Checklist: The hospital bag

Almost every pregnancy book recommends packing your hospital bag at least four weeks before your due date. Don't worry! In most cases, that's way too early. Still, it's helpful to make sure all your essentials and documents are handy when you leave! With the help of Nadine, editor, blogger , and mom at heimataufenthalt.de , we've put together a checklist of all the essential items for your hospital bag.

Important documents

• Your maternity record – that’s quite clear!
• Your health insurance card and if you have private supplementary hospital insurance, please bring this card with you as well
• Your identity card and the birth certificates of you and your husband or boyfriend as well as further copies for registration
• Your marriage certificate or paternity acknowledgment should you not be married

For the delivery room

• A longer, light shirt or other comfortable clothing that you feel comfortable in
• A cardigan or bathrobe, warm socks and other comfortable items to keep you warm after the birth
• Slippers - at the latest after birth for the time in the hospital
• Enough water to drink and maybe a little something to eat for you and your partner
• A facial spray and a good lip balm
• A camera and/or mobile phone to take the first picture of you and your baby

For hospital stay

• Comfortable clothing, such as jogging pants and shirts, long-sleeved shirts and sweaters with nursing function
• Comfortable nursing bras and nursing pads
• Enough underwear - better a few too many than too few
• Soft washcloths and hand and wet wipes
• Care products: Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant (odorless, aluminum-free), body and face cream, shampoo, shower gel, nipple balm and everything else you personally need to feel good
• Flip-flops or other shoes you can wear while showering. Hospital showers are usually not particularly inviting.
• Sanitary pads - you can almost always get them in the hospital, but to be on the safe side, just pack your own
• Your favorite outfit for the day you leave the hospital. It's a very special day for you and your baby.
• Clothes for your baby - You'll receive baby clothes from the hospital during your stay. However, you'll need a separate outfit for the journey home. Depending on the season and weather, we recommend baby basics like a baby bodysuit, tights, a romper, socks, a hat and jacket, a blanket, and, if necessary, a footmuff.

Other things that may also be useful (but your husband or family members can also bring later)

• Your own favorite snacks and drinks, the food in the hospital often leaves something to be desired
• Charging cables for your camera and/or phone. You'll probably want to take some pictures and inform friends and family about the birth.
• A baby car seat for the way home or alternatively a stroller if you live near the hospital
• A magazine or your favorite book - but you probably can't take your eyes off your baby anyway

Most of the items on the checklist will fit in your mara mea diaper bag , and we hope this list helps you prepare for this exciting day. Of course, our checklist is only a guide and serves as a starting point. Everything else depends on your personal needs. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and well so you can enjoy every moment with your newborn baby.