Milkbank Blog
Packing That Bag
It’s about that time when we should start thinking about the fact that this baby will be joining us in the not too distant future. Four women we know have recently gone into labour early, awakening us to the truth that we have no control over any of this and all we can really do is be prepared.
So I’m starting to gather together the things we need to take to the hospital with us. Having absolutely NO idea where to start I’m very grateful for the incredible resource all parents to be are given in BC a book entitled Baby’s Best Chance which covers all aspects of pregnancy, labour and baby care.
Here are their suggestions for what to pack.
Labour Kit
- Baby’s Best Chance (or book of your choice on baby care)
- Birth plan (if you’re using one)
- Lip balm or lip gloss
- Massage oil or talcum powder
- Snacks and drinks for you and your support team
- Swim suit for your partner (so they can get into the shower with you – as our prenatal class instructor said nurses much prefer that the partners wear clothes!)
- Camera (and film if you use it) plus batteries and chargers
- Music and music player
- A picture, a design, a figure or anything you find pleasant to look at
- A list of friends’ and family’s phone numbers
- Dental care products
- Hair care products
- Skin care products
- Other personal items
- Cell phones or coins for pay phones
Personal items
- Washable robe (front opening for breastfeeding)
- Two or three nightgowns or pairs of pyjamas (front opening for breastfeeding)
- Nursing bra and pads
- At least three pairs of underwear (larger styles – not bikini or g-string)
- Socks
- Large sanitary pads
- Clothes to wear home from the hospital (loose fitting)
- Flip flops
For the Baby
- Car seat
- Undershirt and sleepers
- Diapers (newborn size) and baby wipes
- Sweater, hat and booties
- Shawl or blanket
- Soft carrier or sling
These seem like a great starting point for the bag but I also have a nagging suspicion that there must be other things that new parents found either incredibly helpful or a waste of time. What would you add or remove to the above list?
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