Hospital bag checklist
A practical packing list for you, baby and your support person—with progress tracking and room for family-specific items.
Direct answer: pack hospital notes, medicines, comfortable clothes, toiletries, postpartum supplies, baby clothes and nappies, plus your phone, charger, snacks and the right equipment for the trip home.
Ask your own hospital or birth centre what it supplies and what documents it requires.
Pack for your hospital, climate and route home
A universal checklist is only a starting point. Hospitals and birth centres supply different items, stays vary, and going-home needs depend on local weather and transport. Ask your facility what it provides, which documents it requires and what it asks families not to bring.
The NHS hospital bag checklist recommends packing at least three weeks before the due date and covers practical items for the person giving birth, the baby and a birth partner. This tool uses those categories while keeping the list globally adaptable.
The easy-to-forget essentials
- Regular medicines and a clear list of anything you take.
- A long charging cable or power bank, plus current contact numbers.
- Weather-appropriate clothes and a safe plan for travelling home.
- Glasses, contact-lens supplies or accessibility equipment you use every day.
- A spare bag for washing and a backup plan for children, pets and home.
Hospital bag questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
The NHS suggests packing at least three weeks before your estimated due date. Your care team may suggest earlier preparation based on your pregnancy or local arrangements.
What documents should go in a hospital bag?
Common essentials include maternity or hospital notes, your birth plan if you use one, identification and any documents your specific hospital requests.
What should I pack for the baby?
Typical items include bodysuits or vests, sleepsuits, a weather-appropriate going-home outfit, nappies, wipes or cotton wool, muslins and a blanket. Ask your hospital what it provides.
Do I need a car seat at the hospital?
If your baby will travel home by car, use a correctly fitted infant car seat that meets the rules where you live. Transport and discharge requirements differ by country and facility.
As the date gets closer, keep the contraction timer handy and review your estimate in the due date calculator. You can also browse all free Egspect tools.