Pack Your Bags
Not all babies are born in a hospital; some are born at home, others in a birthing center. Wherever your baby enters this world, these lists can help get you organized for the big day!
Personally, I tend to be an over-packer. If you pack all of these things, you will most likely be looked at by hospital staff as if you're checking into a hotel, like I was. But don't let that deter you, bring whatever will make you feel most comfortable. Somethings might not be used and that's ok - if it brings you peace of mind to have it nearby, bring it. I tried my best to have my items, my husband's items, and the baby's items in separate bags to make getting things when needed as easy as possible. Some of these items are also just suggestions - brings what make sense to you.
Mama's Clothing List
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Comfortable lounge clothes (2)
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Comfortable pajamas (3)
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Labor gowns (2) *
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Robe
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Nursing tops (2)
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Nursing bras + "day bra" (2)
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Leak proof underwear (3) *
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Regular underwear (2)
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Compression socks (2) *
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Normal socks (2)
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Light sweater (zip/button)
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Going home outfit
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Slippers
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Flip flops (for shower) *
Dad's Clothing List
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Boxers (3)
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Shorts (2)
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Sweatpants (2)
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Undershirts (3)
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T-shirts (3)
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Light sweater
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Socks (3)
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Slippers/crocs
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Flip flops
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Additional Personal Toiletries
Baby's List
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Going home outfit
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Pajamas
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Onesies
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Mittens (for nails, not warmth) *
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Hat
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Baby blanket
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Swaddle blanket
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Vaseline *
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Nasal Aspirator
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Travel Diaper Cream *
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Baby Lotion *
Toiletries & More
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Toothbrush
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Toothpaste
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Face wash
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Hair products
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Brush
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Qtips
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Hair ties/headband/clips
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Deodorant
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Chapstick
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Makeup
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Vitamins and/or Medications
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Hand/body lotion
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Glasses and contacts
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Toilet wipes
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Comb for hand pressure *
Miscellaneous
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Umbilical Cord Collection kit *
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Labor Planners for Dr & Staff *
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IDs, insurance information and completed hospital paperwork
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Birth Plan Binder *
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Baby book and any footprint or handprint pages *
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Nursing pillow
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Car Seat & stroller (ready in car)
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Diaper bag (ready in car)
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Digital devices and chargers (phones, iPad, etc.)
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Headphones
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Bluetooth speaker
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Pillow and/or blanket that can be thrown away *
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Expanding file folder for hospital paperwork
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Pen + Thank You Notes
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Thank you Gifts *
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Ziplock bag (for pet intro blanket) *
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Extra bag for samples and supplies
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Eye mask + ice cold eye mask / headache wraps, and/or ice roller
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Personal Fan
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Personal Massager
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Props for newborn photos
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Small sandwiches, Snacks and Gatorade
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Small cooler with ice packs, just in case
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Change for vending machines
Just In Case Bag
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Lanolin nipple cream
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La Vie Massagers
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Haaka and/or Ladybug Haaka
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Disposable Postpartum Underwear (Adult diapers)
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Peri Bottle
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Breast pads (disposable & reusable)
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Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads
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Breast Therapy Pads, Hot Cold Breastfeeding Gel Pads
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Postpartum Compression Bands *
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Postpartum Perineal Ice Maxi Pads
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Dermoplast Pain, Burn & Itch Relief Spray
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Bath Towels *
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Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Women's Tea
* Several items deserve an explanation as to why they are on the list. See below in alphabetical order. *
Baby Lotion:
The hospital will provide you with many items, however, they will be the brands that they are given and they may not be what you'd prefer. If you're particular about ingredients or brands, bring your own diaper cream, lotion, soaps, etc.
Baby Book Pages:
If you're a crafty mama, you're probably already working on your baby's Baby Book. Usually within them there are pages for their first hand and footprints. Nurses will be happy to help you get another print of your little one for your commemorative book, so bring them along with you.
Bath Towels:
Of course your delivery location will have towels provided for you, but those things can be super thin, small and scratchy too. When you're in recovery, you want to be as comfortable as you can, so bringing your own bath towels will definitely help with making you feel a little better after your first post delivery shower.
Birth Plan Binder:
You may or may not have a written birth plan, but if you do, it's advised to bring along your details to share them with your nurses, midwife, doctors, doula, etc. Within these pages you can have written out your wishes as it pertains to your delivery preferred positions, baby's shots/treatments, etc.
