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Key takeaways

• Pack your birth bag by 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• Consider two separate bags: one for labour, one for after birth.
• Include essentials for yourself, your birth partner, and your baby.
• Remember important documents and comfort items.

What is a birth bag and when should I pack it?

Packing your birth bag helps you prepare for meeting your new baby. This bag is for if you go into a hospital or birth centre. Even if you plan a home birth, it is good to have a bag ready in case you need to go in.

It is a good idea to have everything ready by no later than 37 weeks of pregnancy. You might give birth on your due date, but this is not always the case. Packing early means you will have everything you need when labour starts.

You may prefer to have two bags. One bag can be for labour and the other for you and your baby after birth. It is sensible to pack for at least a couple of days, just in case.

Essentials for the birthing parent

It is important to pack items for your comfort and practical needs during labour.

Important documents and personal items

• Antenatal notes – keep these with you at all times during the last months of pregnancy.
• Birth plan – bring your birth plan with you.
• Bank cards and change – for a taxi or car park.
• Any medications – bring any medicines you are currently taking.
• Spare glasses or contact lenses – if you wear them.

Comfort for labour

• Drinks and snacks – labour can take a long time.
• Something to read, watch, play, or listen to – this can help in the early stages of labour.
• Music player and headphones – to help you relax.
• Face cloth– to help keep you cool and fresh.
• Lip balm – to stop your lips getting dry.
• Hair bobbles or a headband – to keep long hair out of the way.
• Pillow from home – if you would find this comforting.
• Phone and charger – an extra-long charging cable or battery pack can be useful.
• TENS machine – bring one if you plan to use it for pain relief.
• Eye mask – this may help you sleep on a brightly lit ward.
• Fan or water spray – to help keep you cool.

Clothing for labour

• Comfy nighties or big t-shirts – labour rooms are warm, so you will need something cool and loose.
• Loose, comfortable clothing – to wear during labour.
• Socks – to keep your feet warm.

Packing for after the birth

After birth, you will need items for your recovery and comfort.

Personal care and toiletries

• Wash bag with toiletries – Include basics like a toothbrush, soap, and deodorant. Also pack any other personal items.
• Unscented toiletries and cosmetics – if there is no scent, they will not interfere with you and your baby bonding.
• Wet wipes and flannels – for freshening up until you can shower.
• Towels – you may want to bring your own.

Clothing and support for after birth

• Front-opening nighties or loose shirts – so you can easily breastfeed and have skin-to-skin contact with your baby.
• Loose-fitting day clothes – front-opening clothes are easy for breastfeeding.
• Light dressing gown and slippers or flip-flops – flip-flops are good for wearing to the shower.
• 5 or 6 pairs of knickers – you may find disposable pants useful for the first few days.
• 2 or 3 nursing bras or comfy bras – your breasts will be larger than usual.
• Breast pads – to soak up leaking breast milk, even if you do not plan to breastfeed.
• Nipple cream – to help heal any sore or cracked nipples when you first start to breastfeed.
• Maternity pads or super-size sanitary pads – You will need these for bleeding after birth. Use pads instead of tampons to help prevent infection.
• Clothes to come home in – you will still have a bit of a bump, so keep your outfit comfy and loose.
• Cotton or disposable pants – Pack pants that come up to your waist. This is especially important after a caesarean section, as regular pants may rub the wound.

Other items to consider

• Your own pillows – if you would find these comforting.
• Feeding pillow – to make feeding your baby more comfortable.
• Chewing gum – to help get your bowels working after a caesarean section.
• Peppermint tea bags or cordial – to help relieve wind after a caesarean section.
• A spare bag – for any washing.

What to pack for your partner and baby

Your birth partner and new baby will also need some essential items.

For your birth partner

• Comfy change of clothes – as they may be there for a long time.
• Spare underwear – in case of spills or a long stay.
• Toothbrush – for personal hygiene.
• Drinks and snacks – as labour can take a long time.

For your baby

• Clothes for your baby to come home in – This includes a hat, scratch mittens, and socks. Add a pram suit if it is cold outside.
• Car seat – to bring your baby home in.
• Baby blanket or shawl – to keep your baby warm.

Your hospital will likely provide basic items, such as towels and blankets.

What you can probably leave at home

To avoid overpacking, consider leaving these items at home:

• Valuables – It's best to leave expensive jewellery or large sums of cash at home.
• Breast pump – You likely won't need this in the hospital, as your milk supply is just coming in.
• Too many outfits for yourself or the baby – Hospitals often provide basic baby clothes, and you'll only be there for a short stay.
• Baby wipes – For the first few weeks, plain water and cotton wool are recommended for your newborn's sensitive skin.