Hospital bag checklist

Babies rarely run to schedule – sometimes they’re early, sometimes they’re late. Either way, it’s great for peace of mind to have your hospital bag packed and ready at least three weeks before your due date to make sure you have everything you, your baby and even your birthing partner need to hand… 

Hospital Bag Essentials

1. Your Birth Plan – don’t forget a printed copy to give to your midwife
2. Easy to slip on slippers – keep your toes cosy and make sure you don’t have to walk barefoot on hospital floors (flipflops or pool slides are an alternative for warmer months)
3. A towel – the hospital may provide these but a towel from home is always preferable post-shower
4. Heavy-duty sanitary towels
5. Maternity Bra – we have plenty of options here
6. Several pairs of briefs - we have some great maternity styles here
7. Snacks and drinks for during and after labour
8. A water bottle
9. Your phone and device chargers
10. Nipple balm
11. Nursing pads – even if you aren’t planning to nurse
12. A fully stocked wash bag
13. Comfy Maternity Nightwear – Our Paige Sleep Kit includesa soft, popper fastening nightie, comfy over bump pyjama bottoms and lift-up nursing access pyjama top, and matching dressing gown. It’s ideal for labour as well as skin-to-skin and breastfeeding afterwards
14. A camera or your phone to capture those first moments 
15. Disposable mattress pads – these are great for sitting on post labour and can also be used as a bathmat after your shower
16. Skin to skin top – recommended by midwives our innovative Winifrid skin to skin top eases baby’s transition from womb to world, sooths and comforts baby, and promotes strong emotional bonds.
17. A few distractions - magazines, music, phone and don’t forget headphones for busy hospital wards
18. Hairbands or ties for long hair
19. Your going-home outfit – something soft and stylish from our loungewear collection would be ideal
20. Lipbalm – although you can always use nipple balm if you do forget it!

Absolute Must-Haves in the Hospital 

The non-negotiable items you’ll be lost without…

1. Birthplan
2. Phone
3. Phone charger
4. Pyjamas
5. Wipes
6. Drinks and snacks
7. Maternity sanitary towels
8. Baby clothes
9. Nappies
10. A change of clothes for you

Mum-Recommended Items to Take to the Hospital 

“I made sure I had a supply of chilled juice in a carton with a straw. Sipping on fruit juice during labour was so soothing and gave me that extra boost of energy.”
Emma

“An essential oil diffuser with pregnancy-friendly oils that you plug in creates a lovely calm atmosphere in the birthing room.”
Siobhan

“Rosewater on cottonwool for cleansing without having to leave the bed was so refreshing and soothing for me.”
Della

“An eye mask is always a great idea. If you need to stay the night, the hospital lights are often really bright and they’re also great if you want to shut out the world and increase oxytocin supplies in between contractions.”
Fatima

“ A non-bulky dressing gown keeps you warm and is great for when visitors come or you need to walk through the hospital ward.”
Lena

“A couple of drawstring bags within your larger hospital bag are a good idea. Great for stowing laundry and keeping essentials like wipes and a hairbrush close to hand.”
Ada

Hospital Checklist for Baby 

They might be small, but they do need quite a few things…

1. Nappies – make sure these are the right size. It’s a good idea to take a selection of sizes
2. Cotton wool or gentle water-based wipes for cleansing your baby
3. Babygrows – simple cotton, all-in-ones keep babies’ cosy
4. Vests – these are layered underneath a baby grow. Choose diagonal popper fastening. versions for easy dressing and undressing
5. Hat – babies need a little hat no matter what the weather
6. Booties  - definitely needed for winter babies
7. Baby blanket – choose something special that they’ll keep for years
8. Car seat – you’ll need one of these to take your baby home
9. Socks – pack a few pairs as they do tend to fall off
10. Scratch mittens – some babies have long fingernails and can scratch their faces in the night
11. Going home outfit – a little jacket to wear over their baby grow with a hat is perfect unless you want to put them in something more memorable for the photos
12. Muslins - these are multifunctional and can be used as dribble guards, nursing shawls, swaddles, and more
13. A baby bottle - if you’re not planning on nursing, you should ask your hospital if they provide formula
14. A compact changing mat

Hospital Bag Essentials for Partners & Coaches

1. A change of clothes – you might end up staying longer than planned
2. A washbag containing essentials like toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant for freshening up
3. A phone and phone charger. A battery pack is also a good idea if power sources are limited
4. Snacks and drinks for yourself and your partner
5. Swimwear if you are planning on getting in a birthing pool
6. Painkillers for you. You’ll need to look after yourself if a headache strikes
7. Entertainment. There might be some periods of time when you’re not needed so have a book or podcast at the ready
8. A playlist. Ask your birthing partner what music they would like to listen to during labour and be the designated DJ. Music can be very comforting and relaxing in hospital
9. A camera, if you want your birth and baby pictures to be a cut above mobile phone level
10. Massage oils. A relaxing massage for your partner could be a good idea in the early stages of labour
11. A pillow. Hospital chairs are not very comfy
12. Comfortable shoes – you might be on your feet for quite a while
13. Change – just in case the vending machines or the carpark requires it
14. A fan or water spritzer to help cool her down
15. A list of key contacts in your phone to update family and friends

Tips & Advice before and during your hospital stay

Ask whoever is driving you home to familiarise themselves with the car seat to make sure they can fit it easily.

Make sure the car is ready to go and charged up or pre-filled with petrol. 

During labour, you don’t have to stay in bed. Walking around can help encourage labour and gravity is your friend while you deliver.

Make sure your slippers are easy to slip on and off so there’s no need to bend down to fasten them.

A pillow mist spritzed on your bed and around your room is a quick and easy way to create a relaxing environment.