A summery and inspiring list, to experience the arrival of baby in complete serenity.
Giving birth is undoubtedly the greatest adventure of all. As your due date approaches, the nursery, baby essentials, and your suitcase are all being prepared. But do you really need to pack everything for a summer birth? Today, Élhée offers you an inspiring list designed to help you put together a practical and lightweight summer maternity bag; because frankly, nine months pregnant in 35-degree heat, you don't want to be weighed down. Essential baby products, innovative accessories, and tips for staying calm: follow the summer maternity guide.
SUMMARY :
- First of all, how long does one stay in the maternity ward?
- Baby hygiene and care in summer: gentleness and practicality
- Feeding baby in the maternity ward: flexibility, comfort and safety
- Textiles & clothing: breathable and clever
- Summer comfort for mom: we want lightness
- The heart of the bag: between papers, charger and lucky charms
First of all, how long does one stay in the maternity ward?
According to recommendations from the French National Authority for Health (HAS) , new mothers spend between 3 and 4 days in the maternity ward after giving birth. In practice, this period can vary considerably depending on whether you have a vaginal birth, a cesarean section, whether your baby is premature, your overall health, etc.
Your maternity bag should therefore contain all the necessary equipment for this stay, without looking like a travel trunk.
-
👜 Want to get straight to the point? Elhée has prepared a complete checklist to help you pack with peace of mind.
Baby hygiene and care in summer: gentleness and practicality
Generally, babies receive their first bath within 24 to 48 hours of birth , directly at the maternity ward. This safe and fully equipped environment will guide you through this often dreaded task for new parents. However, you can bring your favorite products with you to use before you get home.
- A gentle and natural liniment for diaper changes and first diapers.
- An extra-gentle cleansing treatment . Élhée 3-in-1 cleansing foam can be used from birth on babies' face, body, and hair. Soap-free, sulfate-free, free of synthetic fragrances, colorants, and endocrine disruptors, and enriched with organic aloe vera, it boasts a score of 100/100 on the Yuka app!
- An antiseptic suitable for cleaning the umbilical cord.
- A small hairbrush and nail clippers complete this equipment.
- A toiletry bag to put everything in and discuss the best choices with the midwives around you.
The trick of compact formats to save space
A maternity bag doesn't need to be huge. The most important thing is that it's practical and easy to organize. So, to make the most of it, think back to your last plane trip; in the cabin or in the hold, compact sizes , samples , and refillable bottles saved a ton of space. Your pack for a summer birth should follow the same principle: small, practical packages that are easy to carry and sufficient for a few days.
In fact, the Élhée x That's Mine multi-functional bag ticks all the boxes: spacious without being bulky, it offers intuitive organization for your essentials and baby's. Ideal for maternity, it will also be a great companion long afterward, for outings with your baby.
You can also wait a few days before bathing your baby. At birth, a newborn's skin is covered in vernix (or vernix caseosa ), a substance that protects it from contact with the amniotic fluid. Antimicrobial, antifungal, and moisturizing, it creates a barrier that your child can still benefit from in the first few days of life.
Feeding baby in the maternity ward: flexibility, comfort and safety
In the first hour after birth, your baby needs to eat. You can either breastfeed to start breastfeeding, or prepare their first bottle (you, their father, or the maternity ward) . In this case, you will need a few supplies.
- A bottle : even though maternity wards often provide them, bring your own bottle to offer your baby. Élhée 150ml BibRonds bottles are suitable from birth , compatible with breastfeeding, and made of 100% safe medical-grade silicone for sensory feeding and proven anti-colic benefits . Equipped with a slow-flow (S) or extra-slow (XS) physiological teat, they are also suitable for premature babies.
- A milk powder dispenser : in the delivery room, the waiting room, your bedroom… Wherever you need to prepare a bottle, the milk powder dispenser helps you remember every ingredient. So MiMi offers one of the largest capacities of its kind: its 3 compartments can each hold up to 11 doses.
