Pregnancy · Birth
Hospital Bag Checklist
Complete hospital bag checklist — for you, baby, and partner. Plus caesarean-specific items, the things 90% of parents forget, and what NOT to pack.
Last reviewed 29 May 2026
Hospital bag checklist
What do I need to pack?
Expected delivery
Feeding plan
Expected hospital stay
Partner staying overnight?
0 / 43 items packed
0%
Paperwork
For Mum — labour
For Mum — postnatal
For Mum — feeding
For going home
For baby
For partner
Pack your bag by week 36. Keep it by the door (and a copy in the car). Many people pack one bag for labour and a second for after — this generator merges both into a single list you can split if you prefer.
What does this mean?
The point of packing by week 36 is that ~10 % of babies arrive before 37 weeks, and even at term you can go from “maybe today” to “definitely today” in 20 minutes. Most-forgotten items real parents wish they had brought: (1) long phone charging cable (hospital sockets are far from the bed); (2) snacks for the support person (cafeterias close, labour can be long); (3) dark towels (red lochia ruins white ones); (4) a going-home outfit that fits your still-pregnant-looking postpartum body, not your pre-pregnancy jeans; (5) nipple cream (lanolin) and breast pads before milk comes in; (6) postpartum mesh underwear — the ones hospitals provide are loved, take extras home. Most hospitals/birth centres supply nappies, wipes, baby clothes for first 24 h, and maternity pads — but check your unit’s policy because UK NHS, US, and home-birth lists differ.
When should I pack my hospital bag?
By 36 weeks. Preterm labour can happen and you don’t want to be packing at 2 am with contractions. Keep the bag by the front door (or in the car) so it goes with you wherever labour starts. Pack at 32-34 weeks if previous preterm baby, twin pregnancy, or known risk factors.
One bag or two?
Many parents pack two:
- Slim labour bag — essentials, snacks, phone, comfort items — for the delivery suite.
- Postnatal bag — clothes, toiletries, baby outfits, going-home gear — brought up to ward after delivery.
- Plus often a partner bag — their own change, snacks, charger.
How long will I stay in hospital?
- UK / most EU vaginal birth: 6-24 hours.
- US vaginal birth: typically 1-2 nights.
- Caesarean UK / EU: 2-4 nights.
- Caesarean US: 2-4 nights.
- Preterm / NICU: variable.
- Extended stay for jaundice, feeding issues, BP, baby observation, complications.
Pack for 2 days with backup for visitors to bring more.
What to pack for yourself in labour
- ID + maternity notes (paper or app).
- Birth plan — 2 printed copies.
- Dressing gown (DARK colour — labour gets messy).
- Nighties or front-opening pyjamas × 3-4.
- Slippers / flip-flops.
- Socks (feet get cold).
- Lip balm (delivery rooms very dry).
- Hair tie / scrunchie.
- Long phone charger (2m+) — sockets rarely near bed.
- Earplugs / eye mask.
- Snacks (cereal bars, dates, crackers, bananas).
- Drink with sports cap.
- Music playlist DOWNLOADED (no signal in some labour wards).
- TENS machine, hypnobirthing tracks downloaded.
- Face spray / mist.
What to pack for baby
- Vests / bodysuits × 5-6 (newborn AND 0-3 mo size).
- Sleepsuits × 5-6 (same sizing).
- Muslins × 5-6.
- 2 hats.
- Scratch mittens.
- Nappies × 20-30 newborn (hospital may provide; check yours).
- Cotton wool or water wipes (NHS: water wipes only first few weeks).
- Going-home outfit (weather-appropriate).
- Blankets × 2-3.
- Car seat (NEED in car — most hospitals won’t let you leave without).
- Car seat insert if newborn small.
What to pack for your birth partner
- Own change of clothes × 2 (labour is long).
- Toiletries.
- Phone + charger.
- Lots of snacks (food not always available in labour ward).
- Cash for vending / parking / coffee.
- Pillow (they sleep on chairs).
- Camera if not using phone.
- Contact numbers for family / friends.
- Swim shorts if joining you in birth pool.
