As a second timer, I thought I’d write a little something to help new mothers pack wisely to the hospital.

Here’s the short list

For you:

Labor and after:

• Pillow (in a printed pillowcase so it doesn’t get mixed up with the hospital’s)
• Sucking candy or lollipops
• Hairbrush, rubber band, barrettes or hair band
• Cell phone, charger and phone card (for long distance calls)
• Lip Moisturizer
• Baby Book- give it to the nurses to keep, so they’ll stamp the baby’s prints in there when they do the birth certificate.

After Labor:

• A little bit of make-up
• Travel sized and pleasant smelling shampoo, conditioner and lotion.
• Travel sized toothbrush and toothpaste
• Razor
• 2 pairs of plain roomy underwear (leave your Victoria’s Secret Bikinis at home)
• 1 pair of supporting underwear to wear over your undies, to begin reshaping and supporting your belly.
• Nursing bra, nipple cream, breast shells, ultra soft nursing pads
• Socks and slippers
• Comfortable clothes and shoes to go home in
• Plastic (shopping) bags to sort and store dirty laundry and other stuff

For your partner:

• Camera
• Snacks
• Couple of bottles of water
• Chewing gum
• Tylenol (or other pain reliever)

For the Baby:

• Car Seat
• Baby outfit, hat, scratch mittens, season appropriate blanket, and a bundler if it is cold.

Other things to consider:

• If you are have other kids, I hear it’s good to bring along some present for your older children (as if from the new baby) so they’ll have pleasant associations.

• Don’t bring entertainment- if you have a chance- rest, during and after labor. Basically rest and sleep every chance you get.

• If you plan to continue breastfeeding, bring your pump so they can show you how to properly use it in the hospital, but don’t expect to have great milk supply during the first couple of days.

• Don’t bring too much of your own clothing for the hospital, at most bring a top robe. It might all get soiled, and you also want to provide easy access for doctors and nurses to check you out. Hospital gowns should do.

• Same goes for pads- use hospital pads, they are bulky, but they are the only thing that will do the trick for you during the first 5-10 days.

Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your achievement!