- Bottle warmer : again, maternity wards are all equipped with the necessary equipment to prepare warm bottles for newborns. But the TooGo portable bottle warmer allows you to warm your baby's formula in just a few minutes and in complete privacy, right in your room, even while sitting in bed.
- In addition, a cotton bib or swaddle can be very useful in your maternity bag for breastfeeding, for feedings or for very gently covering your baby.
Textiles & clothing: breathable and clever
The bodysuit, along with a cuddly toy, is perhaps the most common gift given to new parents. Newborn or one-month sizes are available for those in a hurry, while three-month sizes are for those who like to plan ahead. There are dozens of bodysuits, but you won't all be able to pack them in your hospital bag. So, it's worth learning to choose them carefully, just like the rest of your baby's layette.
- 6 bodysuits in cotton or cotton gauze , with long sleeves or short sleeves in case of high temperatures and with an opening at the front so that they are easier to put on.
- 3 lightweight pyjamas , also in cotton or short-pile velvet.
- 1 lightweight sleeping bag or baby sleeping bag.
- 1 pair of small socks and a newborn hat (especially if the maternity ward is air-conditioned or in preparation for discharge).
- 1 layering vest .
And rest assured, if something is missing, Dad can always make a round trip home and bring it back to you.
Summer comfort for mom: we want lightness
If there's ever a time in your life when you'll want and need comfort, it's during pregnancy. First, you'll arrive encumbered by your belly, then you'll leave more or less sore and with absolutely no desire to put on your tightest jeans.
For childbirth, bring socks (your feet will be cold), a misting spray (you will get too hot, especially due to the effort) and wipes to refresh yourself (you may not be able to move as you wish).
For your stay, imagine that you will often be lying down. So prepare several loose and light nightgowns , a large cardigan , slippers , flip-flops or sandals and an outfit for going out; for example, a long and flowing dress that you can slip on without thinking.
In addition, add towels , plenty of sanitary napkins , disposable panties , bras (nursing bras if you wish to breastfeed) without underwire or bralettes , tissues and of course, your toiletry bag .
You can also bring nursing pads and your nursing pillow , which is also very comfortable for bottle feeding (but a bit bulky, it's true).
An extra dose of comfort
And because childbirth is a profound and deeply moving experience shared by mother and child , intimate, powerful, and profoundly unsettling, slip a small notebook into your bag to jot down your first impressions before they fade away. Also bring a personal piece of jewelry, a photo of your parents, a sweet note from your partner… Any little tokens that bring you comfort are welcome for a moment of solace far more significant than you might imagine.
Add a playlist that soothes or energizes you depending on your mood , your headphones (wireless is more convenient), some snacks to nibble on afterwards and, if you wish, a mini beauty kit : lip balm, hand cream, light mist… for pleasure.
The heart of the maternity bag: between papers, charger and lucky charms
These essentials might be the last thing you think about… yet they make all the difference. Medical file , blood type card , family record book : tucked into an easily accessible folder, they will be requested by the maternity ward.
On the practical side, you'll think about your phone , but don't forget its charger (with a long cable, much more useful than you might think, or an external battery).
And then there are things that can't be measured, but that matter so much: a pacifier , for example, if you've chosen to give one to your baby. Élhée manufactures the first extra-thin pacifiers made from a single piece of medical-grade silicone . Physiologically designed, they respect the oral and dental morphology of babies and can therefore be used from the first days of life.
In the end, a light suitcase… but full of meaning
Packing your maternity bag is therefore a little more than a checklist: it's about looking ahead, reassuring yourself, and already creating a bond with the baby who's coming. And in summer, because it's hot, too hot, we want softness, simplicity, and practicality so we can focus on what's best.
At Élhée, we believe that less can truly mean more; provided you choose wisely. A 100% healthy bottle, a cleansing foam free of endocrine disruptors, a clever and eco-friendly dosing box… Essentials designed for your everyday life and to envelop baby's first days in a feeling of shared security.
So, whether your bag fits in a tote or takes the form of a small suitcase, whether it's ready a month in advance or the day before departure: do it your way, with confidence. And above all, put lots of love into it. 🩷
call-to-action-collections
