Hospital Checklist: What to bring to the hospital

Packing for the hospital can be nerve wracking! Be prepared, and check out our list of what to bring to the hospital. Make sure your hospital bag is packed with all of the things that will be useful for you during your stay!

For Mom

(During Labor)

MASSAGE TOOLS: These are excellent for counter pressure and massage during labor!

HAIR TIES: because we all know that there are NEVER enough hair ties! Somehow they are always disappearing, and you can never find one when you need one!

SLIPPERS OR FLIP FLOPS: It’s always a good idea to bring some sort of comfy footwear to the hospital!

SOCKS: get something comfy! We like these Dr. Scholl’s spa socks.

MUSIC: on your music device or phone

PERSONAL COMFORT: Pillows, blankets, flameless candles. Things to make you feel more at home.

DRINKS: I brought tea to my births. Bone broth is great to for calories and hydration. We reccomend you get coconut water or some sort of electrolyte drink to keep you hydrated as well!

BIRTH BALL AND PEANUT BALL: (if facility doesn’t have these.) Both are excellent for laboring! Peanut balls are especially helpful if you are planning on getting an epidural!

For Postpartum:

COSMETIC AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS: Lip Balm, Soap, Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Dry shampoo, (incase you are stuck in bed for awhile!) Toothbrush, Tooth paste. NOTE: many of the hospitals carry basic toiletries, but nothing beats what you use everyday at home!

ROBE: easy access for nursing, comfortable after delivery

HEALTHY SNACKS: Check out this healthy non-GMO snack pack! It’s a good idea to keep healthy snacks around. Labor and birth take a lot out of you! If you are planning on breastfeeding, you need to keep healthy snacks around!

NURSING BRAS: We like Bravado Brand. This brand is very comfy, and also makes larger sizes! Nursing tanks are also a good investment. They are perfect for sleeping, and for wearing out and about under your clothes.

STRETCHY, COMFY UNDIES: We like C Panty. They are specially designing undies for cesarean moms. They are comfortable on cesarean incisions.
going home outfits. Warner’s no pinch panties are also comfortable!

NATURAL CALM AND AFTEREASE:

Ever hear of the scary after baby poops? Keep things going naturally with natural calm! Likewise afterease is great for postpartum cramping!

A COMFY GOING HOME OUTFIT: We think stretchy yoga pants or a maxi dress are the best postpartum outfits!

For Dad:

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS: including a shave kit. (Unless you are like me and are married to a lumberjack.)
SNACKS: for during labor, and the time after that
MONEY: Change for the vending machines, extra money for parking, and carry out food or cafeteria food is a good idea!
CAMERA: You will probably want to capture some of the birth and postpartum moments. We reccomend hiring a birth photographer, but it is also a good idea to bring your personal camera for after the photographer leaves the hospital!
PHONE: Everyone is pretty attached to their phone, but if you are running out of the house to get to the hospital quickly, you may forget it. In addition to your phone, make sure you have a list of all of the people you will want to contact when you get to the hospital!
CHARGERS: This is also an easily forgettable item!
SWEATER: Bring layers. It maybe very hot or very cold at the hospital, so bring a hoodie!
PJs: Bring some comfy jammies that are nice for snuggling for after your baby is born.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES: (or two) Make sure you have a going home outfit, and maybe even an extra outfit in addition to that!
SLIPPERS OR FLIP FLOPS: You will probably want some comfy footwear also. You everyday shoes may not be comfortable for long term use, especially if you are planning on staying the night at the hospital!
LAPTOP or TABLET: (good for skyping family) also good for passing the time. (watching movies or netflix!)

For Baby:

GOING HOME OUTFIT: We suggest bringing a preemie outfit, a newborn outfit, and a 0-3 months out fit. You never really know how large or small the baby will be until (s)he is born!
CRIB BLANKET: For the carseat. It’s a good idea to keep an extra blanket in case it is chilly, windy, or rainy outside.
INFANT CAR SEAT: We like convertible car seats better than infant seats! They last for a longer time and have a higher weight/height limit!
INFANT NAIL KIT: Babies are born with razors attached to their fingers. Save your chest, and enjoy skin to skin. Make sure the infant nail kit you purchase has emery boards in them! Sometimes it is easier to file newborn nails than it is to clip or cut them!