Packing your bag for labour

To prepare for the big day, start gradually packing your bag for labour and preparing your birth kit during your eighth month. Clothes, toiletries… here you’ll find a list of everything you might need for your hospital stay.

Packing checklist for mums

5 comfortable tops (T-shirts or loose tunics that open at the front if you want to breastfeed)
2 nightdresses or pairs of pyjamas that are easy to open if you’re breastfeeding
2 comfortable pairs of trousers (e.g. maternity trousers or tracksuit bottoms)
1 dressing gown
1 pair of slippers or flip-flops
1 cardigan
2 or 3 pairs of socks
1 set of disposable cotton knickers (choose one size up)
Sanitary towels (heavy flow)
3 nursing bras and disposable pads if you’re breastfeeding
1 comfortable outfit for going home in
Toiletries (pH neutral soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, nipple cream if you’re breastfeeding)
Entertainment (music, books, etc.).

A bag for summer or winter? Same thing! Just make sure you pack clothes suitable for the season, especially for going home in.
Lastly, don’t forgot your papers when packing your bag for labour. You’ll need to bring along:

Your carte vitale (health insurance card)
Proof of identity
Your carte de mutuelle (mutual health insurance card)
Your livret de famille (family record book), if you’re married or already have a child
Proof of recognition before birth, if need be
Your blood group card
Results of blood tests and other pregnancy examinations (vaginal swabs, pelvic X-rays, scans, etc.)
Various authorisations (trustworthy persons, anaesthesia, authorisation for treatments, etc.).

Packing checklist for dads, too!
Future dads can also pack a bag for labour, including:

Something to snack on
Change (to buy coffee from vending machines, for example)
Camera
Batteries or camera charger
Phone charger
Entertainment (e.g. music).

Baby’s bag, or “birth kit”

Follow our birth kit checklist to make sure you don’t leave anything behind! Whatever the season, pack:

5 long-sleeved bodysuits
5 rompers with feet
1 or 2 warm knitted vests
1 or 2 pairs of booties
2 small bonnets
1 pair of gloves (to prevent scratches)
1 baby sleep bag (for night time).

A small night-light, a dummy and a cuddly toy will also help your baby sleep!

What should my baby’s first outfit be made from?

Opt for soft, natural materials such as cotton or organic wool which significantly reduce irritation or allergies. Either way, your baby’s first outfit should not have been treated with harmful chemicals! Look for the strictest labels, such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Oeko-Tex, for example.

What size clothes should I pack for my baby?

Rely on your doctor’s estimates: on your third scan, your doctor will tell you the estimated height and weight of your baby on delivery. This estimate usually has a margin of error of just +/- 15%. Up to 3 kg, opt for newborn sizes. For heavier babies, pack 1 month instead, or even 3 months if your baby weighs more than 4.2 kg.
Good to know: to make shopping easier, many stores sell baby birth kits with four to six matching pieces, or even full baby birth kits. Some are gender neutral, but you can also find kits for boys and girls. Another option is a personalised birth kit, featuring your baby’s name, although make sure you order yours early so you receive it in time.