- Book / entertainment for early labour.
What if I'm having a planned caesarean?
Same essentials plus:
- High-waisted pants (avoids C-section scar — TENA Lady stretch or maternity briefs).
- Loose clothes for going home (no waistbands across scar).
- Peppermint tea / capsules (trapped wind common post-op).
- Shower gel (will want a wash by day 2).
- Abdominal binder if you have one.
- Extra nighties (longer stay).
- Lactulose for constipation (anaesthesia + opiates cause it).
- Pillow for journey home (cushions seatbelt across scar).
What postpartum essentials?
- Maternity pads — heavy flow first 3-7 days. NOT tampons. Lochia continues 4-6 weeks.
- Disposable / old underwear you don’t mind throwing away.
- Nursing bras (loose, comfortable, no underwire).
- Breast pads.
- Nipple cream (Lansinoh / Multi-Mam).
- Peri bottle (US standard, increasingly UK), witch hazel pads, dermoplast spray.
- Haemorrhoid cream (common postpartum).
- Frozen pads (line pad with witch hazel, freeze — DIY relief).
What's the one thing parents forget?
Long phone-charger cable. Hospital sockets are rarely next to the bed. A 2-metre cable is gold. Also commonly forgotten: dark towels, lip balm, snacks for after delivery (suddenly ravenous when kitchen is closed), spare contact lenses, flip-flops for showers, a phone power bank.
What NOT to pack
- Valuables (cash, jewellery, expensive items) — theft risk.
- Scented products (your nose hyper-aware in labour; baby sensitivity).
- Decorative clothes that won’t survive blood/meconium/spit-up.
- Tight clothes (uncomfortable on sore body).
- Library books (won’t have time).
- Large toiletries (travel-size).
- Fancy makeup (you’ll regret carrying it).
- Underwire bras for postpartum (engorged breasts hurt in wires).
Different scenarios — what to pack
Scenario 1: First baby, NHS hospital, partner with you, planning vaginal birth
Standard labour bag (you) + postnatal bag (you) + partner bag. Car seat installed. Backup contact for someone to bring more if needed. Pack at 36 weeks.
Scenario 2: Planned caesarean at 39 weeks
Add: high-waisted pants, loose going-home clothes, peppermint capsules, lactulose, abdominal binder, extra nighties (3-4 nights). Pillow for car journey.
Scenario 3: Twin pregnancy, high chance of early delivery
Pack at 32-34 weeks. Extra clothes for two babies. NICU bag in case they need it. Confirm bank of milk / pumping support plan.
Scenario 4: Home birth planned but transfer is possible
Pack labour bag for home + emergency hospital bag ready by door (~45% first-time mums transfer). Keep transfer bag minimal: phone, charger, ID, notes, going-home outfit, baby essentials.
Scenario 5: Second baby, fast labour history
Slim bag, pre-packed. Quick-grab. Pack at 32-34 weeks. Specify on maternity notes “previous fast labour”. Childcare plan ready for older child.
Documents to bring
- Photo ID (driving licence / passport).
- Maternity notes (paper or app).
- Birth plan × 2 copies.
- Any regular medication + dose info.
- Insurance info (US) / NHS number (UK).
- Emergency contacts list.
- Blood group if known (esp Rh-status).
- GP / midwife contact details.
- Car seat instruction manual.
Care guidance — the practical extras
- Label your bag(s) with luggage tag.
- Roll-on suitcase easier than backpack when exhausted.
- Don’t over-pack — most people use 30% of what they bring.
- Pre-install car seat by 36 weeks.
- Brief your birth partner — what’s where in the bag.
- Have a backup contact who can bring more from home.
- Power bank as battery backup.
- Downloaded entertainment — signal varies on labour wards.
- Cash for vending, parking, coffee.
- Notebook + pen for jotting questions / observations.
Sources
- NHS Start4Life. What to pack for labour.
- NCT. Hospital bag essentials.
- RCOG patient information. Birth preparation.
- AAP. Preparing for baby’s arrival.
- March of Dimes. Hospital bag tips.
- Tommy’s. Packing for hospital.
