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Preparing for the Big Day: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

As you’ve likely spent the last few months carefully selecting baby gear, stocking up on baby essentials, and lovingly preparing the nursery, there’s one task that may have been hovering on your to-do list—the art of packing your hospital bag.

Table of Contents hide
1 So let’s dive into what to pack in your hospital bag.
1.1 For mum in labour and after
1.2 For baby
2 Download your Hospital bag checklist below.

I remember procrastinating a lot on this task. Even pondering the very basics of bag choices. Should I bring a trusty trolley or opt for a soft, more versatile option? The struggle was real! You see, packing, whether for a big adventure like this or a simple holiday, has never been my cup of tea. It somehow triggers a dose of anxiety I can’t quite explain.

The dilemma was all too real when it came to packing my hospital bag. I constantly found myself asking, “What on earth should I bring?” I feared leaving out essentials but also didn’t want to become an over-packer extraordinaire.

And I knew the hospital wasn’t that far away in case I needed something but should we talk about husbands and finding things? Exactly, I thought so. I know, it’s not a myth. They seem to have a knack for not seeing things, let alone finding them when they’re not part of their daily routine. So yes, make sure you have all you need!

That’s why, I thought to write this blog post for those who are like me and need a bit of guidance. Keep in mind that this is based on my experience.

So let’s dive into what to pack in your hospital bag.

graphic for the blog post. Photo of pregnant mum preparing her hospital bag and title of the post "Preparing for the Big Day: What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag"

A few general considerations.

  • Pack It Early: First things first, let’s talk timing. Pack that bag early, preferably around the 34/35-week mark. Why so soon, you ask? Well, it’s all about dodging the last-minute chaos or the nail-biting scenario of someone else attempting a hasty-packed job while you’re deep into labour land. Trust me, you want this in the bag (pun intended) well before the big day arrives. Plus, once is done, your mind is free – procrastination in this case keeps a tab of your brain always open which is not good!

  • Keep a Checklist: It’s very helpful to have a checklist in your bag. This will help you to track what you packed already and what are those last-minute additions, like your trusty phone charger. You can find a downloadable checklist to guide you through the packing. Just click and grab it! From toiletries to baby items, make sure you tick them all!

  • Your Hospital Notes: Your hospital notes and birth plan are your lifeline during this journey. After each prenatal appointment, place your notes in a safe place. They are, without a doubt, the most crucial item on your checklist and could easily slip your mind in the rush to the hospital.

  • Comfort Is Key: Your hospital stay can range from a day to a few, so it’s crucial to pack comfortable clothing. On average, if you deliver vaginally you will stay in the hospital for 1-2 days. If you have a C-section, it’s likely you will stay for a bit longer, so keep that in mind when you pack your bag. Think loose-fitting pyjamas, cosy socks, and comfortable maternity bras. Also remember, when you leave the hospital, your body may still be tender after the miracle of childbirth. Opt for comfortable, loose-fitting clothing—nothing that cinches around your stomach, especially if you’ve had a C-section; that area will need extra tenderness.

For mum in labour and after

  • 3 nighties/Pjs – preferably open front so you can breastfeed if that’s your choice
  • flip-flops or shower shoes
  • tank top/sports bra in case of water birth
  • 2 large T-shirts or 2 sets of loose clothes
  • soft non-slip socks a couple of pairs- you can use them as slippers too
  • cotton undies, big, comfy the grandma style (not fancy, lacey…) /disposable knickers
  • maternity pads 2 packs
  • toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, hairbands, deodorant, face cream, haemorrhoid cream)
  • bath towel
  • 2 Nursing bras or if you haven’t bought them yet sports bras
  • breast pads a few just in case but your milk won’t come straight away
  • nipple cream
  • going home clothes (comfy maternity clothes and comfy flat shoes)
  • phone charger
  • phone
  • hospital notes/birth plan
  • ID
  • wet wipes
  • water bottle

Treat Yourself: Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to include a little treat for yourself. Whether it’s your favourite chocolates or your face cream, make sure it’s something that brings a smile to your face. After all, these little indulgences can go a long way in making you feel good during your hospital stay

For baby

  • baby clothes: 3 body vests and 3 sleepsuits (more if you plan a C-section)
  • hat
  • blanket
  • consider a matching hat and swaddle for the must-have first photo!
  • going home clothes
  • muslins
  • a pack of nappies
  • water based wipes
  • vaseline/Sudocrem ( any nappy barrier cream)
  • bottle/formula/dummy if you are not planning to breastfeed
  • car seat

As a newborn photographer, I always think in pictures, so think about the baby outfits you pack in your bag. They will be in the very first photos!!

