Hospital Bag Checklist – The 20 Essentials You Need For Mum + Baby

This post is part of our archived content. While we’ve shifted focus, it still may be useful.

Packing your hospital bag might sound like an easy task but if you are a first-time mom it can be difficult to know what to bring which is where a hospital bag checklist helps.

Most new moms end up packing too much!

I also packed too many unnecessary things with my first baby and not enough of what we both actually needed.

For this list, I did a lot more research and relied on my previous experience.

I kept everything that I used and included what I wished I had brought.

When to Start Packing

Try to start packing a month before your due date to allow adding things as you remember them.

Mom Hospital Bag Checklist

The first thing I wish I had done was to have organized my suitcase better.

Once the baby is born you won’t be able to go looking through the bag for the baby’s items.

My husband had to and he couldn’t find a thing!

I found the perfect solution with the carry-on hospital bag from Storksak.

It has an internal organising system to keep mum and baby items separate but easy to find.

Also, super helpful when you go on family vacations.

Try to start packing a month before your due date to allow adding things as you remember them.

1. Multivitamins

Remember to bring your prenatal breastfeeding vitamins.

You never know how long you might have to stay in the hospital.

Best to be prepared and bring all the supplements/medication you need.

2. Makeup & Skincare

With my first baby, I thought that bringing or wearing any makeup sounded ridiculous.

However, the pale skin and dark circles after I gave birth to my first baby were no joke.

The second time around I made sure to have basics with me to make me feel more confident and photo ready.

I brought one BB Cream, brow gel and a coloured chapstick.

After giving birth, looking after your skin might sound like the last thing you want to do but you will feel so refreshed if you do.

Try to bring travel sizes for both makeup and skincare products.

3. Water Bottle & Snacks

A water bottle will help you keep hydrated during and after birth.

I would highly recommend getting a water bottle with a straw. This way you can easily sip some water even while breastfeeding.

Another huge worry was food. Hospitals don’t have lots of food late at night!

Having snacks with you before and after labour is ideal.

I took protein bars and nuts to keep me full and energised.

4. Maternity & Nursing

Comfortable and breathable are keywords for maternity wear.

You will need a few loungewear, pyjama sets and socks. Darker colours are better in case there is some bleeding or milk leakage.

Button-down blouses and shirt dresses are perfect for breastfeeding.

Over-the-bump underwear is more comfortable especially if you have a c-section.

Also, a few pairs of nursing bras as you may get a bit of colostrum or baby drooling.

I love the bamboo material bras from Seraphine.

5. Disposable Underwear

Not very glamorous but an essential item.

Look for high-waisted disposable underwear, it is more comfortable and you will feel more protected.

Most hospitals provide them for free but I found they are not high-waisted enough and prefer to take some from home.

6. Nipple Cream

If this will be your first breastfeeding experience make sure to take a good nipple cream.

Cracked, blistered and bleeding nipples are a real thing but a nipple balm can help relieve the pain.

Lansinoh nipple cream was a life saviour!

7. Breast Pads

You might or might not experience milk leakage.

If this is your first baby you are probably less likely to as the milk can take three to five days to fully come through.

I would still recommend taking a pack of breast pads just in case. If this is your second baby, I recommend taking some with you.

8. Breastfeeding Pillow

With my first baby, I tried using my pregnancy pillow to breastfeed but it was too big. It did not work as well as a breastfeeding one.

The best breastfeeding pillow I found was from bbhugme. I wish I had found out about this brand with my first baby. It would have made my breastfeeding experience way more comfortable.

Apart from the beautiful aesthetic it is actually very practical, comfortable for mum and baby and stays in place while you breastfeed.

9. Toiletries

One of the first things, I remember wanting to do after giving birth (besides all the cuddles and staring for ages at my new bundle of joy) was to have a shower and brush my teeth.

I took a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, deodorant, face wipes, floss, flip flops for the shower, maternity pads, hairbrush and hair ties.

If you take travel sizes it will allow you to pack in advance instead of waiting to pack until the very last minute.

10. Electronics

Imagine running out of battery on your phone and not being able to share photos of your new baby with family and friends!

Include phone, laptop, camera gear and extra long chargers for all equipment.

The hospital should give you a hospital bag checklist list with suggestions of what to bring so don’t worry too much.

If you did an antenatal class they will also provide you with a hospital bag checklist.

It is recommended that your birth partner also brings a bag with essentials for at least a one-night stay.

Baby Hospital Bag Essentials

Most hospitals, provide the basics for the baby such as items for nappy changing, blankets and feeding accessories if necessary.

