Awaiting the impending arrival of your little one is a very exciting time, but can also sometimes be quite overwhelming. What will you need? How many of everything? And when should you have everything ready in case your bub makes a surprise entrance?
Try to have your bags prepared early, just in case you go into labour before your due date. Sometimes babies can arrive earlier than we expect so we suggest packing your bag between 36-37 weeks, just to be on the safe side! The time you spend in hospital can also vary depending on your circumstances – normally it’s between 1 and 5 days.
Whether you are having your baby at hospital or home, below is a list of some items we suggest packing a few weeks out from your expected due date. This will take some stress out of the moment when it arrives and gives you plenty of time to order or pick up things you may wish to include.
We hope our list can help make the whole experience just that little bit easier for you and baby.
Car Seat:
This is a great one to check off the list early. We recommend getting this installed professionally for peace of mind 3-4 weeks prior to the arrival of your baby. Professional installers are trained to ensure the following requirements are met:
- The restraint is the right size for your baby/child
- The restraint is correctly fitted to the vehicle
- The restraint is properly fastened and adjusted for your baby/child
There are many places where you can have a car seat fitted for a minimal fee and great peace of mind that your baby is safe and secure during transit.
Hospital Bag Checklist:
There are two parts to a hospital bag, the essentials like important documents, birth plan (if you have one) toiletries and clothes. Then there is the “fun” part baby’s essential items as well as a cute outfit you may later turn into a keepsake or have photo’s in.
Essentials for the expecting:
- Your Birth Plan (If You Have One)
- Hospital Paperwork You May Need
- Medicare & Private Health Insurance Details
- Photo ID & Wallet
- Prescription Medications
- Glasses and/or Contact Lenses
- Mobile Phone & Chargers
- Headphones
- Water Bottle
- Snacks & Drinks
- Books & Magazines
- Plastic Bags for Dirty or Soiled Items
- Your Own Pillow
Clothing & Toiletries:
- Pyjamas & Dressing Gown
- Hair Ties & Hairbrush
- Maternity Pads
- Comfortable Soft Underwear
- Socks & Slippers
- Comfortable Clothes & Footwear
- Going-Home Outfit
- Nursing Pads & Bras
- Peri Bottle
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Soap, Deodorant & Bodywash
- Shampoo & Conditioner
For Baby:
- Newborn Nappies
- Baby Wipes & Sudocrem
- Newborn Rompers with 2 way zips (some 0000 & some 000)
- Singlets & Socks
- Knot Hats Or Beanies
- Mittens
- Baby Bottles
- Dummies
- Breast Pump
- Baby Blankets
- Swaddles & Wraps
- Coming Home Outfit
- Car Seat
and from the hospital!
Our Hospital Bag Checklist is a key resource for parents to help prepare for the arrival of their little one. Download a printable copy of our Hospital Packing List.
You'll find the items below perfect for baby's first outfit, to pack in your hospital bag or to help set up babies nursery. Our little leaf print is a lovely soft neutral sage on pristine white - perfect for any gender!
Aster & Oak clothing is specifically designed with newborn sensitive skin in mind using 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The designs and quality are made to become heirloom keepsakes to be passed down the generations or kept in a memory box once your little one outgrows. You'll find the perfect items for your hospital bag in our Newborn Gifts or Baby Essentials Collections.
