A Guide To Packing Your Maternity Hospital Bag

You have already been through all the trials of pregnancy, and you are on your last stretch. By now, your belly must be increasing in size at an exponential pace, and if you are unlucky, so are your ankles. But most importantly, you have your eye on the prize and are counting down the days till you meet your little one.

Despite pregnancy, officially lasting for 40 weeks, your baby can arrive anytime from 35 weeks. That’s why most gynaecologists in Walvis Bay advise having your hospital bag packed and ready from 34 weeks. Getting your hospital bag ready will help you feel more prepared and organised for the big arrival.

We know you already have so much to plan and research, so we thought we would make packing a little bit easy for you. Follow our guide below to ensure you have everything you need to make your hospital visit run smoothly.

Packing For Two

You are not packing for a trip to Fiji, so you don’t need the latest Gucci 3 pieces of luggage set. And even though you will be packing minimally, remember you will need to pack for both you and your baby, so a good-sized bag is needed with some packing room.

Pro Tip: Most Hospitals will gift you with a baby bag containing the essentials. If you can manage, pack both your and baby’s things in one bag, and transfer the baby’s items to the gifted baby bag at the hospital.

Hospital Bag Checklist:

To make things easier, we divided our checklist into essentials for mom and necessities for baby.

Packing For Mom

We recommend packing the following items for mom. We tried to keep the list general, but we know each person is unique, and there might be some extra items you would like to include in your bag that only you would think of.

  1. Important documentation

Everything you will need for delivery, including:

  • Identity documents,
  • Medical aid credentials,
  • Medical aid pre-authorisation letter, and
  • Hospital admissions form.

Most hospitals allow pre-admission for maternity patients, this is a good option to avoid unnecessary paperwork in an emergency situation.

  1. A few Sets Of Comfortable Clothing

As a guide, work with the principle of packing one set of clothing for every day that you are staying in hospital. The amount of days you will be staging is different depending on whether you are planning on giving natural birth or having a c-section. Make sure clothing is soft and comfortable, and tops allow easy access if you plan to breastfeed. Also, pack in an extra set for going home.

  1. Toiletries & Accessories:

Pack everything you will need to feel fresh, clean and comfortable.

  • Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Soap
  • Face cloth
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Brush
  • Hairbands and hairpins
  • Skincare products (face wash, moisturiser, night cream, eye cream)
  • Deodorant
  • Maternity pads
  • Hand and body lotion
  • Lip balm
  • Perfume and makeup if desired.
  1. For Nursing:

If you are planning to breastfeed, you will need a few extra essentials:

  • Breast pads or nursing pads
  • Nipple cream
  • Nursing pillow
  • Breast pump
  • Heating pads
  • 2 or 3 Nursing Bras

Other Essentials You will need:

  1. High waisted maternity panties
  2. Underwear (soft fabrics that won’t irritate your scar for C-sections)
  3. Socks
  4. Slippers or flip flops
  5. Pyjamas (that open in front for nursing)
  6. A robe or a gown
  7. Any medication and Prenatal vitamins
  8. Cellphone and Charger
  9. Water and Water bottle
  10. Snacks

Packing For Baby

Lucky baby doesn’t need as many items as a mom, and their clothing and accessories are so tiny they don’t take up much space.

  1. Clothing for baby

Pack a few sets of clothing for the baby and a going home outfit.

  • Three to four onesies and vests
  • Beanies
  • Mittens
  • Socks
  • 2 Receiving or swaddle blankets (yes, this is part of their wardrobe).
  • Warm blankets depending on the season.
  1. Changing and Bathing

The baby will need the following items for nappy changing and bathing

  • Changing mat
  • Newborn diapers
  • Bum cream
  • Baby wipes (unscented or sensitive wipes are best as you never know baby’s skin reaction)
  • Head to Toe wash
  • One towel
  • Washcloths (at least 2)
  • Surgical spirits for navel care
  • Cotton wool
  • Nail clipper or scissor
  1. Feeding
  • Bottles
  • Dummy or pacifier
  • Burp cloths

Check With Your Hospital What They Provide

Most hospitals provide some essential items for the baby and mom. When you visit the maternity ward for your hospital tour, be sure to check with staff which items they provide you with so you do not have to lug unnecessary items to and from the hospital. Don’t be shy to ask for freebies and samples for new moms and babies, hospitals are always happy to share.

You Got This, Mama. Good Luck!

You are all set and ready to bring your bundle of joy into the world. Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy and get as much rest as you can. Remember, practice makes perfect and enjoy every minute of your new journey into motherhood.

Categories: Pregnancy

Nicolas Desjardins

Hello everyone, I am the main writer for SIND Canada. I've been writing articles for more than 12 years and I like sharing my knowledge. I'm currently writing for many websites and newspapers. I always keep myself very informed to give you the best information. All my years as a computer scientist made me become an incredible researcher. You can contact me on our forum or by email at [email protected].