What to Pack

Ensure that your hospital bag is packed well in advance - you never know what might happen!

In Mom’s bag:

• Front opening night dresses (for breastfeeding) 2-3
• Gown
• Slippers
• Underwear (including nursing bra)
• Towels 2-3
• Toiletries (toothbrush, - paste; soap; deodorant; shampoo; hairbrush; etc)
• Make-up
• Tissues
• Maternity pads 2 packs
• Disposable maternity panties
• Nursing pads
• Going home outfit

For labor:

• Old night dress or T-shirt
• Facecloth
• Warm socks
• Wheat bag (to ease the pain)
• Lip balm for dry lips
• Hair ties for long hair
• Reading material

Checklist for Baby

In Baby’s bag:

• Newborn disposable nappies *
• Wet wipes *
• Bum cream *
• Aqueous cream *
• Baby powder (Maizena works even better)
• Cotton buds
• Cotton puffs
• Surgical alcohol *
• Receiving blankets 2-3
• Warm big blanket
• Clothes 4-5 sets
• Socks or booties
• Vests & beanie (in winter)
• Dummy if preferred
• Gripe water
• Bottles (2 x 125ml) if preferred to bottle feed

*Items normally included in Medi Clinic’s baby bags


Checklist for Dad

In Dad’s ba:

• Pre-admission forms & Medical aid card
• Birth plan
• Cell phone with charger and important numbers
• Camera and or video camera
• Toothbrush & -paste
• Change of clothes
• Pen, paper & watch (to monitor contractions)
• Nutritious snacks (like bananas – for Mom & Dad)

Checklist for going home

For Baby
Car seat (Snug & Safe) for baby

Download the checklist beneath, print it out and be ready!