What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

The hospital bag is one of those tasks that sits on the to-do list for weeks before most people actually do it. And then suddenly you're 37 weeks, contractions have started, and you're grabbing things at random while your partner Googles "how many nappies do newborns use per day."

Pack before 36 weeks. That's the single most useful piece of advice in this post, and it applies regardless of whether you're planning a public or private birth, a vaginal delivery or a caesarean, or a one-night stay or a week-long admission.

Beyond that, here's exactly what to bring.

How many bags do you need?

Most people find it easier to use two or three separate bags rather than one large one. A labour bag for the birth itself, a recovery bag for the postnatal ward, and a baby bag keeps things organised and means you or your support person can find what's needed quickly without emptying everything onto the hospital floor at 3am.

Your partner or support person's bag is worth planning too — they may be with you for many hours and hospitals are not always well-equipped for the people who aren't the patient.

Your labour bag

The labour bag is about comfort and practicality during the birth itself. You probably won't use everything in it, but you'll want options.

Clothing and comfort

A loose, comfortable nightgown or old t-shirt that you don't mind ruining. Many women labour in a hospital gown but having your own option matters. Warm socks — hospitals are often cold and your feet will thank you. Slippers or slides for walking the corridors. A hair tie or headband if you have long hair.

Pain relief and comfort items

Your birth preferences document — a clear, concise outline of your preferences around pain relief, monitoring, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, and anything else that matters to you. This doesn't need to be a rigid plan, but having it in writing means your care team can refer to it without you needing to communicate everything mid-labour.

A heat pack or wheat bag for lower back pain during contractions. A handheld fan — hospitals run warm and labouring women often run warmer. A small spray bottle filled with water. Lip balm, which you will want badly after hours of breathing through contractions.

If you're planning to use a TENS machine in early labour, make sure it's charged and you know how to operate it before you need it.

A familiar pillow from home can make a significant difference, particularly in early labour when you're resting between contractions and trying to preserve energy. If you've been using a Bumpnest Maternity Pillow through pregnancy, bringing the back wedge and knee component means you have the same support setup you're already used to, in an unfamiliar environment.

Food and drinks

Pack food for yourself and your support person. Labour can last many hours and hospital cafeterias have limited hours and limited appeal. Easy-to-eat snacks — muesli bars, crackers, fruit, nuts, lollies for quick energy — are all useful. Electrolyte drinks are worth including. A reusable water bottle with a straw means you can drink without sitting up during contractions.

Documents

Your Medicare card, private health insurance card if applicable, your antenatal records or pregnancy health summary (your midwife or obstetrician will advise on what to bring), and your birth preferences document. If you're giving birth privately, your admission paperwork may need to be completed in advance.

Your recovery bag

The postnatal ward is where most people underpack. You may be there for one night for an uncomplicated vaginal birth, or up to four or five nights following a caesarean. Pack for the longer end.

Clothing

Loose, comfortable nightwear you can breastfeed or recover in. Button-front or wrap-style tops make feeding significantly easier. Two or three changes minimum. A comfortable, loose-fitting outfit for going home that accounts for the fact that your bump doesn't disappear immediately after birth.

Feeding

If you're planning to breastfeed, nursing bras in your maternity size. Breast pads. Lanolin nipple cream, which most midwives will tell you to bring and which makes an enormous difference in the early days of feeding. If you're formula feeding, your hospital may provide formula or you may need to bring your own — check with your hospital in advance.

Toiletries

The basics: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturiser. Dry shampoo is genuinely useful if you end up in hospital longer than expected. Maternity pads — bring more than you think you'll need, at least two packets. Standard pads are not adequate for postnatal bleeding. Disposable underwear is worth considering and widely available at Australian chemists and baby retailers.

If you've had or are planning a caesarean, high-waisted underwear can be uncomfortable over the incision site — low-cut or disposable options are more comfortable in the early days of recovery.

Other

Phone charger and a portable battery bank — hospital power points are not always conveniently located. Headphones. A book or something to watch during the quieter stretches of the postnatal ward. Earplugs and an eye mask for sleeping on the ward if you're sensitive to noise and light.

Your baby bag

Hospitals provide a lot of the immediate newborn essentials — warming, vitamin K, assessment — but you'll need to bring clothing and a few other items.

Clothing

Three to five newborn onesies with easy access for nappy changes — front poppers rather than things that pull over the head. Newborn sizing varies between brands, and some babies arrive larger than expected, so including a couple of 0000 and a couple of 000 is sensible. Newborn hats — hospitals provide these but having your own is nice. Mittens if you're having a winter baby.

A coming home outfit is lovely to have, but prioritise comfort over aesthetics. A soft footed onesie is genuinely more practical than anything requiring multiple layers or fiddly fastenings.

Nappies and skincare

Some hospitals provide nappies for the first night and some don't — check in advance. A small pack of newborn nappies is worth including regardless. Fragrance-free baby wipes or cotton wool and a small spray bottle of water for the first nappy changes. A small amount of fragrance-free barrier cream.

Car capsule

Not in the bag, but worth listing here because it's easy to forget to have it checked before your due date. Your baby cannot leave the hospital without a properly installed rear-facing car capsule. Many councils, NRMA locations, and baby retailers offer free installation checks.

What to leave at home

Jewellery and valuables you can't replace. Anything sentimental that would be devastating to lose. Expensive skincare or toiletries — hospital environments are unpredictable and things get misplaced. Your entire wardrobe of postpartum clothing options — you won't need it and the bag will be too heavy.

A note on public versus private

If you're giving birth in a public hospital, check what your hospital provides, as this varies significantly between facilities. Some provide full toiletry kits, others provide almost nothing beyond the clinical essentials. Your antenatal appointments are a good opportunity to ask your midwife what's included and what you need to supply.

If you're giving birth privately, your obstetrician's rooms will usually have a list of what your specific hospital provides and requires.