Packing your hospital bag: the essential checklist

When should you pack your hospital bag?

From the beginning of the 7th month of pregnancy, it is advisable to start preparing your newborn layette. Not only does this mean you'll be ready in case baby arrives a little earlier than expected, but it's also a lovely moment to look ahead and imagine your baby in their first outfits.

What should you pack in the hospital bag for baby?

• Clothing and layette
• 6 to 8 pyjamas
• 6 to 8 bodysuits (cotton for winter, towelling for summer)
• 2 to 3 woollen jackets
• 1 pair of scratch mitts (to stop baby scratching themselves)
• 1 to 3 newborn hats
• 2 pairs of booties or socks
• 1 to 2 sleeping bags
• 3 to 4 organic cotton muslin squares
• 1 newborn blanket extra soft and generously sized, or a swaddle blanket (ideal for leaving the hospital)
• 1 to 2 dummies and a dummy clip
  
  What size should you choose for a newborn?
  Plan for 1 month size for a full-term baby. If there is a risk of premature birth, add a few pieces in newborn size.
  
  

Essentials for coming home

To prepare calmly for baby's arrival and avoid mental overload, have you thought about creating a baby gift list? Even better, we're sharing directly with you a complete list of gift ideas to add to it, put together by minipouce, the ultimate baby gift list platform.

The concept behind minipouce is simple: you can create, as easily as possible, a multi-retailer baby gift list, with the option of adding an integrated group kitty to your list. Gone are the days of receiving the same gift twice in the same colour or size, gone are the countless cuddly toys — admittedly very cute, but not very useful in baby's first months. In short, the list you create on minipouce reflects who you are and is easy to use for you and your loved ones alike.

A bonus for the environment (and all budgets), you have the option of choosing second-hand products and pre-loved items. And also, a rare thing worth noting, it is possible to add "services" to your list: post-partum massage, cleaning, meal delivery, etc.

Finally, minipouce makes the "essentials" section easier for you with numerous practical checklists for coming home from the maternity ward, must-haves for the hospital bag, birth bag, baby clothing list by birth month, everything for the first year, and more…

Baby's toiletries

• A practical and safe changing table: opt for our elegant wooden changing table PAGO, or for the wall-mounted changing table NOGA
• 2 to 3 packs of newborn nappies
• Shampoo, gentle cleansing gel, moisturising cream, saline solution
• Reusable cotton pads
• Liniment
• Soft brush
• Thermometer
• Soft bath towels
  

Feeding

If you opt for formula milk:

• 2 to 4 large bottles
• 1 bottle brush
• At least 8 teats
• 4 to 6 bibs

The nursery and comfort

• A cosy nest for newborns: a baby Moses basket, a wooden crib without bars or a bedside crib
• 4 to 6 fitted sheets
• A blanket
• A baby monitor
• A baby bouncer suitable from birth
• A play mat on which to place an baby play arch

The essentials you don't always think of

• Finding a trusted paediatrician before the birth
• Arranging a nanny or childcare in advance
• Attending a babywearing or baby massage workshop
• Keeping a trusted ear close by (family, friend, midwife) to help get through the harder moments
• Limiting time on Instagram: parenthood is not a competition
• Preparing small dishes in advance (to put in the freezer) to anticipate the lack of time and energy!

Don't forget your hospital's check-list

Each hospital provides an official list of items to bring (administrative documents, specific clothing, things for mum, etc.). It is therefore important to combine this personalised check-list with your own to make sure you don't forget anything on the day of the birth.

✅ You now have all the tools to pack your complete hospital bag. The key is to anticipate what is essential, and to trust yourself for the rest.

FAQ – Packing your hospital bag

**When should you pack your hospital bag?**
It is advisable to pack your hospital bag from the 7th month of pregnancy. This allows you to anticipate a premature birth and feel at ease if baby decides to arrive earlier than expected.

**What should you pack in the hospital bag for mum?**
Pack nightgowns or pyjamas suitable for breastfeeding, towels, comfortable underwear, post-birth sanitary protection, a toiletry bag, a pair of slippers and your administrative documents (NHS card, photo ID, family record book…).

**What clothing size should you choose for baby at birth?**
Size 1 month generally suits full-term babies. However, if a premature birth is possible, also prepare a few pieces in newborn size.

**What documents should you bring to the hospital?**
Hospitals generally ask for: NHS card, health insurance card, photo ID, family record book (or advance recognition of parenthood document), results of recent medical examinations and your maternity file.

**Should you follow the hospital's check-list?**
Yes! Each hospital provides an official check-list tailored to its own organisation (for example: number of bodysuits, sleeping bags, things for mum). It is therefore recommended to combine your personal preparation with this list so as not to forget anything.