As your due date draws closer and you get more anxious waiting to your bundle of joy to join your family, one of the most important things to prepare for is creating a hospital bag checklist. You will want to everything ready for yourself during labour and for baby once they arrive. Having been through two deliveries of my own children as well having moms who shared their experiences with me during their Toronto newborn photography session at our North York Studio, I’ve put together a hospital bag checklist that you’ll want to include as part of your preparation!
Do you really need a hospital bag checklist in Canada?
Most pregnant moms will find having a comprehensive hospital bag checklist helps them to stay organized before baby arrives. To tackle your list without feeling overwhelmed, it is easier to divide your hospital bag checklist into 3 different categories. First category of the hospital bag checklist is for the labour and delivery stage, second category is for postpartum care, and third category is for baby. Technically speaking, there is a fourth category on the hospital bag checklist that is designed for your partner or your support person, because they should also prepare and make their stay at the hospital as comfortable as possible. Let’s dive into each section below!
Part 1 - Hospital bag checklist in Canada – Essentials for mom during labour and delivery
The first part of your hospital bag checklist should be items that will help you get through labour. Everyone’s experience is different, some labour can be fast and some can drag out. It is best to bring comfortable clothing and items that will help you relax. See below for our comprehensive hospital bag checklist:
- Your birth plan
- Yoga ball
- Comfortable clothing such as a robe, PJs, bras with no underwire, slippers
- Swim top/bra if you are considering a water birth
- Bottles of water and energy-packed snacks
- Phone and an extra-long phone charger. Or better yet, a portable battery
- Bluetooth speaker
- 1 -2 pillows (in colourful pillow cases). This is so it won’t get mixed up with the ones from hospital
- Books or ipad in case you need to wait out labour
- Toiletries
Part 2 - Hospital bag checklist in Canada – Postpartum care
Congratulations! Your baby’s birth day has arrived! Enjoy all the cuddle time as well as a little down time for yourself. This part two of your hospital bag checklist is for you!
- Post-partum pads or adult diapers. (These are different from your regular menstrual pads)
- Comfortable clothing – include at least two outfits. In the case of a c-section, it is important to bring pants that are not tight around the pelvic area. PJs, sweatpants, dresses and skirts are great options.
- If you plan on breastfeeding your baby:
- Nursing bra, nursing tops, and a nursing pillow. (Be sure to check out best nursing pillows options)
- Healthy snacks
- Nipple cream
- Pre-natal vitamins
- A few comfortable panties
Part 3 - Hospital bag checklist in Canada – Baby essentials
The third portion of your hospital bag checklist is probably going to your most favourite and exciting part! You get go shopping and check out all the baby must-haves for your little bundle. If you need ideas on what to buy or want to find out more about various brands out there, The Baby Show Toronto or the Bump, Baby and Toddler Expo 2022 are great opportunity to do your one-stop shop. Usually exhibitions will have samples to give out and those are the perfect trial size to include when you are preparing your hospital bag checklist. It'll save you the trouble of buying and bringing the full-size package of product you may or may not end up liking on your baby.
This section of the checklist is all for keeping your baby nice and comfortable during their time in the hospital.
- Diapers – newborn sized diapers will be the most suitable size for majority of babies.
- Formula and bottles
- Usually manufacturers will send you a trial pack of formula samples before baby arrives. Those are great to bring with you!
- A pack of wet wipes
- Diaper rash cream
- Swaddles – these can be receiving blankets or ones with Velcro to keep baby warm and tight
- Pacifier
- Going-home outfit and baby hats
- Baby lotion
- Baby hair brush
- Burp clothes and washcloths
- A sentimental item such as a security blanket that baby will grow up with
- Infant carseat
- If weather is cold, be sure to bring extra blankets and clothing for baby on the trip home
- Phone number of your pediatrician – so you can book their first check up appointment as soon as they’re born!
- Phone number of your Toronto newborn photographer – similarly, be sure to notify your baby photographer so they can book you in ideally between 5-14 days old to capture all the precious newborn moments for your family
- Pen and paper – there will be lots of information nurses and doctors will share with you. Ranging from duration and frequency of feeding times, to jotting down how many times diaper changes, and filling in paperwork for baby’s birth registration, etc.
Part 4 - Hospital bag checklist in Canada – For your partner
This last section is just as important because your partner or your support person will be there with you the entire time. Ideally, you and your partner should pack everything in your hospital bag checklist together. Because right after birth, your mobility may be limited and it is important they are capable of finding all the items you need for yourself as well as for baby. Their list looks something like this:
- 1 pillow
- Phone charging cable
- Water and snacks
- 2 outfits - 1 that is more presentable, and one that is for lounging
- Slippers
- Books and entertainment as necessary
We hope you’ve enjoyed the hospital bag checklist we’ve compiled and you can feel prepared when it’s go-time! Expecting a baby is such an amazing time for your family, so try to enjoy every moment. When you get to hold baby in your arms, everything will have been worth all the hard work!
If you are looking to preserve your incredible moments during your pregnancy journey and with a Toronto maternity photographer, we would love to hear from you and create beautiful Heirloom artwork for your family! Start chatting with us below!
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