Ahh, the big day is quickly approaching and it doesn’t matter if your due date is days or months away, there are plenty of preparations that need to be made before your baby gets here!
Chances are you most likely have a mental checklist of what you have, need, and what things still have to be done. And while mental checklists are an excellent place to start, it might be a good idea to write out your plans and preparations to help things in order once you go into labor.
There are plenty of major preparations that will take months to plan out, but today we are going to focus on a smaller, but still important part of planning; what to pack in your baby hospital bag.
Baby Essentials
Before we discuss what items to pack in the hospital bag, let’s go over some baby essentials that you should make sure you have beforehand. These are some items that you should have on your baby shower registry or items that you should begin to stock up on before the baby arrives.
- Newborn diapers (plenty of them)
- Baby wipes
- Baby ointment or barrier cream (or powder) to prevent rash or irritation
- Bibs and burping cloths
- Nursing bras
- Breast pump
- Bottles and formula (if not breastfeeding)
- Onesies (lots of onesies)
- Footed newborn zip-up sleepers
- Scratch mittens
- Newborn hats
- Socks
- Blankets
- Newborn tub
- Washcloths
- Baby soap
- Soft-bristled brush
- Baby towels
- Crib (sheets, mattress, blankets)
- Newborn-approved car seat
- Stroller
- Baby kit (nail clippers, bulb syringe, thermometer)
- Baby monitor
- Diaper bag
Packing For A Hospital Delivery
If you plan on having your baby delivered at a hospital, it is critical that you know what to pack, because chances are, you will be there for a few days. The items you need will vary depending on the hospital, how long you will stay in the hospital and your birth plan.
So when should you start to plan what you will pack in your hospital bag? The sooner the better, but most parents-to-be find that the third trimester is the best time to start planning and getting things organized. Be sure to think about what you might want to take with you, and set these items aside. It is a wonderful idea to make a hospital bag checklist for the baby and for the parents, especially the mother.
Doing this early is helpful because in your last few weeks of pregnancy, you may feel too tired or distracted or busy to buy or collect what you need. And sometimes babies arrive early, which is why it’s important to already have your hospital bag packed so you are ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Even if you are planning a home birth, it’s a good idea to have a bag packed in case you need to go to a hospital for premature birth, or if you have pregnancy or birth complications.
Hospital Bag For Baby Checklist
By the time you begin to organize your hospital bag, you should have most of the items on hand that you will need to take.
- Baby wipes
- Bottom cream
- Different sized onesies for your baby
- Baby blankets
- Baby socks
- Newborn stem cell collection kit (if you plan to have your baby’s stem cells preserved)
- Car Seat (hospitals won’t let you leave without one)
- A baby carrier, in case you decide to go for a walk.
- Bottles, a breast pump for expressing breastmilk, formula (if you do not plan to breastfeed exclusively or at all)
Hospital Bag For Mom Checklist
Although you will likely only have one hospital bag, it’s important to pack for yourself as well.
- Your birth plan – that is, a written list of what you’d like to happen when you are in labor and how you’d like to give birth. Birth Plans usually contain plans for after-birth as well, such as plans for stem cell banking
- A light dressing gown, for early labor when you may walk around the hospital corridors
- Slippers or non-slip socks
- Any labor-helping devices, such as a birthing ball, heat packs
- Items to help pass time if you are in labor longer than expected (magazines, books, games, etc.)
- If you wear contact lenses, you should plan on having a spare pair of glasses in your bag because you will not be able to wear contacts during labor
- A hairband and brush
- Dry Shampoo
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Extra pillows
- Toiletries (including lip balm) and tissues
- Your phone and a charger
- Face wash, makeup wipes
- Snacks
- Spare change for vending machines
- A watch with a second hand, to time contractions (you can also use a timer on your phone)
Having a plan or knowing what to pack in your baby hospital bag will help relieve some of the stress that comes along the days leading up to your baby’s birth. Keep this list handy and if you know someone who is expecting, be sure to pass this list along so they can be prepared for their big day!
