Whether you are planning a hospital or home birth, it is important to have that all important birth bag ready to go, preferably prior to the day of, but what do you pack when your packing for birth? When you want everything, just in case but don’t want to take 7 bags and the kitchen sink. Here is your guide to packing for every eventuality.
Packing list for baby
We will start off with baby, because this is often where parents pack a TON of stuff not realising that babies are little and really don’t actually need that much.
Regardless of how you birth there are a number of items you DON’T need including your bottles, dummies, toys, bath gel or headbands. You are only going to be in hospital for a few days at most, your baby is establishing feeding during this time and if you are breastfeeding you do not want to confuse them by putting anything else in their mouth.
If you have chosen to bottle feed straight up, your hospital will generally supply bottles and formula for health and safety reasons. But make sure you check first.
You baby is also not getting particularly dirty due to lack of movement and small feeds so won’t need lots of changes of clothes.
So what do you need to pack your bag for birth?
- 2-3 (0000) or (00000) if you’re expecting a little baby singlets.
- 2-3 long sleeve 0000 onesies (with feet) – the hospital is cold, especially at night.
- 1-2 Mittens
- 1x bonnet/beanie hat.
- 2x warm wraps
- Nappies (in the first-day baby is expected to pass urine once and poo once, day 2 = 2 so 10 nappies is going to be plenty).
Packing list for Mum
This list is divided to make it easy to pick what is relevant for you and what you wish to pack.
Labour/Birth
- Old undies or big comfy undies x 3
- Comfy clothes – this may include a nightie, large t-shirt or shirt, bikini or bra top.
- Hair ties
- Pads
- Pillow
- Essential Oils
- Moisturiser
- Massage Oil
- TENs machine
- Heat pack
- Scarf/shawl for rebozo
- Music
- Posters/affirmations
- Spare clothes for birth supports
- Snacks – Museli bars are a good idea – not too smelly or loud for supports and yourself, honey is a great energy boost
- Drinks – iced tea/electrolye drinks/cordial/juice
- Dressing Gown
- Birth Companion cheatsheet (if you have done classes with me 😉)
Postnatal
- A pack of Pads
- Comfy Undies x 5 – Most women agree – the bigger the better.
- Comfy clothes/PJs x 2 set
- Maternity Bra x 2
- Heat pack for tummy
- Essential Oils (help urinating, easing peri discomfort)
- Extra nappies (for freezing for day 3 engorgement)
- Lansinoh (nipple cream)
- Breastpump (if you have one so you can work it out with the midwives)
- Phone Charger
- Book/Ipad
- Thongs
- Notebook and pen (for writing down helpful bits of advice, things that are working, when baby is weeing/pooing and feeding etc)
- Dressing Gown for when you can’t be bothered getting dressed.
- Toiletries – Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, hairbrush etc.
Cesarean
- Even more undies (Big ones that go right up over your stomach)
- 2 x sets of clothes because you will be in a little longer
- SRC shorts are not necessary (and can be expensive) but a lot of women do feel ‘held in’ post birth with them.
To chat about mentally and physically preparing for birth whether vaginal or cesarean, at home or in hospital, check out our classes.