To make this time easy and enjoyable for you, don't wait until the last minute to pack your bags. Instead, a month before your due date set aside 10 minutes each day for one week to prepare what you will take with you when labor hits.
What to pack for daddy...
- A towel for the car - if your water breaks before or during the car ride, you will want to protect the seats by sitting on a towel. I suggest you keep one in the vehicle instead of in your bags, so that no matter when labor strikes, you are A-OK.
- The Birth Plan - document on paper what your birth plan is and remind your husband to hand it to the nurses after you are admitted to the hospital
- Snacks for dad - my husband likes salty and I like sweet. I made sure to buy snacks that I know he enjoys and can pack in some energy. He will be focusing so much energy on helping you that he will forget to eat. Having something easily accessible will be nice for when he wants it.
- His pillow - if your partner is anything like mine, he is fond of his own pillow and travels with it for overnights. Grab his pillow before you leave for the hospital. After your beautiful child has arrived and you two finally go down for rest, your partner find comfort in the familliarity of his pillow. Plus, it's not like the bed that the hospital provides is 5-star hotel quality.
- Change of clothes - something comfortable
- Cell phone charger
- Dollar bills and change - for the vending machines!
What to pack for mommy...
- Nursing nightgown and robe.
- Nursing bra (two).
- I was so out of it after giving birth that when it came time for me to take my first shower, I didn't remember to take my bra off before I got into the running shower. I was happy I brought a 2nd one along.
- Flip-flop sandals - If your feet are anything like mine, they look like sausages and sandals were the only shoes that would fit around those suckers. I wore them in the shower too.
- Toiletries – you will shower at some point, so bring soap and shampoo.
- Bath Towel – the hospital ones are rough, you will find comfort in your own towel.
- Hair brush, ponytail holders.
- Eye glasses (if you wear them).
- Going-home outfit - something lose and comfortable. I wore a nursing nightgown and robe home.
What to pack for baby...
- A going-home outfit
- A hat - your baby cannot control its body temperature yet, so keep a hat on him/her for the first 48 hours.
- The car seat - practice installing it in the car and learn how to correctly buckle the baby in BEFORE you go into labor. Make sure Dad knows how too.
- Two blankets - one to put on the baby and one to roll up and put into the car seat to act as a prop for your baby's head, who cannot hold her head up on her own yet.
What to get for your recovery at home...
There are some things that will happen “down there” that are going to require time to heal.
provide these during your stay and show you how to use. You'll need to purchase the items your
own though if you want them at home too.
There are some things that will happen “down there” that are going to require time to heal.
- Dermoplast Spray
- Witch Hazel pads
- Disposable underpads
- Heavy, long maxipads
- Regular maxipads
- NO TAMPONS
provide these during your stay and show you how to use. You'll need to purchase the items your
own though if you want them at home too.
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