What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: The Ultimate Checklist for UK Mums (Created by Mums & NHS Approved)

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag: The Ultimate Checklist for UK Mums (Created by Mums & NHS Approved)

Hi lovely, I’m Ada. I am a mother of one gorgeous boy, the founder of My Baby Nest, and a former member of the “I’ll pack my hospital bag later” club.

Let me tell you… don’t be like past me.

When I was pregnant with my son, I thought I had loads of time to get everything sorted. But babies have their timing (and flair for the dramatic), so when mine decided to show up a month early, I was utterly unprepared. I ended up chucking a few random things into a bag... think: mismatched socks, two bottles of shampoo (why?!), and zero maternity pads.

I spent most of my hospital stay panic-ordering essentials on Amazon instead of soaking up those newborn snuggles. That’s when My Baby Nest was born. I wanted to create what I so desperately needed: a ready-to-go, mum-curated, NHS-approved hospital bag that has everything you need (and a few thoughtful extras too).

So whether you're packing early (go you!) or cutting it fine (no judgment here), here's your ultimate hospital bag checklist. It has been created by mums, approved by midwives, and designed to take the stress out of packing.

💼 What’s Inside Our Ultimate Hospital Bag

For You, Mama:

  • 👝 Large Duffle Bag
    Big, sturdy, and ready to hold all your bits, because you’ll need more than you think.

  • 💆‍♀️ Postpartum Belly Wrap
    Gentle support when everything feels a bit wobbly... trust me, it’s a game-changer for those first few days.

  • 🤱 Nursing Bra
    Super soft and stretchy. Makes those first feeds so much easier.

  • 🚰 Peri Bottle
    If you know, you know. If you don’t — just pack it. You’ll thank me later.

  • 👗 Nursing & Labour Dress
    Comfy, breathable, and perfect for both labour and post-birth snuggles.

  • 🛏 Inflatable Pillow
    Hospital pillows are... non-existent they never seem to have any. This one gives your neck the support it needs it has a soft covering to make it comfortable.

  • 🌬 Handheld Fan
    Because contractions are sweaty business. Stay cool, literally.

  • 🔌 3m Multi-Port Charger
    Hospital plug sockets are miles away from the bed. This keeps your phone close for music, photos, or calling your mum when you need her most.

  • 💧 1L Water Bottle with Straw
    You won’t believe how handy a straw is when you’re stuck in one position and only have a few seconds between your next contraction. This is hydration made easy.

  • 🥿 Slippers & Flip Flops
    Slippers for waddling around your room, flip flops for those not-so-luxurious hospital showers.

  • 🩲 High-Waisted Disposable Underwear (TENA Lady)
    Two pairs of absolute comfort, perfect for both natural and C-section recovery.

  • 🩹 Maternity Pads (5x)
    Soft, absorbent, and essential. Trust me, the hospital ones don’t cut it.

  • 👚 Nursing PJ’s
    You’ll live in these post-birth. Cosy, cute, and feeding-friendly.

  • 🍼 Lansinoh Nipple Cream
    Sore nipples? Sorted. This stuff is pure gold if you’re breastfeeding.

  • 🛁 Toiletry Set (Green Tea Fragrance)
    All your essentials — shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant — in gentle, natural, mum-safe formulas.

  • 💆‍♀️ Self-Care Kit
    Because even during labour, a little TLC goes a long way. Think face mask, hair ties, lip balm… small things, big comfort.

  • 🍼 Breast Pads (2x)
    For when your milk comes in and your boobs go rogue.

For Your Baby:

  • 👜 Tote Bag
    Keeps baby’s things separate and organised (a total lifesaver in the chaos).

  • 👶 First Outfit
    Includes a 100% cotton sleepsuit, vest, bib, hat, and tiny mittens. So soft. So cute. So ready for cuddles.

  • 🍼 Pampers New Baby Nappies & Fragrance-Free Wipes
    Gentle and reliable — just what you want for their brand new skin.

  • 🛏 100% Cotton Baby Blanket
    Lightweight, breathable, and perfect for wrapping them up like the little burrito they are.

  • 🤱 Baby Swaddle
    Helps them sleep peacefully (and you too, hopefully).

  • 🍼 A Muslin Cloths
    Burps, spills, cuddles… these are your MVPs.

  • 🛏 Foldable Changing Mat
    Easy to clean and super handy for those hospital changes.

For Your Birth Partner (Yes, They Need a Bag Too!):

  • 👜 Tote Bag
    Room for snacks, spare clothes, and anything else they need to support you fully.

  • 🛏 Fleece Blanket
    Hospital chairs aren’t cosy so this helps a lot.

  • 🛏 Inflatable Pillow
    A little comfort goes a long way for your support person too.

  • 🛁 Toiletry Set
    No one wants a smelly birth partner. Just saying. It includes a Shampoo, Body Wash, Body Moisturiser and deodorant. 

  • 🥿 Slippers
    Hospitals are hard floors. These = happy feet.

🍼 A Few Extras to Pop in Yourself

We’ve covered the essentials, but here are a few bonus bits we recommend bringing too:

  • 🥨 Plain Snacks (crackers, oat bars, dried fruit)
    Keep it light. Anything heavy and… well, let’s just say you might see it again during labour. 😅 I also made this mistake when I wolfed down chicken goujons mid-delivery. 

  • ⚡ Lucozade or Coconut Water
    Energy. Hydration. Life-saving.

  • 📄 Your Birth Plan & Maternity Notes
    Don’t forget these! Keep them somewhere easy to reach.

Final Thoughts From One Mum to Another

Packing your hospital bag isn’t just a to-do list, it’s a love letter to your future self. It’s about feeling ready, supported, and calm when the big moment comes (even if it comes early as mine did!).

That’s why I created My Baby Nest, so no mum ever has to panic-pack two bottles of shampoo again. 😉

You deserve to feel looked after. You deserve to feel prepared. And most of all, you deserve to focus on welcoming your baby not chasing down a charger or wishing you had brought nipple cream.

Ready to skip the stress?
🛍️ Shop our Ultimate Hospital Bag now

And if you’re curious about what else we’re working on (we’ve got postpartum kits and baby travel bundles coming soon!), join our newsletter to stay in the loop.

With love,
Ada x
Founder, My Baby Nest

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