Hospital Bag Checklist for Mum and Baby: A UK Guide
Not sure what to pack for the big day? This UK hospital bag checklist covers everything you and your baby will need — with a few things the standard lists tend to forget.
Somewhere around 36 weeks, most UK parents start thinking about the hospital bag. The advice you'll hear most often is to have it ready by 37 weeks, since babies rarely arrive to schedule. The good news is that packing is straightforward once you know what actually gets used — and what stays untouched at the bottom of the bag.
A useful approach is to pack in two parts: one bag for you, one for your baby. Some parents add a third small bag for labour itself, so the essentials are easy to reach without unpacking everything. A roomy, well-organised maternity bag with separate compartments makes this far easier — being able to reach your maternity notes or a muslin without emptying the whole thing is genuinely worth it on the day. Below is a complete checklist for each.
For You: The Mum's Hospital Bag
Documents & Essentials
- Maternity notes and birth plan
- Photo ID and any hospital paperwork
- Phone and a long charging cable
- Cash or card for parking and vending machines
Labour & Comfort
- A comfortable, loose nightdress or old t-shirt for labour
- A dressing gown and non-slip slippers
- Lip balm and hair ties
- Snacks and a refillable water bottle
- A fan or handheld mister — hospital wards get warm
After the Birth
- Two or three nightdresses or loose outfits (front-opening if breastfeeding)
- Maternity pads (bring more than you think)
- Comfortable high-waisted underwear
- Nursing bras and breast pads
- Toiletries, including a towel — hospitals don't always provide one
- Going-home outfit (something loose and comfortable)
For Your Baby: The Baby's Hospital Bag
Clothing & Sleep
- Several bodysuits and sleepsuits (newborn and 0–3 months — babies vary)
- A hat, scratch mittens, and socks or booties
- A cardigan or jacket depending on the season
- A going-home outfit
Feeding & Changing
- Nappies for a newborn (a full pack — you'll get through them)
- Cotton wool or newborn-friendly wipes
- Muslin cloths for feeds, dribbles, and everything in between
- If bottle feeding: bottles and ready-made formula
Warmth & Comfort
- A soft blanket for the cot and the journey home
- A hooded towel for the first bath or top-and-tail
- A properly fitted car seat (needed before you can leave)
The Things Standard Lists Forget
- A towel for you. Many UK hospitals don't provide one, and it's the item parents most often wish they'd packed.
- A phone charger with a long cable. Sockets are rarely next to the bed.
- Snacks. Labour is long and hospital food doesn't run to your schedule.
- A change of clothes for your partner if they're staying over.
When to Have It Packed
Aim to have both bags ready by 37 weeks. Keep them somewhere easy to grab, and leave a short note on top listing the last-minute items — phone, charger, maternity notes — that can only go in at the last moment. That way, when the day comes, there's nothing left to think about.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I pack my hospital bag in the UK?
Most UK midwives suggest having your hospital bag ready by 37 weeks, as babies often arrive before their due date. Keep it somewhere easy to grab, with a note listing last-minute items like your phone and maternity notes.
What does my baby need in the hospital bag?
Your baby needs bodysuits and sleepsuits, a hat, mittens and socks, nappies, cotton wool or wipes, muslin cloths, a soft blanket, a hooded towel, and a properly fitted car seat for the journey home.
Do UK hospitals provide towels?
Many UK hospitals do not provide towels, so it's one of the most important things to pack for yourself. A hooded baby towel is also useful for your newborn's first wash.
Designed by a mum who knows what you'll actually need — spacious, practical, and ready for the big day.