Pregnancy - Packing for the hospital

Remember to pack your hospital bag at least about a couple of weeks before your due date. You can deliver anytime!  Otherwise you will be panicking and scrambling to pack when labour starts instead of staying relaxed and focused.

First, find out from the hospital what all will they be providing you. Here is a list of items that you might need.

For Yourself

• Loose comfortable nightclothes (a few) that can aid breastfeeding, (Although special clothes for labour and delivery might be given to you by the hospital or the nursing home).
• Dressing gown for covering, if you have visitors or want to walk around.
• Socks
• Towels (big and small)
• Slippers
• Undergarments
• Sanitary napkins (large size for heavy post childbirth bleeding, mostly hospitals provide these)
• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, cream, hairbrush, toothpaste and toothbrush)
• Personal cosmetics
• Phone numbers for people you want to SMS or call. Assign this task to your spouse.
• Digital camera. Assign this task to your spouse.
• Clothes to wear when going home (be sure they are loose fitting).
• A handy and stylish bag (also called a “diaper bag”) to carry baby items
• Some change for tipping the hospital staff (the maids/ayahs)

For Your Baby

• Soft receiving blankets. Many babies are wrapped to make them feel snug and secure (just like they were in your womb) for the first few weeks.
• 2 caps (To keep their heads warm, babies are said to lose a lot of body heat from the head).
• Shirts (For the first few days, since they are wrapped and their nappies needs to be changed very often babies might wear shirts without pajamas)
• Shirt/bottom sets or one piece suits (for taking the baby home)
• Socks
• Blankets (especially for getting the baby home)
• Cloth nappies or disposable diapers or both

Happy packing and good luck with the delivery!