Frequently asked questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
By 36 weeks. Preterm labour can happen and you don't want to be packing at 2 am with contractions. Keep the bag by the front door (and a separate one in the car) so it goes with you whether you head from home or come from being out and about. Some parents pack at 32-34 weeks to be extra safe — especially if previous preterm baby, twin pregnancy, or known risk factors.
Do I need one bag or two?
Many parents pack TWO. (1) Slim LABOUR BAG (essentials, snacks, phone, comfort items) for delivery suite. (2) POSTNATAL BAG (clothes, toiletries, baby outfits, going-home outfits) brought up to ward after delivery. This way you're not lugging everything during labour. Plus often a partner bag (snacks, charger, change of clothes, phone). Some hospitals only allow one bag at a time on labour ward — check yours.
How long will I stay in hospital?
Variable by birth type and country. UK / most EU: uncomplicated vaginal birth 6-24 hours. US: typically 1-2 nights for vaginal, 2-4 for caesarean. CAESAREAN UK / EU: usually 2-4 nights. PRETERM / NICU: variable depending on baby's needs. EXTENDED STAY possible for: jaundice (phototherapy), feeding issues, BP monitoring, baby observation, maternal complications. PACK FOR 2 DAYS with backup plan for someone to bring more if needed.
What essentials should I pack for myself in labour?
ID + maternity notes (paper or electronic). BIRTH PLAN (printed × 2). DRESSING GOWN (dark colour — hospital ones tiny). NIGHTIES or front-opening pyjamas (3-4 — labour gets messy). SLIPPERS / FLIP-FLOPS. SOCKS (feet get cold). LIP BALM (delivery rooms very dry). HAIR TIE / SCRUNCHIE. LONG PHONE CHARGER (2m+ — sockets rarely near bed). EARPLUGS / EYE MASK. SNACKS (cereal bars, crackers, dates, bananas — you'll be ravenous). DRINK with sports cap (easier in labour). FACE SPRAY / MIST. MUSIC playlist downloaded (no signal in some labour wards). TENS MACHINE if you have one. HYPNOBIRTHING tracks downloaded.
What should I pack for the baby?
VESTS / BODYSUITS × 5-6 (newborn AND 0-3 mo size — newborn fits ~50% of babies; you may need bigger). SLEEPSUITS × 5-6 (same sizing). MUSLINS × 5-6 (for spit-up, wiping). 2 HATS. SCRATCH MITTENS (newborn nails sharp). NAPPIES × 20-30 newborn (hospital may provide but stock varies). COTTON WOOL or water wipes (NHS recommends water wipes only first few weeks). GOING-HOME OUTFIT (warm if cold weather; weather-appropriate). BLANKETS × 2-3. CAR SEAT (NEED in car for going home — most hospitals won't let you leave without). CAR SEAT INSERT if newborn small. Some hospitals provide nappies + cotton wool free; check yours.
What does my partner / birth partner need?
OWN CHANGE OF CLOTHES × 2 (labour is long). TOILETRIES. PHONE + CHARGER. SNACKS (lots — they need feeding too; food may not be available in labour ward). CASH for vending machine / parking / coffee. PILLOW (they're sleeping on chairs). CAMERA if not using phone. CONTACT NUMBERS for family / friends. SWIM SHORTS if you might use birth pool together. BOOK / ENTERTAINMENT for early labour. WATCH (some hospitals limit phones in theatre).
What's the one thing most parents forget?
LONG PHONE-CHARGER CABLE. Hospital sockets are rarely next to the bed. A 2-metre cable is gold. Other commonly forgotten items: dark towels (hospital ones tiny and white, your labour fluid will show); lip balm (delivery rooms incredibly dry); snacks for after delivery (suddenly ravenous, kitchen closed at 3 am); spare contact lenses (eyes get dry); flip-flops for showers; a phone power bank for emergency charging.
What do I need if I'm having a planned caesarean?
