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Hospital Bag Packing: What You’ll Actually Need (and What You’ll Wish You’d Packed!)

Written by Marley Henry
amina haita
Medically reviewed by Amina Hatia RM

At some point during the third trimester, many of us develop a sudden urge to organise cupboards, wash tiny baby clothes and make endless lists. Nesting is real!

One of the most common questions we get asked as midwives is:

“What should I pack in my hospital bag?”

It’s a great question. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, it can be difficult to know what you’ll actually use, what’s worth bringing and what can safely stay at home.

The good news? You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. A little planning goes a long way.

Here are our favourite tips for packing a hospital bag that is practical, organised and ready for whatever your birth experience brings.

Tip 1: Pack Early and Then Forget About It

Aim to have your bag packed by around 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Most babies arrive between 37 and 42 weeks, and whilst many arrive right on schedule, some like to make an earlier appearance.

Having your bags ready means one less thing to think about in those final weeks.

Tip 2: Two Bags Are Better Than One

Rather than one enormous suitcase, consider packing:

Bag 1: Labour and Birth

Everything you’ll want access to during labour and immediately after birth.

Bag 2: Postnatal Stay

Everything you’ll need if you stay in hospital after your baby is born.

This makes it much easier to find things when you need them and means your birth space doesn’t become buried under luggage.

Tip 3: Label Everything

This might sound excessive, but trust us.

Small reusable pouches or zip bags labelled:

  • Labour snacks
  • Toiletries
  • Baby clothes
  • Feeding essentials
  • Chargers and headphones

Can save a lot of rummaging during labour in a busy birth space.

One particularly organised parent even packed separate bags labelled:

“Baby clothes if it’s a boy” and “Baby clothes if it’s a girl”

Their birth partner knew exactly where everything was and nobody had to answer questions mid-contraction!

Tip 4: Pack Things You’ll Actually Use

It can be tempting to buy every labour gadget available.

But before packing it, ask yourself:

  • Have I used this before?
  • Do I know how it works?
  • Is it charged?
  • Does it have batteries?

TENS machines are a great example. They can be really helpful, but only if you’ve taken them out of the box and know how to use them before labour begins.

Tip 5: Don’t Forget the Laundry Bag

Possibly the most underrated item on this entire list.

Pack a lightweight bag specifically for:

  • Clothes worn during labour
  • Wet towels
  • Baby clothes after a spectacular nappy explosion
  • Anything you’d rather keep separate from the clean stuff

Future you will be very grateful for this bag that you can hopefully send home before you to ensure all the laundry is done and put away for when you get home!

Tip 6: Snacks Matter More Than You Think

Labour can be physically demanding, and birth partners often forget to eat too.

Pack snacks that are:

  • Easy to eat
  • Easy to digest
  • Quick sources of energy

Ideas include:

  • Fruit
  • Nuts
  • Cereal or energy bars
  • Crackers
  • Dried fruit
  • Isotonic drinks
  • Sweets to suck on
  • Water bottles with straws

Pack foods you genuinely enjoy rather than foods you think you “should” eat.

Tip 7: Bring Your Own Pillow

Hospital pillows do an important job, but they may not be quite as comfortable as your favourite one from home.

A familiar pillow can:

  • Help you rest during labour
  • Make feeding more comfortable
  • Feel reassuring in an unfamiliar environment

Our only advice? Choose a coloured pillowcase rather than your favourite white one.

Your Labour and Birth Bag Checklist

Important Documents

  • Maternity notes (if you have paper notes)
  • Birth preferences (if you’ve written any)

For You

  • Comfortable labour outfit
  • Front-opening nightshirt or oversized T-shirt
  • Dressing gown
  • Slippers
  • Warm socks
  • Hair ties
  • Lip balm
  • Water bottle
  • Phone and charger
  • Headphones
  • Toiletries
  • Any prescribed medication
  • TENS machine (if using one)
  • Pillow
  • Maternity pads
  • Comfortable underwear
  • Nursing bra (if planning to breastfeed)
  • Comfortable clothes to change into after birth

For Baby

  • 1-2 vests
  • 1-2 sleepsuits
  • 3-4 Newborn Nappies

Your Postnatal Bag Checklist

If you stay in hospital after birth, you may also want:

For You

  • Front-opening pyjamas, nightdresses or comfortable clothing
  • Dressing gown
  • Slippers
  • Towel
  • Toiletries
  • Maternity pads
  • Several pairs of comfortable underwear
  • Nursing bras or supportive bras
  • Breast pads if desired
  • Comfortable clothes to go home in

For Baby

  • Extra vests and sleepsuits
  • Nappies
  • Muslins
  • Blanket
  • Going-home outfit
  • Hat 
  • Socks if needed
  • Outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather

Feeding Your Baby

If you’re planning to breastfeed, your midwives and maternity team will support you with feeding and responsive feeding after birth.

If you’re planning to formula feed, check your local hospital’s guidance before admission, as arrangements vary between maternity units. Some hospitals provide ready-to-feed formula, while others may ask you to bring supplies with you.

Your midwife will be able to advise you on local recommendations.

Don’t Forget the Car Seat

Before your baby arrives:

  • Check your car seat meets current UK safety standards
  • Practise fitting it into your car
  • Learn how the harness works
  • Make sure anyone collecting you from hospital knows how to use it

You don’t want the first time you open the instructions to be in the hospital car park with a newborn!

Remember

The perfect hospital bag doesn’t exist.

You will almost certainly pack something you never use and forget something you were convinced you’d need. Every parent does.

The aim isn’t perfection. It’s simply to have enough of the essentials so you can focus on welcoming your baby rather than searching for a phone charger or a clean pair of socks.

And if you do forget something? Midwives have seen it all before.

Want to Feel More Prepared?

Our Complete Antenatal Course covers labour, birth, feeding, newborn care and the postnatal period in a practical, evidence-based way.

References

  • NHS. Preparing for labour and birth.
  • NHS. What to pack in your hospital bag.
  • NICE Guideline NG201. Antenatal Care.
  • NICE Guideline NG194. Postnatal Care.
  • Institute of Health Visiting (iHV). Preparing for parenthood.
  • UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI). Responsive feeding and infant feeding support.
  • Royal College of Midwives (RCM). Preparation for labour and birth.
  • PIF TICK Framework. Principles for trustworthy health information.