Hospital Packing List: What To Pack For The Birth Of Your Baby

What To Pack For The Hospital One of my girlfriends is about to have a baby. She was packing her hospital bag and I told her that I have a packing list that I can share. Many of the girls in my mothers group loved this list so I thought I’d share it here on the blog too. You can download the packing list here: Hospital Packing List. It is an excel template which means you will be able to edit and change it to suit your own needs.

Do you have a pregnant friend that you can forward this list to?

TOP 5 THINGS

NOTE: Here is a “post birth” edit. I have added in a Top 5 Things List. The rest of my suggestions are included on a list that I wrote while pregnant. I had no idea what to expect. Let’s just say, I am a bit of an over planner.

If I was to do it all again. Here are the top 10 things that I would pack.

My phone & charger + awesome phone apps
Hydrogel discs
Lansinoh
A really nice shower gel
Flushable wipes – with the push lid dispenser

I am so glad I packed the above items. Thank you to the girls in my mothers group for recommending them to me. Now, continue reading if you want the FULL LIST of ABSOLUTLEY EVERYTHING that I packed.

WARNING

A bit of a warning here… this list is really really long! It is a comprehensive list that I have collaborated from the advice of my friends, family and mothers groups. Every time somebody suggested an item, I added it to the list. Not all items are appropriate for everyone. I encourage you to look through the list and just pick and choose what is appropriate for you. Everybody is different and every birth is different. This is simply a useful guide for those who like to be organised.

I have added in my “post-pregnancy” commentary where appropriate.

I hope this helps you during your own pregnancy!

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE BIRTH OF YOUR BABY:

There are a few different bags to pack and other things to have around before all the action begins. I have split the lists up in to different sections:

Car Stuff – Items to leave in the car from 36 weeks onwards
At Home Stuff – Items to have at home for labour preparation & pain management. You want to stay at home for as long as possible. Delay going to hospital until you feel ready.
Birth Bag – The birth bag is a back pack or something that is easy for your partner (or support person) to throw over the shoulder and run with. No wheels, nothing too big, small enough to keep in the car at all times. I also had a second “birth bag” (Woolies Chiller Bag) for food and snacks.
Your Bag – A medium size suitcase on wheels, that is easy to pull or push and doesn’t take up too much space (the hospital rooms are not very big and they don’t have much storage space).
Partner’s Bag (Support Person’s Bag) – Overnight bag for his stay at the hospital. Please note that not all hospitals allow for partners to stay over at night. So, if they are not staying, then you don’t really need to worry about this bag.
Baby’s Bag – A nappy bag style bag for all of the baby’s clothes and toiletries.

I have also listed a few items of WHAT NOT TO PACK and WHAT TO HAVE AT HOME for when you come home with your new baby.

Let’s start with the all the pre birth stuff..

KEEP IN THE CAR – FROM 36 WEEKS ONWARDS

Birth bag and all the items you want to have at your birth.
Bucket or spew bag – handy in case of vomiting.
Car seat for the baby – installed and double checked by an authorised safety officer.
Car seat protector – in case your waters break while you are driving or in the car. I got mine from Kmart.
Large white towel -If your waters break while you are travelling to the hospital use a white towel. It will help record the colour of the fluid so that you can show the midwives.

Kidsafe Logo

AT HOME

Bucket or spew bag – Handy in case of vomiting
Plastic tarp or bed cover – Use in the final few weeks in case your waters break over night while you are in bed. This will protect your bed mattress. You may like to keep one in the car too. I got mine from Kmart.
Gatorade/PowerAde – recommended by some midwives to keep you hydrated as it restores electrolytes.
Fit ball – good for the final 4-6 weeks. Helps to get the baby in to “position” and good for movement during labour
Heat packs – heat will help with pain and cramps
Hot towels – 0ld cloth nappies, terri towels are good for this. Dip in boiled water. Use gloves so you don’t burn your hands. The heat will help with pain and cramps.
Timer/Stop Watch/Phone App -to time contractions/surges.
Hot Water Bottles -heat will help with pain and cramps
Bag list -all the items that still need to be packed or last minute packing e.g. phones, keys, chargers.
Contact List – Professional help and & support including: ABA, Lactation Consultant, OB, GP, Pediatrician, Acupuncturist. Stick this list on your fridge! It should be a quick reference tool for when you get home from the hospital.
Emergency Contact List Including – Hospital, OB, GP, Birth Team, Hubby, Back Up Driver, Taxi. Stick this to the fridge, just in case you are home with a friend or family member and they need to do the calling for you.

