Hospital Bag Checklist - What to Pack for the Maternity Hospital?

One important milestone in pregnancy is packing the hospital bag. It brings home the reality that birth is approaching, and the baby is on the way. It’s also essential for the mother to ensure that all necessary items are in the bag, providing comfort and usefulness after delivery.

When to Pack the Hospital Bag?

This is a very individual question and largely depends on whether it’s a first pregnancy or not and how previous births have progressed. This time, I decided to start packing my hospital bag at 37 weeks. Last time, labor was quite slow, and I had time to pack and unpack the bag more than once during contractions! However, since some necessary items need to be purchased in advance, it’s still good to be prepared a little earlier. Additionally, a packed hospital bag signals to the baby that mom is ready and that they can arrive at any moment.

Which Bag to Choose?

This depends entirely on your situation and preferences. For my first delivery, I took a suitcase with wheels, which was convenient and fit everything I needed. This time, I’ll try a smaller gym bag to carry less and have a more compact solution.

What to Pack in the Hospital Bag?

What to bring largely depends on each woman’s needs and comfort. Here’s a list of things I’m packing for my second birth. I hope it helps you prepare your own bag!

Hospital Bag Checklist – What I’m Bringing This Time

 

 

Clothes for Myself

  • Leggings (comfortable and stretchy)
  • T-shirt (preferably one that’s easy for nursing)
  • Long-sleeve shirt
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Nursing bra

Hygiene Items

  • Bath towel
  • Larger sanitary pads (the hospital provides them, but they can be uncomfortable)
  • Silver spray (for wound healing)
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (the basics)
  • Deodorant
  • Postpartum disposable mesh underwear
  • Nursing pads
  • Shampoo and shower gel (maybe with a relaxing scent)
  • Lanolin cream (for sore nipples)
  • Hairbrush and hair tie

For the Baby
The hospitals in Estonia also provide baby clothes, but from my first experience, I remember they were quite large and bulky, so it’s certainly cozier to bring clothes for the baby that match my taste:

  • Muslin blanket and muslin cloth
  • Going-home suit (I chose softshell, but depending on the season, something warmer or lighter might be needed)
  • Pajamas (smaller sizes, e.g., 50, are the most comfortable)
  • Snap-up bodysuits
  • Pants (both with and without foot coverings)
  • Socks
  • Thinner and thicker hat
  • Knitted booties
  • Bib
  • Wet wipes
  • Diapers
  • Pacifier (although breastfeeding consultants don’t recommend offering a pacifier in the early days, I’ll bring it just in case)

Food
From my first birth, I remember that I wasn’t hungry during labor, and the hospital food tasted amazing afterward. However, there are a few things I want to bring just in case:

  • Water bottle
  • Savory snacks (I chose truffle-flavored cookies)
  • Something sweet (chocolate to regain energy and treat myself!)
  • Prune juice (great for digestion)

Other Essentials

  • Maternity card (with blood test results and other important information)
  • Wallet with ID card
  • Phone and charger
  • Headphones (to chat with everyone after the birth)

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