Items for Hospital Bag (suggested list......not mine) What did you pack?

·      Admissions paperwork

·      Baby – blanket

·      Baby – car seat - safely installed

·      Baby – diapers, diaper bag (at least for the car ride home; hospital will have what you need while you are there)

·      Baby – emery board, clippers

·      Baby – going home outfit

·      Baby – mittens (prevent scratching)

·      Baby – onesies, socks, hat, receiving blanket (if you don't want to use what the hospital provides)

·      Baby – snow suit if cold (on the ride home)

·      Baby book – record firsts, stamp your baby’s feet

·      Bag - extra bag to bring home gifts, hospital supplies & new items

·      Bathing suit

·      Birth announcements (if you are feeling productive)

·      Birth ball & other birthing tools

·      Birth plan

·      Blanket - something cuddly & warm 

·      Books – birth, breastfeeding, newborn

·      Books, magazines

·      Breast pads

·      Breast pump – if you have your own, you might want to bring

·      Breastfeeding clothes - Shirt, gown, robe

·      Breastfeeding items - nipple cream, pads, nursing pillow

·      Calling card for long distance phone calls, pre-paid phone card

·      Camera, video camera – batteries, cables, film, memory card, accessories (charge up camera & empty memory card ahead of time)

·      Camera - a disposable camera for an extra or backup (when your camera battery goes dead)

·      Candles

·      Car ride to the hospital – if in labor – garbage bag to sit on, barf bag, towel

·      Cash, change

·      Cell phone

·      Cell phone – charger & extra battery

·      Clothes to wear home – comfy, roomy; flat shoes

·      Drinks & snacks

·      E-mail addresses for friends & family, digital camera to send photos

·      Eyeglasses or contacts, case, solution, cloth to clean

·      Fan – handheld

·      Folder for new paperwork

·      Hair band, barrettes, clip, scrunchies – keep hair out of your way

·      Hand mirror – watch your baby being born

·      Hair clips, ponytail holder

·      Hard candy – suck on during labor

·      Hospital paperwork

·      ID or driver’s license for mother and partner

·      Insurance card

·      Items for your spouse/partner/labor coach during labor – clothes, snacks, book, money for vending machines/parking, toiletries, medications, swimsuit, video game

·      Journal – record your thoughts

·      Laptop

·      Lip balm

·      List of last minute items to pack

·      Lotion

·      Magazine

·      Makeup

·      Massage items – tennis balls, rolling pins – for back pain during labor

·      Massage oil

·      MP3, iPod or personal stereo

·      Music – CDs, tapes or MP3 files

·      Nightgown or t-shirt to wear while giving birth

·      Nursing bras

·      Nursing pads

·      Other items that your hospital or physician recommend

·      Pajamas to wear pre-delivery and post-delivery

·      Paper & pen – take notes, write down questions

·      Pediatrician name and number

·      Phone number for services to cancel, depending on day (milk delivery, …)

·      Phone numbers/address book - family, friends, insurance, ObGyn, pediatrician, neighbor

·      Photos of family members or favorite place

·      Pillow – if you need a special or extra pillow – put it a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn’t get mixed up

·      Puzzles - crossword, Sudoku

·      Pre-certification papers

·      Relax – anything else you need to help relax

·      Rice sock - warm in microwave & use on back pain

·      Robe

·      Sanitary pads

·      Scissors, tape – if you want to cut out the newspaper or other items for baby book

·      Siblings – if there are older children, pack items they will need – to bring to the hospital, and/or to send with them wherever they are staying – present for the big brother/sister, change of clothes, special items (stuffed animal, blanket), gift the older sibling can give the baby, snacks, drinks, extra underwear, books, games, toys, medicines

·      Slippers

·      Snacks

·      Toiletries - hairbrush, cosmetics, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser

·      Towels

·      Underwear, bras

·      Valuables, jewelry, credit cards – do NOT bring these, leave at home

·      Video camera

·      Warm socks

·      Washcloth – colorful so you can spot yours vs. the hospitals (if you don’t want to use what the hospital provides)

·      Watch with second hand – to time contractions

·      Water – bottled