Hospital bag checklist

Having your hospital bag packed and ready always makes you feel a bit more organised and in control. From 35 weeks on is a great time to be packed and prepared (as prepared as you can be).

Before you start packing, find out what the hospital will provide for you and your baby. Some hospitals provide basic supplies like nappies, wipes, and blankets but some don't. This will help you to be fully prepared and will give you a better understanding of what to expect during your stay at the hospital. 

Download checklist or continue reading

For mum 

• PJs (button down)
• Dressing gown/robe
• Nursing tank tops (Bonds ones are great)
• Cardigan - great for nursing and to slip on and off easily, hospitals can get a little cool
• Disposable maternity underwear 
• Black undies (upsize to allow for pads)
• Loose fitting pants/tracksuit bottoms - dark colours
• Recovery leggings - try these must haves from SRC
• Comfy going home outfit
• Maternity/nursing bras
• Slip on shoes
• Slippers
• Thongs for the shower
• Socks
• Perenium ice pack and breast ice and heat pack
• Phone charger (the longer the cable the better)
• Disposable or reusable breast pads
• Toiletry bag - see below

Birth bag

• Birth plan (to share with your birthing team)
• Energade or similar electrolyte drink - try this labour aid from Mere Botanicals or Motherhood hydration powder from Franjos Kitchen
• Snacks eg: protein bars or balls, jelly beans, coconut water, muesli bars, bananas, nuts 
• Wheatbag, a soothing and warming natural pain relief 
• Hair tie/scrunchie
• Water bottle (preferably with a straw for easy access) - try the popular Bink Mama hydration bottle
• Birthing dress/nightie/shirt
• Swimmers if a water birth
• Birth comb
• Tens machine (if using one)

For baby

• 3 or 4 NB onesies (zips/kimono style are the easiest)
• 3 or 4 NB bodysuits
• 1 prem onesie (in case bub is very small)
• Going home outfit
• Beanie
• Booties/socks (if onesies aren't footed)
• Announcement plaque
• Nappies (if needed - check with hospital)
• wipes (if needed - check with hospital)
• 2 swaddles/wraps
• Keepsake/warm Blanket
• Dummies (sterilised)
• Gift from baby to sibling
• Car seat installed

Toiletries

• Lip ice
• Face wipes
• Body wash (travel size)
• Hand sanitiser
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush and ties
• Maternity pads with wings
• Basic makeup/face cream
• Dry shampoo
• Shampoo/conditioner (travel size)
• Deodorant (as neutral smelling as possible) 
• Nursing balm
• A peri bottle with a squirt lid to spray on the lady bits post birth (natural)
• Healing peri spray (for natural birth) 

Comfort items

• Your own pillow/blanket
• Earphones
• Essential oils/diffuser - take a look at this clary sage roller

Admin

• Your antenatal record/card
• Health insurance card
• Medicare card
• ID and wallet
• Notebook and pen to take notes/write down important info
• Plastic sleeve or folder to keep any forms/documents in
• Thank you cards for the doctors/midwives to gift before you leave
• Cash for the vending machines and parking

Packing tips - some of the best pieces of advice

• Choose and pack clothing that is dark in colour
• Have a separate bag for the birth as you will be in a different room/area and it will be easier to find things and move your packed items to the maternity ward post birth
• Use dividers/sandwich bags to help organise and separate your items so they are easy to find - we love the hospital organisers from The Nest.
• Don't overpack, your room can get quite full quite quickly so the less 'stuff' you have the better
• A portable caddy (like the Bunnie Caddie) are an amazing way to keep everything organised. This will make it easier to find items when you need them and will help to keep you organised. 

• Milk collector
• Silverettes
• Colostrum (if collected) using a collector kit 
• Breast pump or Haakaa
• Formula (if needed, check with hospital)
• Bluetooth speaker and birth playlist 
• Nightlight (hospital lighting can be very bright) 
• White noise machine
• Lactation biscuits
• Birth affirmation cards

For your partner

• Change of shirt
• Something warm
• Energy drink and snacks for during labour
• Phone charger
• A pillow
• Download contraction timer app
• Swimmers if a water birth
• Reusable water bottle
• Closed toe shoes (for operating theatre if needed) 

Another great tip is to set up a whatsapp group before the time for close family and friends making yourself and your partner admin so that they can keep your loved ones up to date on your progress. Here you can also announce the birth of your bundle saving you from multiple messages.

Remember to organise some meals for your first few days at home or ask friends to set up a meal train for you - the last thing you'll have time for is cooking! 

Take a look at our hospital bag essentials for more ideas.

xxx