How Should a Hospital Bag Be Packed for Winter Babies?

You're getting ready for the most exciting period of your life, and if this is your first birth in particular, we imagine you'll be feeling quite the flurry of excitement. What a lovely kind of flurry to have...

As you gradually reach the final stages of your pregnancy, we wanted to share our suggestions on packing a hospital bag for winter babies, to help you plan for the day you'll hold your baby in your arms.

So, how should a hospital bag be packed for winter babies? What should be in it? How should it be prepared? When should it be packed?

When Should the Hospital Bag Be Packed?

First of all, we'd like to start by congratulating you. In case of an early birth, your hospital bag should be ready by week 32 at the latest.

Inside the womb, your baby stays at a constant temperature of around 36.5 degrees, so long as you don't run a high fever, aren't exposed to prolonged sun, or don't experience severe dehydration. This is why, whatever the season, your baby will need time to get used to regulating their own body temperature after birth, whether they're born in winter or otherwise, and it's important to pack a bag suited to the season.

What Clothing Should Be in the Hospital Bag for Winter Babies?

The essential item in any hospital bag is your baby's first clothes. The first item of clothing to touch your baby's skin should be 100% organic cotton, and should be washed and ironed before your baby wears it. As you know, organic products go through numerous stages, and after long, painstaking processes, are certified as nature-friendly products that pose no threat to human health. You can read our blog post on organic cotton and the importance of using organic textiles for babies for more detailed information on this. We recommend keeping two sets of your baby's newborn hospital-leaving outfit in your bag, with each organic cotton newborn hospital-leaving set including a hat, mittens, booties, vest, cross-over cardigan and trousers with feet.

How Should a Blanket and Swaddle Be Chosen for Babies Born in Winter?

The essential items in a hospital bag for winter babies are a blanket to keep your baby warm and a hospital-leaving swaddle. We recommend choosing two blankets: a thicker one for cooler spaces and a thinner one for warmer spaces. For mothers considering a knitted blanket, our recommendation is that it should always be made from organic cotton, fluff-free and soft to the touch, so it suits your baby's delicate skin. A blanket made from double-layer interlock fabric will also be enough to maintain your baby's body temperature at room temperature. The hospital-leaving swaddle, with its padded organic cotton fabric, maintains your baby's body temperature while also acting as a barrier against germs thanks to its structure, which wraps around the head and the whole body.

We also recommend packing a muslin cloth, burp cloth and shoulder cloth in your bag, to help you hold your baby comfortably and maintain their hygiene.

Once you've added your baby's hospital-leaving sets, blanket, hospital-leaving swaddle and muslin cloths to your bag, nappies come next. You'll need to add the most suitable nappies for your newborn baby to your bag. To maintain your baby's hygiene, you should also add cotton wool, a nappy cream you can use on your doctor's advice, and wet wipes made specifically for babies.

What Hygiene and Care Products Are Needed in the Hospital Bag?

Now that you've gathered everything your baby needs, we can complete our list by adding a baby care bag to keep it all in, a changing bag, and finally, a pushchair. On top of all this, it matters enormously that the products you choose are gentle on your baby's health and contain organic ingredients.

Thank you for reading our article "How Should a Hospital Bag Be Packed for Winter Babies?" We wish you a safe delivery and hope you hold your baby in your arms in good health...