I obsessed over what to pack in my hospital bag for the birth. I didn’t want to be one of those ladies you watch on The Midwife trailing six full suitcases for a two night stay, but at the same time I didn’t want to be at my most vulnerable and not have something I needed in my hospital bag. In the end I hounded every woman I’ve known – and then a whole bunch on the internet too – to figure out my essential hospital bag packing list. Being a little bit of a worrier, I made a hospital bag checklist, which you can download at the end of the post!
I packed two small hospital bags, one for me and one for the baby.
Clothes
- Comfortable nightwear. I went with a nightshirt for giving birth in and two pairs of pyjamas.
- Lots and lots of knickers. Big comfortable ones with a high and slightly loose waistband.
- Dressing gown.
- Slippers or flip flops – flip flops can be worn into the shower!
- Something comfortable to wear home.
Toiletries
- Bath Towel (this may be provided, ask your midwife. My hospital only provided very small and rough towels).
- Small set of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion etc. A shower with your usual products will really make you feel like yourself again after the birth.
- Toothpaste and toothbrush.
- Hairbrush & hair ties.
- Moisturizer (hospitals can be quite warm and dry).
- Lip salve.
- Maternity Pads.
Breastfeeding
- Lanolin Cream. You’ll regret it if you don’t pack it!
- A comfortable nursing bra.
- Nursing tops if you want. I just used loose pyjamas.
- Breastfeeding pads to stop leakage.
Other things
- Mobile Phone
- Laptop or Tablet
- Chargers for your laptop, iPad or Phone.
- Water bottle
- Snacks
It’s worth noting that although the NHS will provide you with water, blankets, pillows, tea, coffee, food and basics – they won’t usually provide your partner with it. So make sure he has enough food and water to keep him going as he’s probably going to be up all night too!
Baby Things
Baby things can be a bit of a tough one as you won’t necessarily know what size your baby is going to be. I would recommend taking a small selection of vests and onesies for both newborn baby and 0-3 months. My son actually didn’t wear any of the newborn stuff once he’d left the hospital and he was born at 8lbs 2oz.
- Sleeveless Vests
- Sleepsuits / Onesies
- Muslin for Swaddling
- Lightweight blanket
- Hats
- Scratch Mittens
- Nappies (if you run out, they usually have them available also)
- Wet Wipes
- Cotton Wool
- Burp Cloths
- Dummy / Pacifier
- Going home / Photo Outfit
Longer Stays
No one wants to think about being stuck in hospital if something goes wrong, but some women do end up having a longer stay than they anticipated. I ended up having to try to instruct my husband where to find the knickers I wanted and which bath towel to bring in, and actually ended up ordering a bunch of pyjamas next day delivery because I was getting through one pair a day and he didn’t have time to do that sort of laundry whilst in the hospital with me as well.
I was in the hospital for 10 days total and had packed only for 2-3 nights. Now it’s not worth packing for 10 days and taking way too much, but it might be worth thinking about laying some things out or having a spare bag at home just in case your partner or a family member needs to grab you some extras. On the plus side after rooting through every drawer in the bedroom, my husband now knows where all my clothes go so he has no excuse for not putting away the laundry!
Don’t Panic!
Whatever you’ve forgotten, don’t panic. There is a comradarie on the wards and you may be able to find what you’re looking for anyway. The woman in the bed next to me gave me a spare pair of hand mittens when he scratched his face, and I gave her use of my lanolin cream whilst she ordered some online! Get your mum or your husband or whoever is visiting to pick something up if you need it and larger hospitals will have shops on site. Worst case scenario, you can always order something next day off Amazon so if you realize you’ve forgotten something, there’s sure to be an easy solution.
Here’s a printable PDF checklist for those of you who want to get organized. Knowing I’d packed my bag and was ready really lifted a little bit of weight from my mind. We went in for a routine checkup and I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsyia and admitted immediately for induction! Luckily, I’d be carting my bag around in the car for weeks, just in case!
25 Comments
Fantastic list…
I remember with my eldest I over packed and took way too many things…
With my youngest I had learned my lesson and took everything I needed and no more. hehehe #MMBC
I had a fan because I get really hot and energy tablets really helped X #mmbc
Oh my goodness, how on earth did you cope in hospital for 10 days?! I’m guilty of definitely over packing every time I’ve had to go in.
That’s a good list! So nice to share this to help others 🙂
I don’t have kids so I’d never have thought that you’d need all of this, but comfortable clothes is a definite x
I remember wanting to pack the whole house hehe! My hubby got treated like a king when I went in for my second. He had just had his heart transplant and they let him come out for the birth. The midwives were absolutely brilliant. Great list 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing with #MMBC. Have a fab week x
This is very useful for every pregnant woman, especially the printable list. I can imagine there are so many things to consider and do before the birth that a soon to be mommy won’t think at the hospital bag in detail.
I am going to have to share this with some pregnant friends as I know they have been wondering if they have thought of everything they should have packed or not! So perfect timing.
Good to know what you packed for the hospital, it is very useful for mothers-to-be. The printable template is also great. Well done for helping other mothers. Makes me feel broody, but I am too old now. 🙁
Lists like this are really useful to help prevent the essentials being forgotten. There is so much to remember and its best to get it all ready as far in advance as possible.
They have really cut back on what you need these days. I remember panicking I wouldn’t have enough when Sebby was born
I have found memories of packing my hospital bag when Lucas was imminent. Great list thanks for sharing
A fantastic list and definitely remember the car seat for afterwards. We’d also recommend going into hospital with positive thoughts and no bad ones x
This is an awesome list. We all need to have that checklist for these kind of things.
What a fantastic list for new parents to be. i remember when I had m first I went in with a monster-sized suitcase and enough clothes for a few weeks stay lol
oh i do remember the nightmare of getting thing together and theres so much needed for a little one you forget
Lots of essential things on the list here. We forgot a few things, but there was a shop on site that had pretty much everything we could need.
I have not had a child yet, but a great help to have a checklist like this – takes away some of the stress x
Absolutely amazing list here and I love the fact you have included as tick list too.
Being a constant reader, I had to take a couple of books in with me too!
I love this printable list. I have a few friends who are currently in their first trimester so I will send this post to them so they can get some good tips!
It’s so important that parents have stuff like this prepared so it’s really helpful to share your necessities!
This is absolutely amazing list. I agreed with this list. I am expecting my first baby. I think it’s a great help to have a checklist like this. I will must follow this. If you had more insight i will greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the sharing such a informative article.
Thanks so much, I used this list for my bag.
Hi Meg! I’m so glad that you found this list useful, and I’m guessing you’re due soon if you’re packing your bag. Congratulations on your impending arrival and all the best with your hospital stay.
My wife took a paper bag due to breath into as well incase she gets anxious, its useful if you have anxiety.