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By now, you will have everything ready for the baby, from the nursery to all the gear you need for the newborn, like blankets, diapers, toys, and a crib. So it is best to pack your hospital bag next. Ideally, you should be getting your hospital bag ready around the 35th or 36th week of your pregnancy.
Your hospital bag will consist of basic toiletries, photo ID, some warm clothes and snacks.
You will have to pack based on the type of birth you will have, or your birth plan. Women who deliver vaginally usually stay in the hospital for two to three days, while women who deliver via C-section stay in the hospital for three to four days. Here are some things you should pack in your hospital bag.
Hospital Bag Essentials For the Mother
These include everything that you would need as a mother to make the delivery process and hospital stay as smooth as possible.- Paperwork: This includes your photo ID, hospital forms, medical records and birth plan if you have one.
- Phone charger: You can pack your normal USB charger and a portable power bank as hospital beds can be a little far from charging ports.
- Comfortable clothes: Pack loose, comfortable clothing into your hospital bag including a few oversized T-shirts, some loose pants with soft elastics that do not dig into your skin and comfortable sleeping clothes. Avoid clothes that are too restrictive and keep some clothes in mind in case of a C-section. You will also need a few maternity or nursing bras. Make sure these are soft, yet supportive. Pack slip-on shoes like sliders as your feet might be swollen and slip-on shoes are easy to get into. Carrying warm socks and a sweater or robe would also be a good idea, as hospitals can be cold.
- Toiletries: Pack the products you use regularly, but in travel sizes. You will want to pack minis of shower gel, hand wash, face wash, face cream or lotion, a lip balm, some body lotion, toothpaste and toothbrush. Hydrating products are a must since hospitals can be really dry. For people who have an oily scalp, it might be a good idea to pack a shampoo or a dry shampoo.
- Non-perishable snacks and drinks: Pack a convenient, reusable water bottle, preferably one with a straw to allow easy sipping. If you want a drink other than water, you can carry electrolyte-based drinks or coconut water. For snacks, carry dry snacks like nuts, dried fruits, diet chips and cookies.
- Towels and pillows: Hospital towels and pillows are not the softest or the most comfortable. For your post-delivery shower, you might want to pack your own towels. The same is true for pillows. Labour can be difficult enough to deal with, and having comfortable pillows is a must.
- Nipple balm: If you are planning to breastfeed, this is very important as breastfeeding can make your nipples feel dry, raw and painful. Carry a nipple balm for some relief.
- Hair equipment: Pack a comb, some hair ties and hair clips.
- Labour and postpartum care products: You should pack essentials like adult diapers, mesh underwear and sanitary napkins, even though the hospital will provide you with these items. It is always a good idea to carry your own. Pack a perineal spray or cooling pads to relieve pain and discomfort in the perineum after delivery.
Essentials To Pack For the Baby
These will include essentials your baby will need right after birth and the first few days after birth.- Clothes and swaddles: Pack a few outfits for your baby, depending on your birth plan and how many days you will spend at the hospital. There is no harm in packing a few extra outfits. You can pack onesies, socks and hats. Make sure you have enough of all of these for the hospital and the journey back home. Also, pack soft blankets and swaddles to wrap your baby in them.
- Diapers and wipes: The hospital usually provides these, however, it is important to carry your own in an extra bag.
- Baby care products: Pack baby care products like baby lotion, baby oil, baby powder and diaper cream. You should also carry burp cloths for the baby.
Essentials For the Partner or Support Person
If you have a partner or a support person who will stay with you for the labour and delivery process, make sure they pack some things as well. Here are some things you can consider telling them to pack.- Toiletries: Your support person or partner will need to pack any basic toiletries that they use regularly. This can include moisturiser, toothpaste, toothbrush and anything else they think they might need.
- Pillows and sheets: Hospital sheets and pillows are not always comfortable, so it would be a good idea to ask your partner or support person to pack a pillow and bedsheet from home for the night.
- Entertainment: Since the process of delivery and labour can be very long and time-consuming, it would be good for your partner or support person to have some entertainment content with them, like a tab, a book or magazines.
Optional Items to Pack For the Mother
These can include miscellaneous items that are not necessities but can still be handy.- Diffuser: This is not a necessity, just something you can carry for a good sensory experience. Pack a diffuser with a scent of your choice to calm and soothe your nerves as you go through labour.
- Entertainment: Entertainment is not just for the partner or support person, you might need it too, given how long labour can go on. You can carry books, magazines, a tablet to watch movies or shows on and make a playlist of music to listen to during labour.
- Sugar-free lozenges: Your mouth can feel dry during labour. These lozenges can keep your mouth moist. Make sure they are sugar-free, as sugar tends to make you more dehydrated.
Try to pack the basics of your hospital bag well in advance, within the 35th week of your pregnancy. You can add more things later if you feel the need. It is important to have the basics ready towards the end of your pregnancy, in case you go into labour before time or if your water breaks suddenly. You can adjust the items you need to pack based on your individual preferences and needs.
FAQs on What to Pack for Your Hospital Bag: Delivery Must-Haves
- When should I start packing my hospital bag?
You should have all the essentials of your hospital bag packed by the 35th or 36th week. You can add more products to the bag later, based on your individual needs and preferences. - What are some basics I should pack for my hospital bag?
You should pack comfortable clothes, toiletries, a towel and a bedsheet and some clothes for your baby.
