You will want to have a basic hospital bag packed at 35 weeks. However, do not worry if you arrive at the hospital without your bag. Friends and family can always bring requested items later.
Packing List for Mom
- Practical nursing nightgowns or loose pajamas. Make sure to bring pajamas that you don’t mind getting stained. Nightgowns may be most comfortable because you don’t have to worry about a waistband around your belly, especially with a C-section incision.
- Nursing or maternity bras. You may want to wear these with visitors. Otherwise, I would go bra free for easy nursing.
- Large, cotton granny panties. Bring these for supporting after-birth pads, if you do not want to wear the hospital-issued mesh underpants. You will be bleeding after birth, as your uterus heals and remaining tissues detach from the uterine wall, regardless of whether you had a C-section or vaginal delivery.
- A comfy bathrobe. Wrap this over your nightgown for walks around the maternity ward or birth center.
- Socks. You can wear hospital non-skid socks, or bring your own.
- Flip-flops. These are for the shower and for wearing home in warm weather, if your shoes are uncomfortable.
- Slippers with tread. Bring these for walks down the hallways.
- Sanitary pads. The hospital will provide pads for you; however, you may prefer smaller pads after the first few days.
- Toiletries. Bring your own travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, body lotion, lip balm, hairbands, and contact lens case and solution, as desired.
- Makeup bag. You may not be interested in your appearance right after birth, unless you want to dab on some concealer and eyeliner for family photos, but it feels great to have a shower and apply makeup for your departure.
- Hair dryer, flat iron, hair cream, wraps, or other hair accessories. Whatever you need to feel beautiful, bring it.
- Nipple cream. You may receive a small sample tube in the hospital. However, if you desire a special, non-lanolin cream, then bring your own.
- Nursing pads. These are for colostrum leakage, and I recommend washable ones. Hopefully, you will be home before your milk comes in, which is typically three to five days.
- Nursing pillow with slipcover. Have someone bring your Boppy®-type nursing pillow after your delivery. This pillow should keep baby elevated from your tender abdomen and pelvic region.
- Going home outfit. Don’t forget that your uterus will still be enlarged after birth, causing you to look five or six months pregnant. Your legs may also be swollen from fluids, so avoid tight jeans or pants.
Packing List for Baby
- Newborn one-piece suits or kimono-style shirt. At least two, if you want baby to wear something other than a hospital-issued shirt.
- Baby socks. At least two pair, although a tight swaddle can take care of cold feet, too.
- Newborn hat or skullcap, if desired. Good luck getting a hat to stay on your baby’s head.
- Swaddle blankets. These can be used for swaddling baby and for your trip home.
- Burp cloths. Bring several of these for nursing and for family to use while holding baby.
- Going home outfit. Choose a comfortable playsuit or sleeper and wrap him or her in a cute blanket for photos.
Packing List for Dad
- Changes of clothes. Bring these in a carry-on sized suitcase or gym bag.
- Toiletries. Bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, hair gel, comb, etc.
- Pillow from home and a blanket, if not already provided. Hopefully your hospital room will be equipped with a place for dad to sleep. Be sure to select linens that are colorful to keep them out of the hospital laundry.
General Packing List
- Headphones and a speaker. Your favorite tunes should help you relax during labor and your recovery. Some parents also play white noise for baby to drown out alarming hospital sounds.
- Books and magazines. This is not the time for War and Peace or The Economist. As you approach your due date, pick up a selection of lighter reading.
- An iPad, tablet, or laptop computer. Hopefully you will get a room with a window, and most hospitals and birth centers offer free Wi-Fi.
- Phones, digital camera and/or video camera. Don’t forget chargers, batteries, and extra memory cards, if you prefer older or fancier equipment. Discuss appropriate camera angles during delivery (i.e., “No below the waist shots, please.”)
- Phone app or digital watch for timing contractions.
- Hospital registration forms. Hopefully you have already pre-registered online or through a birthing class.
- Birth plan, if you have one (See Birth Plan). Be flexible when the big day arrives.
- Insurance cards.
- Your drivers’ licenses. Please check hospital and state requirements for baby’s birth certificate. If a child’s parents are unmarried at birth, legal paternity must be established. Paternity is important to protect both a parent’s and child’s rights for creating a support order, establishing health insurance through an employer, and protecting benefits if the child’s father dies, such as Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or assets left in a will.
- Car seat. Make sure the car seat is installed and checked.
- Cell phones and chargers. Do not forget these items. You will be eager to keep in touch with family and friends.
- Cash. For parking, vending machines, Starbucks for dad, and other hospital cafeteria items.
Optional items:
- Gift for an older sibling, if he or she will be visiting you in the hospital. I recommend a trip with mom to the hospital cafeteria, or simply a walk down the hallway, to assure your child that you are okay. Let them know they are a special big brother or sister.
- Your favorite pregnancy book or birthing technique guide, if you want to reference it during labor.
- Tennis balls, massage oil, or lotion for back massage, if desired.
- Lollipops and hard candies.to soothe a dry mouth. Sugar-free candy will not make you as thirsty.
- A couple of reusable shopping bags to bring home extra supplies, such as baby’s suction bulb, extra pads, mesh underpants, a perineum-bottle, diapers, creams, etc.