BIRTH BAG

For You:

Clothes you plan to give birth in – but most people are naked even if they have intentions to wear something. I wore an Intimo dress but then i had to change in to a hospital gown to have an emergency ceasarian.
Swim togs – this might be important for a sense of privacy during the early stages of labour, if you are video recording or if you are planning a water birth. However, most people are naked even if they have intentions to wear something.
Dressing gown – to travel from the birth suite to the room.

**You don’t need any of these items if you have a caesarean (planned or emergency) as you will be in surgery clothes.

For Your Partner:

Closed in shoes for your partner – in case of a caesarean as it is a surgery room requirement.
Boardies for your partner – so that he can get in the shower with you while the midwives are helping.
Change of clothes for your partner (undies, singlet, t-shirt, shorts) – for after the shower or in case you vomit or something disgusting happens.
Any medication your partner needs e.g. Ventilin for Asthma

Equipment

Bag list – All the items that still need to be packed or last minute packing e.g. phones, keys, chargers
Birth Plan/Preferences x 4-5 copies -Hubby, Midwives, OB + Back Up
Hospital ID number – save in your phone for checking in to the hospital
Call list – People you want to call/text when baby is born
Camera – small waterproof point & shoot – For water proof photos or in case phone batteries die.
Camera charger – To charge the camera when it dies, remember you will be using it the whole week.
Ipod docking station/speakers or a connector cord – Check with your hospital to see if one is available in the room. Otherwise take your own for music.
Music playlist on phones or iPod – Favourite songs, hypnobirthing tracks, relaxation.
Phone chargers x 2 (yours + your partner’s)
Antibacterial hand gel – For the trip to the hospital – just in case.
Optional laxative/enema – To prevent doing number 2 when pushing out the baby.
Face washers x 2 different colours – To cool the forehead and to sooth the perineum. Use two colours to avoid confusion.
Flushable wipes – To keep clean after going to the toilet. Also good for recovery period after birth – see “my bag list”
Lip balm – You can get really dry lips during labour

Pain Management

Panadol – Pain relief on the way to the hospital or at home
Rennies or other “safe” intergestion tables – for heart burn
Accupuncture pressure points – cheat sheet for your partner to use – provided by the accupunctuist professionals.
Aromatherapy oils – Use on a tissue and not in an oil burner because you can’t get rid of the smell in the room if you don’t like it.
Blue tac or sticky tape – To put up the vision board/ images or photos on the wall.
Vision board / images or photos – Put it up on the wall for a focus point
Contractions counter phone app (pre-downloaded on to both of our phones) – To start counting contractions/surges when they happen.
Stop watch (on both our phones) – To time the contractions
Hypnobirthing tracks (on both phone & iPod) – Listen to these during labour
Massage oils – For pain relief/management
Massage roller
Pain management list – ABC cheatsheet for hubby – A list of all pain relief options and strategies that I have planned and practiced. This is a cheat sheet for hubby & midwives.
Stress ball – squeeze & relax
Tennis ball – for your partner to use to rub your back
TENS machine – Pain relief machine
TENS machine – extra pads
Water bottle – to drink water
Water bottle – To spray water on the face and back during labour. A few drops of aromatherapy oil can be soothing.

Post Birth Evaluation:

When I was packing my hospital bag I had the philosophy that I would take along everything and then decide what I needed on the day. For me, it was better to have choice rather than to not have an item available it I wanted it.

I was in labour for 4 days but then ended up having an emergency ceasarean. For this reason the list changed a lot for me. I used a lot of the items in my “birth bag” at home during the early hours of labour and I only took a few small items with me to the hospital. I kept in my hands a small cross made from onyx, a bag of pure lavender and I listened to my hypnobirthing tracks over and over again… at home, in the car, at the hospital and during the surges. And… I had my husband with me. He was amazing. He coached me through every step, he knew how to help me with my pain management techniques and he remembered all of the skills that we learn’t together in our classes.

I didn’t use the tennis ball or any of the massage oils. I forgot to take the small waterproof camera (which didn’t matter because I wasn’t allowed to have a shower or get in the bath anyway) and I didn’t finish my vision board in time since my baby was born a little earlier than expected and I thought I still had time to complete it.

