The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Giving Birth
For those of you approaching the end of pregnancy, you might be feeling the weight of it all- both literally and emotionally. The anticipation is exciting, but the physical discomfort can be tough. Just a reminder to all the parents-to-be out there that it's okay to feel overwhelmed.
Here are some ideas to help you prepare your hospital bag ready for baby's birth day! I hope you find the article helpful in your preparations.
Preparing Your Hospital Bag
Whether you are choosing to birth in a hospital or at home it is worth packing a birthing bag.
A hospital bag is essential for all hospitals births, but for home it can provide easy access to the things you may need during labour, birth or postpartum. It also provides an easy way to grab a bag if a transfer to a hospital is required.
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag
You can start packing whenever you want to but it's a good idea to pack your hospital bag during the third trimester. Try to have it ready by week 35 in case your baby decides to arrive early.
Keep the bag handy in case your baby arrives earlier than expected. I kept mine by the front door.
Double-check the bag with your birth partner to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Consider packing a hospital bag checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything important.
Packing Tip!
Why not use pods or wet bags to ensure everything is clean, neat and organised? If you put things in separate bags it can help to have a little note in your birth bag (eg. "baby clothes in rainbow pod, mum's CSP in galaxy wet bag") so that a midwife or partner can help find items easily for you.
Showing your birth bag to your birth partner and making a list is really handy, so they know where to find things for you or baby.
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What to Pack In A Hospital Bag for Mum
Labour and Delivery Essentials
Hospital file and medical records
Birth plan if you made one
Comfortable clothing for labour
Dressing gown and socks
Lip balm, deodorant, body lotion
Water spray and sponge
Comfortable pillow(s)
Relaxing entertainment such ipod, headphones or speakers
Tens machine - good for labour & postnatal recovery
Eye mask and earplugs
Hair ties
Wash bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
Glasses or spare contact lenses
Any regular medications you need to take
Post-Delivery Recovery
Nightdresses
Post partum maternity pads (consider reusable cloth pads. 10 pads for a short stay or 20 for a longer stay)
Several pairs of comfortable underwear that you don't mind getting messy (consider period pants 4-5 pairs)
Nursing bras
Nursing pads (consider reusable breast pads)
Slippers or comfy slip on shoes to wear on the ward
Wash bag with basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)
Hairbrush & hair clips or ties
Pregnancy or breastfeeding pillow
Phone and charger
Comfortable loose clothing for you to wear home
Snacks and isotonic drinks
Peppermint tea and chewing gum (for post caesarean)
Wet bag dirty clothes to be sent home for washing
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What to Pack In A Hospital Bag for Your Baby
New Baby Essentials
Babygrows and vests (allow 5 per day)
Socks and booties
Baby hat
Scratch mitts
Cord tie
Blanket
Nappies allow 10 per day(consider reusable nappies)
Wipes (consider reusable wipes for quicker gentler clean ups)
Muslin squares
Check with your unit whether you need to bring bottles or formula if you are planning on formula feeding.
Going-home outfit
Car seat for the trip home
Wet bag for sending dirty nappies/wipes/clothing home for washing
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Top Tips!
Remember to prewash clothes and reusable nappies. It's particularly important to prewash reusable nappies a couple of times which means they'll be more absorbent, perfectly ready for baby to use!
If you're using muslins as nappies practice folding before baby arrives. There are printable guides for nappy folds on The Nappy Lady website which can really help in those early days. Remember the Jo fold can be prepared in advance and stored in the correct fold so nappies are pre folded ready to pop on baby.
What to Pack for Your Birth Partner
Partner Essentials
Snacks and water bottle
Phone charger
Camera
Toiletries
Spare glasses or contact lenses
Small pillow
Entertainment
Comfortable clothes
Healthy snacks
Small change or payment card for vending machines
Comfort and Entertainment
Labour Comfort and Entertainment
Music or white noise machine
Massage ball or other comfort measures
Books or magazines
Phone and charger
Camera
Snacks and Drinks
Labour and Post-Delivery Snacks
Healthy snacks (e.g. granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
Water and other hydrating drinks
Personal Care Items
Toiletries and Personal Care
Toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush)
Deodorant
Lip balm
Body lotion
Flip flops
What not to bring to bring
Too much clothing for baby. You'll find baby will largely be in babygrows and vests.
Jewellery you'd be sad to lose
Any other valuables
Large amounts of money.
Packing Tips
How to Pack Your Hospital Bag
Pack a hospital bag with essentials for mum, baby, and birth partner
Keep the bag organized and easy to access. Consider pods and wet bags to keep everything neat and tidy
Consider packing a hospital bag checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything important
Pack your hospital bag at least 3 weeks ahead of your due date, in case your baby decides to arrive early
Now Relax!
Once you have your hospital bag packed make sure you relax and enjoy these last weeks before baby's arrival.
