Pack for your
next little chapter.

Clothes and comfort for labour and your hospital stay.

• Your usual medicines / pregnancy vitaminsConfirm what to bring and how to take them with your maternity team.Not needed
• Face masksCheck the current hospital guidance.Not needed
• Glasses / contact lensesNot needed
• Phone charger with a long cableNot needed
• 3-pin plug adaptor, if neededNot needed
• Water bottle and drinking cupNot needed
• PenNot needed
• Nightdress and dressing gownNot needed
• Comfortable underwearNot needed
• Maternity padsNot needed
• Socks and wide slip-on slippersNot needed
• Nursing bra and breast pads, if neededNot needed
• Towel (preferably not white)Not needed
• Face cloth or spongeNot needed
• TissuesNot needed
• Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and lip balmNot needed
• Bags for dirty laundryNot needed
• Drinking water / preferred drinksFollow your care team’s advice about eating and drinking during labour.Not needed
• Snacks, if permittedNot needed
• 2 pairs of high-waisted pyjamas or 2 nightdressesNot needed
• 2 nursing bras, if neededNot needed
• TowelsNot needed
• High-waisted or disposable / mesh underwearNot needed
• Wide maternity padsNot needed
• ToiletriesNot needed
• Brush or combNot needed

Keep the delivery-room outfit separate. Confirm quantities and feeding supplies with your maternity team.

• Delivery-room bag: 2 newborn nappiesNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: 1 towelNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: 1 pair of cotton mittensNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: 1 cotton baby growNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: 1 cotton vestNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: SocksNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: Bonnet or hatNot needed
• Delivery-room bag: Shawl or blanketNot needed
• Hospital stay: 1 packet of newborn nappies (size 1)Not needed
• Hospital stay: 2 towelsNot needed
• Hospital stay: Nappy bagsOptionalNot needed
• Hospital stay: 2 pairs of socksNot needed
• Hospital stay: 2 cotton vestsNot needed
• Hospital stay: 2 baby grows with scratch mittsNot needed
• Hospital stay: Baby changing matNot needed
• Hospital stay: Cotton wool / cotton pads (not cotton balls)Not needed
• Hospital stay: Baby combNot needed
• Hospital stay: Baby shampoo, if requested by the wardNot needed
• Hospital stay: Baby liquid soap, if requested by the wardNot needed
• Hospital stay: Small basin, if neededNot needed
• Hospital stay: Alcohol- and soap-free wipesNot needed
• Hospital stay: Microwave sterilising bags, if neededNot needed
• Hospital stay: Bottle brush, if neededNot needed
• Hospital stay: 2–3 small bottles, if neededDiscuss feeding supplies with your maternity team.Not needed
• Hospital stay: Washing-up liquid for bottles, if neededNot needed

Confirm visiting arrangements and which facilities may be used.

• T-shirt and change of clothesNot needed
• Deodorant and towelNot needed
• Slippers or flip-flopsNot needed
• Blanket and small pillow, if permittedNot needed
• Cup or mugNot needed
• Snacks or a meal planNot needed
• Coins for vending machinesNot needed
• Phone charger with a long cableNot needed

Keep your antenatal records and documents requested by the hospital easy to reach.

• Antenatal blue card and hospital documentsNot needed

Only pack what is useful to you and permitted by your hospital.

• Book or magazineNot needed
• HeadphonesNot needed
• Saline nasal drops, if you use themNot needed
• Hot-water bottle or compressAsk the maternity team before using heat for pain relief.Not needed
• Sweets, if wantedNot needed
• Chamomile tea, if wantedCheck with your maternity team if you are unsure about herbal drinks.Not needed
• Sugar, if wantedNot needed
• Cutlery, if neededNot needed
• Extra pillowOptionalNot needed
• Nursing pillowOptionalNot needed
• Make-upOptionalNot needed