As I said earlier, the items on this list are not for everyone. It is just a list of ideas. Pick and choose what is right for you.

YOUR BAG

Feeding Tops – Tops that have easy access for breastfeeding. I used the bonds clip singlets and also feeding tops from nursing mama. You will want to change clothes twice a day to feel fresh.
Maternity bras with clips for breastfeeding – bras which are supportive and easy to take off to feed baby.
Pants/Yoga Pants/ or PJ Pants – High pants, just in case you have a caesarean – no hipsters that might rub on the scar. You will want to change clothes twice a day to feel fresh. I loved Cotton On Body pants. They were really comfy.
Cardi/cover up jackets – Especially if it is winter. Hospitals can get cold because of the air conditioning.
Cheap black undies that you can throw away – LOTS! Minimim 10-15 pairs – So they can be thrown away after stains from bleeding after birth. (I used these undies but didn’t stain them or need to throw them away. Probably because I had a caesarean.)
Dressing gown – With pockets – easy to throw on – winter/warm or summer/cool.
Going home outfit – Something comfortable to wear and something that you can easily feed in. (I totally stuffed this up. I didn’t realise that absolutely everything I wear from now on will need to be feeding friendly).
Pj’s – button up and high waisted or slip on nighties – Easy open access for breastfeeding. No hipsters just in case you have a caesarean, you don’t want the pants to sit on your scar. Slip on nighties are easy for going to the toilet a lot.
Slippers with rubber sole and that are easy to slip on – no back. For walking to the toilets and around the hospital. No back on the slippers because you don’t want to bend over to put shoes on.
Socks – Keep your feet warm in bed
Thongs – For the hospital shower (especially if you are sharing a shower with other room mates)
Baby photos of me & hubby (or digital on our phones) – Visitors will ask who does the baby look like? Mum or Dad? Baby photos will help with this debate.
Orthodox Icons/Religious Momentums – To put in the room, near the baby.
Food for guests: chocolates, sweets and/or cookies wrapped up in cellophane -Greek tradition to give visitors a gift of food, when they visit at the hospital.
Salt – Warning: This might hurt – be sure to check with your doctor/midwife first: Splash salt water on your vaginal area several times a day. It is a disinfectant and helps with the healing process if you have any tears from a vaginal birth.
Fibre suppliments: prunes, colxyl, laxatives – To help with pooing in the days after birth. (I actually drank a glass of pear juice each morning with breakfast! It was much nicer than any other option and it works really well!!)
Medication: tablets + vitamins – Daily meds still required. Keep oroxine in fridge.
Back support wrap – To support my back, after birth + when breastfeeding. (This was on my list but the physio actually recommended against it! So, I never used it.)
Shapeware or SRC recovery pants
Books/magazines to read – I didn’t pack this, but it is a good idea for some. For others, it’s just way too hard to take your eyes off your new born baby.
Hydrogel breast discs – Put on nipples from day one to prevent soreness.
Plastic squeezie bottle and/or a spray bottle – To help with peeing after birth.
Baby Journal – Moleskine and/or Phone App Tracker – To track breastfeeding times and baby activity. I used and LOVED BabyTracker
Diary or Journal – To write down my thoughts and special moments of this exciting time.
Guest Book – A reading book is good for this e.g. nursery rhymes book – A book for guests to write down their congratulations.
List of baby names + correct spelling – Include middle names and Greek spelling.
Notebook & Pen – To write stuff down – checklist for hubby or notes from midwives and doctors etc.
Purse + ID + Bupa Card + Medicare Card etc. For all the paperwork after baby is born – Remember to BUPA as soon as the baby is born. Then call Births, Death’s & Marriages – order certificate.
Thank you cards and/or gifts like chocolates – For midwives & nurses
Bio oil – To continue prevention of stretch marks after birth
Breast / Nursing Pads (Bamboo or Pigeon) – To avoid milk leakages.
Toiletries – Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Cleansers, Moisturiser, deodorant, Shampoo & Conditioner and other personal hygiene products in your toiletries bag.
Flushable wipes – A little bit softer than toilet paper, feels cleaner after bleeding, also good for cleaning scars from caesarean. **A few after notes on this. Flushable wipes are AMAZING! Seriously. I much preferred to used them rather than toilet paper. I got the one that was easy to pull out in the packet and used them at home for a while afterwards as well.
Make up, GHD, hair brush, hair dryer, hair ties – Check with your hospital to see if they provide a hair dryer or not.
Lansinoh nipple cream – To sooth sore nipples from breastfeeding
Maternity Pads x 4-6 packets with wings – For bleeding after birth.
Moisturising body cream – To help you feel good a few days after.
Plastic bags – For dirty clothes etc.
Soft toilet paper – Because the hospital toilet paper is not nice – especially after birth. The softer the better!
Ural – Pain relief after birth when trying to pee.

