Essential Packing List for Expecting Mothers: What to Bring to the Hospital

Expecting a New Arrival? Here's what to pack for your hospital bag, to make sure you have everything you'll need for the big day.

It can be overwhelming trying to prep your hospital bag, and trying to work out all the things you'll need for your big day. If you've never given birth before there are lots of things that can be helpful that you may not think of, so we've made this list to try make it a little easier.

There are bits you'll need for Mum, and bits for baby, so we've broken it into two lists to cover everything. We've tried to combine all the good points from helpful lists we've found along the way, and all the tips from friends.

This is a good base list, which you can easily personalise and add bits to as you think of them.

Bits for Mum:

• 1x nightie for labour (button down if you're planning to breast feed)

• 1x nightie for after birth

• Nipple balm

• Lip balm

• Water bottle (ideally with a straw/one you can open with one hand whilst feeding)

  • Quite bougie, but one of the best gifts I got was a stanley cup, as the straw was so handy whilst staying hydrated when feeding!

• Breast feeding pillow

• Packet of black underwear in larger size (high waistline if you're having a C section, so it won't rub)

• Nursing bra (if breast feeding)

• Nursing pads

• Dark towel for showering

• Maternity pads x 2 packs

• Shorts (handy for labour when walking up and down the stairs in a hot hospital to get things going)

• Vest top for pre labour

• X2 breastfeeding string tops

• Dressing gown

• Pair of leggings

• Something comfy and light to wear home

• Flip flops/sliders

• Tooth brush

• Toothpaste

• Face wash

• Deodorant

• Shampoo

• Body wash

• Lots of snacks!! (jellies, protein bars etc)

• Long phone charger

• Hair brush

• Hair ties

Optional Extras

• Silver cups for breast feeding

• +\- tens machine

• Yoga ball

Bits for Baby:

• Clothes, clothes, clothes!

  • Baby vests

  • Babygrows (approx 10 of each should cover you and Dad can always bring in more)

  • Cardigan

  • Hat

  • Mittens! (often forgotten, and baby's fingernails often come out razor sharp! Mittens can be helpful to stop them scratching their beautiful fresh faces)

  • Socks

  • Bibs

  • It's often a good idea to bring a few sizes - some babies might not quite squeeze into the newborn babygrows, a few 0-3 month options might be handy!

• Cellular blankets

• Nappies (full pack of size 0/1 nappies)

• Wet wipes

• Nappy cream

Optional Extras:

• Soothers