What to take with you to the hospital: a list of things for mom and baby - Lifehacker
Miscellaneous / / August 01, 2022
After about 30 weeks, you can already pack your things for the hospital. And it is better to fold three separate bags: two for mom and one for the baby. Just remember: some maternity hospitals still require packages or strictly transparent bags (sold in marketplaces). This needs to be clarified in advance.
At home, you can leave the car seat and another package of things intended for discharge from the hospital. It should be clothes for mother and child. But keep in mind that on the third or fifth day after childbirth, the size of the hips and abdomen is still large. Therefore, it will not work to fit in pre-pregnant things.
Text author
Yulia ShevchenkoObstetrician-gynecologist and journalist.
What to put in a delivery bag
- The documents. Passport, exchange card, insurance policy, SNILS, birth certificate. For paid childbirth, you will also need a contract.
- A couple of bottles of water with a volume of 0.3–0.5 liters (to make it convenient to drink).
- Charger or external battery.
- Elastic. This isn't necessary, but can be handy if you're used to picking up your hair.
- Compression stockings. If your gynecologist recommended them to you.
- Socks.
- Toilet paper roll and disposable toilet seats optional.
The rest of the things for mom and baby will be transferred to the postpartum ward.
What to put in a maternity bag
- Clothing. A comfortable bathrobe and a pair of cotton shirts (in the maternity hospital they often give comfortable ones for feeding, but you can bring your own), socks, 10 disposable or reusable shorts. But you need to consider that you will have to erase the latter later, at home. Still need a nursing bra.
- Shoes. Slippers with rubber soles that can be washed.
- Hygiene products. These are 20-30 maxi pads. It is better if these are special postpartum ones: they are much larger. Some doctors advise buying urological ones: they can quickly absorb a lot of liquid. You can also look for disposable panties with pads: they are more convenient. You also need soap with a dispenser, shower gel, shampoo, disposable razors, toothpaste and brush, face cream, lip balm, comb, 1-2 hair ties, a towel. For nipples, you will need special pads that absorb milk.
- Bandage. There are special postpartum ones, but sometimes women buy a universal model, which is first worn during pregnancy, and then turned over and used after childbirth.
- Cream for nipples. Usually, products based on lanolin or dexpanthenol are used.
- Breast pump. Just in case.
- Toilet paper. If you want, you can take wet.
- Tableware. Some maternity hospitals need their own plates, spoons and cups. But some people just enjoy using their own items.
What to put in a baby bag
- Diapers. Choose a model for the smallest children, up to 5 kg. You need at least six diapers per day, so for 3-5 days after giving birth you will need about 30 pieces, and sometimes more.
- Hygiene products. The child needs a special hypoallergenic soap that is suitable for delicate skin. They also take powder, baby wipes and diaper cream with them.
- Clothing. Some maternity hospitals post their lists of necessary clothes, but often in practice they are not the most comfortable things. Instead of undershirts and sliders, it is better to take several one-piece slipsuits with closed feet or a special swaddling envelope with a zipper or Velcro. Then you will not need socks and mittens that constantly slip off even the calmest newborns. Maternity hospitals are usually warm, so bonnets are rarely needed, you can take a couple, but you may not need them. Choose clothes in the 52nd size, because the 50th is often small even for medium-sized children. Clothes should be washed in advance with a hypoallergenic agent and ironed.
- Diapers. It is enough to buy a package of disposable 60 × 60 cm for yourself and for a child, if you wish, you can take 1-2 regular ones.