What to bring to the Hospital
These are some suggested items to bring to hospital when you go into labor. Make sure to have your bags packed, at least two weeks before you’re due.
Must haves – For Mom
- Personal ID & insurance info
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, tooth brush/paste, lotion, makeup)
- Ponytail/headband
- Underwear
- Nursing bra & pads
- Nipple cream
- Pillow (colored so you won’t confuse it with the hospital ones)
- Chapstick
- Ipod & charger
- Camera & charger
- Video camera & charger (most hospitals won’t let you videotape during labor)
- List of phone numbers (Some hospitals don’t allow cellphones. Check first)
- Going home outfit (choose something loose and comfortable. You won’t fit in your pre-pregnancy clothes just yet! )
- Birth plan (if you have one)
- Water bottles
- Hand sanitizer
- Time watch (if you want to track contractions yourself)
- Focus item (for labor)
- Change for vending machine
- Hard candy/lollipops
Must haves – For Baby
- Going home outfit
- Mittens
- Socks
- Baby blanket
- Receiving blanket
- Car seat already installed
- Baby book or other keepsake (for baby foot/hand prints)
Nice to have – For Mom
- Night gown
- Your own sanitary pads (the ones that hospital provide are huge)
- Slippers
- Balance ball
- Nursing pillow/boppy
Nice to have – For Dad
- Pillow
- Snacks
- Something to read
- Extra clothes
Items that hospitals usually provide
For baby:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Formula (in disposable bottles)
- Disposable nipples
- Vaseline cream
- Alcohol pads (to clean umbilical cord)
- Gauze
- Receiving blankets
- Infant shirts
- Baby hat
- Pacifier
- Breast pump rental
For mom:
- Gown
- Socks
- Sanitary pads
- Disposable underwear
