The ‘hospital bag checklist’ carried by expecting mammas to the hospital for labor and after is one of the most discussed topics out there. As the due date of a woman starts approaching, the mamma knows it’s time for her to pack the hospital bag for mom as well as the baby, but there’s always some lack of clarity about where to begin.
Some women go into labor much sooner than expected; hence, the baby hospital bag list with the hospital bag for the mom should ideally be prepared as soon as by the 36th-37th week of pregnancy. While some essentials on this list are essential, some other items also need to be there because they will remind you of where you would be with the baby after all the pain. It will subconsciously remind you of your comfort space, your home. Here is a list that will help you with answers that might cross your mind, like ‘What to pack in a hospital bag? Or ‘what to pack in a hospital bag for a baby?’
Here’s a quick hack what to pack in hospital bag checklist that includes everything you need to have in your hospital bag-
Looking for ‘what to pack in a hospital bag? Not anymore, the best way to go about a pregnancy hospital bag checklist packing is to pack one bag for yourself, having your support pack one for themselves and one bag for the little one yet to arrive. This avoids confusion and unnecessary clutter.
1. What to Pack In a hospital bag for Mom - Hospital Bag Checklist
1. Comfortable Clothing: Pack a comfortable robe, PJ sets, or a loosely-fit nightgown for post-delivery clothing. This also helps if you are planning on breastfeeding post-delivery. Nursing bras can also be a viable piece of clothing to have.
Also, if you plan to labor in water as a method of water birth, pack a dark-colored sports bra for the purpose.
2. Comfortable Footwear: Crocs or slip-on shoes will be the best option for footwear as your feet might swell up due to the IV fluids.
3. Toiletries: While in the hospital, you will still need the basics. Pack your hairbrush, deodorant, toothbrush, moisturizer, dry shampoo, and lip balm for the basics.
4. Hydrates: Pack enough hydrating drinks like coconut water and even ensure that you carry a reusable water bottle
5. Extension cord: The hospital beds can be annoyingly far off from the charging points. Save yourself the horror of not being able to record your baby’s moves post-delivery and ensure you carry an extension cord!
6. Nipple cream: Sore and cracked nipples can get painful as the skin around the nipple area tends to dry up when you breastfeed. Hence, if you plan to breastfeed, ensure you carry a nipple cream for some relief.
7. Pillows and a bath towel: As a new mother, comfort will always be your top priority. Do not rely on hospital towels and always carry your pillow and towels for the best post-delivery showers and sleep.
8. Adult diapers: Talking about comfort, using hospital-provided, standard diapers might not be the wisest choice. Research the best, most comfortable diapers and use that for post-delivery excretion.
9. Music playlist: Some laborers are known to last for as long as 24 hours. This is a very long time and you cannot be stuck listening to random music. Research and curate a playlist of soothing music that will calm you down during the long wait.
2. What to Pack In a Hospital Bag for a baby - Hospital Bag Checklist
Here is what to pack in a hospital bag for a baby-
1. Baby Seat: If you plan to travel back home in your car and not in the ambulance, a car set is of utmost priority. Even the hospital authorities will never let you take your baby back home without a car seat.
2. Baby outfit: Carry a cute, comfortable yet fancy outfit for your baby for when you finally take your bundle of joy back home. You never know how big or small your baby would exactly be and hence, try and take outfits of at least 2-3 different sizes. Also, if yours is a winter baby, remember to carry protective clothing and accessories like gloves, socks, and caps.
3. Your consulting pediatrician’s contact number: You will be asked for this multiple times. You could either keep all the reports in your bag or you could also take pictures/scan them and keep them handy on your phone.
4. Bottle in case of bottle-feeding: If you do not plan to breastfeed your baby, pack at least two bottles in the bag. It will also be wise to research and keep a baby formula ready instead of depending on what is offered by the hospital.
Bonus tip: Do not pack any wipes or diapers for the baby. The hospital will bombard you with freebies for the baby, do not fret too much about that.
3. If you have your support partner/relative staying over at the hospital with you for long hours, they will need some things as well. Though not a comprehensive checklist. Here is a hospital bag checklist for them!
1. Have them pack a lot of snacks: Try packing candies, wafers, and healthy dried/fresh fruits along with reusable water. Snacks can be of great support in boredom and will also be liked by the mamma after birthing.
2. Entertainment: Carrying an iPad or books will be another great option for a companion. There’s only so much one can do on a 6-inch phone anyway!
3. Pillow: Perhaps not a towel like the mammas need, but the support should at least carry a light pillow. This is primarily because the hospital pillows are infamously scratchy and that’s not something anyone would want to put themselves into.
4. For the obvious, one always needs toiletries and a change of clothes. This, however, can always be worked out depending if the support might want to take quick home visits for showers and change of clothes.
Now that you have your hospital bags ready to go, let the congratulations be in order!
That’s all folks! The above-curated list is the ultimate baby hospital bag checklist or the hospital bag for labor that consists of everything a mother and the baby would need while you are packing for the much-awaited D-day. Not only that, but we have also included a list for the visitors/friends/peers/better halves too to make sure everyone is on point and has everything covered amidst the hassle and last-minute checks. However, do you still wish to crosscheck the things you’ve already added and are looking for more clarity? Don’t worry, Parenthood bliss has curated a detailed list of the baby registry HERE. Simply click on the link and get packing. The time to meet the little one is just around the corner and we wish our mothers all the very best!
To Conclude:
Believe it or not, a pregnancy hospital bag for mom list will come in handy. Especially when you are all set and have a lot of things in mind, but the ultimate thing that’s left right now is to, wait! We understand how things could get towards the end of the trimester and how you must have to manage everything from ranging to the room decor, and the toys the little one would need, to the health care insurance, you’ll need to now apply for! Between all of this, this ultimate hospital bag list will make the utmost sensitivity and will come across as a relief for our mothers, reassuring them that they are now fully prepared to welcome their little ones home anytime soon! All the very best!
FAQs: The Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist For Our Moms and The Baby
1. What should one pack when in their hospital bag when they are preparing to get admitted for delivery or a hospital bag for labor?
2. When the baby is born, what are the first or the most important things a parent would need to buy for the newcomers?
3. What should an expecting mother wear when she gets in the hospital for delivery on her D-day or when in/during labor?
Reviewed By:
Esha Chainani - Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. Esha Chainani is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and laparoscopic surgeon who aims to break the stigma around women’s health by advocating an inclusive and open practice of obstetrics and gynecology and an author of several internationally published research papers and health articles in the media like the Swaddle.
She also founded Premaa, a non-profit to reduce maternal morbidity and eventual maternal mortality by providing lower-income pregnant women living in urban areas with cell phone access through an app that can feature an entire section about contraception as well for a whole gamut of reproductive health.
A panel for multiple health sessions including with the UN, USAID, BMC, gender at work, and multiple non-profit organisations, and is on the advisory panel of the South Indian medical students association.
