Delivery Day: What to pack for mum and baby

Your baby’s delivery day: It’s the day you’ve probably been daydreaming about and feeling anxious about since the day you actually found out you were pregnant!

For many new mums, whether this is their first baby or not, this day can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. You’ll likely be swaying between feeling extremely excited and extremely scared – but we promise you’ll feel nothing but relief and love by the end of it!

Bringing your baby into this world is a big experience, and no doubt you’ll want to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible. Part of that is making sure you’ve packed appropriately for the day, and any on-going stay you might need in hospital, at least for a couple of nights.

Have a read through our helpful checklist guides so you can make sure you’re prepped and ready to welcome your new bundle into the world:

Checklist for New Mother:

MUST have items:

• ‘Birth Book’ including all your medical records and your baby birth plan that you will have put together with your midwife.
• Clean, comfortable clothes for after labour and if you end up staying in hospital for a few nights. While you’ll be given a medical gown for the birth, you might want some comfortable, loose and light fitting clothing for after. Remember you’ll probably bleed for a couple of days after the birth and experience a number of hormonal changes so more than one change might be necessary.
• Nursing bras that will allow you to comfortably breastfeed your baby.
• Maternity pads and regular change of underwear – as mentioned, you will bleed for a day or two after the birth as well as experience other bodily changes. Maternity pads are a must have for after labour. Underwear that you are happy to throw out will also be necessary.
• Your own set of toiletries – think along the lines of an overnight bag. Things such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel, shampoo etc. Don’t forget a hairbrush and some hair ties too – you’ll definitely need a hair tie for labour!
• Cell phone accessories and charger

OPTIONAL items:

The hospital will probably provide you with appropriate footwear such as slippers, but you might want to pack your own just to be on the safe side.

• A couple of small towels for personal use – Again the hospital should provide these, but it’s worth packing your own if you want to.
• A little make-up – after giving birth the last thing on your mind might be a full face of makeup but some mums like to be able to wear some if they end up in hospital longer than expected and want to put some on before visitors or for photos.
• Any favourite snacks or drinks you think you’ll need. If you end up in a long labour or overnight stay, some comforting snacks can make a real difference to your mood.

Checklist for your partner

• Bring some snacks and refreshments such as tea, coffee and juices.
• Some extra set of clothes to wear as the entire process of delivery takes quite a while.
• You would also need a camera to take pictures as well as to make video of this precious moment with you and your baby.
• A cell phone with all accessories would be required to keep in touch with your close ones.

Checklist for your baby

Newborn baby grows – you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for a night or two stay in hospital so pack a couple of newborn babygrows. The ones with added booties and hand mittens are the best so you won’t have to worry about extras. Some new parents also like to pack a ‘going home’ outfit for when they do get to bring their new baby home.

• Newborn nappies, nappy wipes, talcum powder or nappy cream. The hospital should be able to provide you with anything else you need and will advise what’s best for newborn skin but it’s good to have these just in case.
• Added layers for warmth – A little hat and cardigan are great for keeping baby warm, especially on the journey home.
• A soft cotton blanket – Again, the hospital will have blankets on hand but it’s nice to have one of your own that you can wrap baby up in and take them home in.
• Muslin cloths or small flannels for baby spit ups and burping.
• Baby toiletries – if you end up in hospital for a few days, you’ll be taken through how to give your baby a bath. You can pack any toiletries that you have already purchased and want to use with your baby.
• Baby basket and car seat – for when you’re ready to take baby home.

All of these lists are not exhaustive, and if you’ve had a baby before you’ll be even more prepared with a good idea of what you’ll really need and won’t need, but it’s a great starting point for any new mums who are worried about what to pack.

Remember, anything you forget will be easily able to be bought either at the hospital or if you need to send your partner on a shopping trip!

Being prepared is just a great way to help you relax and focus on the really important part of the day – welcoming your new bundle of joy into the world.