What to pack in your hospital bag

You'll be well advised to have your hospital bags packed and ready to go from around week 33 of pregnancy, just in case your baby puts in an early appearance or you need to be hospitalised for any reason.

Don't worry that it seems like a lot of stuff. Most of the items are small and will fit easily into a smallish suitcase or holdall. It's a good idea to pack a separate bag for your baby's things so you're not rummaging around too much every time you want something. Why not print this list off for your next trip to Sainsbury's?

Click here to pick up some of the essentials online at Sainsbury's today.

What to pack for you:

• Hospital notes and birth plan
• Disposable pants (7-10 pairs)
• Maternity sanitary pads (two packs of 10 or 12) - Buy now online
• Two long T-shirts or old nightdresses to wear for labour (front opening is a good idea so you can feed your baby without fuss)
• Socks (cold feet are a common complaint)
• Slippers
• A lightweight dressing gown
• Lip balm to prevent dry lips in labour (another common complaint) - Buy now online
• Cool-water spray
• Facecloth
• Hairbands - Buy now online
• Cartons of juice or bottles of water - Buy now online
• Glucose tablets for energy
• Healthy snacks - Buy now online
• Toiletries - Buy now online
• Toothbrush and toothpaste - Buy now online
• Tissues - Buy now online
• Hairbrush - Buy now online
• Towel - Buy now online
• Make-up and remover - Buy now online
• Nursing bra and breast pads - Buy now online
• A phonecard (some hospitals prefer mobile phone use to be restricted to outside the building)
• Your address book
• Some loose change (about £10 should be enough)
• Laundry bag for dirty clothes - Buy now online
• Going home outfit (but still maternity clothes at this stage!)
• A camera and spare batteries (and film if it’s not digital) - Buy now online
• A camcorder (if allowed) and film/batteries - Buy now online
• Your mobile phone (some hospitals allow them to be used in corridors, or you could always take it outside) - Buy now online
• A portable battery-operated stereo/radio player and tapes or CDs (if you want them for the birth) plus spare batteries
• An MP3 player - Buy now online
• A few books/magazines/games
• Pen and paper
• A pillow, blanket and change of clothes for your partner (in case he or she’s in for an overnight stay)

Things to pack for your baby: 

Stock up on all of your baby's first buys here.

• A pack of newborn nappies - Buy now online
• A pack of cotton wool balls for nappy changes - Buy now online
• A towel
• Six stretch sleepsuits - Buy now online
• Six vests
• A cardigan
• Socks
• Hat
• Blanket (plus coat if it's cold weather) - Buy now online
• A few muslin cloths
• A pack of disposable bibs or six cloth bibs - Buy now online
• A soft toy suitable for newborns

  Click here to shop online at Sainsbury's for all your hospital bag essentials

The views expressed here are the views of experts giving advice. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd. If you have any concerns about your child’s health you should consult your GP or health visitor.