Ready, set …

For mom:
Before

• Hospital gown, if you choose to wear your own
• Lip balm
• Hair ties
• Massage oil
• Tennis balls in a clean sock for applying pressure
• Birthing ball
• Socks
• Music and downtime entertainment, if desired

After

• Hospital or nursing gowns, if you choose to wear your own
• Bathrobe or sweater
• Socks or slippers
• Oversized granny panties (you’ll need enough room for a giant pad)
• Giant pads
• Toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving gel, deodorant, lotion, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste
• Glasses or contacts, if needed
• Makeup and hair supplies, if desired
• Nursing bra (or two)
• Nursing pads
• Lanolin nipple cream
• Notebook and pen or laptop
• Cell phone and charger
• Going home outfit (comfy maternity duds or other clothes with lots of give)

For dad:

• Snacks or change for vending machines
• Change of clothes
• Book, magazine or MP3 player
• Camera or video camera and batteries
• Cell phone and charger

For baby:
Note: Most of these items (besides the going home outfit) will likely be supplied by the hospital, but you may want to pack your own just to be safe (or if you’re partial to particular types).

• Diapers and wipes
• Nasal aspirator or bulb syringe
• Pacifiers
• Bodysuits
• Swaddling or receiving blankets
• Socks
• Hat
• Going home outfit
• Car seat (safely installed—this is nonnegotiable!)

And don’t forget to pack these important pages:

• Hospital forms (check with your destination to find out what is required)
• Insurance, Social Security and identification cards
• Several copies of your birth plan
• Pediatrician’s info: name, address and phone number
• List of people to call with the news