Hospital Bag Checklist

Apr 16, 2023 | Reading time: 5 minutes

Your little one is nearly here and you’re getting set for the big day! You’ve got the pushchair and changing station, the nursery is looking like a Pinterest dream and you’re counting down the days until your family welcomes a new little member.

So now you need to tackle the job of packing your hospital bag and the list just keeps growing, everyone takes 20 pairs of knickers, right?

Packing your hospital bag doesn't have to be overwhelming! If you'd like guidance on essential items to remember or want to download a free hospital bag checklist, we're here for you...

things to pack in your hospital bag for birth

For You

Changing bags + clothes

Changing Bags are perfect as they have loads of different compartments and so much space to keep you organised.

The F innson Selby Eco Changing Tote comes with its own changing mat and is designed to grow with you and adapt to your needs. It is durable, comfortable and very well organised inside and out with a variety of pockets and pouches for your every need. Made from 100% recycled PET Polyester, both the interior and exterior are water resistant and wipe clean. We would highly recommend this gorgeous changing bag for stylish mums looking for a bag they can use both for themselves and their babies!

Check out this blog post to learn more about baby changing bags and what to pack in your baby changing bag.

We also recommend packing your most comfortable clothing such as big t-shirt or loose nightdress to wear before, during and after your hospital visit. You want to be comfortable for your journey home so pick soft clothes with a lot of stretch and remember it will take a while for your tummy to go down, so it's a good idea to bring your maternity clothing for your journey home.

C-Section + Postnatal accessories

For those going in for a planned C-Section or possibly in the event of an unplanned surgery, it's a good idea be prepared and pack C-section friendly items. C-section bands or underwear help give you support and help aid recover.

The Cariwell Hospital Panties are a great option for C Section and natural deliveries too. If you have a C Section, the high waist can help protect the incision area and eliminate bacteria. Designed to hold post-birth pads securely in place, the light fabric is situated to allow a cesarean scar to breathe and heal so you always feel comfortable.

It's worth looking into postnatal support clothing such as support leggings or vests which help offer support and compression in key areas. Underwear such as the wireless Belly Bandit bra is a lightweight yet supportive option, whether you’re nursing or just need general comfort, this simple slide-over design is perfect for after labour.

If you can, bring along a big pillow or pregnancy pillow for extra comfort, the babymoov U-Shape Maternity Pillow is a great option, with its ergonomic shape, it is super supportive and relaxing. It can also be used after you've given birth for feeding which is really handy.

Toiletries + mealtime accessories

You deserve a little TLC so, pack essentials like lotion, rescue balm and moisturisers to help you relax. You could opt for a balm that is suitable for baby and parent such as the Green People mum and baby rescue balm which is ideal for perineal massage, recommended before birth, as-well as using on babies and Mum for sore, dry skin.

Labour can be thirsty work so it’s important to stay hydrated. We highly recommend taking a bottle with a straw like One Green Bottle range so that if needs be, your partner can help you drink and you can be hands-free.

In preparation for feeding, you maybe already know if you are planning to breastfeed or bottle feed. Some parents struggle to get the hang of breastfeeding straight away (which is completely normal!).

If you're wanting to give it a try, bring along a breastpump so you can still store your breast milk, and feed through a bottle - FYI you'll need to pack a bottle too.

For Baby

Sleepwear + blankets

We advise four or five sleepsuits, newborns will get through a stack of clean suits faster than you might expect! Our favourite is the MORI Sleepsuit for signature soft bamboo fabric plus, they have a two way zip for quick and simple changes!

As baby’s nails can be quite long when they’re born, these suits also integrate fold over scratch mitts as separate mitts can be pesky little things, often falling off little fingers - another reason they’re top of our list!

MORI hats should also be a key item in your bag, when baby’s are first born they lose most their heat from the top of their heads so a soft, breathable hat is perfect. We advise to pack a couple and again recommend MORI for their bamboo fabric which will be gentle on baby’s delicate head.

Swaddling is a great way to keep baby snug and secure after birth as it replicates the feeling of the womb. Merino Kids swaddle is a great option as it is silky soft for delicate skin and regulates baby’s temperature for the safest sleep. Otherwise, a blanket is always good to have on hand.

You can use it during skin-to-skin, to keep baby warm in the hospital and on the way home. Merino Kids blanket is made from 100% natural Merino wool and is perfect for keeping baby warm when it’s cold and cool when it's hot.

Lastly everyone has heard of that famous going home outfit! We think this special Organic Zoo Suit with Feet + Organic Zoo Bonnet is perfect for baby’s first photo and ride home. The unisex design is great if you don’t know already know the sex of your baby and it’s made from the softest organic cotton. Plus it comes with feet so they’ll be no need for booties!

Baby changing + accessories

Your newborn will go through a lot of nappies, as many as 12 a day in fact! We recommend reusable nappies such as the TotsBots nappies as they are beneficial to the environment, your bank balance and they are much kinder to baby’s skin.

Newborn’s skin is particularly sensitive so midwives will advise you to use only warm water and soft materials in the first few weeks and the Modern Cloth Nappy Co bamboo washable wipes are soft and gentle, and are big enough to cover over the palm of your hand making cleaning up your little one super easy with just one wipe.

Muslins are the most multi-functional item you could pack and we love the aden + anais muslin squares which are a popular choice for parents for being soft and breathable and for getting softer with every wash!

You can use these for lots of different situations, from feeding, dribbling, burping, cuddling to skin-to-skin contact. We’re also big fans of the wide range of prints that are all beautifully hand-drawn and special.

Don't forget...

One thing is very important - a car seat! Hospitals will not let you leave without a safe car seat for your child to travel home in. Check out our car seat buying guide for help on picking the perfect one.