The theoretical date of delivery is approaching... You will soon meet this little being who has been growing inside you for several months. The preparation of the maternity suitcase is an important moment. You want everything to be perfect and that your little koko doesn't lack anything when he arrives in the world: baby clothes, care products, ...

In this article, discover our maternity list and find our advice on how to take everything you need for you, your baby and the person accompanying you. Download the simplified maternity list at the end.

When to pack your maternity suitcase?

There is a good chance that your little koko will not be born on the theoretical date. It's hard to predict whether your baby will be in a hurry or on time. To be on the safe side, pack your maternity suitcase at the beginning of the 8th month of pregnancy. 

When your maternity suitcase is ready, keep it close to you. For example, in the boot of the car or near the front door.

Don't hesitate to put a post-it note or our maternity list to print on your suitcase with what you need to add at the last minute (toothbrush for example). When the time comes, the best thing to do is to think of nothing else but yourself and your future little koko.

  

Maternity ward list for the delivery room

Baby clothes for birth

• 1 long sleeve bodysuit. Concerning the size, it will obviously depend on the stature of your newborn, which is difficult to evaluate despite the last ultrasound... If you only want to plan for one size of baby clothes, opt for 1 month (54cm) to be sure that it is big enough for your little koko.
• 1 pyjama. Same remark as the bodysuit
• 1 bonnet (your maternity hospital may give you one, check. Your maternity hospital will probably provide you with its maternity list)
• 1 bra or warm waistcoat
• 1 pair of slippers or socks
• 1 soft blanket for skin-to-skin
  

 Our advice :

• remember to wash all your future baby's things beforehand
• An infant has difficulty regulating its temperature at birth. Hence the need to provide warm clothes whatever the season

For mum

• 1 loose, comfortable garment: nightdress, large T-shirt, sarong, etc.
• 1 disposable slip (stretchy mesh slip)
• Something to cool your face if it's summer
• Your glasses (if you wear contact lenses)
• Drink: doctors recommend clear liquids (water, tea without milk / black coffee, sweetened or not, soft drinks or not, fruit juice without pulp).
• Eating: in France, eating during labour is not recommended, especially for high-risk pregnancies. Some maternity hospitals impose fasting in case there is a need for a general anaesthetic. However, before you go into labour, or if you are allowed to do so, you should eat dried fruit, nuts, biscuits or rusk (no dairy products). Ask your maternity hospital for more information.
• Prepare a playlist of music to help you relax and concentrate on when the contractions are painful

For the accompanying person

• Food and drink: no restrictions for the accompanying person ;)
• Something to do: reading, music...
• Something to immortalise this unique moment: camera
• 1 spare T-shirt (if skin to skin)

Maternity list for the rest of the stay

Baby list

Baby clothing birth

• 1 newborn sleeping bag 0-6 months with a TOG dof 2.5 whatever the season because the first days, your little koko will have difficulty regulating his temperature.
• 1 outfit per day: we recommend a long-sleeved bodysuit and pyjamas for both day and night. You can plan a nice outfit if you have visitors or the photographer at the maternity hospital, but in my experience, you don't necessarily want to change your newborn several times a day. Baby clothes for the newborn: either choose a mix between the birth size (50 cm) and the 1 month size (54 cm). Or you can choose a 1 month size to make sure it's big enough for your newborn (our recommendation). We recommend pyjamas and bodysuits that are crossed in front. It's tricky to get the bodysuit over your little koko's head, especially in the first few days
• 1 or 2 spare outfits (in case of overflow, regurgitation, welcome to the wonderful world of parents)
• 2 or 3 warm bras or waistcoats
• 2 pairs of socks or slippers
• 1 cotton hat for the maternity ward (bring a warmer hat for the outing if it is winter).
• 4 swaddles  that you can use to protect the changing mat, to protect your little koko from spitting up, as a bib, for swaddling, for the first bath… More details on the different uses  of the swaddle.
• Optional: small gloves to prevent scratching. This is useful if your little koko has long fingernails at birth, but we don't recommend it because the more baby can touch you with his hands, the better.
• 1 cuddly toy to put at the foot of the bed in the early days. Future parents, we advise you to sleep a few nights with the cuddly toy beforehand so that it can absorb your scents. It's also a good idea to choose a cuddly toy with your older brothers and sisters to give to your younger child.
• 1 sling

