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"I'm getting ready to give birth – and asked a midwife what I need to pack for labour"
An expert shares her tips and tricks for packing a hospital bag ahead of giving birth
Is your due date looming closer and closer, yet you still have no clue what you need to pack in your hospital bag before giving birth? Don’t stress – I’m in the same boat, and I’ve done plenty of research on exactly what you’ll need for those exciting moments just before and after your baby’s arrival...
What should you pack in your hospital bag for labour?
First thing's first, we asked practicing midwife, Pippa Davies, the expert behind Midwife Pip, just how important it is to pack a hospital bag before birth (and what it ought to contain). While Davies says she recognises it’s always useful to have all your essentials packed ahead of labour and birth (for both mum and baby), she reminds us that sometimes babies can take us by surprise with the timing of their arrival – and if that happens to you, keep calm; the hospital will have emergency nappies and pads available, she explains.
Keeping that in mind, Davies also advises not spending too much time worrying about forgetting something, saying, “In my experience, packing a hospital bag is a task that often occupies far more energy and time of expectant parents than it actually needs to, so keep it simple and stress free.”
That said, for those keen to get ahead and make a start on their hospital bag, we've pulled together a checklist below which includes things to pack that will be helpful for you while in labour, immediately after and what items Davies recommends pulling together ahead of your baby's arrival.
Your expert-approved hospital bag checklist:
For mum during labour
- Maternity notes
- Your birth plan
- Something to give birth in that is comfortable and allows you to move freely
- A comfortable pillow
- Some entertainment e.g a pack of cards, music, phone charger, books etc.
- Lots and lots of snacks (nibbling things like cereal bars and sweets are good options)
- A sports water bottle
- A flannel
- A spray bottle for cold water
- Lip balm
- A wash bag
For mum after the birth
- Large cotton knickers – around 5 pairs (high rise are great if you have a c-section birth as the elastic won’t sit near your wound... and always size up!)
- A pack of maternity pads
- A comfortable bra – if you're breastfeeding, choose a nursing style bra
- Slippers or flip flops
- Dressing gown
- Comfortable nightwear
- Comfortable day outfit to wear home
- Some cash or a card for paying for parking, or a trip to the hospital shop if you fancy
For baby
- A few, perhaps 3 sleepsuit
- Around 3 bodysuits or vests (depending on the temperature and time of year
- A hat
- A cardigan if it is not a warm time of year
- A snowsuit for going home if it is cold outside
- A few muslins
- A blanket
- Plenty of nappies (a pack of 20 is a good idea)
- Cotton wool or fragrance-free wipes if this is your preference
- Car seat
How far in advance should you pack a hospital bag?
Wondering when the best time is to start getting your hospital bag ready? Davies says, “A baby is considered full-term from 37 weeks, but it is also common to still be pregnant beyond your estimated due date and, of course, there are some babies that decide to make a slightly earlier entrance into the world as well – so it is a good idea to have your bag packed from around 35-36 weeks so you aren’t worrying about those ‘just in case’ moments.”
A midwife's pro tips for packing your hospital bag
Not only is it important to think about what to pack, but how to pack too, says Davies. “It isn’t actually usually mum who is getting things out of bags, it is more likely to be your birth partner or midwife, so encourage your birth partner to be involved in the packing so they know where things are," she explains. “Think about having a separate bag or separate section of the bag for mum and baby, so you are 50% of the way there when trying to find something, and have a separate birth partner bag so that if, or when, they leave or pop home, they have all their essentials on them.”
Davies adds that clear bags and labels are also helpful: pack your muslin cloths together in a clear bag labelled 'muslins’, your postpartum pyjamas in a bag labelled 'after birth PJs' etc, etc. “Then have a separate bag for clothing that gets dirty… you'll thank me when it comes to the unpacking later! Also, keep in mind that you’re unlikely to be in hospital for very long, so don’t be tempted to over pack as you only have to unpack it all again.”
And without further ado, here’s everything you’ll likely need to pack in your hospital bag:
Something to give birth in that is comfortable and allows you to move freely
This Seraphine bundle of maternity and nursing nightwear is super soft, and is designed to fit throughout pregnancy and adapt for nursing after baby arrives.
The bundle includes:
- A super-soft pyjama top with lift up nursing access
- Comfy over bump pyjama bottoms
- A maternity and nursing nightie, with poppers at the front for easy nursing and skin-to-skin snuggles
- A cosy matching dressing gown to help you feel a little more covered up on the busy maternity ward
I’ve been wearing this set around the house as my bump has gotten bigger, so I already know that it’s going to be a super comfy option to pack in my hospital bag.
Something to give birth in that is comfortable and allows you to move freely
Another great option is this maternity nightwear set from Mori. The set includes pyjamas, a nightdress and dressing gown all made from super soft & stretchy material. I've also been wearing this set during my pregnancy and I can't get enough of the cosy feel. The pyjamas and nightdress also have feeding-friendly openings making them perfect for pumping and breastfeeding.
