At one point I realized the Mom Brain phenomenon was so strong that I had to write everything I thought was helpful so I have a reference in the future for if and when we were brave enough and fortunate enough to have another child. This list was lying somewhere for me to misplace and forget about so I decided to put this up here! A few things about this list: Abigail came at 40 weeks via induction. I didn't have to go through a premie situation and I'm not quite sure whether I'd pack differently since the hospital should be prepared. I didn't plan a photoshoot at the hospital so I didn't care to buy multiple different outfits and used what the hospital provided. This was also during the COVID Era so masks and hand sanitizers were all around us, in our cars, and in every single bag.
Ante-Partum List (Before Delivery List) - 12 Essential Items in Bold
My Birth Plan - Honestly this is good for discussion with your Partner or Doula to advocate for your wants if you feel pressured by doctors and nurses to do something you don't want to. Have this talk by 7 months of pregnancy. I learned to be flexible with whatever happens since nothing always goes as planned. Write this down somewhere visible and bring it with you since you may not be ready to talk during the contractions to remind people what you want.
Wallet - ID, Hospital Membership Card, HSA card, etc. - My iPhone and iWatch wallet is so convenient that it's honestly hard for me to remember my wallet whenever I go anywhere. If only Apple will make something that ensures it's the level of the mandated "Real ID" then I can ditch my wallet forever!
Large Towel - Pack this near the top of the bag so it's within reach and use it when driving to the hospital in case water breaks
Delivery Gown - This was unnecessary, the hospital provides you one. It's a bit scratchy, but you'll soil it anyways with all the bodily fluids that come from delivering a child. Skip this. I didn't know better and saw that motherhood maternity was selling this so I bought it and used it later as a nightgown.
Slippers or Slip-Ons - I brought my Birks
Shower Sandals - Only if you plan to shower afterward which most Chinese people believe you shouldn't, but I'm American Chinese and I wanted to feel refreshed. The hospital facility is honestly clean enough so I didn't even end up using it, but sometimes you just never know.
Grippy Sock - So unnecessary, the hospital has them for you!
Airpods or Headphones - I definitely used these to listen to guided breathing or something relaxing to help me breathe through the contractions in the beginning of labor
Portable Charger - Seriously this is so necessary since they never make the outlets in the room close enough to the person
Phone Charger Cords - they somehow always get lost or left in some room while they change you from room to room
Spotify Playlist, Podcast, and/or Audiobook - I just slept after getting the epidural so this was unnecessary for me
2 pillowcases - If you're picky about hospital pillowcases that create the most static ever, then you won't regret this.
Sleeping Bag - some people think this is necessary for your Partner since they only provide a pull-out couch, but the hospital also provides blankets. They aren't very warm, but you can ask for as many as you need.
Blankets - Bring some warm blankets, because hospital blankets aren't soft or warm
Makeup - I didn't bring this, but it's nice to freshen up when you get the chance to feel like a person. I ended up bringing hand lotion and chapstick which honestly is a MUST. The hospital environment is so dry!
Toiletries - If you prefer your own, but the hospital has them. Some people always prefer to have their own toothbrush and toothpaste and etc.
Snacks - I didn't bring enough and I begged the nurses for any kind of snacks or food during the middle of the night since breastfeeding made me extremely hungry. Henry would add ramen noodles and a water boiler since the hospital food is very mehhhh and that's coming from a guy that eats to live.
Essential Oil, Sleep Mist, or Aromatherapy Diffuser - This is very extra. But honestly, if you're sensitive to smells like me and you just want something comforting during labor this is kinda nice.
Mint - People who don't sleep have stinky breath and they happen to crowd you when you have a newborn
Hand Sanitizer - We had Abigial during COVID era. It's just good to have in general even though it's so drying. I guess that's why it's good to use Biossance brand of hand sanitizer.
Things to not bring, unless you're super particular:
A birthing ball, they have that at the hospital and it takes up way too much space!
A delivery gown
Shoes with shoelaces - Just use comfortable slip-ons! Why make life so hard? Are you really going to try to walk that much?
Grippy Socks - they give you disposable ones at the hospital that works fine
Post-Partum List - 6 Essential Items in Bold
Nursing Bra - Absolute MUST. For my first time, I brought several ones I found on Amazon and honestly the ones that weren't soft hurt like hell when my nipples were all chapped in the beginning. Get some good-quality ones. It's worth the money since I was wearing it for the next year or two. Haha I don't even know how to wear a regular bra anymore.
Hands-Free Pumping Bra - Unless you decide to splurge on wireless pumps, this is also a must-bring. The colostrum collectors are also a great idea.
Breastpump - For first-timers, bring the one you'll be using at home to get comfortable with it while someone is there teaching you how to use it. Then use the hospital grade one to encourage the milk flow.
Boppy or My Brest Friend - For first-timers, definitely bring items that aid in breastfeeding to get the hang of it before going home.
Pre-Natal Vitamins - the hospital gives you this so you don't have to bring yours unless you have a preference for yours (like the gummies or fancy ones from Ritual)
Nipple Balm - they give you this at the hospital, so no need to bring this unless you have a preference. Honestly, just use coconut oil. It does get on your nursing bra or the nursing pad inside the bra, but breastfeeding is such a learning curve that no one has time to care about that
Nursing Pads - unnecessary at the hospital unless your flow of milk came in while you were in the hospital, but most people get discharged before the flow of milk comes in. When milk finally came in, I soaked through so many of these that I got the Hakaa Ladybug Milk Catcher. This was extremely useful for me, but not for all my new mama friends. I leaked a lot while breastfeeding and caught 3 full 4 mL Medela milk bottles every day.
Bath Towel - for a steamy shower to make me feel like a new person. The hospital provides this too.
Dark Color Pajamas or Loose Comfortable Clothing - The PJ that button up or make the boob most accessible is the best to bring.
Baby Items for the Hospital & Return Home - 2 Essential Items in Bold
Rear-facing Infant Carseat - they won't even let you go home without this now
Baby Going Home Outfit - 0 to 3 months old or use whatever the hospital gives you!
Baby Hat - just use whatever the hospital gives you!
Swaddles - It was helpful to bring a couple of different types out in the market because some people never really learn to swaddle with a square-shaped cloth. Not for their lack of trying, baby always breaks free! They make great blankets, shade covering for the car seat, nursing covers, etc.
Diapers - the hospital has this and they give you a lot before you go home!
Baby Wipes - the hospital has this, but it's like a cloth that you wet with water, so just bring some wet wipes with you!
Diaper Bag - The baby bag for all your baby stuff
Baby Bottles - In case the baby doesn't nurse right away. The hospital provides formula if you decide you're not breastfeeding or they see you're having a really hard time. The formula they give comes with a nipple cap. I recommend bringing the ones from home because those are the ones you want baby to get used to.
Pacifier - There are so many out there, but honestly use the free infant ones from those baby welcome bags from retailers. It's the best and the only one Abigail ever used since she didn't care for a pacifier after 7 weeks. Hopefully, your baby uses this to self-soothe and you can get more sleep.
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