“Am I forgetting something essential for the birth and the first few days?”
The good news is that a hospital stay doesn't call for excess. What matters is making sure the new mother is physically comfortable, the newborn is kept warm and clean, and you have the documents needed for admission and for the birth registration.
The Caderneta da Gestante (the pregnancy booklet published by Brazil's Ministry of Health) recommends doing this preparation ahead of time, in the last trimester of pregnancy, always in line with the routines of your designated maternity hospital.
1. When Should You Start Getting Organized?
Although there is no fixed week, it is recommended to have the bag ready between the 34th and 36th week of pregnancy. This margin gives you peace of mind in case labor starts before the due date.
During prenatal care visits in primary care, the pregnant woman has the right, guaranteed by Federal Law No. 11.634/2008, to get to know her designated maternity hospital in advance (the maternity hospital linkage visit). This is a good time to pick up the hospital's standard list and clear up any practical questions.
2. Required Documents: What to Bring
Sorting out the documents should be a priority:
Official photo ID (RG, CNH or physical/digital Carteira de Trabalho) and CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID);
National Health Card (Cartão SUS – the card for SUS, Brazil's public health system);
Caderneta da Gestante: an essential document that holds the record of your appointments, lab tests, serology tests, ultrasounds and vaccines given during prenatal care;
Written Birth Plan: if the pregnant woman has filled out her preferences with her prenatal care team;
If you are being cared for in the supplementary or private network: health plan card and authorization forms, if requested in advance.
Important: the baby's Birth Certificate and CPF are not brought from home. The Live Birth Declaration (DNV) is issued by the health team right after the birth. Most SUS and contracted hospitals have linked registry office desks that issue the baby's birth certificate and CPF free of charge while you are still in the hospital.
3. Checklist for the Pregnant Woman / New Mother's Bag
Prioritize practical, functional items that accommodate the body changes of the immediate postpartum period:
2 to 3 comfortable nightgowns or pajamas that open at the front, allowing skin-to-skin contact and making on-demand breastfeeding easier;
4 to 6 pairs of higher-waisted underwear (panties) in breathable fabric (cotton);
Nursing bras or tops with good support, without rigid underwires;
Non-slip flip-flops for the shower and soft closed shoes for going home;
Comfortable socks;
Personal hygiene kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild soap, hairbrush/comb, shampoo and a soft bath towel;
High-absorbency postpartum pads or disposable postpartum underwear;
Comfortable, loose clothes for the day you are discharged from the hospital.
4. What to Pack for the Newborn?
A newborn's skin is delicate, and the ability to regulate body temperature is still immature. Prioritize 100% cotton fabrics, washed beforehand with mild soap and without strong fragrances:
4 to 6 footed pants ("mijões");
3 to 4 onesies with practical fastenings (zipper or front buttons);
1 pack of newborn (RN) or size P disposable diapers;
2 to 3 cloth diapers and burp cloths to help with breastfeeding;
1 light blanket or thermal blanket, suited to the season;
1 outfit for going home from the hospital.
Handy Tip: Changing Kits in Bags
Organizing the baby's complete changes of clothes in individual clear storage bags (labeled "Change 1", "Change 2", "Going home") avoids rummaging through the whole bag and helps the companion find items quickly during postpartum care.
5. The Companion's Items (A Right Guaranteed by Law)
In Brazil, Federal Law No. 11.108/2005 and Federal Law No. 14.737/2023 guarantee women the right to a companion of their own choosing throughout labor, birth and the immediate postpartum period, in both public and private hospitals.
The companion should have their own compact bag containing:
Phone charger;
Reusable water bottle and small non-perishable snacks (following the facility's health and safety rules).
6. What Should NOT Go in the Bag: IHAC and Breastfeeding Guidelines
In line with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (IHAC, in Portuguese) and the Brazilian Code for the Marketing of Infant Foods (NBCAL – Law No. 11.265/2006):
Don't bring artificial nipples (pacifiers and bottles): the use of artificial nipples negatively affects the baby's sucking pattern (nipple confusion), getting in the way of a correct latch and of establishing exclusive breastfeeding.
Don't bring infant formula on your own: the colostrum produced right after birth perfectly meets the newborn's small stomach capacity and provides primary immune protection. If there is a formal clinical indication for supplementary feeding, the milk is prescribed and provided in sterile form by the hospital team/human milk bank itself.
Avoid perfumes, talcum powder, colognes and scented cosmetics: they can trigger bronchospasm or contact dermatitis in the baby and mask the mother's natural scent, which is essential for physiological bonding between mother and baby.
Routine medications without telling the team first: any long-term medications the pregnant woman takes should be presented, together with the prescription, to the hospital team at admission.
7. Safe Discharge: Car Restraint (Infant Car Seat)
When planning the trip home by car, road safety is a must:
In accordance with the rules of Brazil's National Traffic Council (CONTRAN), the newborn must be transported in a proper restraint device (infant car seat), correctly installed in the back seat and facing the rear of the vehicle;
Do not hold the baby on your lap during the car ride, even for short trips.
Regulatory and Technical References
Brazil. Ministry of Health. Pregnancy booklet ("Caderneta da Gestante"). 6th ed. Brasília: Ministry of Health, 2022.
Brazil. Ministry of Health. Secretariat of Primary Health Care. Manual on Care for Women in the Postpartum Period ("Manual de Atenção à Mulher no Puerpério"). Brasília: Ministry of Health, 2023.
Brazil. Law No. 11.634 of December 27, 2007. Provides for the pregnant woman's right to know in advance the maternity hospital where her birth will take place.
Brazil. Law No. 14.737 of November 27, 2023. Amends the Organic Health Law (Law No. 8.080/1990) to guarantee women the right to a companion in all health services.
Brazil. Ministry of Health. Ordinance MS/GM No. 1.153 of May 22, 2014. Redefines the accreditation criteria for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (IHAC).
Brazil. Law No. 11.265 of January 3, 2006. Regulates the marketing of foods for infants and young children and of related childcare products (NBCAL).