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 drinks (the partner is not usually offered food at the hospital)
  
  
• Slippers
  
  

When should the hospital bag be packed at the latest?

There is no definitive answer to when the perfect time is to pack your hospital bag. It depends somewhat on how your pregnancy has progressed so far.

As a rule of thumb, however, we recommend packing your bag around week 36-37 of your pregnancy. At that point, you have entered the final stage of pregnancy, and there is still plenty of time if you were to go into labor earlier than expected.

If you have had complications or a risk of premature birth, you should pack your bag earlier.

No matter when you choose to pack, make sure you have the most important things sorted. Your partner or other helpers can always fetch the rest if the need arises.

{{ cross_sell }}

How many days should I pack for?

When packing your hospital bag, it's hard to know exactly how long you'll be hospitalized. It depends on how your birth and the first few hours afterwards unfold.

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

• First-time mothers: 24-48 hours in the hospital
  
  
• Multiparas: Discharge after 4-6 hours

However, sometimes complications or a need for extra observation can arise, so you may end up staying a little longer. Therefore, it's a good idea to pack for a few extra days so you're prepared for any extended stays.

Pack your hospital bag smartly so you can easily find things

When packing your hospital bag, it's a good idea to think in categories and store things in a clear and organized way. For example, you can pack things for mum, dad and baby in separate bags or sections in the bag.

In addition, you can use small bags or plastic bags to keep track of loose items such as toiletries, jewellery, chargers, etc. This way, you avoid them getting lost at the bottom of the bag.

Remember to also pack the things you expect to need first at the top of the bag. This could be clothes, toiletries and snacks, for example. That way, you won't have to rummage around when the need arises.

Should you still end up forgetting everything or urgently have to leave without your hospital bag, everything will still be fine. The most important thing is not what you bring with you, but the little one you bring home.

The warmest wishes for a good birth from the LALATOTO Family.