Knowing what to pack in the hospital bag when having a baby can seem like such a daunting task! I have listed below some ideas to help you start packing your hospital bag.
My TOP TIP: You will need an overnight bag for yourself, a bag for baby and your birthing partner might want to pack a bag too!
Hospital Bag for MUM
Your BIRTH PLAN and MIDWIFE NOTES. These are really important as your midwife will need to check your history and record details of your labour and birth. Ask your midwife for advice if you need help writing a birth plan. If you have been prescribed any MEDICATION during pregnancy make sure you bring that too.
CLOTHING – You will need at least one baggy outfit to wear during your labour. You will also want two or three extra outfits. Pack lots of underwear including a nursing bra if you are planning to breastfeed. You might also want to pack your SLIPPERS and DRESSING GOWN if you are expecting to stay overnight.
Two packs of MATERNITY PADS will also need to go in your case. Pads that have Aloe Vera are often the most comfortable. If you tend to get sensitive skin I suggest packing a couple of different brands. You will also want to pack some BREAST PADS. Regardless of whether you are choosing to breastfeed your breasts may leak milk before labour, during labour and in the weeks after labour. Having breast pads will seriously save on washing and will make you feel more comfortable. They normally come individually wrapped so I suggest popping a few in your bag along with pads.
Pack a small WASH BAG with all of the essentials like SHAMPOO, BODY WASH, DEODORANT, TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTHPASTE, HAIRBRUSH and HAIR BANDS.
Pack your favourite TOWEL! The hospital will have plenty of towels but if you want your special comfy towel from home then I suggest bringing your own.
LIP BALM – If you use Gas and Air your lips and mouth will quickly become dry. lip Balm can really help. I also suggest packing a STRAW. Labour can make us form so many strange positions but by having a straw you can have a little sip of water in whichever position you form!
PHONE CHARGER (I recommend one with a long cable – often you will be plugging your phone in to a plug behind your bed and you want to be able to use it while it charges!) If your phone doesn’t have a camera function then pack a CAMERA. (Make sure you pack spare batteries and spare SD cards!)
SNACKS – you will be SO hungry after the birth so pack plenty of snacks to eat! I also suggest packing some yummy sugary drinks like juice.
If you suddenly go into labour and end up at the hospital without your bag DO NOT PANIC! The hospital will have everything that you need for your birth.
(I had both of my babies at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and the staff made sure that we had everything we needed).
Hospital Bag for your BABY
CAR SEAT – You will need to leave the hospital with a car seat. Make sure that you have had a trial run of fitting the car seat in your car before the big day!
You will want to pack a comfy OUTFIT FOR GOING HOME in for your new baby. Make sure that this is easily accessible in the bag. You might want to put it in a labelled sealed plastic clip bag. This can help your birthing partner if they are helping you get baby ready to go home.
OUTFIT CHANGES – Babies poop and sick so make sure you have some spare outfits! A couple of sleep suits and vests will be perfect.
BLANKET – It may be chilly outside so make sure you have at least one blanket to go over the car seat.
You might also want to prepare a NAPPY BAG for your baby. This will include NAPPIES, MUSLIN SQUARES, WIPES (cotton wool buds or water wipes), DUMMY (If you are choosing to use one).
You will need to decide whether you would like to breastfeed or formula feed. If you are planning to formula feed then buying a couple of packs of READY MADE FORMULA for the hospital will be really useful. They are pre made and individually sterilised.
Hospital Bag for your BIRTHING PARTNER
Your birthing partner may be with you for many hours before labour really starts. They are likely to be tired but also keen not to miss anything. ENERGY DRINKS and SNACKS will be really helpful. They will help keep their energy up.
Your birthing partner may be with you for a long time. Make sure they pack SOMETHING TO DO (Maybe a book or a game). They will also want to keep their PHONE CHARGER on them so that their phone is ready to make those important phone calls once baby has arrived!
During their time in hospital they may want to freshen up so a small WASH BAG might be appropriate and a CHANGE OF CLOTHES.
I have given a LOT of ideas. It can seem a bit overwhelming but don’t forget that your birthing partner can bring to hospital anything that you might have forgotten.
It is always good to have your bags and car seat ready a few weeks before your due date. Babies never arrive when we expect them to so being prepared is always a good idea.
Think I have missed something important off the list of things to pack in your bags for hospital? Please message me!
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