Comb:
Completely optional item to pack, but I brought one along to be able to use during labor pains. It's meant to be held within your palm of your hand to squeeze and apply pressure to help distract from the contractions. It's a practice that should be shared with you in birthing classes or by a doula.
If you aren't already wearing compression socks during pregnancy, then you will definitely need them for your postpartum recovery. Especially if you have a surgery, you will need the compression to help reduce your legs, feet and ankles from swelling.
Flip Flops:
If you're a sandals in the shower at the gym type of person, same rules apply at a hospital. Definitely bring them along to keep your feet off the dirty shower/bathroom floors. Always be careful when wet and try to find an anti-slip pair.
A labor gown is an easy open front and back nightgown (but not "old lady" like). It is meant to be comfortable while you're in labor but fully accessible for delivery and epidural. It also has openings or fasteners near the shoulders to be able to remove clothing for breastfeeding.
Labor Planners:
Even though you may be bringing along your Birth Plan Binder, its definitely helpful to print extra copies of the relevant pages for your nurses, doctors and any other helpers. This way they have their own copies to take with them, your personal book is not misplaced, and your delivery requests are able to be met.
The brand I preferred (and still use for my monthly "Aunt Rosie") is called Thinx. They are now sold on Amazon and in some stores, but the most variety and styles are on their website. They have different "strengths" for menstrual cycles, postpartum, and bladder leaks. The only downside of these during postpartum recovery, especially if vaginal birth, you will be unable to monitor the amount of blood collected versus a pad. (In case you are not aware, you're not permitted to use tampons during recovery either.) So please speak to your doctor about using these before committing. I personally lived in them for my weeks of recovery and still use them monthly now too.
Mittens:
Newborn babies can be born with slightly long fingernails, which have the ability of scratching their little faces and eyes. Bring pair of baby mittens with you for them to wear to prevent any accidental scratches.
Pillows and/or Blankets:
Everyone has their favorite pillow or blanket, but those should remain home for cleanliness reasons, but if you're a "picky" sleeper, you will definitely want to bring your own comfortable pillows and/or blankets. The ones at my hospital were paper-thin and the bed was from comfortable, having these little luxuries will help with bringing you a little more comfort. If possible, try to bring and/or buy some that are cheap and can be discarded after your stay. This way you can just toss them in the trash and not carry any of the germs into your home or washing machine.
Similarly to compression socks, you might have some bands you wore during pregnancy, but there are different ones available for your postpartum recovery as well. They help pull your stretched belly in snug to encourage muscle memory and strengthening. It helps prevent diastasis recti and loose skin. The support also helps your back.
Thank You Gifts:
Totally optional, but we made gift baskets for our doula, doctor (and his staff), as well as our nursing staff. It contained items like coffee gift cards, snacks, candies, gum, hair ties, etc. For our doctor and doula we also included a nice travel cup, bottle of wine and restaurant gift card. We gifted these to everyone before I delivered as to not forget later, but to show our appreciation of what we all were about to go through. Plus, sharing it ahead of time showed our thanks and we were checked on extra, brought extra baby stuff when we left, and more.
Travel Diaper Cream:
Similar to baby lotion, if you already know the products you wish to use on your newborn, bring a small tube of it along with you in case it's needed. The brands you want to use may not be available unless you bring it with you.
If you are going to be asking your doctor to save your umbilical cord tissue, placenta, or cord blood be sure to bring your kit along with you. Make sure the person delivering the baby is aware of the collection before the big moment and you or your partner reads all the instructions beforehand so you're ready to schedule the pick-up right away.
Vaseline:
Newborns' first bowel movements are called meconium; it is thick, sticky, and dark green in color. It is almost like tar and can be very difficult to get off of the baby's skin. If Vaseline is not already being applied by a nurse, you should request it or bring your own to apply to be able to help with the cleanup for these next few poops.
Ziplock Bag:
If you have any fur-babies at home, they will need an introduction to baby. It's good practice to try to not only start introducing soon-to-be-used household items (i.e. stroller, crib, toys, etc.) but to also bring an item that has been worn by the baby to your pet for "inspection" before they actually meet your child. This gives them the opportunity to identify their scent from your belly and to begin to understand the smell of their incoming new sibling. It will create a smoother and hopefully calmer and safer in-person meeting. Good luck, have fun and take pictures!