Hospital Bag Checklists
Going into labor can be a lengthily, or very quick situation. Every labor experience is different for every woman. Even with every pregnancy and birthing experience, it can vary for the same person. There are scares that end up being nothing, or sometimes it is something and you can’t act fast enough. Some end up like mine, where the baby is way too comfortable in the belly and are overdue and you end up getting induced and having a doctor break your water, all to end in a C-Section.
Due dates are merely estimates and truly a guess. Baby will come when baby is ready, or in my case, evicted. I will never listen to a doctor or midwife again when they say that Baby will likely come early, because no one truly knows unless you have a planned C-Section.
One thing is for sure, you need to be prepared with your hospital bag. It is best to have this ready to go up to a month before the estimated due date, for surprises, of course! I had a few bags packed, one for myself, one for baby and one for my husband.
In this article I am going to share my checklist of everything I had packed. I was truly ready for anything! I had researched from multiple sources what others had packed and suggested, especially for a first time mother who hadn’t done this before.
My Hospital Bag
My birth plan – I had several hard copies to share with changing nurse shifts and doctors. I had provided this prior to my midwives through an email.
Health card and insurance information – be prepared for the paperwork.
A water bottle with a built in straw – you will not want to be pouring into your mouth when a contraction hits. Or trusting your partner to nail their aim amongst all that is happening.
Snacks – bring more than you think you will need. Light snacks in case eating becomes limited, you will need the energy.
Slippers or cozy socks – no one wants to walk barefoot on hospital floors.
Long charging cord or an extension cable – typically the outlets available are not in convenient locations.
Pillow – bring your own, the hospital ones are not comfortable, and the smell of home can be quite calming.
Eye mask and ear plugs – if you can get some sleep, you’ll want it to be uninterupted.
A fan – this was a game changer as your body is doing wild things when in labor and temperatures are unpredictable.
Toiletries – Shampoo and conditioner. Lip balm, lotion, hair brush, hair ties, makeup or makeup wipes. Deodorant, soap.
Tooth brush and tooth paste – self explanitory.
Mints or gum – again, explains itself.
Loose fitting clothes – for travelling home in. No matter how that baby enters the world, you’ll want to be comfortable going home.
Night gown and robe – Something loose, possibly with buttons for easy access for breastfeeding. And a robe for comfort and warmth, again easy access for breasfeeding.
Nursing bras and tank tops – if you are going to breastfeed, better get used to them right away!
Essential oils – this may be optional for some, but I did not use any medications throughout my entire pregnancy and became quite accustomed to the calming affects.
Headphones or a small speaker – creating a “push playlist” can be both distracting and motivating.
Breast feeding pillow – this may or may not be necessary, but you will have all the help from the nurses and midwives in those early hours of becoming a parent. Having everything there to be shown how to use things can be beneficial.
Peri bottle – the hospital may provide you with one, but just in case they do not, have one for a natural birth for the post care needs.
Overnight sanitary pads – for the aftermath, its messy.
Baby’s Hospital Bag
Selection of outfits – they are so tiny, options are okay to pack. This should include the going home outfit. I recommend a couple onesies and sleepers over elaborate outfits with multiple parts.
Diapers – bring more than you think you should. 6-10 should be okay as babies don’t fill them too fast in the first few days.
Wipes – don’t bring just a travel sized package like we did. Bring a whole pack, you’ll need it.
An approved car seat – have this installed before baby’s arrival.
Car seat cover – in case it is super sunny out, you’ll want to protect that little ones face.
A hat – body heat escapes from the top of their little heads and it is important to keep that in.
Burp cloths – even just one should do for a hospital stay because spit ups happen, even in the early days.
Scratch mitts – babies are born with shockingly long finger nails, save their sweet faces!
Nail files or clippers – again, the nails are incredible long at birth.
A warm blanket – skin to skin snuggles are so important in the very beginning and covering the rest of their tiny bodies with a blanket will help keep them warm. Also great to drape over them for coming home.
Swaddle blankets – swaddling for sleep times can be incredibly soothing for babies.
A pacifier – better to bring it and not use it than wish you had.
My husband packed his own bag, but I am pretty sure it was simply a change of clothes, his eye mask and ear plugs for sleeping, a tooth brush, maybe a book, it was light.
And there you have it. I can remember reading so many suggestion lists with an overkill amount of items. I even felt I overpacked and in all honesty, there were items I packed that I never even used. These lists are to be flexible and used only as ideas, not a science of must haves, can’t-live-with-outs.
What were some things you packed in your hospital bags when you brought your precious humans into this world? Anything you forgot that you wished you’d had?
Melanie xoxox