There’s no moment quite like getting that hospital bag ready for the impending arrival of your little one, and I always think it’s better to overpack than not have enough of the right things.
From experience, the key is being organised, and having a separate bag for labor (baby) and a bag of your own stuff that you’ll need during your stay. This makes it so much easier for packing purposes, and when asking your partner to grab bits on the day.
If you’re looking for ideas on what to pack, this is the ultimate hospital bag checklist. Scroll down to save or screenshot the list and tick off as you go. The beauty of this list is you can use it for inspiration, pack everything, or just pick and choose what bits you want to take.
The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist: Everything You Need for Labor and Delivery
Use Organisers
Before we split off into two lists, getting some organisers will be the thing you’re so glad you invested in. Get a selection of plastic clear pouches that can clearly be labelled. Just like packing cubes, things can be packed easily, well labelled and they can be pulled out quickly when needed.
You don’t need to go for the fanciest pouches or get them personalised. Some quality zippable pouches and hand written labels are just as good for the key bits and bobs that get lost in a large bag.
Everything To Pack For Baby
Here are our pick of essentials to pack for your baby, if you’re expecting twins, you’ll want to double these numbers accordingly!
- 2 x blankets
- Babies first outfit
- 2 x extra vests
- 2 x extra babygrows
- Burp cloths and large muslins (we always recommend our 100% organic cotton muslins as they are so soft and kind to babies skin, they’re generously sized at 110cm so they’re perfect for so many different uses, it’s just the added bit of comfort you need once baby has arrived)
- Diapers
- Wipes
- 1 swaddle
- Hat/beanie
- 2 teddies
- Car seat
- Pacifiers
We really would recommend having a separate bag for these bits so you and your partner can easily reach the bits you need at the time. If you’re looking for an adorable, but super cute bag for baby, we adore this one below!
Everything To Pack For Mom
Despite bringing your gorgeous new little one into the world, if you’re a first time mom you might be surprised to see that list for mom is going to be a LOT longer.
Your experience should be as comfortable as possible, and during and after labor you will need those comforts to support and comfort you.
We’ve done a run down of everything you should consider including, as well as some of our favorite products for the job.
Toiletries
Arguably, this is one of the most important collection of products to pack! Whilst most hospitals will have a lot of these items, you can’t beat the home comforts of your own items, and luxuriousness of certain items such as a super soft toilet roll for after birth!
Again, you can pick and choose what bits you want to take, but these are all items that have been approved by moms that have packed them for their hospital bag and couldn’t have lived without.
- Spritz for bits – we love this Mama Spritz Postpartum Perineal Spray
- Nipple balm
- Cleansing wash
- Massage oil of your choice
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Sachets of body wash and conditioning shampoo (or little minis)
- Lipbalm
- Skincare of choice
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush & hair bobble
- Face cooling mist (the hydrating elf mist spray will refresh and soothe)
- Wet wipes
- Luxury toilet roll for after birth, trust us on this one!
- Breast pads
- Pack of maternity pads
- Maternity nappies
Clothing
Comfort is absolutely key! From a comfy robe to relax in after birth to warm socks in case your feet get cold during and after labor, these are must have items to have ready on hand. And don’t forget to pack a carrier bag so you can put all your dirty clothes straight into it after use.
- 1 x comfortable going home outfit
- Comfy Robe
- 1 x button up dark night gown
- 4 x pairs of maternity knickers (you can never pack too many!)
- 2 x nursing bras
- Old pair of flipflops
- Warm socks
- Carrier bag for dirty clothes
Food & Drink
Having your own snacks and drinks to hand for energy during labor will help make things that little bit easier.
Pack easy to eat foods that you can grab, hard boiled sweets are a great addition if you can’t eat, but need the sugar.
- Easy to eat snacks, e.g. crisps, chocolate, sweets, glucose tablets
- Hard boiled sweets
- Drinks bottle with long straw
Extras
We had to include a list of must have essentials that moms said were a life saver during labor and post delivery. Comfort, keeping cool and having your home essentials is key for having a well prepared labor.
- ID + health card
- Towel
- Flannels
- Extra long charging cable
- Peri bottle (we really rate this top rated Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle)
- Your own pain meds so don’t have to wait for med round
- Your own pillow
- Headphones
- Labor comb
- Portable fan
Is there anything you took in your hospital bag that you think we should include? Let us know in the comments below! We hope you found this hospital packing list useful, and we wish you all the best with your impending arrival! Screenshot, save and print this hospital packing list below for later!
