Ready for delivering A Baby Soon? Here's A Checklist For Your Hospital Bag

Your wait for nine months will be over soon and you are all set to welcome your bundle of joy. Wait, before that, you need to plan for your hospital stay for the delivery. Do you have a hospital bag ready?

Why is it important to plan a hospital bag?

We asked Dr Nithya Ramamurthy, Senior Consultant, Gynecology, Fortis Malar Hospital on why expectant parents need to plan their hospital stay bags in advance.

She says, "Welcoming a newborn is a heartwarming experience for parents. In the hustle and bustle of getting admitted to the hospital, parents often tend to forget essential items that are required to be carried along, for both the mother and the newborn. Since only 5% to 10% of the babies are born on the actual due date, it is necessary to have the essentials packed and ready at least a month or two in advance to ensure a stress free and comfortable stay at the hospital."

So, once you cross your 35-week mark, you can start putting things in your hospital stay bag.

What should expectant parents carry in their hospital bag at the time of delivery?

Should you pack that baby towel? Do hospitals give baby shampoo for newborns? You may have lot of questions regarding what needs to go in the hospital stay bag. Start with a call to your hospital and casually ask about what are the things they provide for mom and newborn. Once you have that information, you can start planning your own maternity bag.

We asked Dr Nitya to help us in preparing a complete checklist of the things that you need to pack in your maternity bag for the hospital stay...

Here's what she recommends:

Items for the baby:

• 5 cotton baby blankets: Carrying soft cotton baby blankets is a good idea. Immediately after giving birth, new moms are encouraged to practice skin-to-skin contact with the newborn, as it helps strengthen the bond between the mother and child. Cotton blankets from home would be handy for a cozy session with the child.
• 12 or more cotton napkins and 2 packs of gentle wet wipes: As an infant's skin is delicate and sensitive, soft cotton napkins and gentle wet wipes may come in handy.
• 6 cotton vests with sleeves and 6 sleeveless ones for the baby: Invest in a few good quality cotton vests as they will be useful to keep the infant comfortable and at ease.
• 2 baby towels: Carry absorbent towels that are infant-friendly to ensure your newborn does not break into a rash.
• 2 feeding bottles and one sterilizer: It is essential to carry good quality feeding bottles and sterilizers for the infant in case there are any issues while breastfeeding.

Items for new moms:

• 3 maternity gowns: Remember to pack loose-fitting and front-open maternity wear for you. Comfortable clothing will help you feel relaxed and more at ease.
• 3 nursing bras: Always wear nursing bras to hold the weight of the breasts to avoid excess sagging later.
• Napkins and sanitary pads: Most women go through excess bleeding after childbirth. So, remember to pack napkins and sanitary pads that can handle heavy-duty bleeding.
• Breast pumps: In case the mother is unable to feed the baby naturally, breast pumps can be used to collect the milk. It's better to keep one handy to avoid a delay in feeding the baby.
• Nipple shield: If the child is unable to latch onto the breast, using a nipple shield might make the job easier.
• Underwear: Comfortable and practical underwear is a must for expecting moms.
• Breast pads: Breast pads help absorb leakage of breast milk.
• A health drink recommended by your doctor: Always consume a health drink recommended by your doctor during your stay at the hospital.

Other essential items you need to carry in the hospital bag are:

• Slippers or flip-flops for you to wear inside the room
• Baby bibs to wipe drools and milk while feeding the baby
• Your mobile phone and charger
• Your spectacles (if you use them) and a carry case to keep them
• Your ID and insurance details (if you have one)
• Socks (in case you feel cold in the hospital AC)
• Toiletries and personal care items for you like toothbrushes, toothpaste, comb, cream, deodorant, facewash, shampoo, conditioner, etc.

Parenthood is a whole new experience for expecting moms and dads. As you wait with bated breath to welcome your baby, keep your hospital bag ready and handy.

Also, read: 

10 Early Pregnancy Signs You Cannot Miss

16 FAQs Related To Pregnancy