Packing a Child Birth Bag

September 28th, 2022 | Pregnancy

Be Ready To Go Before The Big Day Arrives

Going into the hospital can be a stressful adventure for you and your partner. Being prepared is the best way to ease stress and be sure that you are ready for your new baby. Everyone’s labor journey is different, so it is important to be prepared for whatever may happen. You may be there for just over a day, or you may be there for up to a week. Packing the right stuff for your child’s birth bag can be a life-saver during the labor process.

Your Birth Plan

Your birth plan helps you organize everything on the big day. Make sure you have multiple copies and keep one in your birth bag, so it is ready to go to the hospital with you. During labor, stress will be front ad center. Your birth plan helps you make sure you get everything you want without having to rely on your memory during a super stressful and joyous occasion.

Comfortable Clothes for the whole family

Labor is different for everyone and can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. You want to make sure that you and your partner have a few changes of comfortable, fresh clothes. Labor often includes hours of sitting around, and you and your partner will want comfortable clothes. You don’t want to feel smelly and gross when you meet your baby, so it is important to have at least one change of comfortable clothes.

You will also want an outfit for your baby to come home in. Your baby will spend most of their first days in the hospital wearing hospital-provided clothing. When it is time to take the baby home, you can put them in any outfit you want. Be sure to bring one that is cute and comfortable. Remember that this is also the outfit your baby will ride home in, so try not to pack anything too uncomfortable for the car seat.

Nursing equipment

The first 24 hours of your baby’s life will be focused on nursing. You will need all your nursing resources ready to be used at the hospital. From your pump to your baby’s bottles, it is important to have it all at the hospital to start building good feeding habits with your baby. Experts suggest bringing nipple and breast care products to the hospital as well. This can include nipple cream and protective pads.

Snacks and Drinks

Hospital food is often hit or miss. What is even more hit or miss is when you can access food in a hospital. The hospital will most likely provide all your meals, but If you or your partner get hungry in between meals or at night, you may not have access to a ton of food options. Packing snacks and drinks is a great way to ensure that you feel nourished and full when it matters most. You never know how long you will be in the hospital for labor, so it is important to pack enough snacks to last you a few days, just in case you need them.