Hospital Packing List For The Expecting Mother, Father And Baby

Expecting a baby? Here’s a list of things you might want to consider packing for the hospital !

Papa’s Bag

Cellphone and cell charger
Going home outfit
A small journal to write down thoughts and tips – tend to forget things
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shower gel
Loofah
Deodorant
Digital Camera
Handy cam
Extra batteries & rolls
Carseat
DVD player
Pillows
Medical file
A baby book to get the foot prints in
A bottle of champagne or sparkling cider for celebrating
A large envelope to bring home documents (discharge papers, Baby’s first photo, etc.)
A nightlight (for soft light in the room during night feedings)
A writing pad and pen to track Baby’s feedings and diaper changes
A picture of a baby to use as a focal point when in labor
A plan on how to get to the hospital, day or night
Extra tape, charger
A supply of snacks for post-delivery sustenance
Admission papers (try to have filled out in advance/some hospitals let you submit them in advance)
Any childbirth class notes or guidelines and labor hints
Any reference book or pamphlet you might need (I prefer The Birth Partner.)
Large trash bag
Cooler with snacks like sandwiches, fruit and energy bars -Try to have something that  doesn’t have strong odors- Select non-perishable and foods that are not strong in odour,      you don’t want to upset mom’s tummy!
Hand mirror to see your baby being born
Headache medicine (Dad may get a tension headache and most hospitals will not give a father medication)
Health Insurance Forms
Digital camera and USB cords to download pics to my laptop (again so I can send them here!)
Hot Water Bottle/Heating Pad
Insurance and identification cards (Health plan, driver’s license, state ID, etc.)
Note pad and pen (remember you will have no memory) and tissues.
Smaller trash bag to use if vomiting en route to hospital
Some soothing music for labour and crazy music for delivery
Hand-held individual plastic fan
Razor w/ extra blade
Water bottles for ice
Water mister/spray bottle
Waterproof mattress cover
Waterproof pads for the car ride
2 chocolate bars (for energy /mood)
Ice cold Seven Up to drink during labor
Birthing ball for labor
Mints or breath strips (helpful if medications or anesthesia cause vomiting during labour)
Olive Oil for massage during labour Unopened bottle of Vitamin E oil or Olive Oil for      perineal support
Car seat
A large gym bottle for drinking fluids during labor
Rin/clothes washing soap

Mama’s Bag

Cellphone and cell charger
Massage Cream for back & feet
3 Maternity nighties
6 Undergarments
Nipple cream
Body pillow
A comfortable robe and a pair of slippers with no backs that you can slip on your feet
Towel
2 or 3 nightgown
3 to 4 nursing bras and nursing pads
6 to 8 t-shirts
A knee length nightie for delivery & those walks down the halls of the hospital (no bum showing!)
Breastfeeding book
Focal Object (If this is something you would like to use during labor)
Going home outfit for mom (You will still be look to be about 6 months pregnant)
Massage oil (recommended in most childbirth classes)
Lanolin breast cream
Lansinoh cream
Massage aids- tennis balls, rolling pin, frozen juice cans, wooden massagers
Pairs of disposable panties and sanitary pads for during the hospital stay
Pillow from home with a pillowcase other than white to distinguish your pillow from the      hospitals
Mcvities, biscuits & cold milk to stop nausea
Hair Brush
Lip moisturizer
Hard candy
Booties
Lots of panties
Sanitary pads
Make-up kit
Favourite bedroom slippers
Gown
Tissues

Baby’s Bag

Receiving blanket
Warm cap
1 thick blanket
2 pairs of socks
2 onsies
1 sleeper
Baby emery board for filing finger and toe nails
Baby nail clippers
Baby soap
Large cotton wool balls
Baby Powder
Baby soap-fragrance and dye free
Baby wash/shampoo
2 hats
Bibs
Hooded bath towel
Pillow for baby (donut type)
1 pair of mittens so he/she doesn’t scratch it’s face
Diaper rash ointment
Baby lotion
Baby brush
24 ounce bottles
Diapers
4 to 6 eight ounce bottles
4 to 6 pairs of booties
Burp cloths pacifier
Pj’s with the covers for the little hands (baby nails are sharp)
12 diapers
Pack of baby wipes
2 outfits to bring the baby home in (the reason I have two is just to be prepared for      anything, Both outfits include socks, hat, light jacket and pants with one side underneath)
Food and beverages for Dad or other support people; Food for mom if allowed
Labor tools (rice sock, happy massager, birthing ball, aromatherapy oils, etc
Plastic drink bottles with cap and straw
Bottled water
Breastfeeding pillow
Diaper bag
Heat/Cold Packs – heat or cold packs are great for mother’s lower back. Cool cloths are      great for mom’s forehead in active labor through pushing
Something water proof to protect the carpet or sofa or bed or wherever we end up
Clean old sheets – for putting over the plastic to create a non – slip surface. Also useful to      have old sheets on the bed for the first night after the birth
A hot water bottle to ease some of the backache and contractions during labour, this is      also useful for helping with after pains
Make up some ice cubes of frozen fruit juice which are good to suck on in labour
Nourishing, easily digested snacks of choice, yoghurts, cereal bars, dextrose tablets,  bananas, honey, etc.
Nourishing fluids of choice: Aqua Libra, Ginger ale, Fruit Juices, etc.
A water plant spray is good for cooling off labouring women
Bendy Straws. In strong labour a thirsty woman, who doesn’t want to move from hands      and knees, can drink easily from bendy straw
Box of large tissues
Bin liners and a large box to hold all rubbish without spilling over
A soft big old towel to cover mum and baby together after the birth
Maternity sanitary pads (maternity ones that are large, soft and absorbent)
A good supply of small soft towels to wrap and dry baby
A freezer full of easy prepare meals or ready meals or pal on hand to feed you all
Champagne or celebratory drink of choice in the fridge
Expensive chocolates of choice

Plastic bag to put your dirty clothes in, if you transfer to hospital
Newborn nappies
Cartons of juice/drink
Glucose tablets or other food
Flannel or sponge for mopping mother’s brow