Packing for the Hospital

DOCUMENTS
Birth preferences/birthplan
Insurance cards and hospital forms
List of family & friends to call (w/numbers) in order of importance
Ink pen to sign papers
Spare change/phone cards for if cell phones not allowed

FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY
Comfortable nightgown or big tshirt (disposable or wear hospital gown)
Long bathrobe and slippers w/ rubber soles (for walking hallway)
Barrettes & ponytail holders (keeps hair back during delivery)
Chapstick
Disposable socks (to keep feet warm during delivery)
Camera
Extra batteries
Videocamera and charger
Soothing music/IPOD
Extra pillows (the comfy ones you have been using during pregnancy; w/color cases)
Books/Magazines to read (light reading for diversion)-Girlfriend’s Guide to First Year was my favorite
Book or brochure on nursing
Picture or item for focal point (ultrasound photo/journal)
Back massager and/or tennis balls
Snacks for husband
Change of clothes for husband & basic toiletries (may not be needed until after delivery)
Cell phones
Glasses, contacts, contact solution

AFTER DELIVERY- (I was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted)
Gatorade (more thirst quenching than the juice they give you)
Snacks (granola bars, nuts, whatever you like)
Earplugs & eyemask (to tune out the hospital lights/sounds so you can sleep)
Nursing nightgown (front open) -bring your own pretty one or use the hospital's nursing gown
Nursing bras (a cup size larger than before pregnancy)
Breast pads
Nursing pillow (Boppy, or my favorite - the My Brest Friend pillow)
Sanitary pads (thickest ones w/adhesive strips) -they will give you some but you'll need more when you get home
1-2 pairs maternity undies (disposable or old undies or wear mesh panties from hospital)
Toothbrush & paste
Deodorant
Gentle soap/shampoo/good conditioner/unscented lotion-some newborns are sensitive to fragrances
Towel (colored)-they generally have tiny thin bath towels, I liked my own big fluffy towel
Washcloth (colored so it doesn't get tossed in hospital laundry)
Hairdryer
Makeup
Hairbrush/comb
Loose, comfortable outfit for going home/nursing- (I still only fit in maternity clothes for weeks after baby's birth)

FOR THE BABY
Baby book (for footprints)
Infant car seat (installed)-practice with a teddy bear so you know how to buckle the baby in :)
Infant head/neck support cushion for carseat
Blanket for carseat
Newborn cap
2 Undershirts side snap
Going home sleeper outfit w/feet - something cute (for pictures) baby can sleep in (in carseat and when you get home)
Booties or socks (if no feet on outfit)
Scratch mittens (they have sharp nails)
Sweater if chilly
Cotton balls & a water bottle (for gentle diaper cleaning)
Newborn diapers (with bellybutton cutout) and diaper bag -they may give you some of these at the hospital
Baby wipes (unscented; hypoallergenic)
1 swaddling/receiving blanket
1 soothie pacifier
2 burp cloths (cloth diapers or flannel blanket)

These are the things we wanted photos of:
The clock on the wall at delivery time
Baby on weight scale
Baby right after delivery
Baby with mom
Baby with dad
Baby with both parents
Mom kissing baby's head
Dad hand under baby’s feet
Dad kissing baby fingers
Baby profile
Baby’s hands w/wristband
Baby’s feet
Baby sleeping (you'll get lots of these)
Dad changing baby diaper
Baby's first bath
Dad/Mom on phone
Baby & parents leaving the hospital
Baby in carseat