The most comfortable socks you can find
Cashmere socks like these are luxuriously soft and are apparently up to three times warmer than your regular wool socks. I'm pretty sure I'll need all the comfort I can get, so sign me up for a pair of these cute lavender ones!
A long lead charging cable
One of Davies' top tips? Pack a long lead charging cable into your hospital bag. "A long charging cable is helpful as it stretches over hospital beds, so you can still use your device whilst it is on charge," she explains.
Bloom & Blossom Nourishing lip balm
A hydrating lip balm
This is one item I probably would've forgotten – but all of the midwives I've spoken to and mum bloggers I've watched on YouTube recommend lip balm as a must have for the hospital. Apparently if you use gas and air for pain relief, you can end up with a bit of a dry mouth, so it's definitely a good thing to have.
I've been using this Bloom & Blossom balm throughout my pregnancy, and I love it, so I'll definitely be packing it in my bag.
Marshall Major IV Headphones
Some entertainment
Chances are, you're going to be spending a lot of time waiting around in hospital before your baby decides to make an appearance. You're going to want to bring a few different forms of entertainment to keep you occupied while you wait - I know I'll be prioritising my Kindle.
Music will also be a good way to pass the time and will likely help keep you calm and relaxed, and these Marshall headphones are ideal for blocking out the stressful and probably a bit noisy hospital environment. I especially recommend these as they have over 80+ solid hours of wireless playtime (that's more than three full days of power), so you won't need to worry about your headphones dying on you when you have much bigger things to think about.
Nipple balm
If you plan on breastfeeding, nipple balm is apparently a must-have. In those early stages, nipples can become cracked, dry and painful, so it's definitely worth packing a nipple balm to prevent too much pain or discomfort. There are a few different good ones, but I'll be packing this Odylique balm.
Disposable knickers
One thing you'll definitely need in your hospital bag for your recovery after birth is a few pairs of disposable knickers or some cheap, large cotton ones you don't mind throwing away. Hygienic and comfortable, these prevent any chafing on sensitive or sore skin.
An eye mask
Another suggestion from our expert midwife? Pack a sleep mask. This one from Drowsy may be at the more expensive end of the scale, but multiple Cosmopolitan editors swear by it (one now never flies without it).
"An eye mask is great for minimising disturbance from lighting in hospital especially when moving between areas, through bright corridors or in a bay with other mums," says Davies
Breast pads
If you are planning on breastfeeding, these reusable breast pads will come in handy. Soft and comfortable to wear, they help prevent milk leakage in between feeds – they also have a full layer of waterproof laminate to protect any leaks from getting through to your bra. And they can be machine washed so you can use them over and over again!
A nursing pillow
This cradling pillow curves around the body to support your arms and your baby during nursing sessions – I'm up for anything to make the experience more comfortable, especially at the beginning of my breastfeeding journey. Plus, this one comes in so many stylish prints and colours!
Newborn sleepsuits
One of the most exciting things about preparing for baby's arrival is their adorable little outfits. Make sure you've got a few sleepsuits in your hospital bag to dress them in after birth, and a cute outfit to take them home in as well.
You're going to want popper fastenings or zippers for quick and easy changes – this newborn collection includes two all-in-one sleepsuits, a short-sleeved bodysuit and a matching hat, all with a super cute unisex teddy bear theme.
Newborn sleepsuits
Mori is another great option for newborn sleepsuits. This one features a concealed double-directional zip from head to toe to make those first changes a lot simpler.
A blanket
A cellular blanket is a great essential for your hospital bag. The open weave material traps air which helps keep your baby warm in winter and cool in the summer. They're suitable for use from birth and they wash and dry quickly and easily so you'll likely get plenty of use out of this.
Swaddles
Swaddling closely mimics the feeling of being in the womb to give babies extra comfort during sleep – I'm loving the prints on these super soft ones from DockATot, and they've got other designs to choose from too!
A breast pump
If you're planning on breastfeeding, you may want to pump as well as nurse – it could be handy to have your breast pump with you at the hospital so you can get the hang of it nice and early, or at least have it ready for your return home after birth.
This is a wearable hands-free double electric breast pump, designed so you can carry on with other tasks while you’re expressing.
A breast pump
Another popular option for electric breast pumps is the Elvie pump. I've got this one as well, as I love that it's wireless, small and quiet. I like knowing that I can tuck this into my bra and go about my day without any stress or hassle.
A nursing bra
This nursing bra features seam-free cups for extra comfort and minimum irritation on your sensitive skin. It's also designed to allow for growth during pregnancy, and has drop down clips for quick and easy access.
A nursing bra
I've seen loads of mums rave about Bravado's nursing bras – this one is super stretchy, comfortable and lightweight. I also love this gorgeous blush colour!
Birth Recovery My Expert Midwife Birth Recovery Duo
Birth recovery products
After childbirth, bruising, swelling and soreness of the perineum are very common. This duo is midwife-developed and is great to have to help with post birth recovery in hospital and at home. Spritz for Bits provides instant relief, while Soak for Bits is great to add to your bath whether you've had a vaginal or c-section birth.
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