Maternity bag: the ultimate list of essentials

Ah, the infamous maternity bag! The one that brings with it all our irrational anxieties ("Honey, we don't have a hairbrush! They'll never let us into the delivery room"), the one we pack, unpack, and repack endlessly. The one that differs from country to country, but also from hospital to hospital, the one we modify until the very last second of the last minute before leaving home for the big day.

Packing your hospital bag is another step in realizing that a new little person will soon be joining the family. It's often a very emotional time ; you choose their very first clothes . And a stressful one; you suddenly realize just how tiny a newborn is! But don't panic, everything will be fine, and even though it's true that babies need to be handled gently, just look at how the midwives examine them—they're clearly not as fragile as you might think... Here we go: get out your to-do list and a pen and gather what little brain cells your hormones have spared you.

When should I pack my maternity bag?

Absolutely whenever you feel like it. Seriously, as if there's a right or wrong time? If you can't wait until the third month, go for it! We're not going to stress or frustrate ourselves over a hospital bag issue. You can also decide to start packing after your water breaks... it's entirely up to you. We just know from experience that we're a little less focused on choosing our pajamas once labor contractions have started. So, to avoid any unnecessary stress, it's advisable to pack your hospital bag around the 30th week of pregnancy .

What are the essentials for a maternity bag?

So, we're going to talk about the essentials to take with you for your hospital stay, which averages five days, although there are differences from country to country. We won't keep you in suspense any longer: no, a hairbrush isn't one of them! There, I've said it.

For baby

His essentials are your arms , your warmth , and your breasts if you decide to breastfeed. For everything else, we recommend you bring:

• 2 bodysuits and 1 size 0 (or newborn) pajama set per day spent in the maternity ward. Regarding size, we advise you to have at least one of each size in 1 month in case your baby has been enjoying a little too much while you were in the womb. For bodysuits, we recommend wrap-style models which avoid having to handle a newborn's head and neck too much, which tends to make new parents sweat profusely. #willitworkornot?
• Pack two lightweight hats , as babies get cold easily through their heads. Some hospitals provide them, others don't. Generally, you can buy a whole host of things you might need at the maternity ward. Just be aware that prices are often comparable to those at an after-hours pharmacy. Consider yourself warned!
• An outdoor hat, a snowsuit, a sleep sack, a seasonal baby nest, or a blanket for going home. You can also provide specific clothing for him, although no one will bat an eye if he leaves the hospital in fleece.
• Newborn socks and mittens to keep him warm but also to prevent him from hurting himself by scratching himself with his brand new but already very sharp nails.
• a towel (don't panic, French friends, it's simply a napkin) bath (but we like to teach you some Belgianisms) and a mild, as natural as possible soap . There are also baby bath capes (which are very cute little pieces of fabric, often nicely decorated with a hood, to which rabbit, bear, or cat ears are often attached), but logically, he will be dry just as well if you wrap him in a completely traditional towel.
• two or three muslin squares, also called much more poetically cotton gauze swaddles by our blue-white-red friends (we love you guys, but why make things complicated when you can keep them simple?).
• A thermometer with a soft tip . Accuracy is important because this specific tip prevents injury to the infant's anus when taking temperatures (babies wiggle a lot). And this same thermometer can perfectly well be used to measure the temperature of bath water.
• size 1 nappies in sufficient quantities (nearly 10 per day), wipes (practical, no doubt, but not great for the environment) or liniment (a natural and ancestral product composed of 50% olive oil and 50% lime water) with gloves or changing squares (I love the brand Les Tendance d'Emma en Bambou) and a diaper cream.
• Two pacifiers , if you wish. We advise you to choose different brands, textures and shapes because, believe it or not, baby will probably already have their preferences as soon as they're born.

For Mom

We advise you to separate your belongings for childbirth (in a separate small bag) from those for the maternity ward.

In your bag for the delivery room, we recommend;

• your identity documents and your pregnancy file.
• your birth plan , if you have one.
• a perineal oil to avoid, if possible, any intergalactic catastrophe (personally, I opted for Lansinoh perineal massage oil )
• your toiletry bag .
• a bath towel .
• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is essential for childbirth. Some women feel comfortable going completely naked, while others prefer to avoid it. For the latter, we recommend a button-up nightgown. You can unbutton the bottom during labor and then unbutton the top for breastfeeding, if you choose to do so. Avoid overly warm fabrics, as maternity wards are hot. Opt for clothing with straps or short sleeves, and bring a cardigan just in case.
• Nursing underwear for the first breastfeeding session
• soft lighting such as a nightlight or Christmas lights (guaranteed cozy effect)
• A snack, a sugary drink and water.
• For baby; a bodysuit in newborn and 1 month sizes, a pyjama in these two sizes and a blanket.
• For those who love scents, your essential oil diffuser , and for those who like to relax (or let loose) with music, a speaker and your playlist.
• of the slippers or other easy-to-slip-on flip-flops to move elegantly around the hospital.

