What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag

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Packing your bag for the hospital can get a little overwhelming and you can very easily over pack. Here we will break down exactly what mum and baby need in their hospital bag and of course your partner too! But before you start packing there a few things that, if you know the answers too, will help with your packing. Things like, are you having a planned c-section, are you planning on having an epidural, how far away from the hospital are you. Don’t worry if don’t have all the answers, we can still help you pack accordingly! So, if you are ready to start and are wondering what to pack in your hospital bag, then here are some helpful things to know to help you get started.

What does the hospital provide for you and for your baby?

This is 100% the first thing that you should find out before you start packing your hospital bag. Knowing this will help you create a list of what you need to bring or better again, don’t need to bring to the hospital. And it is different everywhere. When I had my baby in Canada, the hospital provided everything, blankets, sheets, a hat for the baby, nappies, wipes (both reusable which I loved!), disposable mesh underwear for me and maxi pads. I made the mistake of not asking what they provided and ended up bringing some things that I didn’t need. But some places don’t provide all of this and you will need to bring your own sheets, blankets, nappies, wipes etc.

Bring A Separate Labour and Postpartum Bag

OK, once you have found out what the hospital provides, the second thing you should do is decide how many bags you want to bring. Yes, you can bring more than one and it may actually be a little easier! You can bring one small bag for your labor and delivery and then pack a second bag that will have everything you need postpartum and you can also pack babies stuff in there too. You can just bring your labour bag in with you and then when you are been moved from the labour ward, your partner can go to the car and switch the bags.

If this sounds like to much hassle for you and you would just prefer to have all your things in ONE bag, then you can do that either, it is up to you! But either way be sure to get your self some of these packing cubes, they will save you from rummaging through your bag trying to find stuff. With these cubes you will able to find what you need and they will just make life easier!

Along with the cubes, getting some travel size refillable bottles is a great idea. You don’t need to buy a brand new shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, or travel size ones. Getting refillable travel size containers is better idea. You are sure to use these again if you are going for a weekend away. These ones are super for lots of reasons, they are silicone, leak proof, squeeze from the bottom (don’t get the ones with the lid at the top, you will never get to use all the shampoo/shower gel!) and they have the description printed on them so you know which is shampoo and which is shower gel!

Don’t Forget To Pack A Bag For Your Partner

Your other half will also need to bring a few bits with them, just in case they are there with you for a while or even overnight (if allowed).

When Do I Start Packing My Hospital Bag?

It is best to have your hospital bags packed by 35 weeks, this is just to be on the safe side as you never know you could go into labour a little early. It is also recommended that you have your hospital bags in your car. This is in case your doctor tells you at one of your prenatal appointments that you have to go straight into hospital. If your bags are in your car, then at least you will have everything you need with you.

OK, now that we have gone through some helpful hints, lets dive into what you need in your hospital bag and you can also get my FREE printable pdf hospital bag checklist! Just subscribe below and I will send it straight to your inbox.

What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Mum

The hard thing is when packing Mum’s hospital bag is that unless you know that you are having a c-section, you don’t know if you are going to be in the hospital for 24 hours or for 4 days. If you know that you are going to be in the hospital for a few days then packing additional things like a bluetooth speaker, iPad and pillow is fine, but you probably won’t have time to use them if you are only in there for 24 hours. So if it is not a planned c-section, then you can decide to NOT pack them and your partner or friend can just pick them up from your house and bring them into you the next time they are coming to visit.

Maxi Pads – the biggest ones you can find – seriously. These maxi pads or something similar.

Flip Flops – to wear into the shower, either while you in labour or for showering after birth.

Birthing Gown – this is definitely not necessary, you can just wear the hospital gowns. If you want to bring your own then bring something that you don’t mind not wearing again. It will also have to be bare around the neck and chest or button down the front as they will put baby straight on you chest for some skin on skin time as soon as they are born. Something like this nightgown would be ideal.

Pajama’s – Again, something the same as the nightgown mentioned above or this style as you will be wanting to do skin on skin with baby throughout the day and you will also want a nightgown that gives easy access if you are breastfeeding.

Robe/Comfy Caridgan – If you are going to be in there for a few days you will get some visitors so you might be comfortable throwing a cardigan or robe over your pajama’s . Get one pockets, like this one, for handiness!

Breast Pads – Your milk usually takes a a couple of days to come in, BUT in some peoples cases it has come in straight away, so it’s best to be prepared. Pop a few of pairs of breast pads into your case, they won’t take up much room.

Fleece Socks – If you are on labour for a long time and are able to move around then you will probably be doing laps of the corridors, so you are going to want to keep your feet warm. If you are getting fleece lined socks, try to get some with grips on the bottom like these ones, these would be ideal.

Large Underwear – Whether you have a vaginal birth or a section, you are going to want the biggest, comfiest underwear you can get. if you have a pair of comfy undies you already like, just get the same ones, but go up a couple of sizes.

