Hospital Bag Checklist

You’ll be surprised at how many things you need to take with you to the hospital. With a big day coming why not use our handy checklist to make sure you have everything you need for that special moment.

This checklist will cover everything you need for yourself, baby and labour partner if you have one.

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag

Babies can come anytime. Some like to come earlier than others so it's a good idea to start making lists and researching products that suit yourself around the third trimester.

Luna (Moon) arrived at 38 weeks and Roman (Bear) at 41 weeks.

Once packed, make sure these bags are in a handy easy access place. 

 

Items for Mum

  • Maternity notes
  • Birth Plan
  • Bathrobe
  • Flip flops - perfect for the showers
  • Lip balm
  • Nighties 
  • underwear - good idea to size up if end up having stitches
  • Socks - it can get a tad chilly on the wards sometimes
  • Loose Tshirts
  • Cycling shorts - so those fancy hospital stocks can go on easily 
  • Breast pads
  • Dark towel
  • Long phone charger
  • Hand held fan - lifesaver for me!
  • Maternity cooling pads
  • Bag for dirty clothes
  • Flannel
  • Travel size toiletries 
  • Hair brush and hairbands
  • Snacks
  • Face wipes
  • Antibacterial hand gel
  • Eye mask and ear plugs
  • Pillow - home comforts
  • Coming home outfit 
  • Nursing bra
  • Heaphones
  • Ipad/Ipone - streaming service apps downloaded 
  • Leggings / Joggers
  • Camera

Additional Items to consider:

  • Battery pack for devices
  • Scented oils
  • Water bottle with straw
  • Cloth organiser bags
  • Sheet masks - self care
  • Pregnancy tablets if taking
  • Cooling mist

 

Items for baby

  • Nappies
  • Baby wipes / Cotton wool
  • Dummy - Even if not going to use I would suggest one as a backup
  • Hats and mittens
  • Sleep suits - Mixed sizes and ones with built in mittens
  • Vests - Mixed sizes
  • Blanket
  • Cardigan
  • Muslins
  • Top to toe wash wipes - nice for a little freshen up if in hospital for a few days
  • Hair brush
  • Pre made bottles if bottle feeding
  • Socks
  • Going home outfit
  • Dirty clothes bag
  • Car seat

Additional items to consider:

  • Announcement card
  • Teddy - We had our in bed with us to get our scent on for a week prior to going to hospital
  • Baby toiletries 

Don't forget the car seat!

 

Items for birth partner

  • Clothes
  • Phone and charger
  • Snack and water bottle
  • Toiletries
  • Pillow and blanket

 

What type of hospital bag do I need?

I personally loved having an easy roll cabin bag for myself. I then had a duffle bag for baby that I could place on top making it easy to manoeuvre. 

 

What else should I prepare outside of my hospital bag?

  • Familiar yourself with the hospital when going for appointments. 
  • Think about batch cooking meals and freezing - the first week is hard enough without thinking of cooking.
  • How will you get to the hospital
  • If have children, think of who can pick them up when you go into labour

 

 

 

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