Hospital Labor Delivery Birth Packing List
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The following is a list of items you may need during labor, deilvery, recovery or after birth, for you, your baby and your partner/birthing coach. You may need to customise it according to your personal needs. Ask your physician and hospital what they recommend and provide. Pack early, so you are ready to go when you go into labor.
- Baby – blanket
- Baby – car seat
- Baby – diapers, diaper bag
- Baby – emery board, clippers
- Baby – going home outfit
- Baby – mittens (prevent scratching)
- Baby – onesies, socks, hat, receiving blanket
- Baby – snow suit if cold
- Baby book – record firsts, stamp your baby’s feet
- Bathing suit
- Birth announcements (if you are feeling productive)
- Birth plan
- 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
- Camera, video camera – batteries, cables, film, memory card, accessories (charge up camera & empty memory card ahead of time)
- 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
- 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
- Journal – record your thoughts
- Lip balm
- List of last minute items to pack
- Lotion
- Massage items – tennis balls, rolling pins – for back pain during labor
- Massage oil
- MP3 or personal stereo
- Music – CDs, tapes or MP3 files
- Nightgown or t-shirt to wear while giving birth
- Nursing bras
- Other items that your hospital or physician recommend
- Pajamas to wear pre-delivery and post-delivery
- Paper & pen – take notes, write down questions
- 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
- Relax – anything else you need to help relax
- 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
- Toiletries - hairbrush, cosmetics, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser
- Towels
- Underwear, bras
- Valuables, jewelry, credit cards – do NOT bring these, leave at home
- Warm socks
- Washcloth – colorful (if you don’t want to use what the hospital provides)
- Watch with second hand – to time contractions
- Water – bottled
