It’s the time of excitement and just a few more weeks down the time to be a mother! What a wonderful feeling, isn’t it so? But with the soon to arrival of the baby, preparations and checklist on items and requirements important before, during and after birth is mandatory.
After all, conceiving is an act of live bearing complimented with immense pain, weakness and never before experience for first-time mothers. As days near the time of delivery, it is high time to invest in a checklist for hospital bags for mom and baby.
One can start packing around week 37 to 38 ensuring sufficient time for packing and readiness before the process of birth. For a woman expecting twins, packing as early as day 35 is unmissable. Therefore in todays article we will be talking about the importance and essentials within the checklist for hospital bags for mom and baby.
The Ultimate Checklist For Hospital Bag For Mom And Baby
The necessities are divided into a broader category for mom and baby respectively. We will be learning about each of these categories in respective headings.
Essentials For Mom
1. Important Documents
- ID or passport
- Medical insurance card
- Forms of hospital registration (when prior registered)
- Birth plan (in case you have one)
Hint: Put them somewhere they are easy to find in a zippered pouch or folder.
2. Dressing & Amenity
- 2-3 sets of comfortable maternity, or nursing friendly nightgowns
- A wollen robe or cardigan
- Slippery free socks or slippers
- Breast pads and nursing Bras
- Loose underwear (the hospital can also give mesh ones)
- Easy going-home clothes (think classic yoga pants, or a maxi dress)
Note: Hospitals are cold. Your best friend is layers!
3. Toiletries
- Tooth brush, tooth paste
- Hairbrush and Hair ties
- Lip balm (dry lips during labor)
- A cleanser or face wipes
- Moisturizer
- Conditioner, body wash (travel size), shampoo (travel size)
- Deodorant
- Sanitary pads (the hospital gives them away but you may want your brand)
4. For Recovery
- Wipes and Refreshing sprays
- Peri bottle (most hospitals will supply one but it is alright to bring your own)
- Breastfeeding Nipple cream
- Snacks and water bottle (the work may be extensive and tiring!)
5. Tech / Extras
- Headphones
- A pair of earplugs, a cool towel or mini-fan
- Something light to read (a book, magazine, or a song list)
- A birth or baby first minute journal
- Phone+ charger (long blow is a good option)
Essentials For Baby
1. Clothing
- 2-3 sleepers
- Going-home clothes (weather clothes)
- Socks
- Hat or cap (more especially during cool months)
- Soft mittens against scratching
2. Diapering And Feeding
- Wipes
- Baby diapers (the hospital normally accords some)
- Burp cloths
- Nursing pillow optional and useful
- Formula and bottles (unless you are not breastfeeding-hospital may give these to you)
3. Blankets And Swaddles
- 1,2 blankets
4. Baby Gear
- Baby nail clippers or file (newborn nails are quite sharp surprisingly!)
- Baby car seat (a compulsory requirement to bring your baby home)
Nice Additional Options
- Your personal pillow on a colored pillowcase (i.e. so it does not get mistaken with the hospital pillows)
- Scented oil or tranquilizing spray (in case you are an aromatherapist)
- Something small to give your care team (not important, but it is appreciated)
- Earplugs (and earplugs, earplugs, eigen-earplugs) and even eye mask (in case you are a light sleeper)
Final Thoughts
It is best to pack in advance and not carry too much or too little since your hospital stay can take only a few hours to a few days. This list will provide you with a moderate combination of necessities and home comforts that will facilitate your experience and ensure that you are not distracted by trivial things but only enjoy the meeting with your newborn child.
Pack it in advance, place it at the doorstep and relax knowing that you are set to tackle the big day. We are now sure this educative blog on checklist for hospital bags for mom and baby is the exact guide you need before the date arrives!
