When should I pack the bags for the hospital? What should I bring for my little angel? What can my family bring when they come visit? Like any pregnant woman, I had this kind of questions floating in my head. This post should provide you most of the answers you are looking for.
One month before the due date, I went on holidays to enjoy the maritime air and atmosphere of the North Sea. Upon my mom’s advice, the baby’s bag was packed as from my 35th week of pregnancy, ready to be brought to our vacation destination. Looking back, that bag was indispensable to carry around since I gave birth three weeks earlier than expected. Bye bye holidays, hello hospital!
How to prepare your baby's hospital bag
The moral of this story is to prepare your hospital bag(s) well in advance. It will prevent you from stressing out, throwing things in a suitcase at the last minute and forgetting essential items.
On the contrary, as a future first-time mother, you might be a little too prepared and end up with luggage making you look like you are going overseas. Here’s what fills that perfectly packed bag for your baby:
- 5 warm and comfortable pajamas – Even if you give birth during the summer, your newborn needs to be kept warm since it was used to your body warmth.
- 5 bodysuits
- 1 going home outfit
- 2 newborn hats
- 2 pairs of newborn mittens
- 5 pairs of socks
- 2 swaddling blankets
- 3 burping cloths
- 3 baby bibs
- 1 baby lotion
- 1 baby soap
- 1 baby shampoo
- 1 baby bath oil
- 2 baby towels
- 1 or 2 teddy bears
If the hospital does not provide the following items, pack them too:
- 1 pack of newborn-sized diapers
- 1 pack of baby wipes
- 1 or 2 pacifiers – check the size of the pacifiers (e.g. o – 3 months)
- 1 thermometer to measure your baby’s temperature
- 1 thermometer to verify your baby’s bath temperature
- 3 feeding bottles
- 1 formula pack if you do not breastfeed
- 1 breast pump if you decide to breastfeed
When family members come visit, ask for the following if necessary:
- extra pajamas and bodysuits
- extra burp cloths
- extra baby bibs
The day you leave the hospital, ask your partner to bring:
- the baby car seat – make sure you have read the instructions before your newborn arrives. This way you will be well prepared and go home peacefully and safely.
- a perfectly packed diaper bag
All that is left for me to wish you is to have a wonderful delivery and loads of happiness!