Same essentials plus: HIGH-WAISTED PANTS (avoids C-section scar — TENA Lady stretch or maternity briefs). LOOSE PEACEFUL CLOTHES for going home (no waistbands across scar). PEPPERMINT TEA / CAPSULES for trapped wind (common post-op). SHOWER GEL (will probably want a wash by day 2). ABDOMINAL BINDER if you have one. EXTRA NIGHTIES (likely longer stay). COMPRESSION STOCKINGS (often issued by hospital, but some bring own). LAXATIVES like lactulose (anaesthesia + opiates cause constipation). PILLOW for the journey home (cushions seatbelt across scar).
What should I avoid packing?
VALUABLES (cash, jewellery, expensive items) — risk of theft. SCENTED PRODUCTS (some babies sensitive; some midwives don't like during birth — your nose hyper-aware in labour). DECORATIVE CLOTHES that won't survive blood/meconium/spit-up. TIGHT CLOTHES (uncomfortable on a sore body). LIBRARY BOOKS (won't have time). LARGE TOILETRIES (try travel-size). FANCY MAKEUP (you'll regret carrying it). UNDERWIRE BRAS for postpartum (engorged breasts hurt in wires).
What about postpartum essentials for after?
MATERNITY PADS — heavy flow first 3-7 days (don't use tampons; lochia continues 4-6 weeks). DISPOSABLE PANTS / OLD UNDERWEAR you don't mind throwing away. NURSING BRAS (loose, comfortable). BREAST PADS. NIPPLE CREAM (Lansinoh / Multi-Mam). PERINEAL CARE — peri bottle (US standard, increasingly UK), witch hazel pads, dermoplast spray for tears. HAEMORRHOID cream (common postpartum). FROZEN PADS (line a pad with witch hazel, freeze — DIY relief).
Should I label my belongings?
Yes. Hospitals are chaotic — bags get moved between rooms. Label maternity bag, baby's bag, partner's bag. Add a luggage tag to each. Some parents label baby clothes too (especially distinctive items) — useful if shared washing/laundry on postnatal ward. Don't leave valuables in unattended bags.
What documents do I need to bring?
PHOTO ID (driving licence, passport). MATERNITY NOTES (paper or digital — NHS app, MyChart, MyNotes etc.). BIRTH PLAN × 2 copies. ANY MEDICATION you take regularly + dose info. INSURANCE INFORMATION (US — card; UK NHS — number). EMERGENCY CONTACTS list. BLOOD GROUP if known (esp Rh-status). GP / midwife contact details. CAR SEAT INSTRUCTION MANUAL (some hospitals check fitting before discharge). PARTNER'S ID (in case they need to leave/return).
How heavy should the bag be?
Manageable. You'll be exhausted, in pain, possibly post-anaesthetic. ROLL-ON SUITCASE is easier than backpack or duffle for many parents. If your partner is carrying multiple bags + baby + car seat, consider a small wheeled suitcase. Don't OVER-PACK — anything you forget can be brought in by visitors. Most people pack way too much and use 30% of it.
What if I deliver before 36 weeks?
If preterm labour is suspected, you'll likely be told what to pack quickly — focus on phone, charger, ID, maternity notes, one outfit. Hospital provides nappies and basic baby essentials in most preterm scenarios. Specialist NICU items (extra-small clothes, specialised baby items) are sourced as needed. Don't try to pack the perfect bag in a hurry — keep it minimal.
What about going-home outfit for baby?
Weather-appropriate. SUMMER: vest + sleepsuit + thin cardigan. WINTER: vest + sleepsuit + warm hat + cardigan + blanket. Avoid coats / snowsuits in CAR SEAT — they create air gap in harness; remove coat and put blanket OVER the strapped-in baby instead (safety crucial). Long-sleeves first if not sure — easier to remove if warm than add if cold. NEWBORN size is too big for ~25% of babies; pack 0-3 mo as backup.
How does this relate to other calculators on BumpBites?
Companion: /calculators/birth-plan-builder for the labour plan; /calculators/contraction-timer for when to actually go to hospital; /calculators/kick-counter for fetal movement; /calculators/car-seat-expiration if buying / re-using; /calculators/breastfeeding-latch for early breastfeeding; /calculators/postpartum-mood-warning for the postpartum period.