Download your Hospital bag checklist below.

Related article: 5 Tips to Enjoy Your Newborn Session | Newborn Photographer Richmond

big brother touching mum'a pregnant belly

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  • Charity

    This is a great list for someone who is preparing to pack a hospital bag. I am sure mamas to be can find this post very helpful and useful! ReplyCancel

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“Colour is descriptive. Black and white is interpretive.” — Elliott Erwitt

Sometimes, the quietest images speak the loudest.

Stripped back. Soft. Honest.

#blackandwhitephotography #maternityphotography #pregnancyphotos #londonmaternityphotographer #minimalportrait #timelessphotos #pregnancyphotography

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“Colour is descriptive. Black and white is interpretive.” — Elliott Erwitt Sometimes, the quietest images speak the loudest. 
Stripped back. Soft. Honest. #blackandwhitephotography #maternityphotography #pregnancyphotos #londonmaternityphotographer #minimalportrait #timelessphotos #pregnancyphotography

Why do we close our eyes when we cry, when we kiss, when we dream?

Because the most beautiful things in life aren’t always visible.
They’re felt. Held. Remembered by the heart.

But sometimes, a photograph can bring them back,not just the image, but the feeling.
Of who you were in that moment.
What you were carrying.
What you were becoming.

That’s what I love most about this work.
Not just capturing how you looked, but how it felt to be her.

If you’re ready to remember your moment, not just see it, I’ll be here.

When you’re ready to feel, I’ll be here.

#ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #londonpregnancyphotographer #londonpregnancyphotos#PhotographyWithHeart #MotherhoodUnfiltered #MaternityPhotography #photographyforthesoul #londonmaternityphotographer

11 0
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18062805235921848
Why do we close our eyes when we cry, when we kiss, when we dream? Because the most beautiful things in life aren’t always visible. They’re felt. Held. Remembered by the heart. But sometimes, a photograph can bring them back,not just the image, but the feeling. Of who you were in that moment. What you were carrying. What you were becoming. That’s what I love most about this work. Not just capturing how you looked, but how it felt to be her. If you’re ready to remember your moment, not just see it, I’ll be here. 
When you’re ready to feel, I’ll be here. #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #londonpregnancyphotographer #londonpregnancyphotos#PhotographyWithHeart #MotherhoodUnfiltered #MaternityPhotography #photographyforthesoul #londonmaternityphotographer

Pregnancy is a strange, sacred in-between.

You’re not who you were.

Not yet who you’ll become.

And this space - the one where your body stretches to hold more than just a baby, but also new versions of you - deserves to be remembered.

Because this won’t last.

Not the exact shape.

Not the closeness.

Not the stillness before everything changes.

This is a moment that won’t return.

But it can still be held.

And that’s what I love most about what I do.

#MaternityPhotography #PregnancyJourney #HonestMotherhood #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #LondonMaternityPhotographer #MotherhoodUnfiltered #pregnancyjourney #pregnancyshoot #MomentsThatMatter #becomingamother

28 9
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18091748536620983
Pregnancy is a strange, sacred in-between. 
You’re not who you were. 
Not yet who you’ll become. And this space - the one where your body stretches to hold more than just a baby, but also new versions of you - deserves to be remembered. Because this won’t last. 
Not the exact shape. 
Not the closeness. 
Not the stillness before everything changes. This is a moment that won’t return. 
But it can still be held. 
And that’s what I love most about what I do. #MaternityPhotography #PregnancyJourney #HonestMotherhood #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #LondonMaternityPhotographer #MotherhoodUnfiltered #pregnancyjourney #pregnancyshoot #MomentsThatMatter #becomingamother

At 44, I’ve finally realised…

The more I see myself, the more I want to

When I took these self-portraits, it felt like peeling back a layer.

Not to become someone else, but to finally meet the version of me that’s been waiting.

The creative blur, the movement, the softness… it all made space.

To explore.
To play.
To let go.

And in that letting go, I found something I didn’t expect: joy, curiosity. Maybe even tenderness.

We dread photos sometimes, maybe because we’re not used to really looking.

A mirror shows you a flipped reflection.
But a photograph?

It shows you how the world sees you.

And sometimes, you realise… you like her.

If this speaks to you, save it, share it, or just sit with it for a moment.

Let it be your invitation to see yourself, too.

