Welcoming a newborn baby would have to be one of the very few times in life we get a little bit excited about going to hospital. If you’re anything like me, you might find hospitals a bit intimidating, overwhelming and even a little scary. So based on my own experience of labour, I wanted to make my space as calm, relaxed and homely as possible to keep my hospital anxiety as low as I could.
From essentials to thoughtful comforts, this post will guide you through what to consider packing into the perfect labour bag, because whether you’re a first time parent or slowly building your own sports team, a well packed bag can make a real difference during this momentous occasion.
So what are the essentials and little extras that will make your hospital stay a memorable, stress free part of your childbirth adventure? I’m glad you asked. Here’s a list I prepared earlier.
For You
- Paperwork. Ugh, boring, right? But essential. Make sure your admission paperwork, Medicare card, insurance info, birth plan and any other important documents are packed and ready to go for the big day.
- Slippers and socks. Get your nanna vibes on and pack these in your bag. Even in the hot months, feet get cold when you’re resting in hospital. Enjoy the rest while you can, slippers and all.
- Zip up hoodie, cardigan or dressing gown. Same reason as above, and it’s handy that all three open at the front for easy access breastfeeding. You can also chuck one on if you have to walk the hospital halls, or if you WANT to walk the hospital halls, for reasons such as “vending machine chocolate was calling out for me”.
- Pyjamas. Ones that unbutton for breastfeeding are best. This advice is more useful if you’re planning to breastfeed.
- Nursing bras and nursing pads. Nursing bras undo for breastfeeding, there’s a theme developing here. Nursing pads live in the baby aisle at the supermarket and you pop them in your bra to catch leaking milk. I didn’t realise this until it was too late, so I’ll tell you now: when the milk machine part of your boobs fires up, baby will turn the tap on while feeding from one side, and the other boob will leak right along with it. The nursing pads catch the overflow.
- Hydrogel discs. These are genuinely amazing. Grab them from the baby section at the supermarket, keep them in the fridge, and when your boobs fire up the milk machine and go hot and painful, you will seriously appreciate the cooling, calming wonders of this product.
- Maternity sanitary pads. Not required if you’re breastfeeding exclusively in terms of leaking, but required for the other reason. The surfboard kind. They’re huge. You’ll be surprised, I certainly was. With any luck you won’t need them for long.
- Giant black cotton undies. Get a size larger than you’d normally think, because the enormous maternity pads need the room, and look for a wide waistband so it isn’t digging in right at your uterus or your caesarean line. You’ll chuck these out soon after you get home anyway, but trust me that big, loose, breathable black undies are a very good idea for the first few days.
- Loose, comfy clothes. The kind you can wear for the car ride home. Anything soft around your tummy is good. Patterns also helpfully hide any leaky boob accidents mentioned above. I learnt that one the hard way.
- Toiletries. The same ones you’d pack for a girls’ weekend away, minus the perfume and makeup. More like the kind you packed for a weekend at your grandparents when you were eight. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, lip balm and hand cream will do the job.
- A book or magazine. Yes, you’ll spend plenty of time snuggling your baby and chatting with nurses and visitors, but there will be quiet stretches too. If you’re not ready for sleep, some screen free entertainment is a nice option.
- Snacks. Hospital food has come a long way and generally isn’t bad these days, but it’s also not picking up a Michelin star any time soon. Unless you want to survive purely on the hospital kitchen and vending machine, pack a few muesli bars, cheese and cracker kits or a packet of biscuits to snack on between meals. Major bonus points to any visitor who turns up with sushi, cold meats or soft cheese.
- Eye mask and earplugs or headphones. Hospitals can be noisy, stimulating places, especially if you’re sharing a room. In case you need to grab some sleep while another new mum has visitors, or you simply want to watch something uninterrupted, an eye mask and headphones make your stay that bit more relaxing.
For Baby
After that long list, this one’s nice and simple. All they really need is some clothes: comfy jumpsuits, beanies and wraps. Booties and mittens generally aren’t needed while your newborn is wrapped up snug as a bug.
What about nappies and wipes? Depending on the hospital, you may not need them since they’re often provided, but it’s worth packing a few just in case, especially at public hospitals.
Don’t Bother Packing
- Perfume
- Hair curler
- Makeup
- Anything that needs long term attention, like toddlers, dogs or a tamagotchi
On perfume specifically: babies love being able to smell their parents, so strong scents like perfume, body spray or cigarettes can be a lot for their tiny new nostrils to deal with.
As for the hair curler and makeup, go for it if you want to, but hospitals aren’t exactly known for flattering light. Between the nurses and your immediate family, nobody is judging whether you look Instagram ready. They’re all far more interested in the new baby anyway, so let yourself off the hook on that one entirely.
The Stuff That Sucks Up All Your Attention
I packed a knitting project I’d just started. That alone should have tipped me off that I was a first time mum. It feels like you’ll have so much spare time sitting in a hospital bed with nothing to do, but somehow a newborn baby eats up an insane amount of it.
It won’t make sense until they’re actually in your arms, but you can genuinely just stare at them for hours. Watching tiny facial expressions change, falling in love a bit more by the minute. You won’t want any distractions from that stretch of time, knitting project be damned.
A Bonus List, Because Obviously
Since we clearly love a list around here, here’s a quick one for things worth organising at home before baby arrives. Some of it is fun, like setting up the nursery. Some of it is mundane but important, like the paperwork.
- Pre-prepared freezer meals for the first couple of weeks home
- Nappies, wipes and a going home outfit laid out and ready
- Car seat installed and checked, not just sitting in the boot still in its box
- Important phone numbers written down somewhere that isn’t just your phone
- A roster of who’s bringing meals or doing a grocery run in week one
Your labour bag isn’t only about the essentials, it’s about helping you feel a bit more at home during one of the biggest events of your life. Whether it’s the comfort of your favourite pyjamas, the familiar smell of your own toiletries or the joy of having your go to snacks on hand, these small touches make a real difference to your stay.
So pack with care, let yourself feel the anticipation and get ready to welcome the newest member of your family with open arms. Wishing you a smooth and joyful birth.
Brisbane Family Life 