What should I pack in my hospital bag?

Your baby's arrival is fast approaching and you have a whole host of things to plan! Packing your hospital bag is one of those essential steps. But when should you pack it? What should go in it? We share all our tips to help your stay go as smoothly as possible.

When should I start packing my hospital bag?

There’s no set date to start packing your hospital bag, but it’s better not to get caught short. Ideally, start gently around the seventh month of pregnancy so that it’s ready from the eighth. That way, if baby decides to arrive earlier than expected, you won’t be caught off guard.

My things for the maternity hospital

Remember to choose loose, practical outfits. If you like, you can also take some dressier outfits for visitors. The important thing is that you feel good and comfortable in your clothes.

The clothes you'll need:

Two or three nightdresses (or pyjamas, nursing ones if you're breastfeeding).
Five T-shirts or loose outfits (maternity or nursing ones if relevant): remember to take light tops, as maternity units are often warm.
A cardigan (so you don't get cold, just in case).
Two or three pairs of trousers (maternity trousers or joggers: comfort is always the aim).
A few pairs of socks.
Disposable knickers.
A bathrobe or dressing gown.
Slippers or a pair of ballet flats.
Two bath towels and flannels.
If you're breastfeeding, don't forget your nursing bras, disposable breast pads, nipple cream and nipple shields, just in case.
A laundry bag for dirty clothes (it's so often forgotten).

Your toiletry bag:

A water mist spray (to cool down on the day of the birth).
A toothbrush and toothpaste.
Shampoo and shower gel.
A deodorant (to stay fresh whatever happens).
Something to do your hair with.
A small make-up kit (to be the most beautiful of mums and look your best in the photos!).
Make-up remover or wipes.
Cotton wool and cotton buds.
Possibly a small skincare kit: moisturiser, body lotion, stretch mark cream (to firm up the skin, which is still very delicate in the weeks after the birth) …
You can of course add the products you use every day, such as intimate wash, hand cream… Your maternity unit usually provides special maternity pads, but remember to take a few anyway (better safe than sorry).

Baby's things for the maternity hospital

To make your baby's first moments go as smoothly as possible, they will need:

Five bodysuits: for the maternity hospital, go for 1-month size. Also make sure you take clothes that limit how much your baby has to be handled, such as wrap bodysuits (also called crossover bodysuits), which open easily.
Five sleepsuits: again, to limit handling your baby, choose sleepsuits that open at the front, with openings that go all the way down both legs.
A going-home outfit: a cardigan, a thick hat, booties, mittens
One or two baby sleeping bags: useful from baby’s very first sleeps, it must be the right size so that baby doesn’t slip down inside.
A comforter.
A night light: ideal for your baby's night-time wake-ups (maternity hospitals don't always have dimmed lights in the rooms).
Two pacifiers: you don't know whether your baby will suck their thumb or not.
A cotton hat for the day they are born.
One or two hooded towels (or bath towels).
Three bibs and three muslin squares: the bib protects your baby's clothes during feeds, while the muslin square is "multi-purpose". It will protect your shoulder when burping, protect your changing table during nappy changes, or serve as a light blanket. Some babies even use it as a comforter.
A baby bunting bag: for the day you go home

Baby's toiletry bag:

Like you, baby needs lots of things for their little wash. You can check what you’re missing and complete their toiletry bag. Also remember to ask your maternity unit what they will provide on site.

A body and hair wash and a moisturising cream specially designed for babies.
Liniment: useful during nappy changes, it cleans, protects and moisturises your baby's bottom.
Wipes.
A hairbrush or comb.
A digital thermometer.
A box of saline solution: to clean your baby's eyes and nose.
A disinfectant product.
An antiseptic product: for umbilical cord care.
Cotton wool and sterile compresses.
Size 1 nappies: most maternity hospitals provide them, but make sure that's the case.

Now that baby’s hospital bag holds no more secrets for you, all you have left to do is get their little things ready: find all the essentials for baby, specially designed for the maternity stay, in our shop!

What should you take into the delivery room?

You won’t be able to take your whole bag with you into the delivery room. So pack a small bag with everything you need for the birth, for you and for your baby’s first moments. To find out exactly what to put in it, have a look at our article on what to bring to the delivery room.

Which documents should you take to the maternity hospital?

Make sure you don't forget your administrative and medical documents. In your bag, prepare a small pouch containing:

Your pregnancy file (birth plan, scans, reports, any test results, blood group card, health record book…).
Your carte vitale (French health insurance card).
Your top-up health insurance (mutuelle) card, if you have one.
And, if applicable, your livret de famille (French family record book) or your prenatal acknowledgement of paternity.

Our final tips!

Make yourself a little checklist of things to put in your bag and tick them off as you go. That way, there's no chance of forgetting anything!

Next, remember to bring things that make you happy and help you relax, such as books and magazines… and also something to snack on.
If you want to rest properly, take an eye mask and earplugs with you. Maternity wards aren’t exactly known for being quiet.
Also, don’t forget your earphones so you can listen to your favourite music: it will help you relax.
You can also add a camera to this list, to take lovely photos of your little one from their very first moments.
And what about your partner? They also need a little space in the bag. For example, they should remember to take their charger, some change for the vending machines, or something to read. They’ll need to hang in there – it could be a long wait…

And there you go, you know it all! You now have everything you need to be all set for the big day!
A little tip: get everything ready for baby’s first weeks before you give birth: it will be much harder once your little one has arrived…

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.