Your belly is big, your little babe is full of energy, and you’re starting to feel those half-nervous, half-excited flutters that ‘this is all really about to happen’. In other words, you’re in your third trimester of pregnancy, and it’s time to pack your hospital bag!
This can be an exciting time for many, but it can also be quite scary, confusing, and overwhelming. At Coco & Bundle, we understand the importance of feeling prepared and supported during this special time.
That's why we’ve put together a comprehensive newborn hospital bag checklist to help you pack with confidence and peace of mind.
Before diving into our guide and using our hospital bag checklist download, it's important to check with your midwife or obstetrician to see what supplies your hospital provides.
This way, you can avoid doubling up on items and ensure you have everything you need without overpacking. By coordinating with your healthcare provider and support team, you can streamline your packing process and focus on the essentials.
A hospital bag checklist serves as your roadmap for packing all the necessary items for you, your little babe, and your partner during labour, delivery, and the postpartum period.
An effective newborn hospital bag checklist helps alleviate stress and ensures you don't forget any must-haves. It streamlines your packing by providing a structured system that’s simple, straightforward, and fun!
With a well-organised checklist like our downloadable template, you can feel confident and prepared for whatever comes your way.
Ultimately, we want you to focus on the joy of welcoming your newborn into the world without getting frazzled over worries like ‘what should I pack in my hospital bag?’. Take a breath – we’ve got you covered.
At Coco & Bundle, we’ve got experience in packing hospital bags for birth. Our founder, Zoe, has two gorgeous little ones, and she’s learned a thing or two about what is and isn’t needed.
Our hospital bag checklist download includes every must-have for mums, partners, and bubs. Plus, you can personalise your list based on your preferences and needs with the additional notes sections.
We hope that with our downloadable checklist, you can feel more empowered and in control as you prepare for your baby’s arrival.
To categorise things clearly, our Coco & Bundle newborn hospital bag checklist has a separate birth bag and hospital bag list. How you pack these and what kind of bag (or bags) you use, however, is totally up to you.
In your birth bag is everything that you require for – you guessed it – your actual labour and birth. While it’s important to customise this list based on your individual birth plan and needs, some go-to items you’ll likely need include:
This section is dedicated to you, Mama. Think comfort items, toiletries, and things you’ll need before and after birth. Some of these essentials include:
Now for the fun part! It’s time to pack all the little things your lovely babe will need when he or she enters the world, including:
We can’t forget your incredible birth partner. It’s just as important for him or her to have their own items packed, as both of you will need lots of TLC along with your newborn.
Your partner may want to pack things like:
Now for those items that you might not have thought about – all the extras that just might come in handy during your days-long stay in the hospital:
As we mentioned above, how you pack your hospital bag is your choice. Some women may like to bring a few bags with them: one with birth items, one with Mama’s essentials, and another reserved for baby’s needs.
Other parents, however, might prefer one larger bag with separate compartments for all their essentials.
To help you organise and streamline your packing, give these tried-and-true tips a go:
Feeling overwhelmed with the internet’s plethora of options? Try asking a friend who’s recently given birth, or a local Facebook support group, for recommendations on good hospital bags to buy.
This way, you or your partner can simply look for ‘swaddles’ or ‘nursing pads’ rather than sifting through an entire bag’s worth of gear.
Baby’s onesies, beanies, and booties might go in their own little bag, for instance; spare clothes for parents could go in another, and so forth.
Slot smaller items into leftover gaps or pockets, and use hair ties or wire ties to bind things like phone charger cords.
With all the focus on your labour and birthing experience, it can be easy to skip post-birth essentials when packing your hospital bag. Think about how you can create a supportive and nurturing environment for yourself during labour and postpartum recovery.
Here are some ideas for what to pack to help you feel soothed, nurtured, and as comfortable as possible.
Enlist the support of your birth partner or midwife to guide you through these techniques and provide encouragement along the way.
Choose fabrics that are soft and breathable like cotton to promote comfort and allow your skin to breathe as you recover.
It's important to pack specially designed postpartum pads to soak up this bleeding, keeping you comfortable and protected. Paired with supportive postpartum underwear, pads provide the security and comfort you need during this sensitive time.
*This is one item your hospital may provide for you, so it’s a good idea to check this before packing*
Nursing pads are essential for preventing leaks and protecting your clothing from stains during breastfeeding.
Apply nipple cream after each feeding to help prevent dryness, cracking, and discomfort, allowing you to focus on bonding with your baby without pain or irritation.
Your nurse or midwife can guide you through this process, along with navigating breastfeeding for the first time.
As you embark on this new journey of parenthood, remember that support is available every step of the way. After you’ve downloaded your hospital bag labour delivery checklist, you might want some extra help or advice to navigate and prepare for the big day.
Reach out to healthcare providers, lactation consultants, your nurse or midwife, or support groups with any questions or hiccups you might have along the way.
We know it can be easier said than done to simply ‘ask for help’, so if you’re feeling anxious or have questions about your upcoming labour and birth, check out these helpful resources:
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