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Hospital bag checklist: what to pack and when

A hospital bag is not about being ready for everything. It is about removing decisions from a day when you will not want to make any. Pack it once, well, and leave it by the door.

A packed hospital bag with folded baby clothes beside it
Written by HelloMommy editorial teamUpdated Published 2 min read

When to pack

Have the bag ready by week 36. Babies rarely arrive on schedule, and packing while you can still think clearly is easier than packing during early contractions. Keep it by the door, and keep a short list of the last-minute items — phone, charger, glasses — taped to the top.

For labour

  • Your maternity notes, ID and any hospital paperwork
  • A loose, comfortable top or nightdress you do not mind ruining
  • Slippers or flip-flops, plus warm socks — feet get cold in labour
  • Lip balm, hair ties and a water bottle with a straw
  • Snacks that survive a long night, and coins or a card for the machines
  • Your birth plan, printed, and a phone charger with a long cable

For after the birth

  • Two or three nursing bras and breast pads
  • Maternity pads — more than you think, and no tampons
  • Comfortable high-waisted underwear, several pairs
  • Loose clothes to come home in: nothing you wore before pregnancy
  • Toiletries, a towel, and anything that makes a strange room feel yours

For your baby

  • Bodysuits and sleepsuits in newborn and 0–3 month sizes
  • A hat, scratch mitts and a cardigan or jacket
  • Nappies and cotton wool or water wipes
  • A blanket, and a going-home outfit suited to the weather
  • A correctly fitted car seat — most hospitals will not discharge you without one

Frequently asked questions

When should I pack my hospital bag?

By week 36. Around one baby in ten arrives before 37 weeks, and packing early costs nothing.

How many bags do I need?

One for labour and one for after the birth is the easiest split, plus a small bag for your partner. Some hospitals limit what you can bring into the delivery room.

What do people most often forget?

A long phone charger, snacks for the person supporting you, and comfortable going-home clothes for yourself.

Sources

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife about your own pregnancy.

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