Whether you're a super organised mum who is always prepared well in advance - or you like to live on the edge a little and find yourself organising things at the very last minute - as babies due date gets nearer, you are starting to get your ducks in a row, your nursery finalised, fit that car seat, practising with the pram, buying last minute bits and bobs, organising baby sitters, trying to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything as bubs could arrive any day now – but what to pack for hospital🤔?
You might find it helpful to pack your bags into 3 separate Bags (sounds a bit much right?) - but here me out:
- Birth & partner bag for labour & delivery
- Mumma bag for your hospital stay
- Baby Bag
Packing our bags into three helped us minimise the time it took to sift through and find what we needed during birth and during recovery, because trust us when we say – you will want to find things quickly and easily! I knew exactly where things were and it made finding what I needed in the heat of the moment, a breeze.
Download our printable hospital bag checklist here
The Labour/Birth Bag
Setting up your birthing environment
- Extra copies of birth plan
- Affirmation cards
- Electric Candles
- Essential Oil Diffuser
- TENS machine (you may already have this on before arriving)
- Your choice of music (get your playlists ready)
- Hot water bottle / heat bag (hospitals usually have nice big heat bags but you may want one en-route to hospital
- Music player (if your hospital doesn’t have its own docking station / Bluetooth)
Clothing for Mumma
- Crop tops / Maternity Bra
- Big loose tops (I especially loved my husband's shirt!)
- Big loose pants or PJs
- Swim top or an item you plan to get into the water in
- Thongs that can get wet
- Hair ties / Hair Bands
Self Care & Energy
- Lip balm
- Energy boosting snacks and drinks (nuts are great!)
- Lollies for a sugar boost
- Drink bottle
For Birthing Partner
- Board shorts / swimmers in case they also get in the water with you
- Snacks / food
- Phone charger
- Change of clothes
- Coins / Cash for the vending machine
After Delivery
- Maternity pads or adult nappies
- Perri bottle (tip: use warm water!)
- Large comfy undies
- Wet bags for any soiled or wet clothing
The Hospital Stay Bag for Mumma
Keeping comfortable
- Nursing pads
- Maternity pads (2-3 packets)
- Nipple Balm
- Toiletries
- Toothbrush / Toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Facewash
- Moisturiser
- Shampoo / Conditioner (scent free if you can)
- Extra snacks / nibbles
- Phone Charger
Clothing for Mumma
- Large comfortable (preferably dark coloured) undies
- Low riding undies in case of C-Section
- Nursing friendly tops, singlets and PJs
- Loose clothing
- Maternity bras
- Fluffy warm socks
- Slippers
- Dressing Gown
- Going home outfit
Baby Bag
Check with your hospital as most hospitals do provide;
- Newborn nappies
- Wipes
- Blankets
Clothing for Baby
- 10x onesies (5x 00000 & 5x 0000)
- 5x singlets
- Socks or booties (if you don’t have the footsie onesies)
- Beanies and mittens for when baby is sleeping
- Going home outfit
Announcement items
- “I’m here” announcement sign
- Announcement outfit
- Own swaddles / blankets
Download our printable hospital checklist from here
Good Luck Mumma! You totally got this! Xx