Once you are in your room at the maternity ward, you will need:

• Choose comfortable outfits with elasticated seams , especially around the waist and belly (including underwear!). You can also simply continue wearing your maternity clothes. It's essential that you feel good; it's really important. Most women opt for pajama or jogging sets. We've created the ideal MUM, SWEET MUM Home Wear. Honestly, it doesn't get any better! Be kind to your body. It has just accomplished an incredible feat; give it time to recover and deflate, and consider buying clothes one size larger than your pre-pregnancy size.
• Stylish nursing clothes . Don't wait until you get home to adopt outfits suited to your new lifestyle. Why deprive yourself of feeling good, beautiful, and stylish by slipping into practical and fashionable clothes right away? If you've chosen to breastfeed, the adventure will begin in the hours following childbirth. And given that feedings are long and frequent in the first few days at the maternity ward, and that visits from medical staff and loved ones come one after another, it's best to dress comfortably and choose well-designed pieces so you don't have to constantly undress in public. As for the best options? You're spoiled for choice: head over to the Milk Away online store .
• Still on the topic of breastfeeding , bring nursing underwear , a nursing pillow (yes, it's a bit bulky, it's true, but really useful), nursing pads (there are washable or disposable ones) to relieve you, as well as a lanolin-based nipple balm or cream .
• a pair of warm socks .
• a warm blanket (in winter) and your own pillow (nice to have).
• a hair dryer if this appliance is essential for you.
• of sanitary pads . Don't skimp, just grab the thickest and longest ones you can find. There are even period panties! #purehappiness! The reality of postpartum is that you'll bleed for several days, even weeks, and that's perfectly normal. Because yes, lucky you, the glamour doesn't end at the delivery room door. We'll talk about that later. #staytuned
• Cotton and/or disposable underwear .
• Several washcloths.
• Your bag for the delivery room will contain your travel toiletry kit with all the necessary hygiene and beauty products, depending on your desired level of grooming. If possible, include a mini soap and shampoo, as these products are not always provided. And a shower towel (a towel is a small hand towel).

• From experience, we also advise you to keep at least one absorbent pad in the car to discreetly slip under your bottom, because if your water breaks on the way to the maternity ward, you risk turning your car into a mobile swimming pool...

"When Douglas decided to make his appearance at thirty-six weeks and three days of pregnancy, everything was ready. Even at twenty-nine weeks and four days, John, my husband, was asking me every day if my hospital bag was packed and securely closed! #organizeddad. He was convinced everything would happen very quickly, given that all the women in the family had given birth very soon. So, I guess he had a knack for timing. In the stress of leaving for the maternity ward and, admittedly, the bulkiness of certain accessories like the nursing pillow, John completely forgot the baby's bag… #indadwetrust? Arriving at the maternity ward in Salzburg, I was very surprised to receive everything I needed for the baby to borrow. Bodysuits, pajamas, swaddles for Douglas (and for me!), bath towels, a blanket, a nightgown, a nursing pillow—truly luxury. And I know that's not the case in All the hospitals, so I take my hat off to this hospital which took such good care of the three of us. My suitcase was still very useful, and I had added a few non-essentials that I thought were very nice to have : a reusable thermal water bottle that was with me 24/7 because when you're breastfeeding, you get really thirsty; on a friend's advice, I also packed a nightlight so I could breastfeed at night without having to turn on all the fluorescent lights in the room; homemade lip balm made by my sister-in-law; and a nourishing oil I used during pregnancy to continue caring for my breasts as my milk came in and my belly went down. Finally, for going home, I had planned a nice outfit, but aware of the changes my body had undergone, I ultimately opted for maternity jeans, which I actually continued to wear for the next few weeks. Aurélie, Milk Away MUM.

Basic nursing tank top In Mum we trust

For Dad

He can play it like a city-trip:

• Your wallet . We mention this because in the adrenaline of the moment, you might leave home without it, and that could slightly complicate any administrative procedures once you arrive.
• a toiletry bag with everything you need to smell good from head to toe
• Pyjamas . Essential, even if you prefer to sleep in your birthday suit. There's a good chance your child will need your attention to be changed, bottle-fed, or breastfed in the middle of the night, and the help or advice of midwives will be appreciated.
• a pair of socks or flip-flops or slippers for pacing around the workroom and then for walking in the corridors.
• A comfortable and stylish outfit (comfortable, therefore, and not too hot, given that maternity wards are overheated). We have an absolutely perfect suggestion: the "In Dad We Trust" organic cotton sweatshirt from Milk Away.
• He is given the task of collecting phone, tablet and camera chargers .
• If you plan to read books, watch series or listen to music, entrust him with the logistical management of these activities .
• He'll also be in charge of the survival bag containing snacks and drinks. So yes, you'll receive enough to eat and drink during your stay at the maternity ward, but if your little one decides to start their descent late in the evening and you're suddenly hit with a hunger pang (you'll be exerting yourself like you're running a marathon, so... the urge to eat and drink seems more than likely) in the middle of the night, the cafeteria will be closed. Opt for sugary and energizing drinks and snacks that are quick and easy to eat and digest. It's not the time to whip up a raclette... We're thinking practically and strongly recommend bottles with sports caps so you don't end up soaking your cleavage if you have to drink lying down. Been there, done that...
• Another big mission: CHAMPAGNE! For you who have worked hard (a small glass is allowed even when breastfeeding) and also for your visitors who are amazed by the divine child.
• Don't forget the Maxi-Cosi and other necessary equipment to safely transport baby from the bedroom to the car and to their home sweet home.

And if nothing's ready? Grab whatever you can and go for it! The most important thing is to give birth safely, not to have your pajamas neatly ironed and folded at the bottom of your bag. Anyway, there are usually pharmacies near hospitals and nice gift shops where you can find the essentials, and if not, Dad can always make a quick trip home.

And above all, drive carefully! Breathe in, breathe out, one of the most beautiful experiences of your life is about to happen.

#milkawayapparel #inmumwetrust #baby #newborn #family #maternity