Getting your hospital bag organised for labour and delivery should be done, ideally, by the time you are 36 weeks pregnant. But honestly, the earlier you have it packed, the better. It will be another item ticked off your to-do list. You are, no doubt, focused on packing baby gros, blankets, baby hats and mittens, nappies and of course your own essentials like nursing pads, loose fitting clothes, toiletries etc. But what doesn’t get enough attention, and is just as important, are packing plenty of healthy snacks for Mum for labour and delivery (and for your birthing partner too!).
We cannot predict how long labour will take and keeping your body and mind fuelled is important. When baby is getting ready to enter the world, Mum will need her energy. Making sure you have healthy snacks in your hospital bag is important and you should give some thought to what you might like to have on hand. You will probably be even more grateful to have some snacks on hand after baby is born.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See our disclosure policy for more details.
Trail Mix/Mixed Nuts
You can get pre packaged trail mix or mixed nuts or buy your own mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit and make up a few of your own small individual bags of trail mix.
Granola Bars
A great easy snack to have packed ahead of time, grab a multi pack of granola bars, maybe some with peanut butter for that extra boost of protein
Healthy Crisps or Rice Cakes
When you fell like something a little lighter, some healthy crisps/chips like lentil crisps or some rice cakes, even rice cakes that have dark chocolate are something that will feel like a little treat.
Yop Yoghurt Drink
The reason this is a great healthy snack for your hospital bag is that the makers of this product state that it can be left unrefrigerated for up to 8 hours (make sure you check this information when you purchase yours!)
Mini Fruit Pots
Maybe a little too much sugar in these to fall under the ‘healthy’ category, but these are convenient and tasty and maybe just what you are looking for as your snack before labour or after delivery.
Related Post: 12 Ways to Prepare for A Baby
Homemade Protein Balls
Have a stash of protein balls made ahead of time and leave in the freezer, ready to grab as you leave for the hospital. These will work well as healthy sweet treat before or after delivery.
Fruit – Bananas/Mandarins/Apples with Nut Butter
Bananas and oranges/mandarins (or satsumas) are a great snack to have as, technically, they already individually wrapped with their own skin! If you have time, a tub of fresh blueberries and strawberries make a lovely sweet, refreshing treat too! Add a little tub of nut butter, peanut butter or almond butter, whichever you prefer. It’s nice to dip some fruit into.
Crackers and cheese
A box of cracker or a multipack of small individual bags is great to have. If you are including cheeses with it, cheese like individually wrapped mini Babybel’s are a great idea.
Sugar Free Sweets
When you just need something but are not feeling hungry, pack a bag pf hard boiled sweets or some chewy mints.
Veggies
If you start laboring at home, it means you, or your partner, have time to prepare some snacks that can only be done last minute. Fresh veggies, like carrot sticks and cucumbers are always good and you can bring a dip like hummus also.
Related Post: 16 Positive Birth Affirmations
The majority of these snacks can be bought ahead of time and packed into your hospital bag at 36 weeks so if you have to make a dash to the hospital, you will at least be semi prepared and have some healthy snacks with you. You may just have time to grab some bananas and oranges as you run out the door!
I have not added any drinks, but if you would like something other than water then add a couple of bottles of your favourite drink to your hospital snack bag.
If you are in need of a detailed hospital bag checklist, then check out our post here. It also has a FREE printable checklist and includes what to pack for baby, Mum and Dad.
Top Tips for Packing Your Hospital Bag Snacks
- Have an insulted snack bag with ice packs, make sure you already have your ice packs in the freezer, ready to put straight into your insulated snack bag.
- Bring a refillable water bottle
- Make sure there are enough snacks in your hospital bag for Mum AND Dad
- Pop a few bag clips into your snack bag to be able to reseal any bags you have.
- Individually wrapped snacks are just more convenient and mean you won’t over eat on certain snacks and leave you feeling uncomfortable. You can break down larger bags at home before you pack hospital snack bag. Just stock up on some small air tight containers and you can add crackers, mixed nuts or crisps/chips to these.
Remember, you will also get food in the hospital so you don’t need to overpack on the snacks. If you need any spoons or forks, they will have them in the hospital for you too!
Don’t worry if you have not packed enough healthy snacks for your hospital bag (or even if you don’t feel like eating the snacks you have packed!) the hospital will have a canteen/cafeteria and vending machines or shop so you will be able to grab some snacks.
If you enjoyed this post on the best snacks for labour, you may enjoy these too!