I do however like to come prepared with everything the baby will need.

When packing for baby number two, I took three bags in total. One of them was the baby-changing bag, mum and baby carry-on bag and the last one was my day-to-day handbag.

I used the changing bag to include extras in case we needed to stay longer in the hospital.

The extras I included were nappies, clothing, muslins and blankets.

1. Nappies

The ones I always go for are from Pura. They use organic cotton which is perfect for newborn-sensitive skin and is more sustainable.

A newborn baby usually goes through 8 to 10 nappies a day.

2. Baby Wipes

I try to choose water-based biodegradable wipes which are best for the environment and baby. I love the ones from Mum & You.

Some wipes are just too wet or too dry; this one has the perfect balance of wetness.

You won’t believe the number of wipes your baby will go through in a day!

3. Nappy Cream

The constant contact between skin and wet nappies can cause nappy rashes. Make sure to get a good nappy cream to avoid it.

My favourite one is from Weleda, mainly because a little goes a long way.

4. Outfits

Include baby hats, vests and bodysuits that come with fold-over mitts as well as fold-over feet.

Although babies grow quickly out of newborn sizes I would still get at least five outfits that will actually fit your baby.

You will probably only need two or three outfits for the baby whilst in the hospital but I would pack a few more to avoid running out.

Pack a coat to bring the baby home if you are having a winter baby or a cardigan for warmer months.

5. Blanket

You can use the blanket not only to wrap up the baby but also to cover the car seat when leaving the hospital.

Always have a blanket with you, they are so versatile!

6. Swaddles

My first baby would not sleep without being swaddled. I thought that I could use a blanket but turns out they are too thick for that.

For my second baby, I packed two swaddles from Bibs in the hospital bag but had many more at home.

The uses for a swaddle are endless.

7. Burp Cloth

Burp cloths are perfect to use for burping the baby and dealing with spit-ups.

Copper Pearl has triple-layer ones that are super soft and absorbent. Fewer outfit changes for mum and dad!

8. Pacifier

Even though I was not planning to use a pacifier on a regular basis I think is important to pack one in case the baby needs comfort on the drive home, during the night or while you shower.

I brought two types, one from Mam and the other from Nuk so the baby could pick its favourite shape.

9. Portable Sound Machine

Definitely recommend a sound machine, hospitals are loud places with nurses coming in and out nearly every two hours.

White noise helps the baby to sleep and relax.

You could avoid bringing one by using an app on your phone and that’s what I did the first time.

However, your phone will likely not stop buzzing with congratulatory messages from friends and family.

10. Wet Bag

Wet and dirty clothes can be stuffed away in a wet bag so you don’t get the rest of your hospital bag all damp.

I try to always keep one in the baby changing bag.

You are all set now!

It might seem a lot for just, hopefully, a one-night stay but you will soon learn that with babies no matter how long you are away you always need the same amount of stuff.

Mum (Plan B) Essentials

There are other items that I am planning to bring that I consider more for comfort than necessity.

A pregnancy pillow will make you more comfortable during labour. If you are having an induction or a c-section scheduled then I don’t think you need to worry about bringing one.

Gift for Midwife/Doctor is a nice gesture and very much appreciated.

It doesn’t need to be anything big.

Do try to bring the gift with you, as after the birth it can be impossible to get hold of your midwife afterwards.

Everyone always mentions bringing a robe but to be honest I didn’t use or miss having one. Since so many mums always swear to bring one I thought to include it.

At home, however, my robe was my best friend! I basically lived in this John Lewis one for months.

Partner Hospital Bag Checklist

Labour can last many hours and you will need the support of your birth partner.

The last thing you need is them leaving your side to pick up clothes or other essentials back home.

Here are a few ideas of what to pack.

• Change of Clothes. Although they might not want to shower at the hospital a clean change of clothing can help to freshen up and feel a bit cleaner.
• Toiletries. Another way to freshen quickly is to bring a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant.
• Snacks & Drinks. It is a good idea to have snacks and drinks at hand so you don’t need to leave mum to be alone.
• Swim shorts. If you are planning to have a waterbirth and your partner decides to come in with you.
• “Push Present”. After all her hard work a gift for Mum will be very appreciated. It does not need to be something big. Maybe a favourite meal she wasn’t allowed to eat during the pregnancy or something fancier like a piece of jewellery.

With this hospital bag checklist to help you prepare, hopefully, you now have one less thing to worry about.

All the very best on your new journey mum!