Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Mother and Baby

When should the bag be ready?

Labour can start a few weeks before or after the due date, so the bag should be ready between 34 and 36 weeks. With twins, a risk of preterm birth or a planned caesarean, it is useful to prepare earlier and discuss timing with your doctor.

Many families prepare two bags: a small one for labour and a larger one for the postnatal stay. Keeping the baby's things in a separate bag or labelled pouches makes them easy to find.

Documents

• Your ID card and your partner's ID card
• Health insurance or private insurance documents
• Your pregnancy record card or notes
• Key test results such as blood group, glucose test, screening tests and ultrasound reports
• A list of your regular medicines and known allergies
• Your birth plan, if you have one

Ask your hospital in advance which documents are needed for the baby's birth registration.

For the mother

During labour

• A comfortable, loose nightdress or T-shirt
• Non-slip slippers and warm socks
• Hair ties and lip balm
• A water bottle and light snacks, as permitted by the hospital
• Phone, long charging cable and music with headphones if you wish
• Glasses, or contact lens case and solution

After the birth

• 2-3 front-opening nightdresses or pyjamas suitable for breastfeeding, and a dressing gown
• 2-3 nursing bras and breast pads
• High-absorbency maternity pads
• Comfortable high-waisted cotton or disposable underwear
• Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush, towel and deodorant
• Your regular medicines in their original packaging; tell the staff before taking them in hospital
• Loose, comfortable clothes for going home; your tummy will not shrink straight away, so mid-pregnancy clothes may fit best

For the baby

• 3-4 vests or bodysuits (newborn and 0-3 months sizes)
• 2-3 sleepsuits
• Socks and, optionally, scratch mittens
• A thin, season-appropriate hat for going outside
• A swaddle wrap or blanket
• Muslin squares
• Newborn nappies; warm water and cotton wool are enough to clean the skin in the first days
• A season-appropriate going-home outfit

Newborn skin is sensitive. Do not pack perfumed products or baby powder; inhaling talc powder can harm a baby's lungs. Babies should not wear hats indoors or while sleeping, to avoid overheating.

For your birth partner

• ID card and any regular medicines
• A change of clothes and toiletries
• Phone charger
• Water and snacks

Rules for birth partners and visitors vary between hospitals, so check in advance who can accompany you.

Caesarean and vaginal birth

Planned caesarean

• High-waisted cotton underwear that does not press on the wound
• Loose clothes that are easy to put on and take off
• Compression stockings if your doctor recommends them; some hospitals provide them
• Extra clothes and pads, as the hospital stay is usually longer than after a vaginal birth

Vaginal birth

• Comfort items for what may be a long labour (music, pillow, lip balm)
• Plenty of maternity pads for postnatal bleeding
• Loose cotton underwear if you have stitches

What does the hospital usually provide?

Some hospitals provide gowns, maternity pads, nappies, first baby clothes and supplementary feeding products when needed, while others ask families to bring them. Ask your hospital in advance to avoid carrying unnecessary items or missing something.

Breast milk is the recommended food for babies. If supplementary feeding is needed for a medical reason, this is decided with the healthcare team.

Car seat

From the first ride home, the baby should travel in a rear-facing car seat suited to their weight and length. Fit and test the seat in your car before the birth. Bulky coats and snowsuits can compress in a crash and leave the straps too loose, so dress the baby in thin layers, buckle the harness and then place a blanket over the straps.

Practical tips

• Keep the bag somewhere easy to reach and make sure your partner knows where it is.
• Check the route to the hospital, the night entrance and parking in advance.
• Do not bring jewellery or large amounts of money.
• Do not pack pillows, soft toys or thick duvets for the baby's bed; for safe sleep, babies should sleep on their back in a clear cot.
• Review the bag in the final weeks and add anything missing.

When should you go to hospital?

Go to hospital as advised by your doctor if you have regular contractions that are becoming more frequent, leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding, reduced baby movements, severe headache or visual disturbance. See the vaginal birth and caesarean page for more information on labour and modes of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

The information on this website is for general information only and does not replace a medical consultation.

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