Baby is Almost Here: Tips on Packing for the Big Day!

About a month before the big day arrives, most moms will want to start packing their bags. They want to be prepared, and have their bag ready to go for the trip to the hospital. It's not quite as simple as packing for a weekend trip since you leave home as one and return as two. You will need to remember items for your baby, as well as your labor coach.

It is a good idea to gather some essentials to make yourself more comfortable during labor and recovery and to help you prepare for your homecoming. Here is a checklist for the mommy-to-be:

• Warm socks (to wear in the delivery room)
• A nightgown for recovery (one that opens in front if you're breast-feeding)
• Clothing for the trip home
• Cosmetics. You probably will be immortalized on film, so pack your comb and brush and your makeup kit. Maybe you'll get around to using them on the big day, maybe you won't. But you probably will want to spruce up before visitors arrive
• A toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Deodorant
• Body lotion
• A robe

Some items you will need for the newborn are a baby outfit to wear home, a receiving blanket, extra diapers and bottles of formula. Most hospitals provide diapers and formula, but it is good to be prepared, just in case. Some hospitals will have a photographer come in the day after delivery to take pictures of the newborn. If you would like a special outfit for your newborns first picture, be sure to remember an outfit for that as well.

Some additional items you might want to pack for the big event include the following:

• Some snacks or a sandwich for the labor coach so they can eat without having to leave your bedside. Also, bring money for the vending machines while at the hospital.
• Camera with film and a tape and video recorder
• Batteries
• Phone numbers of family members to call once the baby arrives

Another thing to remember is getting the car seat installed before the ride home. If you do forget, there will be time for the new dad to get this installed while you are recovering and resting from labor and delivery.

If you do happen to forget something, the hospital should have what you need in the gift shop. This is a once-in-a-lifetime even for your entire family, so every moment is one you will want to capture on film or tape. Please remember not to worry if you do forget something. You can alway find what you need nearby!