Here is a list of hospital bag essentials, compiled by The Mums of Mum Knows Best Warwickshire for takeitfrommummy.com.
A top tip is to pack your bag & baby essentials, and then another bag for baby that’s left at home so that your partner can bring in for you the next day, that way you have a bag ready so anything that’s forgotten can go into this too instead of a hundred carrier bags coming into hospital afterwards! (Thanks Jeanette)
You will see some of our most recommended products have clickable links straight to Amazon should you need to buy in a hurry or save some pennies 🙂
Labour Essentials – have this stuff easily to hand
Maternity Notes
Maternity Tens Machine
(if using)
Pillow – take a patterned/coloured cover so it doesn’t get mixed up with hospital ones
Comfy outfit for labour
iPad/MP3 player/phone for music
Phone/Camera for pics (probably after baby’s come out!)
Fan
Water spray bottle or Magicool – Magicool Hot Weather Cooling Spray
Hair band
Lip balm
Energy Drinks + Water
Snacks (lots, for you and partner, you’ll be starving after labour and it will probably be the middle of the night)
Jelly Babies
Lucozade
For the hospital stay – your stuff
Nightie/Pyjamas x 2 (Choose dark colours & If breastfeeding button down ones)
Hand Sanitiser
Phone Charger
Dressing Gown –hides small leakages!
Loose dress + cardi
If Breast feeding – Nursing Bras
Breast Pads (We Love These Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
Big cotton Pants (dark colour) x 6
Freshen Up wipes (I didn’t leave the bed for a while and felt so much better for having them! – Hannah)
FemFresh Soap Free Wash
(Do NOT use shower gel on stitches like I did! – Jen)
Flip flops (for hospital ward/bathroom floors)
Socks
Maternity Sanitary Towels (but definitely ask the hospital for theirs. Much better than any you can buy – Emilie)
Shower gel/shampoo/conditioner/moisturiser/tooth brush/tooth paste/hair brush/sponge/lip balm
Travel size Batiste Dry Shampoo
Towels – (Dark Colour -Domenica)
Shawl/pashmina (for feeding)
Plastic bags (for any dirty clothes to take home or to change pads if you can’t make it to bathroom)
Money (change to use in vending machines/canteen etc)
If you have sky go.. download the app ready on ipad or iPhone
For the hospital stay – baby stuff
Sleepsuits x 5
Vests x 5
Bibs x 4
Scratch Mitts
Hat x 2
Blanket
Nappies x 1 pack
Nappy Bags
Nappy Cream
Cotton wool + pot or wipes
Muslin Cloths
Going home outfit! 🙂
note: If not breast feeding remember to check if hospital provide formula – if not buy ready made bottles (glass) with disposable teats for your stay)
Leave ready at home (for hubby/family to bring in)
Car seat
Snow suit
Your going home outfit
Other baby essentials
And ENJOY your very own moment like this … without the world watching you!
As always if you would like to add anything to this list, please do so in the comments section below & we can update. If you would like a copy of this list on email, please just request one via our contact page
