Hospital Bag Checklist: Everything You Need For Mum And Baby

When you are at the end of your third trimester, or even a week into your ninth month, you should be extra careful and ready to welcome your bundle of joy into the world at any moment. You should also organise the items that you would want to take to the hospital for a smoother and stress-free experience. 

Now, when it comes to packing a maternity bag for the hospital, the list of essentials can go on and on. But the truth is, you only need a few necessities and don’t have to worry about packing the entire baby wardrobe or tons of other unnecessary items into your suitcase. To make things easier for you, we have created a hospital bag checklist, which includes all the necessities for yourself, your newborn, and your spouse. 

When to Pack Your Hospital Bag?

The best time to organise your hospital bag is around 36 weeks, as you can expect to go into labour at any time from the 37th week. However, if your doctor suspects an early delivery due to a particular reason, then you can consider packing your necessities much earlier.

Packing a hospital bag beforehand can save you from last-minute panics and ensure you don’t forget to carry important documents or items to the hospital.

What to Pack for Your Baby?

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Your little VIP is arriving, and you need to take special care of them. Here’s a list of things that you need to pack for your munchkin:

• A pack of diapers as your baby will need them from the time they arrive.
• Baby wipes, especially water wipes clean their bottom, hands, and feet. You can invest in a natural baby wipe like BabyChakra’s bamboo water wipes, enriched with plant-based ingredients like bamboo fibre, aloe vera, vitamin E, and almond oil that offer gentle nourishment to your baby’s skin and prevent irritation or rashes. 
• A pair of baby blankets to keep your little one warm.
• Vests, bodysuits, and socks.
• Muslin cloths to wipe your baby’s mouth when they posset. Posseting is a normal occurrence in babies, and it is a way of bringing out undigested milk through the mouth.
• Carry a baby car seat as well, if you are planning to bring your little one home in your car.

What to Carry for Yourself?

If you have a vaginal delivery, you might have to stay for two or three days in the hospital. However, if you have a cesarean delivery, then the doctor might advise you to stay for three to four days or even a week. To keep yourself comfortable, carry the following items in your hospital bag:

• 3-4 dresses: Pack comfortable and loose maternity clothes to wear in the hospital. Make sure that the dresses have front buttons so that you can easily nurse your baby after delivery.
• Documents: Neatly file all the documents required for hospital admission and delivery. You will most likely need your ID proof, investigation reports, hospital forms and birth plans, and insurance card. Also, make sure that your previous appointment prescriptions are filed in a separate case file as well.
• Footwear: Pack comfortable slip-on shoes to wear during your hospital stay. If the weather is chilly, take a pair of socks too, to keep your feet warm.
• Massage oil: Carry a massage oil or lotion to massage your back and legs to ease contraction pains.
• Snacks and drinks: Pak a handful of lozenges and candies with you. This will help prevent your mouth from drying out. You can also carry a few bottles of isotonic drinks to give you strength during the labour. 
• Pillows: Carry extra pillows to make you feel comfortable and support your back during labour. If possible, pack a breastfeeding pillow too, to make nursing easier.
• Birth ball: It is a great tool to support your labour. Carry one along with you along with its pump, so that your partner can inflate it when you are in the hospital room.
• Sanitary pads and undergarments: Pack sanitary pads and extra pairs of undergarments as you will need plenty of them during the hospital stay.
• Nursing aids: Carry nursing pads and bras to make breastfeeding more comfortable for you. Also, invest in a functional breast pump and pack it in your maternity bag. It can come in handy in case your baby is unable to latch properly, or you are having trouble breastfeeding.
• Accessories: carry essential accessories like hair bands, clips, bath towels, and moisturisers. You can also pack earplugs and eye masks to help you sleep better while waiting for your delivery. 
• Toiletries: Keep toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap in your bag. Carry them in a small pouch and store them in a place that is easily accessible.
• Gadgets: Keep a spare mobile charger in your bag. Also, don’t forget to pack your tab and camera to document the special moments after your baby’s arrival.

The ninth month of pregnancy is the most crucial time as your baby can arrive at any moment. Therefore, pack your maternity bag beforehand, and use our hospital bag checklist as a reference so that you don’t forget to carry any essentials. Remember, keeping things organised much ahead of time can save you from stress and panic, and help you focus more on your little one’s arrival. 

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