What To Pack In Hospital Bag For Delivery: 10 Essentials According To Mamas

If you’re reading this, you’ve either packed your hospital bag or are just preparing yours. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, keep reading for Mama’s Choice’s very own list of what to pack in a hospital bag for delivery!

What is a hospital bag, anyway? It’s a simple yet unique bag that contains all the essential things that any new parent will need for childbirth and some special items that can help you feel comfortable during your hospital stay.

With a hospital bag’s primary purpose being to ensure that you don’t leave behind any essentials when it’s time for you to head to the hospital, it’s ideal to have your hospital bag ready by 36 or 37 weeks.

Babies don’t always follow the schedule despite knowing your due date. And when you have a hospital bag ready, you can focus on getting to the hospital safely instead of wasting time packing.

To shortlist the ten hospital bag essentials, we asked the mamas of Mama’s Choice to share their must-haves! Keep reading to find out what items made the top 10.

1. Comfortable Clothes

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Comfortable clothes that are easy to wear are essential. In addition, make sure you have breastfeeding-friendly tops because you’ll spend a lot of time nursing your new baby. Mama’s Choice Nursing Manset and Mama’s Choice Maternity Nursing Bra are great items in your hospital bag because they’re both practical and comfortable.

2. Your Toiletries

Childbirth is tough. You’ll get sweaty and feel icky, so make sure you have items to help you freshen up. A soap, deodorant, facial wash, toothpaste, and mouthwash are the top picks of many mamas!

As much as possible, use toiletries specially formulated for pregnant or breastfeeding mamas to ensure they don’t contain harmful ingredients commonly found in your usual hygiene products.

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What to bring? Mama’s Choice Oral Care Bundle is fluoride-free and does not have an overpowering minty taste, and the SLS-free Mama’s Choice Gentle Face Wash.

3. Items for the baby

The stuff you’ll bring for the baby will probably take the most space in your hospital bag. Here’s a breakdown of what we recommend you get for your newborn:

Four baby outfits. Each set comes with a pair of mittens, a bib, socks, a cap, a tie-side top, and pajamas.
One receiving blanket
2 Muslin blankets
One hooded towel
One burp cloth
A pack of diaper
A car seat or infant carrier

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Besides these, ensure you have baby care products like hair and body wash, diaper cream, and wet wipes. Mama’s Choice Baby Shower Bundle is perfect for this occasion as it contains all the essentials for complete and safe care for your baby.

4. Nursing Pillow

Make breastfeeding more comfortable with a nursing pillow. Typically arriving in a U shape, it’s designed to support the baby so that you, mama, can relax while your little one nurses. It also frees up your arm so you can update your loved ones on the phone or even have a healthy snack at the same time.

5. Breast Pump

The Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatal Nursing recommends breastfeeding 8-12 times daily to maintain your breast milk supply. It’s great to bring along a breast pump to stimulate continuous milk production and express milk should your breast feel full and your baby doesn’t want to breastfeed yet.

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You can choose either Mama’s Choice Manual Breast Pump or Mama’s Choice Single & Handy Electric Breast Pump. Both are lightweight, quiet, and easy to operate.

6. Postpartum Essentials

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After giving birth, it’s normal to experience postpartum bleeding, pain around your stitches (if you had a C-section, and even leaking breast milk. Our mamas recommend bringing a postpartum corset, maternity pads or diapers, and breast pads.

Mama’s Choice Postpartum Adjustable Corset is an excellent option for it’s suitable for both expected delivery and c-section.

7. Nipple Cream

We’ll be honest: the first few hours and days of breastfeeding will hurt. It’s physically painful and mentally exhausting. That’s why it’s simply a must to have a nipple cream that can help you feel more at ease as you start your breastfeeding journey.

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Mama’s Choice Intensive Nipple Cream effectively soothes and moisturizes the skin to prevent dryness and chapping. Our nipple cream contains natural ingredients such as date extract, coconut oil, and shea butter. With its food-grade formula, you don’t need to wipe it off too.

8. Healthy Snacks

Food may be the last thing on your mind as you endure labour pains, but as soon as you return from the recovery room, you’ll most likely be starving. As such, save your partner the hassle of heading out to buy snacks by bringing along your favourites. It would be even better to bring snacks that promote breast milk supply!

9. Your Birth Plan and Other Documents

Besides your birth plan, make sure you stash the essential papers you’ll need for a smooth hospital say. These may include your admission form, NRIC, credit card, marriage certificate, and outpatient visit receipts. Keep these documents in a neat folder, so you (or your partner) don’t have to rummage through your hospital bag in panic.

10. Your Nice To Haves

The last must-have is unique to every mama. For mama Angela, it was her portable diffuser to feel relaxed in the hospital. Meanwhile, it was a Bluetooth speaker for mama Christina to listen to relaxing music and play lullabies for her new baby. And for this author, it was a Kindle.

Think about what would help you feel more at ease and comfortable and bring that along–make sure it fits in your luggage and can be brought inside the hospital, though.

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We hope you feel more confident as you approach your due date now that we’ve shared what to pack in the hospital bag for delivery. Just a few more reminders: after you pack your hospital bag for delivery, keep them in an easy-to-access place. Better yet, please keep them in the trunk of your car, so you’re always prepared!