All the Items You Never Thought to Pack When Expecting Your First Baby

This article is about what to pack for your hospital stay after giving birth. There are birthing books that will tell you what to pack, what the hospital provides and when to have your bag packed. Typically you will pack your suitcase one month in advance of your delivery date.

Here is a list that I hope you will find helpful. Having delivered three of my own and working in O.B.

First, make a written list of items that you will pack. Pregnancy causes women to be forgetful. If it's written down it will be easier to remember. Just don't forget where you put the list.

The following list is for the moms-to-be:

Chapstick: This is great for dry lips during and after delivery.

Chewing gum: This will help produce saliva. Since you won't be able to drink

Favorite movie/CD: This should help you focus on something other than pain, and also for the slowness of some labors

Socks: The hospital will only provide footies that are not very comfortable

2 tennis balls: These relieve back pain from back labor. Have your partner rub them on your lower back in slow circular motions
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Hair brush

Shampoo and Conditioner: The hospital will provide small bottles. However, they do not detangle hair.

Underwear: Hospital will provide underwear that looks like fishnet. They fit weird and are uncomfortable. I advise high cut briefs

Feminine products: Hospital will provide you will these, but they are not absorbent enough. Thus causing more of a mess. I recommend Always with wings super long heavy flow. The first few days are going to be very heavy. Drink lots of water and walk. This will help with healing process.

Night gown/Robe

Camera

Baby book: If you have this on hand in the delivery room, most nurses will put the baby's footprints in the book. This is priceless.

1 outfit to go home in. Make sure it is a loose fitting outfit.

List of numbers for relatives and friends.

This list if for baby-to-be:

Wipes: Hospital will provide a dry paper towel like wipes. They are though to use. You must be them wet before use. These do not do the job effectively. I suggest a pack of scent free hypo-allergenic wipes. Babies have a lot of bowel movements. The first few are meconium. Meconium is tar like and very difficult to remove with hospital issued wipes.

Onesie: Hospital will provide a top that ties on the side. This is not practical. They are hard to tie on the side for squirmy babies.

Pacifier: If you plan on using one, bring your own. The hospitals only have one type. To prevent nipple confusion, bring the type you plan on using long term.

Bottles: If you plan to bottle feed, bring your own nipples. Nipple confusion is very frustrating for newborns. It make it hard for them to latch on.

Breast pads: Whether you plan to nurse or not, you will still need these. You breast will leak. Hospital provides ones that do not take shape to your breast. Makes for a lumpy look under night shirt.

Nursing bra: DO NOT FORGET THIS! You will be tender and will need all the support you can.

Outfit for baby.

Infant carrier.

Baby blanket

This is just my recommendation. Being prepared for the birth of your child is one less thing to worry about.