It is important to prepare your case for the maternity unit between the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy. Here is a full list proposed by NATAE to help you prepare for this happy event:
For your baby
- Newborn nappies and baby care products; (these might be supplied, but not always, so check with the maternity unit)
- 1-2 towels, face cloths, bathrobe and muslin squares
Baby clothes for several days, including
- 6 cotton vests (preferably front-opening rather than pull over vests),
- 3-4 warm cardigans; remember that your baby has been at a temperature of 37° for the past 9 months,
- 6 sleepsuits, as practical as possible;
- 2 pairs of booties,
- 1 cotton or wool hat, depending on the season;
- 1 baby sleeping bag;
- 6-7 cotton bibs;
- 1 blanket for the nursery
- Optional: 2 cot-sized cotton mattress covers for the maternity unit bed.
- 1 outfit for the day you leave;
- A travel cot, baby carrier or car seat, depending on your transport mode, and a fleece blanket (depending on the season) for the day you leave;
For mum
- A change of clothes (including breastfeeding bras, pads and nipple shields if you are planning on breastfeeding)
- Pyjamas, slippers,
- Toiletries, including disposable panties and sanitary protection,
- Towels and face cloths,
- Telephone and charger (consider bringing a power bank, cables and ear buds so as not to disturb others if you are in a shared room)
- 1 bottle of water, 1 water spray, (no acidic fruit juices, such as orange juice, if breastfeeding)
- ID card, social security number, private health insurance details, your latest exam results, blood group card, pen and notebook. Don’t forget to bring face masks.
TIP : You can also prepare a “birth bag” to bring on the big day, containing all the most important things.
This might include: telephone, 1 water bottle, some food, water spray, ID papers and exam results, pen, nightdress (front-opening to allow skin contact with your new baby), 1 dressing gown, slippers, cardigan (if you feel the cold); and, in a separate cloth or plastic bag, for your baby: 3 newborn nappies, 1 baby bodysuit, 1 cardigan, 1 warm sleepsuit, 1 hat, socks or booties, 1 sleeping and small blanket.
For dad
The big day
- ID card, health insurance contract if it concerns mum too, livret de famille;
- pen; snacks, coins for the coffee dispenser and, of course, face masks.
- Something to help pass the time: book, tablet, etc.
- During your stay:
- 1 bag to collect washing from mum and baby while in the maternity unit;
TIP : Remember to ask friends and family for large items that can be reused, such as a cot, baby car seat, rocker, pushchair, bath seat, etc.
Also remember to wash all baby clothes before use; new clothes may contain toxic residues from the industrial process and cause allergies.