It’s hard to decide what to take with you to the hospital when you are having a baby. You will be going into the hospital for a short stay, but you will need to pack items to make yourself and your birthing coach comfortable before, during, and after the birthing process. You will also need to prepare a bag for the joyous day you bring home your child. These items are a good start in helping future mothers, birthing coaches, and their children have an easy transition from pregnancy to parenthood.
Pack these items before your eighth month and have the bag in a place for quick access:
* A Nursing bra – You really need one if you plan to breast feed.
* Breast pads – You need these even if you do not plan to breast feed. These will help with breast milk leaking.
* Change of clothes and comfortable shoes to wear home – Don’t worry about how you will look. Bring the clothes that make you most comfortable.
* Sleepwear, Bathrobe, Socks, Slippers, Underwear – You will need these things for your stay in the hospital. If you don’t normally wear slippers buy a pair, Hospital floors are very cold.
* Toiletries include a toothbrush, a Lip moisturizer to protect your lips from the dryness in the Hospital, Hair products, Bath Soap, Blow Dryer, and Sanitary Napkins. As an extra you may want to bring with you massage oils or lotions, an upper back rub while in labor is a good way of relaxing between contractions.
* Breath mints and snacks – Bring your favorite comfort foods, bottled water. The breath mints are helpful because it may be hours before you can brush your teeth.
* Entertainment materials: books, magazines, music – Bring what ever you like to have for relaxation.
* Eyeglasses or Sun Glasses – You may be lying on your back for sometime. Hospital lights can be brutal on the eye.
* Bring a Cell Phone and list of important phone numbers including your pediatrician’s emergency and office numbers.
Don’t forget your Birthing Coach! Pack a bag for them, too! They will be with you during labor and delivery. They’ll need things to help them relax, too!
* Watch with a second hand to time contractions
* Camera/video camera and film/tape
* Toiletries, including toothbrush Chances are you will be spending the night
* A Change of clothes
* Snacks – Bring Bottled water and your favorite comfort foods. Leaving a woman in labor to get water or snacks can be stressful on the new mom.
* Reading material – The birthing process takes a long time. Make sure you bring something to entertain yourself between contractions.
* Dollar bills or change for vending machines – Running around looking for change in a hospital is not fun.
* Cell phone/prepaid phone card & List of important phone numbers – You’ll need to keep everyone up to date with what is happening.
These items are essential to get Baby ready for their first road trip.
* Newborn diapers – Make sure the nursery has enough diapers to last for at least four weeks. New moms don’t need to be worried about getting diapers while they are adjusting to a new baby and healing.
* Baby Wipes – These are essential to have in every diaper bag you carry until your child is potty trained.
* A Changing Pad – Changing Pads are a sanitary place to change your baby’s diaper.
* A can of Disinfectant, such as Lysol – Sometimes the places you have to change a diaper on are not sanitary places.
* Receiving blankets – Pack at least three blankets. You never know when you will need an extra one. In addition, you will find having one in your diaper bag for breast-feeding will give you and your baby some privacy from prying eyes.
* Newborn clothes, Socks or booties
* An Infant hat Newborn need to have their heads covered when they are out doors for the first few months. It will give them added protection from the elements.
* Infant car seat – The hospital will not allow you to take your child home without one. A car seat must be properly installed BEFORE you pick up the new mother and child.
Ease the stress of delivery day by packing these bags prior to your delivery date and leaving them in the nursery. All of these bags will be small enough to fit into a backpack. It’s recommended you pack the baby’s gear into a diaper bag, so that you don’t have to pack twice. Having these things ready to go will give you one less thing to concern yourself with on the day of delivery. Everything for everyone will be ready to go with you to the hospital.
