The big day is approaching and the house is ready to welcome its new occupant. To avoid being caught unprepared when baby arrives, there's only one thing left to plan: the maternity bag that will accompany your little family when the time comes. 🧳
While it's unnecessary to prepare it too early, it's advisable to start thinking about it between 4 and 6 weeks before the expected due date. This ensures that nothing is missing for either mom or baby. Want to be even better organized? You can pack several bags : one for the delivery and another for the stay at the maternity ward.
At Ouatine & Cumulus, we have prepared a comprehensive list of essential clothing, documents, and other items to take to the hospital or birth center to be ready on the big day.
Hospital bag for mom :
- About reading
- A cool music playlist
- A few snacks
- A button-down nightgown (to allow skin-to-skin contact)
- A pair of socks
- A mister
- A notebook to record the memories of this magical moment.
- Tissues
Documents to bring:
- Your identity card
- The health insurance card / hospital insurance card
- The family record book or early recognition
- The pregnancy booklet (ONE)
- The card with your blood type
- Your test results
- A copy of your birth plan, if you have one.
- The maternity registration form.
Maternity bag for mom:
- Nightgowns or button-front pajamas
- T-shirts or tunics suitable for breastfeeding
- Three nursing bras (consider taking a size larger than at the end of your pregnancy)
- Two leggings or loose-fitting trousers
- Comfortable panties
- A bathrobe or a vest
- Socks
- A bag for dirty laundry
- Clothes for leaving the maternity ward
In your toiletries bag:
- A toothbrush
- A toothpaste
- A hairbrush
- Neutral and unscented shower gel
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Moisturizing oil
- Make-up remover, cotton pads or wipes
- Breastfeeding pads
- Nipple cream if you are breastfeeding.
- Day cream
- A treatment for heavy legs
- Washcloths and towels
- Sanitary napkins
- A nail file
- Nail clippers
- A hair dryer
The little extras that make all the difference:
- Your nursing pillow
- About reading
- Some music
- A few snacks
- A nightlight (to avoid neon lighting during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding in the middle of the night)
- Eye masks
Find our checklist for moms to download ⬇️
Birthing bag for the co-parent:
- Comfortable and lightweight clothing
- A camera
- Currency / Money
- Snacks
- Leisure activities
Maternity bag for the co-parent:
- An outfit for the night
- Spare clothes
- A toothbrush
- Snacks
- A list containing all the people to notify.
- His unconditional support.
- The car seat is self-equipped (and pre-tested, ready in the car)
For brothers and/or sisters:
- Some small games
- Books
- A disposable camera
- Photos of mom and dad
- The comfort toy / The cuddly toy
- Her favorite snacks
- A little word of love
- A little gift from the baby.
- A little extra: his personalized "big brother" or "big sister" t-shirt (which he will wear when coming to meet the baby)
Find our co-parenting checklist to download ⬇️
Baby's hospital bag:
- A bodysuit
- A warm pair of pajamas
- A bonnet
- A cover
Maternity bag for baby:
- Seven body parts (minimum 2/day)
- Six pairs of pajamas (minimum 1 per day)
- Two pairs of socks
- Two hats
- A very soft blanket
- Grouse
- A pacifier
- The comfort toy
- A sleeping bag or a cocoon
- Bibs
- Baby bottles (in case of formula feeding)
- A baby's going-home outfit
💡 The cocoon supports the baby's thermoregulation thanks to the use of wadding. This material is perfect to help the baby manage the transition between the intrauterine world (where it is constantly 37°C) and the cooler outside world. The wadded cocoon allows the baby to be welcomed with a small hat, swaddle, or bodysuit, to facilitate maximum skin-to-skin contact between parents and baby without multiple manipulations to undress them. Against their parents, the baby finds sensations that remind them of those experienced in utero (rocking, warmth, heartbeat, etc.).
Toiletries:
- Liniment
- Neutral cleansing gel
- Two washcloths
- Bath towels
- Diapers for several days
- Cotton wipes for changing diapers or baby care.
- A soft brush for combing hair.
- Body cream suitable for newborns
- Physiological saline solution
- A small nail file
Find our baby checklist to download ⬇️
The arrival of a baby is a significant event in the lives of its parents – and its siblings. Being prepared is also a way to welcome the baby in a more serene and pleasant manner .
Ouatine & Cumulus wishes you a wonderful adventure and lots of happiness!
