Delivery Day Packing List For the Hospital

It is a good idea to make a packing list for your hospital trip when you are getting ready to give birth to your baby. There are the obvious things you will need and your baby will need, but there are plenty of things that will make your hospital stay more enjoyable that you may not be thinking of.

One thing to put on the packing list is an ipod and some kind of docking station for it. You will not have anything to keep your mind off what is going on. There are nurses and doctors in and out of your room and you are most likely hooked up to a machine to monitor the baby and you. You need a good relaxation technique and for a lot of people that is music.

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You will remember to pack clothing, but will you know what kind of clothing will be most functional and comfortable? Nursing Gowns are a delivery day Mommy's best friend. You will not have to wear the hospital issued ripped and stained garb for one. The function in a nursing gown is great for you and for nursing. Whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section, you will be healing and need a loose fit garment for the day and night after the birth of your baby. Stitches heal much better with air and are much more tolerable without clothing pinching up next to them. The nursing function is a must because that is essentially all you will be doing while you are in the hospital. Nursing and trying to nurse is essential for milk production in the hours after delivery.

The second day of your hospital stay is most times your last day. You will need clothing to wear home, but keep in mind that check out is a long process and lasts half the day if not the whole day. You will be more comfortable in a nursing top and some kind of fold over lounge pants than your maternity clothing. You have waited all this time to get out of that clothing right? Depending on the season, pack your most loose fitting and comfortable nursing top for all those hours of waiting you will be doing before checkout.

In case you are not comfortable in the top and bottom outfit, you may also want to consider packing a nursing dress that is suitable for public and comfortable for healing. A loose fitting casual nursing dress could be much more comfortable than pants.

Don't forget about Dad! Most hospitals don't provide too much comfort fixings for Dad to be. If you pack a sleeping bag and pillow for him, that will be more than the hospital provides. Any kind of fold up cot or small air mattress could be a big help too. It also never hurts to have a cooler of snacks on hand - for both Mom and Dad.

Delivery Day Packing List For the Hospital

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Packing Your Hospital Bag - What Do You Need For a Hospital Birth?

When to pack your hospital bag?

Hospital bags are often left to the last minute, as there are so many other preparations required for a new baby. At the end of 36 weeks your baby is full-term so could arrive at any time, this is when you should have your hospital bag packed, if you have not already done so.

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Where to start?

Do not panic. We have compiled a list of essential items for your birth bag; this list is a culmination of midwives' suggestions and mothers' feedback over the last 2 years. Do not forget that partners love to be involved. You could delegate some, or all, of the task of putting your hospital bag together while you relax in preparation for the big day.

What to pack in your hospital bag?

Some people pack a whole suitcase for their hospital births and a few are unprepared and just manage to bring themselves. This list covers the essential items you should take to support your hospital birth and why. There is also list of suggested luxury items afterwards which mothers have found comforting and relaxing to have with them in hospital:

Essential Hospital Birth Bag Items

During Labour

Sponge For cooling mother during labour Lip Balm Thirsty work can leave you with dry lips Bendy straws Makes it easier to drink from glasses or cups if you are focussed on labor Hair band To keep hair out of your face Tissues There won't be a dry eye when your baby arrives T-shirt/Spare top Useful for either the mum or the birth partner if their top gets soiled or wet during the birth.
After Labour

Nursing Pads Useful whether you choose to breastfeed or not Flannel Soaked in warm water and placed on your perineum after the birth to relieve soreness Pants Either cotton or disposable pants which you are willing to throw away after use Maternity Towels Absorbent Mat (you can also buy disposable changing mats instead) Great for protecting the bed, chairs, car seat. Useful for when waters have broken and also to use in the first 48 hours after childbirth.
Wash Bag

Toothbrush Toothpaste Shampoo / Conditioner Body wash Hairbrush Deodorant
Baby Bag

Baby grow Newborn nappies Baby hat and mittens Hooded baby towel For wrapping up your baby when it's first born Cotton buds or wet wipes
Luxury Hospital Birth Bag Items

Home from Home

Night dress Which does up at the front so you can breast feed your baby easily Dressing gown Slippers
Relaxation

Massage oil and massager Lavender oil Lavender promotes relaxation and is a popular choice of oil for use in labor. It can be added to massage oil, or to water and sprayed around the room Music and music player To create a calm ambiance for you to labor and give birth in
And finally...

Don't forget to put your baby seat in the car so that you can take your new baby home safely and start enjoying the new addition to your family.

Packing Your Hospital Bag - What Do You Need For a Hospital Birth?

HOSPITAL DIET