What to put in your Hospital Go-Bag
Packing for the big event
Essentials and extras for your hospital go-bag
Preparing for the birth of your first baby is exciting – and nerve-wracking. No matter how many birthing classes you take, you never really know how it’s going to go.
Although you can’t control the birth itself, one way to feel calm is focusing on what you can control, like organising and packing your hospital bag. Making sure you have everything you might need packed and ready to go can help you feel confident and prepared as you wait for your baby to arrive.
Here’s our list of essentials for labour and beyond.
Labour essentials
- Water bottle – staying hydrated during labour is incredibly important, so bring a large bottle for water or other drinks.
- Snacks – although many women don’t want to eat during labour, some find it helps them get through. Bring easy, nutritious snacks for you and your birthing partner, like nuts or muesli bars.
- Music – if you want to listen to music during labour, make sure to pack small phone speakers or headphones.
- Facecloths – these are handy for making hot or cold compresses, or for wiping your face during labour.
- Lip Balm
- Natural pain relief – some people find alternative pain relief helpful, particularly in the early stages of labour. TENS machines, Your Birth Weapon, pilates balls, wheat bags, or homeopathic remedies – if you think they will help, bring them along.
- Book, Kindle, or magazine – it sounds unlikely, but early-stage labour can involve lots of waiting around. Having a distraction available can help the time pass.
- Phone and charger – for listening to music or podcasts and updating friends and family when the baby arrives.
Post-birth packing
- PJs – bring a couple of loose-fitting, comfortable nighties or pyjamas with buttons or ties for easy breastfeeding access.
- Dressing gown – having a dressing gown helps when you need to pop across the hall to the toilet or shower.
- Socks or soft slippers – hospitals can be cold, so keep your feet warm.
- Underwear – buy a pack of cheap underwear in a larger size than usual. Pick a high-waisted style in a dark colour, to avoid discomfort and hide stains.
- Maternity bra or singlet – a seamless, soft maternity bra or singlet can make things more comfortable when your milk comes in.
- Maternity pads – the hospital will supply these, but it’s handy to have extras as well.
- Breast pads – disposable or reusable breast pads keep you from drenching your clothes in the early days of breastfeeding.
- Nipple cream – this helps to soothe and heal sore, cracked nipples.
- Pillow and case – these aren’t strictly essential but may help you sleep better in an unfamiliar environment.
- Breastfeeding pillow – a breastfeeding pillow helps keep baby in the right position while you’re figuring out what you’re doing. It can be particularly useful for keeping pressure off your wound if you have had a C-section.
- More snacks – hospital food isn’t always great, so bring some favourites to treat yourself after birth. You could even include some tasty lactation cookies to help your milk come in.
- Toiletries – bodywash, shampoo, facewash and moisturiser – whatever you use every day. The hospital will have soap on hand, but using your own products can help you feel more human at a difficult time.
- Comb or brush and hair ties – these can also be useful to keep your hair out of your face during labour.
- Flushable wipes or soft toilet paper – gentler if you’re sore after the birth.
- Clothes for leaving the hospital – remember, your stomach won’t go back to normal straight away, so bring elasticated pants and loose-fitting tops.
- Pen and small notebook – handy for recording breastfeeding times.
Baby basics
Clothes – Bring 4-5 outfits. Go for comfortable cotton or merino sleepsuits, plus a woollen jumper or cardie, hat, and socks – and make sure you wash them first. A special going-home outfit is great for photos capturing this special moment.
Baby wipes – The hospital will supply nappies, but they often don’t have wipes.
Baby washcloths – Small, soft washcloths are handy for wiping spills and washing your baby’s face.
Blankets – Bring soft, stretchy receiving blankets or muslin wraps to wrap baby while you’re holding him, swaddle him while he sleeps, and keep him warm on the walk to the car. Snugglewraps are a great option for soothing an unsettled baby.
Car seat – Make sure you have an appropriate car seat installed in your car for the journey home – hospitals won’t let you leave without one.
Pack early, pack everything
It may look like a long list, but it’s better to overpack than miss something you really need. Make sure you’re sorted by packing your bag around a month before your due date and leaving it in an accessible place, just in case you go into labour early.
Even if you’re planning a homebirth, it’s a good idea to pack a bag just in case you need to go to the hospital unexpectedly.
You can grab things like your toothbrush and toiletries on your way out.
Then it’s almost time to meet your brand-new baby. Good luck!
Want to know more about preparing for a new baby? Check out our newborn essentials list.
