Hospital Bag Packing List

Hospital Bag Packing List

For Labor:

•  If you scrapbook or are planning on making a baby book, bring a sheet of paper or the book itself into labor and deliver and they can make the footprints right there in the delivery room!
• An extra outfit or two for your husband (I threw up a few times, so it was nice for hubby to have it – plus he didn’t have to go home then).
• Glasses, if you wear them 
• * * Chapstick – hospital air is pretty dry, I liked to have chapstick readily available during labor and afterwards. 
• Camera and/or video camera – plus chargers/batteries 
• Snacks – both for hubby if labor is long (I have friends who have had 36 hours+ labors), and for you both after labor. 
•  Magazines or a book or something to do in case labor is long. 
• Music – I think I’m just going to bring my phone or iPod 
• Headband or hairties to pull hair back 

For Mom:

• Lanolin ointment if you plan to nurse – use for a few weeks beforehand
• Nursing bra/camisole (NO underwires!) and (disposable) nursing pads. If your milk comes in, you’ll definitely want them. Also, if you’re using lanolin ointment, you’ll want to use nursing pads because the ointment seems to stain bras a bit.
• Small things of shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, and other toiletries – they provided basic ones (worse than hotel ones), but I wished I had my own.
• * *Extra absorbent overnight pads...with wings! They supply pads in the hospital but they’re huge and it’s nice to have a pack at home ready to go (your husband will thank you for not having to go out and get you some more!).
• * * Underwear that is a size or two too big. That way you can fit the bulky pads and ice packs and everything in. The ones they supply in the hospital are huge saggy mesh ones that don’t hold anything in place. I used these for a few weeks after the baby was born. That way, I didn’t ruin any of my “good” underwear with leaks.
• Pajama pants and a lightweight robe to wear with the hospital gowns. I liked having something that opened in the front (ie light cardigan or zip-up sweatshirt) to make nursing easier.
• A comfy outfit for you and baby to wear home (maternity clothes, because you’ll still have some extra weight – boo!)
• Comfy slippers/flip flops that you don’t mind getting dirty
• Cell phone charger
• Gift for nurses?

For Baby:

• Newborn diapers for the baby. They supply size 1's in the hospital which are too big on a brand new baby and they don't have the umbilical cut-out. You are allowed to take the ones they supply home with you. 
• Homecoming outfit
• Diaper bag with diapers, burp cloth(s), wipes
• Own swaddling blanket if desired
• Car seat (already installed)

Have at home:

• Nursing pads (disposable or reusable)
• Maxi pads with wings
• Hemorrhoid wipes
• Witch hazel pads
• Formula - even if you plan to breastfeed, have a little on hand in case your milk doesn't come in for a few days. Mine didn't and poor Lu'au didn't eat much until then.

General Tips:

• *Don’t bring anything that you wouldn’t mind getting a bit dirty – you’ll be surprised where fluids will leak!
• *Don't pack a ton more than you think you'll need. I didn't actually wear a lot of clothes while I was there, and I had packed 4 outfits! Pajamas are good - anything comfortable is good! 
• *Take home anything you can – especially the squirt water bottle they give you to cleanse, pads, ice packs, extra diapers, receiving blankets, anything!