plan to breastfeed.  A lightweight dressing gown and extra clothing in case you end up staying in hospital, plus flip-flops or sliders for ease of use and socks to keep feet warm during labour.  Pack a comfortable going-home outfit, too, that will accommodate your baby belly (which won't go down right away).
• Large knickers. Pack big, stretchy cotton or disposable pants with a high waistband, especially if you've had stitches or are feeling tender. These will also help to hold bulky maternity sanitary pads in place. 
• Maternity sanitary pads. The NHS suggests two packs of maternity or super-absorbent sanitary pads - designed for blood leaks in the first few days after birth.
• Supportive bras. Your maternity bras should continue to give support, post-birth, or switch to breastfeeding bras with dropdown cups instead. Pack two or three to take to hospital.
• Breast pads. Post-birth, the 'let-down reflex' will cause your breasts to leak milk between feeds, even if you're not breastfeeding. Pack plenty of breast pads (also known as maternity breast pads or nursing pads) to keep the area dry to avoid irritation or infections. Choose between disposable or reusable varieties.
• Washbag and toiletries. Pack the usuals: toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, contact lens solutions and containers (plus glasses) if needed, and nipple cream if you're planning to breastfeed. 
• Maternity medical notes and your birth plan. Your notes are where all the information about your pregnancy and medical history are recorded, so it’s important to keep them with you, especially if you're away from your usual place of care when you go into labour.
• Towels and flannels. You can’t guarantee you’ll be given towels in hospital and if you are they tend to be small so take towels for both you and your baby. Flannels for cooling you down during labour or for bathing after the birth could be useful, too.
• TENS machine and other birth aids. You may want to use a birth ball, TENS machine, massage oil or other aids designed to increase your comfort or reduce pain during labour and birth. Don't forget replacement electrode pads and spare batteries in case you need them.
• Mobile phone and charger. As well as making calls, sending texts and updating social media, your phone can also be used to listen to birth playlists and hypnobirthing sessions during labour. Don't forget the charger and a portable charging bank, too, in case you don’t have access to a power socket.

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Hospital bag for baby

• Clothing and accessories. Newborns can get through a fair few outfits, so calculate for around five or six sleepsuits, bodysuits and vests per day – and don't forget an outfit for going home in. Other useful items include hats, mittens and socks.
• Newborn nappies. Unless your baby is in special care, you’re unlikely to get more than one or two nappies from the hospital, so take plenty with you.
• Cotton wool or baby wipes. Newborn skin is so delicate it should ideally be cleaned with just water and cotton wool or a cloth. If using baby wipes, choose fragrance and alcohol-free, and preferably ones that aren't bad for the environment.
• Muslin squares or bibs. Great for swaddling your newborn, wiping up excess milk or spit around their mouths or protecting your clothing when you're winding them.
• Shawl or blanket. Although you're likely to be provided with a blanket for your little one, you might want your own for skin-to-skin contact and to put on them when taking them home. Choose one that's thin and close-knit rather than one with a loose knit to prevent your baby's toes and fingers from getting caught.
• Car seat. It's not exactly one to squeeze into the hospital bag, but it's vital to remember when you head out, as you won't be able to leave the hospital in a car without one. Our advice on how to fit a baby or child car seat will give you extra peace of mind, too.

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C-section hospital bag

As well as many of the things in our downloadable hospital bag checklist, there are others that are specific to having a C-section, including the following:

• Music to play during the procedure. Studies show that it can help to reduce stress levels.
• Blanket or shawl. If you have an epidural, you might feel quite cold, so it's good to have something to wrap around or drape over you.
• Drinks and snacks. You won’t be allowed to eat before the procedure, so you may be hungry afterwards.
• Big, high-waisted knickers. This will ensure that any elastic won't rub on your C-section wound, causing discomfort and potentially preventing it from healing.
• Dried fruit. The painkillers you're given might cause constipation, so eating dried fruit following the birth can help prevent this.
• Flannel or wipes. You have to wait at least 24 hours after the survey to shower, and when you do, it may be a little tricky, so take something to help keep you fresh and clean in between these times. 