PARTNER’S BAG

Change of clothes x 2-3 days
Pj’s – because the midwife said that “husband’s are not allowed to sleep naked in the hospital” lol.
Shoes
Singlets
Socks
Tracksuits/Jumpers
Undies
Phone
Phone Chargers
Protein Bars/Shakes/Shaker Bottles – because my husband is a body builder and he eats a lot of food
Medication
Cash – Money for coffee, food etc
Wallet
Body Wash
Cleansers, Moisturisers, Deodorants, Fragrance
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shaving Razor & Cream and Other Toiletries
Hair Gel, Hair Brush

BABY’S BAG

Baby coat hangers – To hang baby clothes in wardrobe
Bath towel – extra soft – Use the hospital towel or take your own.
Beanies – Colour options for boy or girl
Blanket x 2-3 -It will be colder in winter – muslin wraps might not be enough. Use to cover the baby at night or for the trip home.
Bonds Onsies – Size 000 x 1-2 – A onesie that is slightly bigger just in case the baby is big.
Bonds Onsies – Size 0000 x 4-6 – 2 or 3 outfits for each day in hospital.
Bonds Onsies – Size 00000 x 1-2 – Extra small onsie just in case the baby is tiny.
Bonds Singlets Size 0000 x 6 – To wear under bonds onsies.
Going home outfit – One boy option and one girl option.
Mittens – Prevents the baby from scratching him/herself.
Socks x 2-4 -In case outfit doesn’t cover the baby’s feet.
Swaddle wraps/Muslin wraps x 6 – The baby will be swaddled every day.
Baby wipes (Bamboo preferred) – For changing nappies and cleaning baby’s bum.
Bath wash – small travel bottle size – To wash the baby in the hospital – once or twice only.
Cotton buds/Cotton balls – For cleaning/drying baby after a bath or during a nappy change.
Dummy – Not sure if I’ll use it… but just in case.
MCN 3-4 newborn sizes + liners, clips – To try. If I like them I will get more. WARNING: Do not use MCN with the baby’s first poos. The meconium will stain the cloths. Best to wait for day 4 or 5 before starting. Or use lots of liners to protect the cloth.
Nappies x 1 packet -The hospital provides 1 packet of disposable nappies. I need to provide the rest. However I plan to keep the extra packet in the car “just in case”.
Pawpaw ointment and/or coconut oil and/or olive oil and/or bepanthen – they all do a similar job.-Good for baby’s bum and cleaning up first poo. Also recommended for baby’s dry skin on day 3 or 4.

WHAT NOT TO PACK

DT’s for hubby – The midwives request boardies instead of DT’s on the men lol. I thought this was funny 🙂
Video camera – (In birth room) Not permitted by the hospital – check with your hospital and confirm.
Candles – Not permitted by the hospital – check with your hospital and confirm
Heat packs – Not permitted by the hospital – check with your hospital and confirm.
Oil burner for aromatherapy – Once the smell is in the room, you can’t get it out. It’s better to dab a bit of oil on a tissue/hankie and sniff as needed.

HAVE AT HOME AFTER HOSPITAL

Food! Freezer meals. Lots. Or have a take-away/home delivery list of numbers and menus on your fridge. Or organise lite n’ easy for a month.
Pear juice.
Pain relief – prescribed by your doctor.
ABA Phone number saved in your phone or on the fridge. Or the contact number of a good lactation consultant.
Antibacterial gel to clean your hands after each nappy change.
Baby products – here is a list of things that I was kindly given at my baby shower or that I purchased: 30 Products To Buy Before Baby Is Born
A list of foods that are good to eat to prevent the baby from getting wind.
Sweets or biscuits for visitors.
Nursing tops and bras.
Tiny beans phone ap.

Is there anything that you would add to this list?

Let me know in the comments.

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