Pack your hospital bag - the ultimate checklist

No need to stress –the baby will come even if you haven’t packed a single item in your hospital bag. The most important things a newborn needs – in addition to a parent or two – are already at the maternity and postnatal wards. But it can still be comforting to have some of your own things from home, for mother, baby, and whoever joins you.. And the ritual of packing your hospital bag – folding those little baby clothes, packing the first soft toy – will actually help you prepare mentally and feel closer to your baby. We talked to doula Stina Berg, who gave us her top tips on what to bring in your hospital bag.

Packing your hospital bag – baby

• 2–4 sets of pyjamas or onesies and trousers, possibly in two different sizes if you’re not sure which will work – the baby will likely be smaller than you realise. Choose pyjamas/trousers with feet, so that you don’t have to bother with socks. Wrap-style onesies are convenient, so you don’t have to pull the garment over baby’s sensitive head and fontanelle, which can be a little nerve-wracking at first. It tends to simplify nappy changes if the clothes have snaps at the crotch. Remember: you will have a lot of skin-to-skin contact at the postnatal ward, so the clothes will probably come out on the big day when you go home.
• A soft hat to keep baby’s head warm.
• Outerwear for the trip home, such as coveralls for the season, and maybe a slightly thicker hat, mittens, and booties for those little baby feet.
• A baby blanket isn’t necessary, but it might feel cosier to get to tuck your baby into their own blanket, rather than hospital bedding. One tip is to sleep with the blanket before you give birth, because having something close that smells like their parents can help your baby feel secure.
• Car seat – the most essential piece of gear if you plan to drive home from the postnatal ward.
• Baby’s first teddy bear.
• Libero’s nappies are usually available in the postnatal ward, but it’s good to pack some for your trip home.
• Fragrance-free wet wipes, such as Libero wet wipes.
• A fragrance-free baby oil to make it easier to clean baby’s first poo, which will be rather sticky.
• The tiniest pacifier – but it’s good for breastfeeding babies to figure out the sucking technique before they use a pacifier.

Packing your hospital bag – mum

• A birth plan, if you have one.
• ID – but don’t worry, they won’t turn you away from the maternity ward if you forget it in the stress of the moment. If that happens, you can always present ID after the baby is born.
• A water bottle, which is easier to drink from than cups at the hospital.
• Comfortable clothes and underwear if you prefer your own clothing to a hospital gown (which is actually fairly handy to open and close if you’re breastfeeding). If you want your own clothes, bring something soft and big; your belly will linger for a while after your baby has left it – though it won’t be quite as taut – and you may feel a little wider in the hips.
• Slippers, such as shower slippers, are easy to slip on and you can also use them in the shower.
• Hair ties to keep your hair out of your face during childbirth.
• A toiletry bag with your essentials; check an extra time to make sure you’ve got a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Lip balm – if you’re going to use laughing gas, it can cause dry lips.
• Mobile phone, charger, power bank and headphones – good for listening to music and surfing if you have a calmer, more drawn out labour, and of course, to document your little miracle later on.
• If you want to make yourself at home in the maternity ward, you can enhance the mood of an otherwise sterile hospital room with flameless candles.
• Snacks in case you need extra energy and you want to choose what you eat – otherwise, the staff will give you what’s available.
• A big and soft nursing bra that works with a pair of sore, milk-heavy breasts. Your breasts might play by their own rules at first, so if you prefer dry clothing, invest in some nursing pads.
• It’s actually not the best idea to bring your own menstrual pads, which are usually insufficient – the hospital will give you pads in a bigger size.
• Your own toilet paper? The hospital has toilet paper, of course, but if you want something softer that makes it easier to wipe when you’re a little tender, it might be a good idea to bring your own.
• No need to pack painkillers; the hospital has plenty. But if you take other medications regularly, do bring those.

Packing your hospital bag – partner/friend/family member

• Snacks or something filling can be good to bring – you won’t necessarily have a chance to run down to the cafeteria.
• A change of clothes and something to sleep in if it’s an option to spend the night, which can vary from one hospital to the next. But people usually stay at least one night in the postnatal ward with their new baby.
• Slippers.
• Mobile phone and charger – but put it away during the labour process.
• Toiletry bag with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• ID.
• A payment card may be necessary for parking and extra snacks.

When do you pack the hospital bag?

It’s impossible to say when you will need your hospital bag ready and waiting by the door, because it’s impossible to know when your baby plans to arrive. Statistically, most babies are born after week 39 or 40 – but instead of looking at statistics, we suggest thinking about what suits you. If it feels nice to be packed well in advance, go for it. If it’s in your nature to wait – do that instead. It’s not uncommon to have some time once your contractions start, and you can gather the last few odds and ends then.
We know this list looks long. But remember, even if you don’t bring every single item, it will all still be fine. And maybe you don’t care about mood lighting with candles in the hospital room; maybe you don’t feel like you need to bring a teddy bear for the baby – and that’s totally fine! Pack a hospital bag that suits you, when it suits you, and know that babies are incredible little bundles of joy who hardly need more than being close to their parents in the beginning. So don’t stress out about having a meticulously packed hospital bag to bring with you.

Prepare to go home

One final tip is to shop in advance for the most important baby items, so that you already have them when you get home from the hospital. We’ve put together a list of things that might be nice to have at home. It’s not uncommon to want to shut yourself inside a little baby bubble, which means it can be nice if you don’t have to run off to the shop looking for a changing table. As a member of the Libero Club , you can order our welcome gift, which includes a diaper bag, your first few little nappies, and wet wipes. You can order it from the time your pregnancy is registered, up until the baby is eight weeks old.

Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.