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Useful extras for your hospital bag

• Hair clips or hair bands. Handy for keeping your hair off your face during a hot labour or a water birth. Pack a hairbrush, too.
• Water spray or fan. To cool you down during labour – hospitals can be very warm.
• Water bottle with a sports lid. This type of lid will make it easier to sip from the bottle if you're lying down. 
• Drinks and snacks for energy. Think cereal bars, boiled sweets/dextrose tablets, dried fruit, sandwiches, carrot sticks and crackers or rice cakes. The Royal College of Midwives says women can eat and drink as they wish if they're unlikely to need a doctor's care. If you're having a general or local anaesthetic, such as when you're having a C-section, talk to your medical team about what you can eat and when.
• Ear plugs/noise-cancelling headphones and an eye mask. Ear plugs are especially important if you’re staying overnight, as maternity wards can be bright and noisy. Headphones could also be useful if you want to listen to music or hypnobirthing sessions on your phone. Find out which headphones will best suit your needs in our pick of the best headphones. 
• Magazines, books or downloads on your phone or a tablet. These may be especially useful during early labour, if you need to pass time or for after the birth if you're staying in overnight.
• Your own pillow. Hospital or birth centre pillows are functional but not necessarily comfortable. Your own pillow will help you create a little bit of home from home. A breastfeeding pillow might be useful, too. 
• Toilet roll. You may be a little tender after giving birth, so the last thing you need is having to use utilitarian loo roll. We'd recommend taking your own.
• Plastic bag for dirty washing. Nappy sacks could be useful for getting rid of wipes, maternity pads and nappies, too.
• Cash. Just in case you need some loose change for grabbing a drink or snack from a vending machine.

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Where to buy hospital bag essentials

We've listed some of the most searched-for retailers for hospital bag items, along with the stock you might find at each. Don't forget to have our hospital bag checklist with you so you can tick off items as you browse in store or search online.

• Asda sells plenty of hospital bag and maternity essentials, such as nappies, wipes and nipple cream. George at Asda stocks feeding pillows, maternity bras and underwear.
• M&S has hospital bag staples including nursing bras, maternity knickers and front-opening nightwear, plus extras you might like to take with you such as a nursing pillow.
• Tesco has a few items you'll need for your hospital bag, including breast pads and nipple cream, plus disposable maternity briefs.
• Boots stocks hospital bag essentials for mum-to-be, including disposable underwear, washable and disposable breast pads, nipple balm and feeding pillows, as well as for baby, including shawls, wipes, muslin cloths and clothing. 
• John Lewis has a wide range of hospital bag items, including packs of baby sleepsuits, bodysuits and muslin squares, as well as maxi cotton maternity briefs and flip-flops. Other essentials you could get from here include headphones, mobile phones and power banks. Some John Lewis stores offer a car seat fitting demonstration if you're after a car seat for your baby. 
• Argos sells a wide range of hospital bag staples, including TENS machines, packs of muslin squares, nursing bras and feeding pillows.

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Ready-made hospital bags

A pre-packed or pre-made hospital bag could be an option if you want to avoid the hassle of assembling your own or if you're looking for a useful baby shower gift. Here are some we found online:

BirthBag. This company has a variety of options to choose from, including the BirthBag Tote kit (£41.99, BirthBags), which contains a range of essentials for your hospital stay plus a few extras (including items on our list such as a hairband and lip balm), or a cheaper BirthBag Essentials kit (£34.99). 

Mothers Essentials. Pre-packed maternity hospital bag that comes in a variety of patterns (including polka dots) but includes the same contents (from £33.99, Mothers Essentials), or if you prefer, the hospital bag contents are available without the bag (£27.99).

There are also 'luxury' options, such as a pre-packed hospital bag and suitcase for £159.50 from Something a bit Different and a Luxury Pre-filled Maternity Bag starter set for £100 from Precious Delivery. 

Before buying a pre-packed bag, check against our list to see if you'll need to add to it, such as more nappies - the NHS says you should expect to change your newborn's nappy around 10-12 times a day, but the Birth Bag Tote only contains eight. 

After you've totted it all up you may decide it's more economical to buy the products separately and put them in a bag yourself.

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