Packing your hospital bag: the ultimate packing list

When a little new life is finally on its way into the world, it is only natural that there are many thoughts on your mind, not least practical things that need to be prepared. One of them is packing the famous hospital bag, so that you are ready and well prepared when your little one wants to make an entrance. We have made the time leading up to the big day a little easier by giving you the ultimate packing list for your hospital bag.

In this comprehensive guide we give you our best advice and a complete packing list, so that you can feel fully prepared when the big day comes. We list all the essentials for mum, dad and baby, so that you can concentrate on welcoming your newborn into the world.

The most important things to bring in a hospital bag

When you pack your hospital bag, it is important to remember that it is not about bringing everything. On the contrary, it is about focusing on the most necessary and practical things, so that you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Basically, your bag should contain three main categories: things for mum, things for baby and things for your partner. Within each of these areas there are certain essentials that you should make sure to pack. We mention these in the following sections.

Packing list: Essentials in the hospital bag for mum

When you pack your hospital bag as a mum-to-be, there are certain things you simply cannot do without.

Here are our recommendations:

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Some women find great security in giving birth in their own clothes, and if that sounds like something for you, bear in mind that the clothes must allow the hospital staff access, and that it must be possible to lay the little newborn on your bare skin on your tummy or chest, if you wish.

Soft post-birth knickers

Slippers, sandals or warm socks

Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush and deodorant

Lip balm - your lips can get dry during labour

Hair ties - so your hair is not in the way during labour

Mobile phone and charger, and possibly headphones

Snacks and drinks - e.g. fruit, sweets, chocolate, biscuits and juice

Nursing bras

Nursing pillow

Nursing pads

Socks

Dressing gown

Books, magazines or other entertainment

Maternity pads

Cooling pads, if you like

Your own pillow can be nice to have

Also remember the following:

Health insurance card

Maternity notes

Birth plan/wish list for the birth, if you have one

Packing list: These are the things to pack in the hospital bag for baby

The hospital provides most of the necessities for your newborn, but we still recommend bringing a few things from home.

Here are the most important things:

Car seat for the journey home

Baby duvet

Bedding

Baby blanket

Sleepsuits and bodysuits in a suitable size

Socks

Hat

Outerwear such as a snowsuit for the journey home (depending on the time of year)

Nappies - both disposable and cloth

Remember that babies are often smaller than you expect, so choose clothes in slightly smaller sizes than you might otherwise. And do pack a little extra, as your little one may go through a lot of clothes at first.

Packing list: The hospital bag should also contain the most important things for your partner

If your partner or other companions are coming to the hospital, there are also a number of things they should bring.

Here are our recommendations:

Change of clothes

Toiletries

Mobile phone and charger

Headphones

Books or other entertainment

Food and drink (your partner is not normally offered food at the hospital)

Slippers

When should the hospital bag be packed by?

There is no single answer to when the perfect time is to pack your hospital bag. It depends a little on how your pregnancy has gone so far.

As a rule of thumb, however, we recommend that you pack the bag around week 36-37 of pregnancy. By then you have entered the last part of your pregnancy, and there is still plenty of time should you go into labour earlier than expected.

If you have had complications or are at risk of premature birth, you should pack the bag earlier.

Whenever you choose to pack, make sure you have the most important things sorted. Your partner or other helpers can always fetch the rest, should the need arise.

How many days should I pack for?

When you pack your hospital bag, it is hard to know exactly how long you will be admitted. It depends on how your birth and the first hours afterwards go.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect the following:

First-time mums: 24-48 hours in hospital

Mums who have given birth before: Discharge after 4-6 hours

Sometimes, however, complications can arise or extra observation may be needed, so you may end up staying a little longer. It is therefore a good idea to pack for a few extra days, so that you are prepared for any extended stay.

Pack your hospital bag smartly so you can easily find things

When you pack your hospital bag, it is a good idea to think in categories and store things in an orderly way. For example, you can pack things for mum, dad and baby in separate bags or compartments in the bag.

You can also make good use of small bags or plastic bags to keep track of the looser things such as toiletries, jewellery, chargers and so on. That way you avoid them disappearing to the bottom of the bag.

Also remember to pack the things you expect to need first at the top of the bag. That might be clothes, toiletries and snacks. Then you avoid rummaging around when the need arises.

If you should end up forgetting everything, or have to leave in a hurry without the hospital bag, it will all be fine anyway. The most important thing is not what you take with you, but the little one you come home with.

With the warmest wishes for a good birth from the LALATOTO family.