List of Baby Items for Delivery in Nigeria | Travo.ng

Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng

Many expectant parents in Nigeria get a “delivery list” from their antenatal clinic. Others are told to “come prepared” and have to guess. This checklist puts both together: what the baby needs, what the mother needs, and what hospitals commonly ask families to provide. It also covers how to get everything bought and delivered before the day, even if you are busy, far from the market, or buying for a relative in another city.

Why you need a baby delivery checklist

Labour rarely starts at a convenient time. A packed bag means nobody is running to a pharmacy at 2am while the mother is in the labour ward. A written list also helps when a partner, sister or mother-in-law has to bring the bag, because they can check each item without phoning you. In many Nigerian hospitals, especially public ones, families are expected to supply some consumables themselves. A missing item can delay care or send a relative out to buy it at a higher price.

Essential baby items for delivery

Clothing and warmth

• 4–6 baby vests or bodysuits (newborn size, and one size up in case the baby is big)
• 3–4 baby gowns or sleepsuits
• 2–3 soft caps to keep the baby warm
• 2 pairs of mittens and 2–3 pairs of socks or booties
• 3–4 receiving blankets or swaddle wraps
• 1 thicker shawl or blanket for going home, especially in harmattan or air-conditioned wards
• 1 going-home outfit

Nappies and hygiene

• 1 full pack of newborn disposable nappies (newborns need changing often)
• Unscented baby wipes, or cotton wool and a small bowl for warm water
• A mild baby soap or wash and a soft towel
• 2–3 cotton napkins or bibs for burping
• Petroleum jelly or a barrier cream, if your midwife recommends one

Cord care and medical items

Cord care advice has changed over the years, and practice differs between hospitals. Do not apply anything to the umbilical cord unless your midwife or doctor tells you to. Ask at your antenatal visit whether you should bring a cord-care product, and which one.

Feeding

• A nursing bra and breast pads for the mother
• Nipple cream, if advised
• If you plan to formula-feed or have been advised to: newborn formula, two feeding bottles and a way to sterilise them. Ask your hospital first, as many encourage breastfeeding from the start.

Items for the mother

• Maternity pads: at least 2 packs, as ordinary sanitary pads are often too thin in the first days
• 4–6 pairs of disposable or cheap cotton underwear
• 2 loose nightgowns or front-opening dresses for breastfeeding
• 2 wrappers and a light dressing gown
• Slippers and a pair of socks
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, sponge, body cream, hair tie, towel
• Snacks and bottled water for after the birth
• Phone, charger and a power bank
• Comfortable clothes for going home

Items many Nigerian hospitals ask families to bring

Private and public hospitals in Nigeria differ, and your clinic’s list always comes first. These items often appear on hospital delivery lists, so check whether yours needs them:

This is a general guide only. Your hospital, midwife or doctor decides what is needed for your delivery.

Documents and money

• Antenatal card and hospital card or file number
• Scan and test results, and any referral letters
• Your ID, and your health insurance or HMO card if you have one
• Emergency contact numbers written on paper, in case your phone dies
• Some cash, or a way to pay by transfer, for items or fees that come up

Tips for packing baby delivery items

1. Pack early. Have the bag ready a few weeks before your due date, and earlier if your doctor has mentioned any risk of early labour.
2. Use two bags. One for labour and the first night, and one for the rest of the stay that a relative can bring later.
3. Wash baby clothes first. Use a mild detergent and let them dry fully before packing.
4. Put the baby’s first outfit on top. Include a vest, gown, cap and blanket in a clear bag so the midwife can find them quickly.
5. Label everything. Wards get busy. Mark bags and containers with the mother’s name.
6. Plan your ride. Save two phone numbers for transport to the hospital, and know the route at night. You can arrange a driver in advance through Travo’s private driver service in Lagos.
7. Tell your support person where the bag is. Keep it by the door or in the car boot.

How Travo makes preparation easier

Getting everything together is harder when you are heavily pregnant, working, or living far from a good baby shop. Travo is a logistics and delivery platform, and it can help in a few practical ways:

• Same-day delivery within your city. Buy from your preferred store or market seller and have a rider bring the items home or to the hospital. See our same-day delivery service, or read how to get a dispatch rider in Lagos fast.
• Sending a baby bag to another city. Grandparents often send items from one state to another, for example from Abuja to Lagos. Book a parcel pickup and track it until it arrives.
• Parcels from abroad. Relatives in the UK or US can shop online and use our UK shipping address or US shipping address to send items to Nigeria.

Travo delivers items, not patients, and is not an ambulance or emergency service. If labour starts, or you have warning signs such as heavy bleeding or severe pain, contact your hospital or go there straight away, or call for emergency help, and follow your hospital’s advice on how to get there.

Printable summary checklist

• Baby: vests, gowns, caps, mittens, socks, receiving blankets, shawl, going-home outfit, newborn nappies, wipes or cotton wool, soft towel, burp cloths
• Mother: maternity pads, underwear, nightgowns, wrappers, nursing bra, breast pads, toiletries, slippers, snacks, water, phone charger and power bank
• Hospital materials (if requested): mackintosh, underpads, gloves, cotton wool, gauze, antiseptic, waterproof bags, basin
• Documents: antenatal card, hospital card, results, ID, HMO card, written emergency contacts

Frequently asked questions

What baby items do I need for delivery in Nigeria?

At minimum: vests or bodysuits, gowns, caps, mittens, socks, receiving blankets, a shawl, newborn nappies, wipes or cotton wool and a going-home outfit. Add any items your hospital lists, such as a mackintosh sheet or underpads.

When should I pack my hospital bag?

Aim to have it packed a few weeks before your due date. Pack earlier if your doctor or midwife has warned you about early labour.

Why do Nigerian hospitals ask patients to bring items?

Many facilities, especially public ones, expect families to provide some consumables such as underpads, gloves or a mackintosh. The list varies between hospitals, so ask your antenatal clinic for theirs.

Should I put anything on my baby’s umbilical cord?

Only what your midwife or doctor recommends. Cord care practice varies, so ask at your antenatal visit and follow their instructions.

How many nappies should I pack?

Pack one full pack of newborn nappies. Newborns need changing often, and a relative can bring more if you stay longer.

Can someone deliver baby items to the hospital for me?

Yes. You can book a dispatch rider through Travo to collect items from a shop or home and bring them to the hospital, or send a parcel from another state.

Related guides

• Best delivery services in Lagos
• How to get a dispatch rider in Nigeria
• Online stores that ship to Nigeria
• Best online shopping apps in Nigeria

This checklist is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your hospital, midwife or doctor. Delivery charges and product prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.