Maternity suitcase: what to pack?

A baby’s arrival is a happy yet stressful occasion that calls for meticulous planning!  And it’s obvious that the maternity suitcase is your greatest ally for handling this time calmly.  It includes everything required for giving birth, staying in the maternity unit, and going home.  When should we get it ready, though?  Furthermore, what precisely do we put in it?  Don’t freak out.  We tell you everything!  Learn how to pack your pregnancy bag effectively in this post, making sure to include everything you and your unborn child will need.  Come on!

1–What is the maternity suitcase?

There is a lot more to maternity luggage than just a suitcase!  It is the crucial component that will be with you during one of the most trying times of your life: the first few days of being a mother.  Thus, this bag represents the beginning of a new journey.  To make your hospital stay as comfortable and comforting as possible, you will therefore put anything that seems significant to you inside.  As much for your child as for you!

We frequently picture a lightweight, compact bag that we would wear beneath our arm.  However, no.  The baby’s suitcase is also the maternity suitcase.  It includes things for the birthing room, clothing for you and your baby, personal hygiene items, and the necessary paperwork.  Every item will have a purpose, whether it’s to satisfy your child’s demands or your own immediate needs following labour.  You can have anything you need right away, according to the concept.

2–Why anticipate preparing your maternity bag?

It won’t be simple to pack a travel bag between two contractions, spoiler alert.  For this reason, we suggest that you plan for the preparation of your maternity bag.  Naturally, there’s no need to plan six months in advance either!  However, you may already ease your mind and lessen your tension by getting things ready in the weeks leading up to your delivery.

 Yes, being aware that your suitcase is prepared and that everything you need has been thoughtfully selected and arranged…  At the end of your pregnancy, you will offer yourself a great deal of peace of mind, we promise!  Most importantly, you will avoid the last-minute pressure that can cause you to overlook important details (such as the identity card, for instance).

3-When to prepare your maternity suitcase?

We suggest getting your suitcase ready around week 34 of your pregnancy.  Even in the case of an early birth, this timing guarantees that everything will be prepared well in advance of your baby’s anticipated arrival.  On the other hand, since the final two weeks might be unexpected, try to avoid delaying past the 36th week.  Additionally, you may deliver birth sooner than anticipated!

You can order or buy any necessary items that you don’t currently have at home during this brief preparatory time.  And assess what you now own.  Without having to worry about last-minute arrangements, this will allow you to focus on what you and your child will actually need while in the hospital.  Naturally, the co-parent can assist you in packing the maternity bag by considering what items they would like to bring.

4-The essentials of the maternity suitcase

What should go in your maternity bag, then?  The necessities for the delivery room, your stay in the maternity unit, and your journey home have been compiled by us.

 As the soon-to-be mother, don’t forget to bring:

• An easy-to-open bathrobe or nightgown, if you plan to breastfeed.
• A pair of socks (if it’s winter) to keep your feet warm during childbirth.
• A water mist and a sponge to cool you down.
• Snacks and a bottle of water.
• Your administrative documents (identity card, vital card, medical file, etc.).

For your baby, you can take:

• A birth outfit with a cotton bodysuit, a hat, and socks.
• A small blanket or sleeping bag/sleeping bag, depending on the season, to keep your baby warm from birth.

The co-parent or accompanying person will be able to board:

• Snacks and water to keep you going during the work which can be long.
• A camera or your cell phone to capture the first moments.
• Comfortable clothes, especially if he/she plans to stay with you for the entire stay.

5-For the stay in the maternity ward

Think about packing the following items in your backpack to help you be at your best in the days following delivery:

• Comfortable nursing nightgowns or pyjamas, if that’s your choice.
• Nursing bras (if necessary).
• Nursing pads (if necessary).
• Comfortable underwear and specific post-partum sanitary towels.
• Disposable panties.
• A pair of slippers.
• Towels.
• A toiletry bag with your essentials (toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.) and your favourite beauty products.
• A comfortable outfit (or several if you are staying for a few days).
• A nursing pillow which can also be very useful for holding the baby comfortably while you breastfeed, or bottle feed him.
• A small lamp with soft light, for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding at night.
• Our postpartum products to take care of you from the first days!

For the baby, you can add:

Several changes of clothes (bodysuits, pyjamas, bibs).

A pack of diapers in his size.

Baby toiletries (oleo liniment, physiological serum, cotton pads, sterile compresses, etc.)

NB: These components are present in all maternity wards generally.  So don’t freak out if you forget them!  They’ll give it to you without any issues.

• A bath cape.

The following can be placed in your companion’s bag:

• Toiletries.
• A baby sling.
• A phone charger.
• A dirty laundry bag.
• Snacks and drinks to avoid trips to the vending machine.
• Reading for quiet moments.

6-For the return home:

Time to head home?  Cheers!  To help your infant adjust to your household, think about offering:

• Outfit appropriate to the season for the journey (pilot suit if it’s cold, or a light bodysuit if it’s hot).
• A properly installed car seat to transport it safely.
• A blanket to keep him warm during the journey.
• A cuddly toy or small soft toy to hang on his seat to reassure him.
• Travel diapers if he needs to be changed before your arrival.

As the parents, you should bring a compact travel bag with:

• Snacks and water for the journey, especially if the maternity ward is far from your home.
• A bag of important documents to facilitate your exit from the maternity ward (family record book, mutual insurance card, social security card, etc.).
• A list of emergency contacts, including the paediatrician and maternity ward number for any postpartum questions.

Congratulations! You now know what to include in your pregnancy bag.  And trust us, the secret to enjoying the birth of your child with peace of mind (and lots of joy, of course) is to prepare it well.  We hope you have the most delightful time with your child!