Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Your Baby (UK), with 12 Essentials
Not sure what to pack in your hospital bag for baby? A simple UK checklist for you, your partner and your baby, plus 12 newborn essentials and when to pack.
Transport Sleepsuits (Pack of 3)
Three cute sleepsuits for the first days.
- Pack of three
- Easy to put on
- Reduced price
White Long-Sleeved Bodysuits (Pack of 5)
Five plain bodysuits to layer under sleepsuits.
- Pack of five
- Great value
- Easy to layer
Hello World Hat & Booties
A sweet hat and booties for baby's first trip home.
- Perfect for photos
- Keeps baby cosy
- Reduced price
White Knitted Hats & Mitts
Soft knitted hat and mitts for newborns.
- Soft knit
- Hat and mitts
- Reduced price
Scratch Mitts (Pack of 2)
Stops tiny nails scratching delicate skin.
- Very cheap
- Two pairs
- Protects skin
Green Knitted Cardigan
A cosy cardigan for an extra layer.
- Easy extra layer
- Cute collar
- Reduced price
Large Muslin Squares (Pack of 3)
The most useful baby item you'll own.
- Lots of uses
- Large size
- Pack of three
Purflo Swaddle to Sleepbag (0–4 months, 2.5 Tog)
A swaddle that turns into a sleeping bag.
- Swaddle and sleepbag in one
- 2.5 tog for cooler rooms
- Easy to use
Tommee Tippee Natural Start Baby Bottles (150ml)
Small bottles for newborns.
- Made for newborns
- Slow-flow teats
- Trusted brand
Travel Bottle Cleaning Set
A compact kit for cleaning bottles on the go.
- Compact
- Cheap
- Travel-friendly
Skip Hop Forma Next Nappy Backpack
A practical backpack that works as your hospital bag.
- Hands-free backpack
- Lots of pockets
- Use it every day after
Cybex Cloud G3 Plus Car Seat
A rear-facing baby car seat for the journey home.
- Rear-facing
- Trusted brand
- Reduced price
Packing your hospital bag is one of those jobs that feels very real. Many parents pack it around 36 weeks, so it's ready in case baby arrives early.
Here's a simple checklist, plus 12 newborn essentials from Mamas & Papas. Always check your hospital's own list too, as some provide things like nappies and others don't.
For your baby
- 3 to 4 sleepsuits and bodysuits (newborn and 0–3 months sizes)
- A hat and scratch mitts
- A cardigan or warm layer
- Muslin squares
- Nappies and cotton wool or water wipes
- A blanket or swaddle
- A going-home outfit
- A car seat, fitted in the car before the big day
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For you
- Your maternity notes and birth plan
- Comfy nightwear and a dressing gown
- Nursing bras and breast pads
- Maternity pads and comfy, roomy underwear
- Toiletries, lip balm and a hairband
- Snacks, drinks and a phone charger
- Slippers or flip-flops
- Comfy clothes to go home in
For your birth partner
- Snacks and drinks
- A change of clothes
- Phone charger and some change for parking
12 newborn essentials worth buying
Below are 12 picks for the hospital bag and the first weeks at home. Newborns grow fast, so don't overbuy in tiny sizes.
Common questions
When should I pack my hospital bag?
Many parents pack it at around 36 weeks, so it's ready if the baby comes early. Keep it by the door or in the car.
How many baby outfits do I need for hospital?
Three or four sleepsuits and bodysuits are usually enough for a short stay. Pack a couple of sizes in case your baby is smaller or bigger than expected.
Do I need a car seat to leave hospital?
If you're going home by car, yes. Your baby must travel in a suitable rear-facing car seat. Practise fitting it before your due date.
Does the hospital provide nappies?
It depends on the hospital. Many ask you to bring your own, so check your hospital's list.
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Prices, stock and offers change often, so check the latest price before you buy. Savified may earn a commission from some links at no extra cost to you.
This guide is general information only. If you have a medical question about you or your baby, speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP.
- We researched popular options sold by major UK retailers.
- We compared features, specifications and verified buyer reviews.
- We checked prices across several stores so you can see where it is cheapest.
Transport Sleepsuits (Pack of 3)
Sleepsuits are the newborn basic. This pack of three covers your hospital stay and the first days at home.
It's currently £18.00, down from £24.00.
✓What We Like
- Pack of three
- Easy to put on
- Reduced price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Check the size before you pack
White Long-Sleeved Bodysuits (Pack of 5)
Simple white bodysuits are the base layer for newborns, and a five-pack means you always have a clean one.
It's currently £12.00, down from £16.00.
✓What We Like
- Pack of five
- Great value
- Easy to layer
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Plain design
Hello World Hat & Booties
A lovely "Hello World" hat and booties set, perfect for the going-home outfit and first photos.
It's currently £12.00, down from £16.00.
✓What We Like
- Perfect for photos
- Keeps baby cosy
- Reduced price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Booties can slip off
White Knitted Hats & Mitts
Newborns lose heat through their heads, so a soft hat is a hospital bag essential, along with mitts.
It's currently £13.50, down from £18.00.
✓What We Like
- Soft knit
- Hat and mitts
- Reduced price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Hand wash may be needed
Scratch Mitts (Pack of 2)
Newborn nails are sharp. Scratch mitts stop babies scratching their faces in the first weeks.
It's currently £4.50, down from £6.00.
✓What We Like
- Very cheap
- Two pairs
- Protects skin
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Small, easy to lose
Green Knitted Cardigan
A soft cardigan is an easy extra layer for colder days and the journey home.
It's currently £18.00, down from £24.00.
✓What We Like
- Easy extra layer
- Cute collar
- Reduced price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- 0–3 months size
Large Muslin Squares (Pack of 3)
Muslins are used for everything: burping, wiping, shading, swaddling and as a light blanket.
✓What We Like
- Lots of uses
- Large size
- Pack of three
✕What to Keep in Mind
- More expensive than basic muslins
Purflo Swaddle to Sleepbag (0–4 months, 2.5 Tog)
This converts from a swaddle to a sleeping bag, so it grows with your baby in the early months.
✓What We Like
- Swaddle and sleepbag in one
- 2.5 tog for cooler rooms
- Easy to use
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Follow safe sleep guidance
Tommee Tippee Natural Start Baby Bottles (150ml)
If you plan to bottle feed, or want a backup, small 150ml bottles with slow-flow teats are made for newborns.
✓What We Like
- Made for newborns
- Slow-flow teats
- Trusted brand
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Only needed if bottle feeding
Travel Bottle Cleaning Set
Handy if you're bottle feeding away from home.
It's currently £8.00, down from £10.00.
✓What We Like
- Compact
- Cheap
- Travel-friendly
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not a steriliser
Skip Hop Forma Next Nappy Backpack
A changing backpack can double as your baby's hospital bag, then be used every day after.
✓What We Like
- Hands-free backpack
- Lots of pockets
- Use it every day after
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Costs more than a basic bag
Cybex Cloud G3 Plus Car Seat
You'll need a car seat to drive your baby home. The Cybex Cloud G3 Plus is a rear-facing baby seat. Check it fits your car before your due date.
It's currently £174.95, down from £209.95.
✓What We Like
- Rear-facing
- Trusted brand
- Reduced price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Check car fit and base options
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