What You Don’t Need
The hospital provides all that you and your baby will need for your stay, so you need much less than you think. Though you might not like the brands, the hospital will provide you with soap, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, along with sanitary napkins and hospital gowns. You may have overlooked that you’ll experience vaginal bleeding after birth, which means you may want to leave the pretty new pajamas and panties home. You’ll also want to leave your favorite jeans because you’re not going to fit into them for some time yet. The hospital will provide tee shirts and diapers for your baby, along with hospital blankets, and formula and bottles if you decide not to nurse. There’s no need for cute little outfits that could become mixed with hospital laundry and lost forever.

What to bring:

• Comfortable clothes, or wear your hospital outfit home
• Old, comfortable pajamas
• Older underwear or disposable underwear, a couple of nursing bras
• Your favorite shampoo, conditioner and toothbrush
• Lip balm, make-up
• Snacks, like crackers, hard candies
• Film and camera, disposable cameras are nice. Extra batteries are a must!
• Calling card if you don’t have a cell phone and you address book
• Change for the vending machines
• A book or magazine
• Going home outfit for baby, complete with socks and hat and a disposable diaper
• Car seat