The suitcase for maternity
What are your maternity essentials? Many of you answered our questions on Instagram ! Here are all your ideas for the best maternity suitcase.
The real essentials for maternity
A night light
In the middle of the night, you will need a light to change, feed, rock your baby. The only light in your room will be neon, rather aggressive at 3am. Opt for a very soft night light.
Earplugs
Maternity wards are noisy. When dad is there or if you leave your baby in the nursery, enjoy a real restful sleep without noise thanks to your earplugs.
A nursing pillow
The foundation for breastfeeding and bottle feeding. A great help to settle you into bed after the marathon of childbirth and the pain that goes with it.
Household linen
Bathrobe, bath towel, bath mat, pillowcase… which come from home to make you feel at home.
A skin-to-skin headband
The best way to welcome your baby gently. We wrote a whole article on the benefits of skin-to-skin contact here . In short: baby at the ideal temperature, he is reassured and so are you. A must-have for you and the dad.
A letter for dad or mom
A sweet note written in advance to offer on the big day to your other half. Why? To declare all your love, of course. A letter to take out in case of a down moment or argument to remind you of the good times. Also plan the tissues that go with it.
A Sling Scarf
To stay close from the first days while having your hands free.
Chocolate and almonds
The food in the maternity ward is not to everyone's taste. You will need to build up your strength, so treat yourself.
Soft toilet paper
In case of a tear or something, you'll be glad to have a soft cloth with you. We've even heard of a spray bottle, but the team hasn't tested it.
Which will allow you to store baby's essentials from the maternity ward.
Essentials for your baby
The bag for childbirth
Your midwife will ask you to prepare a separate bag for the big day. In order to dress your baby from birth, plan for:
- A pajama
- A bodysuit
- A warm bra or vest
- A pair of slippers
- A pair of socks
- A hat
- A sleeping bag
You can also already plan a diaper bag :)
The list of maternity clothes for baby
For your stay, we have some useful information to remind you:
If you feel like dressing your baby or leaving him in pajamas all day, that's OK!
Newborns cannot regulate their temperature, resulting in overheated maternity wards.
If you give birth by cesarean section, your stay in the maternity ward will be longer than with a vaginal delivery.
Think about photos! In 20 years you will still be looking at your maternity photos. Choose timeless outfits.
Our list for the baby
- 5 pajamas (opt for 1 month, the newborn size is often very small and rarely used except for premature babies)
- 5 bodysuits
- 4 outfits for the day (top, bottom)
- 1 vest
- 2 sleeping bags
- 1 hat for maternity and the day of discharge
- Socks
- Slippers
- 1 bathrobe
- 5 bibs and/or swaddles for bottles or breastfeeding
- 2 comforters
- A few diapers, although most maternity wards provide them
The maternity suitcase for the mother
For childbirth
- A big t-shirt
- Socks
- A mist sprayer
For your stay in the maternity ward
- A comfortable and beautiful bathrobe
- 1 pair of slippers
- 3 nightgowns or pajamas that are easy to open if you are breastfeeding
- 1 vest
- 5 easy-to-open t-shirts or tunics if you are breastfeeding (see our Maternity t-shirt )
- 2 leggings
- 2 or 3 pairs of socks
- Disposable panties
- Sanitary napkins
- 2 bath towels
- 4 nursing bras and nursing pads if you are breastfeeding
- Your toiletry bag with your favorite products
- A dirty laundry bag
- Phone charger etc.
- A speaker for soft music
Dad's suitcase
The delivery can be long. In his bag, he will take change for the coffee machine, a water bottle and snacks.
Administrative papers for the town hall
The birth declaration must be made within five days following the birth by a person who attended the birth. Take the parents' identity cards, your family record book, the doctor's or midwife's certificate, the Declaration of choice of name if you are taking this step, the act of recognition if it was established before birth.
More information on the birth declaration: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F961
Good preparation!