Expectant Mums Guide – What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag

You have been pregnant for months, you fall into labour and need to rush off to the hospital. This is not the time to be worrying about your hospital bag and whether or not you have everything you need. In case you are wondering what to pack in your hospital bag for delivery time here is a guide to help you.

I recommend packing your hospital bag at least one month prior to the due date. You need to pack for yourself and for the things that your baby will need.

What To Pack For Mum In The Hospital Bag

Labour can range from a few hours to more than a day, so it is advisable to pack what you need.

1. Dressing gown/Kaftan. This will be useful if you end up pacing hospital corridors in early labour. Some hospitals might give you a robe, but in case it is a nice idea to have yourself covered.

2. Slippers and Socks, – your feet can get cold during labour and you would want some comfortable slippers

3. Massage oil or lotion if you would like to be massaged during your labour.

4. Snacks and drinks for you while you are in labour.

5. Hairbands or Scarf, you might want to tie up your hair and get it out of the way.

6. Boppy Pillows. These might be more comfortable than hospital pillows and give you extra support when breastfeeding your baby.

7. Music. Take your MP3 player or a CD player and some CDs. Some hospitals provide their own CD players, but check first.

8. Things to help you relax or pass the time, such as something to read, or your electronics like tablets and smartphone. Be sure to pack your chargers for your phone and other devices.

9. Digital camera or camera phone to take photos to record your labour journey and to capture the early moments with your baby.

Things Mum Will Need After Birth

Now that we have the list for labour out of the way, you want to think about what you need after baby is born.

1. Comfortable Clothes – Front-opening shirts are useful in the early days of breastfeeding.

2. Going-home outfit – You’ll need loose comfortable clothes to wear while you’re in the hospital and for the journey home. You might still look pregnant few days after birth so it might be a good idea to wear maternity clothes.

3. Makeup – You might not have thought about it going into the hospital but when you are headed home you might want to apply some makeup.

4. Nursing bras – Bring two or three.

5. Breast pads – These will help with leakage, especially during engorgement,  when milk really starts flowing.

6. Nipple Cream –  Nipple creams can help to ensure that you don’t have cracks while breastfeeding

7. Heavy-duty maternity pads – Bring a couple of packs to help with the blood flow after birth.

8. Toiletries – e.g. towels, hairbrush, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste

9. Disposable or old panties – Don’t bring your best ones as they will get messy. Big cotton panties can be useful if you end up having a caesarian, as they won’t rub your wound.

10. Post Pregnancy Stomach/Tummy Bands – If getting your tummy back to size as quickly as possible is top priority you might want to start using a tummy band once the baby is born. Make sure to check with your doctor first. Check out this option from Mothercare.

[Diastasis Recti – Why that pregnancy belly won’t go away]

11. Baby Book – You might want to start recording your experiences as a new mum.

12. BreastPump –  You might want to pack a breastpump if you want to start pumping before you leave the hospital, or plan to be exclusive (pack bottles as well).

13. Extra Bag – You might get goodies and free items from the hospital or from well-wishers you stop by.

What To Pack For Baby

1. Clothing – Two or three onesies and sleepsuits. A pair of socks or booties.

2. Baby blanket – Although hospitals are very warm, your baby may need a blanket.

3. Burp clothes – for breastfeeding and burping.

4. Nappies, wipes and Diaper cream- Your newborn will go through as many as 12 in a day. Diaper cream will help avoid diaper rash.

5. Babies Toiletries – Soft hair brush, cotton wool, wash clothes, bathing soap, shampoo, lotion.

6. Hat to cover their head and mittens, babies have sharp nails and tend to scratch their faces.

7. One outfit for the trip home – keep it comfortable

8. Baby Carrier – You might want to go for a walk with baby in the hospital before you are discharged.

9. Baby car seat. Depending on where you have your baby, some hospitals won’t let you leave without a car seat.

Wishing you a safe delivery!