Packing for the birth and hospital stay is an exciting task. The lists can seem endless and you can often worry about all those purchases you need to make.
The lists below are quite exhaustive and it’s always good to remember that we don’t NEED these things to have an amazing experience. I always had to remind myself that shops still exist after babies are born. Places like Kmart are open 24 hours in some suburbs. Anything forgotten or required can be purchased easily by your excited family.
Labouring at home
We have to remember that many of the items we are taking to hospital are going to be used at home while we’re labouring. It can be a good idea to print a list and leave it on the top of your hospital bag so your partner can pack those last minute things before you leave for hospital.
Labouring in the car
I talk in my classes about what a strange thing it is we do as humans – leave our secure, comfy environment at home and go out in the general public to drive to hospital. Ideally we keep this journey as relaxing and positive as possible. You may want your partner to create a comfy little space in the car for you before you leave. Waterproof sheet, pillows, blanket, essential oil on a tissue, eye mask and headphones for your music.
Labour and birth
Your partner should have a good understanding of what they should get the hospital room to look like. We want it nice and dark, cosy and smelling beautiful. You may have bought items from home to create this ambiance.
Staying at the hospital
People stay at hospital for varying lengths of time these days but we want this time to be as comfortable as possible. Be aware that your tummy will still be larger than pre-baby and breasts may be tender and engorged. Lots of comfy clothes and items from home are great.
The Boring Stuff
- Hospital phone numbers
- Waterproof protection for car seats
- Hospital paperwork
- Bucket in case you feel sick
Labour Bag
- HypnoBirthing handouts
- Pillows & blanket
- Oil diffuser plus essential oils
- Salt lamp, battery tea light candles, twinkle lights
- Printed affirmations & visualisations + blu tack
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Massage oil
- Lip balm
- Face washers
- Maternity pads x a million
- Bathers
- Dressing gown
- Pj’s
- Change of clothes plus warm socks
- Heat pack (gel only)
- Music player + charger + headphone
- Face spritz
- Phone charger
- Hair ties, clips & head band
- Eye mask
- Container for placenta if keeping
- Frozen expressed colostrum
- 1 outfit for baby – singlet, onesie, nappy + blanket (personally I would ditch the hat and mittens)
Hospital Stay
**Pack separately and leave in the car until after baby arrives and you are in the maternity ward**
- Comfy pj’s – nighties with thin straps so you can expose a boob or that open down the front are great
- Hanging out clothes – trackies, leggings, hoodies – I recommend dark coloured pants
- Toiletries
- Pillows
- Maternity pads x a million
- Post birth belly band or tube-grip
- Peri bottle with witch hazel or other soothing herbal mix
- Comfy black/dark undies – cheap black ones are great
- Plastic bags for dirty clothes
- Nipple cream (I also loved Multi Mam Compresses)
- Breast/nursing pads
- Breastfeeding bras/singlets
- Snacks
- Going home outfit for you and baby
- Clothes for baby – approx 5 changes
- Swaddles & blankets for baby
- Nappies & wipes
- Spare change
Partner Bag
- Camera + charger + memory card
- Spare clothes
- Thongs
- Bathers
- Snacks
- Acupressure handout
