As well as your own hospital bag essentials, there are quite a few things that you’ll want to take with you in your baby’s hospital bag. Some handy pieces for your new arrival include:
 

• Vests, clothes, hats and booties - Take a few sleepsuits, vests and other outfits to keep them fresh, warm and cosy. 
• Muslin cloths - Perfect for any baby dribbles as your little one gets to grips with feeding.
• Newborn nappies - Make sure you take plenty of nappies with you. If in doubt, take one full pack of newborn nappies to the hospital, friends and family can always bring you more if you need them.
• Cotton wool - Your newborn’s skin is incredibly delicate, so opt for gentle cotton wool and water to clean your baby in these precious early hours and days.
• Suitable car seat - Remember to practice putting this in and taking it out of your car before your little one arrives. You want to know that everything is as safe and secure as it can be as you prepare to bring your baby home.
• Going home outfit - Think about what you’d like your baby to wear on their very first journey home. This marks a very special moment, so feel free to choose something special. It’s a good idea to check the weather to make sure that your new arrival will be warm and cosy or cool and comfortable as needed. 

There’s no way of knowing how big or small your baby will be when they come into the world.

Generally, you’ll want to pack newborn sized clothes in your baby’s hospital bag. If  you’ve been told your baby is measuring bigger or smaller than average during your hospital appointments, you might want to pack a selection of early sizes.

It's recommended to bring a full pack of newborn nappies with you to the hospital. This is roughly 24 nappies which should get you through the first few days.

Your birth partner, friends or family can always bring you more if you need them during your stay in hospital.

We’ve combined our expert knowledge with real parents and family bloggers to bring you a list of everything you’ll need when it comes to those hospital bag essentials. 

These include:

• Birth plan and hospital notes - You want your wishes to be followed as far as possible when it comes to your birth. This is your birth experience, so it’s important that everyone knows exactly what your birth plan and preferences are.
• For some helpful tips and guidance for creating a birth plan that works for you and your labour, take a look here.
• Sanitary pads - Vaginal bleeding is normal after giving birth, and using internal sanitary products after giving birth may put you at higher risk of infection. Make sure you’re stocked up on thick, overnight sanitary pads to keep you as comfortable as possible.
• Loose, comfortable clothing - They might not be your most glamorous pair of pyjamas, but comfort is the name of the game when it comes to labour and birth.
• Plenty of knickers - Soft, cotton underwear is ideal following the birth of your baby. 
• Sensible shoes - You might want to bring slippers for your stay to make you feel more at home. Flip flops make a great choice for hospital showers and it’s best to make sure your chosen footwear is slip-on.
• Phone and phone charger - Each hospital has their own policy on mobile phones so check with yours to see what the rules are. Get yourself ready to snap away and share the news of your little one's arrival with friends and family.
• Nursing bras and breast pads - To save your clean clothes from any leaks.
• Laundry bag - Keep your fresh clothes fresh by separating the washing for later on.
• Water bottle (with a straw) - Labour is thirsty work. Make sure you stay hydrated with an easy-access bottle either you or your birth partner can grab quickly.

These might not all make it into your hospital bag essentials, but here are some tips from other parents out there. They might just make your time in hospital a little more comfortable.
 

• Your own pillow from home
• Deodorant and moisturiser
• Lip balm
• A TENS machine
• A great playlist, speaker and/or headphones
• A mini fan
• Sleep mask and ear plugs

Anything you can do to feel more like yourself after giving birth is going to make you feel better. Here are some of the toiletries we’d recommend you pack in your hospital bag:
 

• Hair tie or headband - to keep your hair away from your face.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste - a simple freshen up can make a big difference.
• Shower gel and shampoo - ready for when you’re able to enjoy a post-birth shower.
• Cleansing wipes - so you can freshen up without going backwards and forwards to the bathroom.

Having enough energy is important during labour and delivery, both for you and your birth partner. Make sure you pack plenty of healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks in your hospital bag.

You may not feel like eating large amounts at a time, so handy ‘little and often’ snacks are a great choice. Slow release carbohydrates, sports drinks and snacks such as bananas and nuts can help to keep your energy levels up.

Take a look at some more ideas on what to eat during labour here.

Not everyone will have the same experience during the early days of breastfeeding. If this is something you’re concerned about, you might want to bring a small pack of breast pads in your hospital bag to help you manage leakage if it happens.