The hospital bag – what to pack, and when?
Ajaaja Henriksen · 10. januar 2026 · 4 min read
It's a good idea to have your hospital bag packed when you reach full term at 37+0. That way you're prepared, and it can bring a lovely sense of calm to know the practical things are sorted. Once labour starts, there is plenty else to focus on – and it's nice that the bag is already standing ready.
The bag can also serve as inspiration for those of you having a planned caesarean section. Here too, we recommend packing it well before your planned date.
For many, packing the hospital bag also becomes a cosy part of the pregnancy – slowly getting ready for the big moment when you meet your baby for the first time.
It's important to stress that there is no single right way to pack a hospital bag. We all have different needs, so of course you should only bring what makes sense for you. This list is meant as inspiration, so you can put together a bag that suits you best 🌿
For the baby
(Can stay in the car until after the birth)
- Baby duvet with cover
- Car seat
- Carrycot
- Snowsuit or outdoor suit
- 2 sets of clothes – we recommend sizes 50 and 56 (adjust for the season)
- Socks
- Hat
- A baby blanket or swaddle that smells of you
- A couple of cloth nappies
Many choose to fetch the baby's things from the car only after the birth, as the hospital provides the essentials during your stay.
For the birthing mother
It's a good idea to pack with comfort, calm and recovery in mind – both during and after the birth.
- Comfortable clothes for at least 2 days – ideally shirts or tops that button up, so your baby can easily lie skin to skin
- Underwear – preferably large, with room for a large pad (most maternity wards have mesh underwear and pads available)
- A soft, nursing-friendly bra – it doesn't have to be a nursing bra; many wait until their milk comes in
- Nursing pillow – important for a good, relaxed breastfeeding position
- Toiletry bag: hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, body and face cream, lanolin ointment etc.
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Towels (ideally ones that can get blood on them) – there are often towels at the maternity ward, but they are typically small
- Soft toilet paper
- Water bottle
- Shoes that are easy to slip on – perhaps a pair of slippers
Some of these things can also stay in the car until after the birth, depending on your needs.
For the partner / birth companion
The partner or birth companion plays an important role during the birth and the stay, so it's a good idea to think of them when packing too.
- Phone and charger
- Change of clothes
- Toiletry bag
- Own pillow
- Towels
What is needed in the delivery room?
Here are the things many find particularly nice to have close at hand during the birth:
- Maternity record
- Perhaps a letter to the midwife about what matters to you
- Lip balm
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hair tie
- Light snacks
- Perhaps your own pillow
- Phone or camera
- Charger for phone/camera
- Perhaps fairy lights, LED candles, essential oils or other things that mean something to you
- Perhaps a speaker and a playlist that suits you
Make the delivery room your own
Remember that the delivery room is your space – the place where you should feel safe during the birth.
For many, a hospital can feel cold, sterile and impersonal, and those are not the best conditions for promoting the important birth and happiness hormone oxytocin.
That's why it can make really good sense to see the delivery room as the space that is yours until your baby is born. It doesn't have to feel clinical or impersonal – and you are very welcome to do your bit to create a feeling of calm, security and homeliness ✨
Small things can make a big difference.