Newborn Hospital Bag Checklist

What this sheet is for

Most parents-to-be aim to have the hospital bag ready by 36 weeks. In the rush of early labour, it is easy to forget things that matter — nursing bras, the birth plan, a charger. This checklist breaks packing into three clear groups so nothing is overlooked and so whoever is doing the packing can work through it methodically without having to think from scratch.

How to use it

Work through For the Birthing Parent first, ticking each item as it goes into the bag. Move to For the Baby and gather those items together — keeping baby's going-home outfit and car seat accessible rather than buried. Then use For the Birth Partner to pack a separate small bag or backpack for them. Use the blank lines in each section to add anything specific to your hospital or birth plan. Write last-minute items — such as phone and glasses — in the notes box so you remember them just before you leave.

What is printed on the page

“Newborn Hospital Bag Checklist” is laid out as single column: three headed sections of seven pre-filled checkbox items each down one column, optional blank extra lines per section, and a notes box at the foot. Under the title it reads “Everything to pack for birthing parent, baby, and birth partner before you leave.”, and the line at the foot of the page says “Pack the bag by 36 weeks. Keep car seat base installed and hospital notes on top of the bag.”.

The section headings slot holds three entries — “For the Birthing Parent”, “For the Baby” and “For the Birth Partner” — so the sheet is already filled in for baby rather than left as blank rows to label yourself.

The section 1 items slot holds seven entries — “Maternity notes / antenatal records”, “Birth plan (2 printed copies)”, “Loose front-opening nightgown or pyjamas”, “Nursing bra and breast pads (x3 pairs)” and “Maternity pads (at least 2 packs, heavy flow)” and two more — so the sheet is already filled in for baby rather than left as blank rows to label yourself.

The section 2 items slot holds seven entries — “Bodysuits (short-sleeve), newborn size (x3)”, “Sleepsuits with fold-over scratch mitts (x3)”, “Cellular blanket for swaddling”, “Newborn nappies (x12) and unscented wipes” and “Going-home outfit and hat” and two more — so the sheet is already filled in for baby rather than left as blank rows to label yourself.

The section 3 items slot holds seven entries — “Phone charger and portable power bank”, “Snacks and drinks for a long labour”, “Change of clothes and comfortable shoes”, “Camera or confirm phone has free storage” and “List of people to call or text after birth” and two more — so the sheet is already filled in for baby rather than left as blank rows to label yourself.

The remaining labels on the page are “Due date” for the date label and “Last-minute reminders” for the notes heading.

Two things about this particular single column are settings rather than text, and “Newborn Hospital Bag Checklist” has them set like this. Blank extras is on: add two blank lines at the end of each section for the reader's own items. Notes box is on: include the notes box at the foot.

Tips

Pack baby's going-home outfit in a zip bag on top so midwives can find it quickly without unpacking everything.

Check your hospital's specific list online; some units provide nappies and wipes, which would free up space.

Use the notes box to record your hospital ward number and midwife contact so it is easy to share with family.

The other layouts in this set

“Newborn Hospital Bag Checklist” is one of three sheets in this set, each a different fixed layout filled for the same topic. “Baby 6-Week Check Prep” uses the two columns layout and “Baby First-Year Vaccines Checklist” uses the phased timeline layout. Pick by how you work: the layout decides how much you write and where, not what the sheet is about.