Posted: May 22, 2023
It’s almost the end of your pregnancy road and birth is around the corner.
The nerves and more importantly the excitement is starting to set in as you get closer to meeting your bub earthside.
Whether you are having your baby at the hospital or home, there are some essential items you will need to pack to ensure you and your new baby are all set, once they arrive.
The time you spend in hospital can vary depending on your circ*mstances – normally it’s between one and five days. We recommend getting your bag ready to go around a month before, just in case you go into labour before your due date.
To take out the guesswork and help you feel prepared, our experienced team at Babyroad has put together a list of all items you will need to pack. Our hospital bag checklist includes items for both you, your baby, and your partner.
What hospitals do and don’t supply varies, depending on the hospital or birthing centre. So check what they recommend you bring with you as well and pop them in your hospital bag, so you are prepared for when you go into labour.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Birth
- Birth plan – bring several copies.
- Medicare card.
- Health insurance information.
- Nipple cream.
- Breast pads.
- Nipple ice packs.
- Heavy-duty pads.
- Birth Playlist >> most hospitals will have a sound system you can connect to (and if they don’t, bring a little portable speaker so you and your birth buddies can listen to your playlist). Listening to music can help to calm and motivate you during birth. Have a playlist ready to go with all your favourite songs.
- Phone, camera and charger to capture the experience.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Stay
This list is super comprehensive, so you can pick and choose from the below, which items are most essential for you.
SRC Recovery Shorts
- Clothing
- Supportive nursing bra.
- Black maternity leggings or loose-fitting pants.
- Comfortable singlet or shirt that is breastfeeding accessible >> bring spares.
- Dressing gown.
- Recovery pants.
- Warm socks.
- Big comfortable underwear >> we recommend black! Pack loads.
- Toiletries
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and body wash. The hospital may supply these items, but you will likely want to use your own products to give you some luxury amidst all the hospital scenery.
- Massage oil >> a massage during labour can be very relieving.
- Lip balm / paw paw cream.
- Hairbrush & hair ties.
- Face wash & wipes.
- Dry shampoo.
- Toilet paper. I know what you are thinking, the hospital will have toilet paper. They do! But it’s not very soft or good quality and trust us, you will appreciate some softness down there after birth!
- Boobie bikkies! Milk-boosting lactation cookies are packed full of natural galactagogues including Flaxseed, Brewers Yeast & Oats which help to boost & support your milk supply while breastfeeding.
- Laptop, book, entertainment. Depending on how long you are there, there may be downtime, so you’ll want to have some entertainment ready.
- Earplugs – hospitals are going 24/7 and it can be hard to get any sleep.
- Your own pillow – it’s important you feel comfortable – a little bit of home is always nice.
- Your own towel. While the hospital will have these, you’ll appreciate a nice soft towel from home for your first post-delivery shower.
- Thongs or slippers. Your feet can swell more after birth than before so it’s important to have comfortable shoes. Seems hard to believe – but it’s true sadly.
- Drink bottle.
- Laundry bag. You will go through lots of underwear and baby clothes so having an extra bag to put your dirty laundry in is handy.
- Essential oils & diffuser – essential oils can be calming, especially if you have been using them in your pre-birth preparation.
- Snacks & drinks – you can never pack enough snacks.
- Cash – in case you need money for the vending machine because god forbid you run out of snacks!
Apart from all the essentials, remember to pack for yourself. We’ve included not only the must-haves but also the nice-to-haves.
Hospital Bag Checklist for Baby
We recommend you pack your whole nappy bag to be prepared for everything related to your newborn.
In most cases, the hospital will supply a few nappies and nappy wipes, but it is so handy to just have all of the things ready to go in your nappy bag. And let’s face it, this is preparing you for your most used new accessory, the nappy bag. Check out the OiOi nappy bag range which is functional and stylish.
- Baby car seat. It might seem like the most obvious one, but this is how you are getting your newborn home! Get your child car seat fitted by an expert, so you are confident it is installed correctly.
- Baby clothes. It’s important to pack smaller and bigger sizes. If your baby comes early you will need smaller clothing. A handy tip is to pack baby clothes in zip-lock bags so you can access all the items you need for changing easily, without having to rummage through a whole bag. It’s essential to pack multiple changes and a going-home outfit. Check out the Purebaby hospital bag packs, which include all the essentials.
- Socks, booties & mittens – especially if you are giving birth in winter!
- Baby pram. When leaving the hospital, you will have a lot to carry. Having a baby stroller ready to go means your newborn will be safe, and you can store some of your items underneath.
- Baby blanket.
- Nappies & baby wipes. In most cases, the hospital supplies these items, but it’s important to check first (we have found there is often not enough for your entire stay).
Hospital Bag Checklist for Partner
Whether your birthing partner is your husband, Mum or best friend, they should also come prepared with supplies.
- Comfortable shoes – there will be a lot of pacing in the room and hallways.
- Pain relief – not that you will have much sympathy, but I know a few birthing partners who have needed a headache tablet to get through the stress!
- Snacks!
- Swimwear to join you in the shower or birth pool.
- Phone & charger.
- Change of clothes.
- Toiletries (toothbrush etc).
- Entertainment – books, laptop, puzzles etc birth can go on for a long time!
Want a printable version of our list? Download our pdf below >>
Babyroad Hospital Checklist
Visit Babyroad today to get everything you need for your hospital bag
At Babyroad, we stock a large variety of leading baby brands to help you prepare for birth. Find all the essentials you need for your hospital birth and baby bag in one place.
We also offer a car seat fitting service, so we can professionally install your car seat at home or the hospital. Shop our range of birth and baby items online or visit our Perth showroom to see over 25 nursery room displays, pram demos and so much more – we would love to help you on your pregnancy journey, so come in and chat to your friendly team.
