The hospital bag is one of those tasks that expands to fill whatever time you give it and causes more anxiety than it deserves. This is the definitive, no-fluff list of what you actually need — sorted by person, prioritised by importance, and honest about what can stay at home.
Pack by 36 weeks. Have it by the door. Then stop thinking about it.
For You: Labour
- Birth plan (2–3 copies — one for the bag, one for your notes, one to hand to the midwife on arrival)
- Maternity notes / pregnancy folder — never leave home without these in the third trimester
- TENS machine if you’re using one, charged and with spare batteries
- Pillow from home — hospital pillows are thin and the familiar smell is genuinely calming
- Snacks: high-energy, easily digestible — cereal bars, dates, nuts, dried mango, jelly babies for quick glucose
- Isotonic drinks or coconut water — electrolytes matter during labour
- Lip balm — you will use this constantly; gas and air dries lips significantly
- Hair ties and headband — you will not want hair on your face
- Warm socks — feet get cold during labour, especially with an epidural
- Flip-flops or sliders for the shower
- Phone charger (long cable — hospital sockets are never where you need them)
- Portable phone battery pack
- Something to watch or listen to: downloaded Netflix, a playlist, a podcast — depending on your birth preferences
- Fan — hospitals are warm and being able to direct cool air is genuinely helpful
- Spray bottle with water for your partner to mist your face
- Massage oil or lotion if you want back massage during contractions
For You: Postnatal Ward
- Maternity pads — thick, long, unscented. Bring more than you think: at least 2 full packs (24–30 pads)
- Disposable knickers — 10–15 pairs. The good cheap ones from Primark, Mothercare, or Amazon. No hesitation, no regret.
- Peri bottle — fill with warm water to pour over the perineum during urination; transforms the first post-birth toilet trips
- Loose, dark, comfortable nightwear — button-front or crossover tops for breastfeeding access if feeding
- Dressing gown — you’ll wear it constantly on the ward
- Comfortable day outfit for going home (maternity sizing — your abdomen won’t return to pre-pregnancy size immediately)
- Toiletries bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, dry shampoo, deodorant, hand cream, lip balm
- Breast pads — 1 pack, in case milk comes in while you’re still in hospital
- Nipple cream (Lansinoh or equivalent) if planning to breastfeed
- Eye mask and ear plugs — postnatal wards are busy and noisy at 3am
- Sleep medication if prescribed — ask your GP or midwife before your due date if you know sleep will be difficult
- Any regular medication you take — enough for 3–4 days
- Birth announcements or phone list if you want to send messages
For Baby
- 3–4 babygrows / sleepsuits in newborn AND 0–3 month size — newborn sizing fits babies up to about 3.5kg; many babies go straight into 0–3
- 3–4 vests (bodysuits) in same sizing
- 2 cardigans or a pramsuit for going home (temperature-dependent)
- Hat — 1–2 newborn hats; hospitals can be draughty and newborns lose heat through their head
- Scratch mitts — 2–3 pairs; optional as most babygrows have fold-over cuffs built in
- Nappies — 1 small pack of newborn nappies; hospital often provides some but not always
- Baby wipes — unscented, water-based (WaterWipes or equivalent)
- Cotton wool balls for face cleaning in the first days
- Going-home outfit if you want something special for photos — can be the same as one of the babygrows
- Muslin cloths — 4–6; essential for positing, mopping, and everything else
- Car seat — this is not optional. You cannot take your baby home without one fitted and ready in the car before the birth.
For Your Partner or Birth Companion
- Change of clothes — labour can be long; 12–36 hours in the same clothes is not comfortable
- Snacks and cash/card — hospital food is expensive and not always available at 3am
- Phone charger and battery pack
- Something to do during slow phases of labour — book, laptop, download shows
- Comfortable shoes — they’ll be on their feet for many hours
- Pillow and blanket if your hospital allows a companion overnight
- Printed birth plan notes — what your partner’s specific role is during labour
- Contact list of people to notify after the birth
What to Leave at Home
This list saves you space and anxiety: full-sized toiletries (decant into small bottles); your entire maternity wardrobe (you need two outfits maximum); jewellery or valuables; a full-size towel (a small one is fine); your laptop (phone is sufficient); and anything you’d be genuinely upset to lose. Hospital wards are not secure environments for valuables.
Common hospital bag mistakes
- Packing too many newborn-size clothes. Newborns grow out of newborn sizing in days to weeks. Bring 2 newborn outfits maximum and have a 0–3 months set as backup.
- Forgetting the car seat. Most hospitals will not allow you to leave without one fitted in the car. Fit it before your due date.
- Leaving the bag unpacked until 40 weeks. Pack the main bag at 36–37 weeks. Premature labour, induction, and emergency caesarean are more common than most parents anticipate.
- Not bringing snacks for the birth partner. Labour can last 12–48 hours. Hospital food is limited, cafeterias close overnight. Bring more food than seems necessary.
- Expecting your phone to last. Bring a charging cable and a portable power bank. You will use your phone constantly and hospital socket access is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
By 36 weeks for a singleton pregnancy; by 34 weeks if you’re carrying multiples or have any risk factors for early delivery. Not at 39 weeks when you’re frantically trying to find things between contractions.
What size baby clothes should I bring?
Bring both newborn and 0–3 months. You won’t know your baby’s exact weight at birth and many newborn sizes only fit babies under 3.5kg. Having both covered means you’re not sending your partner to buy clothes in the middle of the night. Wash everything before packing.
Do I need a separate bag for labour and postnatal?
Many women use two bags — one for labour (essentials, easily accessible) and one for the postnatal ward (everything else). This works well because you don’t want to root through a packed bag mid-contraction. An alternative: one bag with a clear top section for labour essentials and everything else underneath.
Related Reading
- 30 weeks pregnant: hospital bag – start packing now
- Best breast pumps 2025: hospital-grade vs portable compared
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