A Detailed Hospital Checklist for New Moms & Dads

Lily at two weeks old

Hospital Checklist for New Moms & Dads

Every time Christmas and New Year’s rolls around, I get a little nostalgic.   This year I ended up going through some old college papers and lots of Lily’s baby stuff.  Funny enough, college and pregnancy are practically hand in hand for me, since I was attending college for my B.A. when I was pregnant with my daughter.  I remember sitting in my campus apartment while hubby was at work and doing my research on first time parenting, how to pack a bag for my hospital trip and what I would need to care for a baby once I was home.  I’ve always loved research and writing up lists.  I have several notepads and composition books just filled with lists.

Today I thought I would share one.  It’s my hospital checklist of items that I would need to prepare for labor and the first few days of caring for my baby girl.  Ultimately, I discovered that nothing can prepare you for child birth and bringing your first little one home, but it never hurts to try.

My birth plan though was the single most important thing that I brought with me.  Having a printed out copy allowed me to show it to nurses and doctors without having to explain what my preferences were.  This was such a help because I was in labor for three separate shift rotations and the next person to come on could just look at my birth plan and have all the details needed to provide quality care and respect my wishes in the case of an emergency.

Create your own Birth Plan

This is the template that I used to draft up my own birth plan: www.babycenter.com/calculators-birthplan

Now, I didn’t end up bringing all of these items, but I still think they’re all very useful and some I was a little sad I hadn’t brought, like hard candies…who knew?!  ;)

Hospital Checklist for New Moms & Dads

Lily and papi

• hair clips, hair ties
• books, magazines, pictures
• music, cd player
• massage aids, lotions, oils
• extra pillows
• gown, bathrobe, slippers
• comfy outfit, extra undergarments
• shower cap
• toothbrush, toothpaste
• deodorant, light perfume
• shampoo, conditioner
• cell phones, chargers
• cameras, batteries, chargers
• list of family members & phone numbers to call with the news
• watch or clock for timing contractions
• paper bag for hyperventilation
• brush, comb
• tennis ball, squeeze ball
• sugar-free lolliepops
• wash cloth to cool face
• sandwiches, snacks for daddy
• hand mirror, makeup
• pads, wet naps
• hard candies, nuts, crackers, snacks for mommy
• labor ball
• personal journal
• chapstick
• breath spray
• small table top fan
• slip on shoes
• quarters or dollars for vending machines
• baby book for foot prints
• plastic bag for dirty clothes
• doctor’s and pediatrician’s phone numbers
• birth plan (this is a must – bring it or you’ll be repeating it again and again…lol)
• make sure car seat base is correctly installed in car (the car seat comes into the hospital with you)

Baby’s 1st Diaper Bag Checklist

• diapers & wipes
• onsies
• burp rags
• 2-3 outfits
• baby book
• hats, mittens & booties
• pacifiers (2-3 varieties)
• rattle & small, soft toys
• swaddling blankets
• alcohol wipes (for disinfecting)

What else would you bring to the hospital?  Did you wish you had brought something that you didn’t expect you would need?

© 2013, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.