#londonphotographer #londonportraitphotographer
#ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #EmpoweredThroughPhotography #LettingGo #PhotographyAsHealing #SelfPortraitSeries #VisualJournaling #ThisIs44

51 9
Open post by by_valentina with ID 17949283745987535
At 44, I’ve finally realised… 
The more I see myself, the more I want to When I took these self-portraits, it felt like peeling back a layer. 
Not to become someone else, but to finally meet the version of me that’s been waiting. The creative blur, the movement, the softness… it all made space. 
To explore. To play. To let go. 
And in that letting go, I found something I didn’t expect: joy, curiosity. Maybe even tenderness. We dread photos sometimes, maybe because we’re not used to really looking. 
A mirror shows you a flipped reflection.
But a photograph? 
It shows you how the world sees you. 
And sometimes, you realise… you like her. If this speaks to you, save it, share it, or just sit with it for a moment. 
Let it be your invitation to see yourself, too. #londonphotographer #londonportraitphotographer #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #EmpoweredThroughPhotography #LettingGo #PhotographyAsHealing #SelfPortraitSeries #VisualJournaling #ThisIs44

It’s not magic, it’s practice, rhythm, and a little bit of baby whispering.

After 14+ years photographing newborns, there are a few go-to soothing tricks I use at every session to help babies feel calm, safe, and sleepy.

Here are some of my favourites:

Swaddling for that womb-like comfort.

Gentle side holding or tummy time to ease any tension.

The classic “shhhh”, because sound really matters (apps help too!)

Rocking or soft movement (bonus if you hum)

Sucking for comfort and calm (dummy or feeding)

Ooohh want a bonus one?
A slow stroke on the baby’s forehead. Works like a charm.

Every baby is different, but these almost always help settle the mood.

Tag a parent who’s in the newborn phase (and could use a little calm today).

#londonnewbornphotographer #londonnewbornshoot #NewbornTips #BabySoothing #ParentingSupport #NewParentHack #LifeWithABaby #SoothingTechniques #FourthTrimester

19 0
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18148461622344833
It’s not magic, it’s practice, rhythm, and a little bit of baby whispering. After 14+ years photographing newborns, there are a few go-to soothing tricks I use at every session to help babies feel calm, safe, and sleepy. Here are some of my favourites: Swaddling for that womb-like comfort. 
Gentle side holding or tummy time to ease any tension. 
The classic “shhhh”, because sound really matters (apps help too!) 
Rocking or soft movement (bonus if you hum) 
Sucking for comfort and calm (dummy or feeding) Ooohh want a bonus one?
A slow stroke on the baby’s forehead. Works like a charm. Every baby is different, but these almost always help settle the mood. Tag a parent who’s in the newborn phase (and could use a little calm today). #londonnewbornphotographer #londonnewbornshoot #NewbornTips #BabySoothing #ParentingSupport #NewParentHack #LifeWithABaby #SoothingTechniques #FourthTrimester

She didn’t come to this session unsure.

She already knew me—she’d trusted me with her maternity and newborn sessions. But this time was different.

This time was for her.

She came knowing who she is and ready to celebrate it.

In her 40s, she’s found more confidence, more clarity, and a deeper appreciation for what matters most.

She spoke of embracing self-love, shedding insecurities, and living with humour and presence.

“I decided to do something for me… I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much.”

And that’s what this experience is really about.
Not becoming someone else, but returning to yourself.

Playful. Strong. Present. Real.

This is what it looks like to take up space.

To honour your story.

To say: “This is me. And I’m proud of her.”

What would a session just for you look like? What would it feel like to step in front of the lens, just as you are?

If you’ve been thinking about it…this is your sign to say yes to yourself. ✨

Empowering women, London portrait photographer for women, women over 40, confidence through photography, celebrate yourself, photography as healing #ResetWithReelsChallenge3

25 10
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18043519922235701
She didn’t come to this session unsure. She already knew me—she’d trusted me with her maternity and newborn sessions. But this time was different. This time was for her. She came knowing who she is and ready to celebrate it. In her 40s, she’s found more confidence, more clarity, and a deeper appreciation for what matters most. 
She spoke of embracing self-love, shedding insecurities, and living with humour and presence. “I decided to do something for me… I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it this much.” And that’s what this experience is really about.
Not becoming someone else, but returning to yourself. 
Playful. Strong. Present. Real. This is what it looks like to take up space. 
To honour your story. 
To say: “This is me. And I’m proud of her.” What would a session just for you look like? What would it feel like to step in front of the lens, just as you are? If you’ve been thinking about it…this is your sign to say yes to yourself. ✨ Empowering women, London portrait photographer for women, women over 40, confidence through photography, celebrate yourself, photography as healing #ResetWithReelsChallenge3

VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM