What to pack in your hospital bag during pregnancy?

You should start gathering items for your hospital bag at the beginning of your third trimester and ideally have the hospital bag ready by 32 – 34 weeks in case you go into labor early.

If you aren’t sure what to pack in your hospital bag, here is a list of items for you to start collecting as you prepare for the arrival of your baby.

 Here is the printable file of the list: 

Hospital Bag essentails Checklist_Yoma

A. Hospital bag essentials for the Mother

A.1. Medications and essentials

1. ID, Birth plan and insurance (if you have it)
2. COVID essentials – masks, gloves, sanitiser, face shield
3. Phone and phone charger
4. Medications
5. Water bottle
6. Stool softener for constipation
7. Credit card/ Cash

A.2. Toiletries

1. Toiletries (including toothbrush, toothpaste, face cream, body lotion, lip balm, hair brush, extra hair ties, shampoo)
2. Glasses and/or contact lens
3. Sanitary pads – extra long and absorbent ones
4. Disposable underwear
5. Olive oil for massage
6. Perineal water bottle for those undergoing vaginal delivery

A.3. Clothes

1. Gown (some hospitals give a gown to wear during hospital stay but you might want to take one of your own too)
2. Nursing bras (if you are buying nursing bras before the baby is born, buy one cup size larger than your pregnant bra size)
3. If making kurthas make ones with front zipper, and pants/salwar that have a loose elastic since you don’t want to wear anything too tight during your post-partum phase
4. Going home outfit (loose gown/dress/ pants with a loose elastic that is high-waisted in case of C-section so that the pant rests above the C-section stitch)
5. Bath towel and face towel
6. Bedsheet and pillow (just in case the hospital one are not comfortable for you)
7. Slippers

A. 4. Feeding the baby

If you are solely breastfeeding:

1. Nursing pillow (it is recommended to take this to the hospital since it is less strenuous on the back – in case of C-section delivery, the nursing pillow serves as a buffer and prevents putting pressure on the C-section scar)
2. Breast pads (disposable or washable); or use soft washcloths as breast pads, and change them multiple times a day
3. Nipple cream
4. Breast pump – advise taking a Manual Breast Pump or a Silicone latch on pump like the Naturebond Silicone Pump

      If you are breastfeeding and pumping your milk and/or formula feeding you will need:

1. 1 or 2 sterilized newborn bottle
2. Bottle warmer
3. Bottle wash
4. Bottle cleaning brush and nipple brush
5. Thermos bottle carrier
6. Formula
7. Formula dispenser container
8. Bowl and spoon for baby in case baby doesn’t take to the bottle or breast immediately

B. Hospital bag essentials for the Baby

B.1. Clothing

1. Undershirts or onesies (mix of short-sleeve and long-sleeve)- 4
2. One-piece stretchy sleepers- 4
3. Newborn hats- 2
4. Pairs of mittens- 2
5. Thin cotton blankets- 2
6. Thicker blanket- 1
7. Swaddle/ receiving blanket- 1
8. Bibs and burp cloths
9. For babies being born during winter
   • Cardigans or jackets, more in winter- 1
   • Fleece sleepsuits for winter- 2
10. One complete outfit and baby receiving blanket for baby to wear right after being born- it is recommended to put these in a separate bag  since the doctor/nurse will ask for this set before you go in for your surgery (if C-section) or when your labor begins (for normal delivery)
11. Four extra outfits in case of diaper blowouts and length of hospital stay (bhoto set, onesie, pants, hat, mittens, sleepsuit)

Newborn skin is very delicate so all new clothing and bedding must be pre-washed using baby-friendly detergent prior to going to the hospital. If clothes are hung outside to dry, it is best to iron the baby clothes to ensure that no irritants (hair, wooden splinter, etc). are stuck on baby clothing.

B.2. Baby Toiletries

Some hospitals give the baby the first bath in the hospital while others don’t. It is always good to take a few essentials as it is good to wipe down the baby even if a full bath isn’t given.

1. Washcloths- 4
2. Baby soap or baby body wash
3. Baby shampoo
4. Baby cream/lotion
5. Baby soft-bristled hairbrush- 1
6. Soft-hooded towel- 1
7. Olive oil, Coconut oil for baby massage

B.3. Diapering

If you are using disposable diapers:

1. Newborn-size diapers 4 packets (Mamy Poko, Pampers are both good brands- it’s better not to buy too many in advance in case your baby is large or grows quickly)
2. A waterproof urine mat
3. Baby ointment or other barrier creams to prevent rash like Vaseline/Coconut Oil/ Sudocrem/ Aquaphor
4. Disposable baby wipes

If you are using reusable cloth diapers (icha):

1. Cloth or reusable diapers- 8

Although newborn diapers are easily available in Kathmandu, some moms choose re-usable cloth diapers to save costs and be environmentally friendly. Even if you do use cloth diapers during the day, it is more convenient to use disposable diapers during the night. Disposable diapers have much better absorption capacity and the baby will not wake up from just wetting the diaper.

C. Hospital essentials for Support Person (kuruwa)

1. Toiletries
2. Glasses or contacts
3. Phone and charger
4. Pillow and blanket
5. Snacks
6. Water bottle
7. COVID-19 essentials (mask, face shield, sanitizer)
8. Extra clothes

Credits:

https://www.todaysparent.com/checklists/newborn-checklist/