In his toiletry kit :

• 1 towel or bath cape (or 2 if there is an accident) and some flannels
• 1 bath product (dermatological soap, oil...)
• 1 multifunction thermometer (bath, room...).
• Eco-friendly nappies
• Physiological serum
• For nappy changing: preferably a reusable wipe, liniment (except if you use cloth nappies as they are too greasy). Download our homemade liniment recipe
• For the little kokos (and their mums!), we really appreciate the 100% organic cosmetics brand Comette Cosmetics and in particular their super Baby Balm which can be used for diaper rash, cradle cap, small rashes... => https://comettecosmetics.com/

 Our advice:

• Also read your maternity hospital's baby list. They sometimes provide young parents with a pack of nappies, bath products and even a thermometer.
• For a summer baby, the Kokùn Lab sleeping bag is ideal. Baby has difficulty regulating his body temperature on the first few days so you will inevitably put on the liners at the maternity hospital. And 4 days later at home, if it is hot, you will remove the liners.
• If you have a caesarean, your stay will be longer. This baby list should be adapted and you should plan for 2 more outfits.

 

For mum

Clothes:

• Comfortable daywear
• Nightdress and/or pyjamas
• 1 pair of slippers or flip-flops
• 1 waistcoat
• Socks

On the protection side, there are several possibilities:

• In the beginning, it is good to have some disposable briefs (size XL) with sanitary pads for the first few days. Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section, you will have some bleeding as well as heavy periods in the first few days. Sometimes sanitary towels are provided by the maternity hospital. Find out more.
• Then you can quickly switch to comfortable panties (not your best panties) with sanitary pads. Or for your comfort and for the planet, we recommend menstrual panties. We really like Perdième menstrual panties, both comfortable (lined with organic cotton) and beautiful.

In your toiletry kit :

• 1 towel and some flannels
• Toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste...). A little make-up if you want to wear it for visits or for the day of the outing.
• 1 anti-stretch mark cream: if you were using it during your pregnancy, it is worth continuing.
• 1 hair dryer if necessary

Other elements of importance :

• Entertainment: reading, music, smartphones (and chargers)...
• Healthy, adapted and comforting snacks
• 1 pen and a notebook to record the good times and advice from the medical profession.
• 1 night light so that you are not dazzled at night if your little koko needs to eat (the neon lights in maternity wards are not always the most pleasant...)
• 1 breastfeeding pillow. If you are not breastfeeding, it will make your nights more comfortable. And if you are breastfeeding, it will be useful to cushion your baby.

If you wish to breastfeed :

• Choose clothes that button in the front or nursing clothes instead
• Nursing bras. Plan to wear a size larger than your end-of-pregnancy size (e.g. for a 95D in late pregnancy, take a 100D). 
• Washable nursing pads for comfort and the environment
• To prevent and heal cracked breasts, we strongly advise you to take a 100% lanolin nursing balm or the Baby Balm from Comette Cosmetics. Besides that, your own colostrum can also help. And we also recommend nursing shells or silver shells.
  

 Our advice:

• Don't take your tightest pre-pregnancy jeans. Know that you will be wearing your maternity clothes for a few more weeks... Think comfort!
• If the delivery is planned by caesarean section, plan to wear loose-fitting clothes or clothes that come up high enough to avoid as much rubbing as possible on the scar. And plan two extra outfits.
• Take things that will make you feel good and comforted during your postpartum period! Tea, chocolates, beauty products... each to their own!
  

For the accompanying person

• Sleeping bag (to be discussed with the maternity ward)
• Proper nightwear required 😉

For the return home

• Clothes for your little koko adapted to the season
• 1 car seat
• 1 small gift for the older child (optional but greatly appreciated by the older child!)

  

And of course all the paperwork

For administrative entry

• Identity card
• Family record book or early recognition
• Carte Vitale in France or mutual insurance card in Belgium
• Supplementary health insurance card

For your medical file

• Test results and ultrasound scans
• Blood group card
• Prescription and medication for current treatments
• Various forms provided by your maternity hospital: form for cord blood donation, form for the designation of a trustworthy person, specific form in the event of a scheduled caesarean section, etc.
• Birth plan if you have prepared one

Now your maternity list is ready to be printed:

Maternity list to print

You may also be interested in our article « practical advice for preparing a sustainable birth list ». For more informations, see also our advice and testimonials.