Hairbrush

Hairband

Hair Ties

Glasses & Case

Contact Lenses & Case

Contact Lens Solution

Lip Balm – Hospitals are dry so your lips will chap, you have enough going on without that happening!

Nipple Cream – if you are planning on breastfeeding, then nipple cream is a must. This is my absolute FAVOURITE nipple butter. I love that it is all natural and must importantly, its actually works.

Shower Gel

Shampoo/Dry Shampoo – If you have no intention of washing your hair in the hospital, then you might prefer to bring a small bottle of dry shampoo. This one is just brilliant and its less of a fragrance than the others.

Conditioner

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Face Wash

Face Moisturiser

Facial Mist – Spraying facial mist on your face is the nicest, refreshing feeling ever. If you have a long labour, this is something nice that you won’t regret having in your labour bag. This one is quite inexpensive.

Phone

Phone Charger

Earphones – if you get an epidural, you might be doing a lot of waiting around in the beginning so you want to keep yourself entertained by watching a movie.

Camera – If you have a camera that you prefer to use for those important pictures, bring it!

Camera Charger

Snacks – Check out our post on healthy snacks for your hospital bag

Healthcare

Paperwork – any insurance forms, birthing plan, positive affirmations that you want read out loud to you.

Going Home Outfit – Something comfortable, baggy tracksuit bottoms, loose fitting t-shirt (your bump won’t disappear straight away!) socks for going home or just wear the flips that you brought in.

Related Post – Newborn Must Have’s

What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Baby

Just as important as Mum’s hospital, bag is babies hospital bag. As I mentioned earlier, it is worth checking with the hospital to see what they provide for the baby. I will write the list below as though the hospital doesn’t provide anything.

It is worth mentioning that baby will be getting lots of checks from doctors and nurses throughout the first 24 hours so they will probably spend a lot of time wrapped up in just a blanket, it’s just easier! I only put on a vest and baby gro at night time when she wasn’t having any checks done. So you are not going to need a lot of clothes. And like I mentioned before, if you live near the hospital or you partner will be in and out they can pick up anything extra you might need!

Baby Formula – if you don’t plan on breastfeeding then, for convenience, you can get this ready to feed baby formula. You just buy the nipples separate and then put the nipple directly onto the bottle. This will save a lot of hassle trying to sterilise bottles and you won’t have to bring in a big tin of formula. Here are the ready to feed bottles and here are the ready to use nipples.

2 x Vests

2 x Baby Gro’s – these little onesie’s where the cuff of the sleeve fold over baby’s hand are sooo handy. It saves buying mitts, which don’t always stay on.

Hat

Socks

Mitts – sometimes they come out with pretty long nails, so having mitts will make sure they don’t scrape themselves. If you have already bought your onesie’s for baby and didn’t get any were the cuff folds over their hands, then you will want to get some mitts OR a pair of newborn socks is just as effective and they actually stay on babies hand better!

Blanket

Sheets – for their bed in hospital. These organic cotton sheets are made to fit rectangular, hour glass and oval shaped mattresses, so they should work for both home and hospital.

Cotton Buds – you will be cleaning out babies umbilical cord (the nurse’s will show you how to do it). The hospital may provide you with some, but in case they don’t bring some of your own. Try to choose the plastic free ones, these ones are a great eco friendly option.

Nappies

Wipes

Carseat

Going home outfit – you may have picked a special going home out fit for baby. Just add a hat to it too!

Related Post – Tips For Life With A Newborn

What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Partner

Your partner has an important role to play here to, they have to keep you distracted, entertained and just be there to support however they can. They could be there for the long haul to so they should bring their own few bits too!

Change of clothes – if they are planning on staying overnight when baby is born (if they are allowed), otherwise even bring a change of t-shirt to freshen up a little.

Swimming Shorts – some hospitals labour rooms have a shower. Your mid wife may suggest you stand under the water to try and help with contractions. If you do, your birthing partner will more than likely stand in or beside the shower with you for support.

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Contact Lenses

Contact Lens Solution

Phone

Phone Charger

Earphones – if you get an epidural, there might be a lot of sitting around and waiting so you will probably be watching stuff on your phone to pass the time.

Cash – not all vending machines take cards, so make sure you have some cash on you!

Reusable water bottle

Pillow – you might have a long labour and it can get uncomfortable in those hospital chairs!

Car seat

Car seat Canopy – depending on what the weather is like you might want to have a cover for your car seat. You can snag your FREE car seat canopy right here. Just use the coupon code rachelsroad1. You just have to pay for shipping!

If you want to have the convenience of all of the above in a one page PDF hospital bag checklist, then just signup with your email below – don’t worry I won’t spam you with constant emails! I have even broken the list down into what to pack in your labour bag and what to pack in your postpartum hospital bag and of course babies hospital bag and your partners hospital bag checklist is in there too!