What To Pack in Your Pregnancy Hospital Bag
Getting ready for the birth of your new child can come in many stages. You may have your nursery ready, all of your baby clothes washed and stored neatly away, your bottles sterilised, and your birth plan at hand. The countdown to the big day can seem like the longest stage of the entire pregnancy. Whether it's your first baby or you've already been through the experience before, your nerves and excitement will be barely containable. There's one last thing to prepare: your hospital bag. Even if you have opted for a home birth, which can be a great option if that's right for you and your family, you still need to pack a bag just in case; it's always best to prepare for every eventuality. Being prepared for any situation is something that you will have to get used to for all aspects of parenting. Preparation can be the difference between a peaceful time or a stressful situation. You will find that taking the time to consider your needs can help make you feel more in control of the situation. Hopefully, your birth will go smoothly, and you will be able to leave the hospital within the same day. Still, there are many reasons that babies or new mothers may need to stay in the hospital a little longer for observations, antibiotics, or many other reasons. While this may not be the ideal situation, you have to think that if this is the case, it will be what is best for you and your baby's health, so it's best to pack with that in mind. If you don't need to use your hospital bag much, then great, but if you do, you will be thanking your past self for being so organised.
You are likely to need a large holdall with plenty of different compartments, so you have easy access to all items and pack logically with the things you will need most, being the first at hand. Any additional bag with your favourite drinks and snacks is also recommended. You may want to pack two separate bags with items for yourself in one and for your new baby in the other.
Toiletries
You will know the toiletries that you usually use and if possible, try to purchase them in miniature sizes so that they don't take up too much space. The ideal items are:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Hand Cream
- Lip balm/vaseline
- Any makeup you want to take (some people may find this a necessity whereas others won't, it's entirely up to you)
- Makeup remover and cotton pads/remover wipes if you are opting to go ahead with the above
- Maternity pads (as many as you can realistically take)
- Breast pads
- A fluffy face cloth
- If you do have space, packing your own towel can also be a great choice
Clothes
You will need clothes for both you and your baby. Try to opt for the safest choices for your baby's sensitive new skin with all of your new baby items. Look into organic baby clothing to see what options are available for all of your first choices. Using organic cotton means no harsh chemicals are involved in the growing and production process, so it is kinder to your baby's skin.
As much as it's great to look your best, it would be best if you consider comfort as the critical factor in your choices here. Comfortable, breathable and flowing fabrics are best for you.
For your baby, you will need to pack:
- Vests
- Babygrows
- Socks
- Hats
- Mittens
- Blankets
Bottles & Formula
It is advised to breastfeed as early as possible and for as long as possible. Breastfeeding doesn't always work for everyone, and it is entirely your choice as long as you consider any medical advice. Certain medications you are on may mean that breastfeeding is not possible for you. Even if you have the best intentions for breastfeeding, you may want to bring some bottles and formula just in case, especially if you end up staying longer than expected at the hospital or end up with any medical complications that make breastfeeding difficult. You can buy formula for newborn babies in ready to drink bottles that you transfer straight to your sterilised bottle, so there is no need to be mixing powders etc., in the hospital. These ready to use formulas are also great because you may not need to use them at all, and then you can donate them to the hospital or give them to another new parent without having opened them.