Doula Leanna's hospital packing list for the maternity unit

Leanna Mae is an author, women’s health educator, and birth doula. Her degree is in health sciences. She is passionate about patient education. Leanna loves to write and share helpful information. She loves to teach! She's also passionate about patient rights and healthcare ethics. Leanna became a birth doula in 2008, a certified breastfeeding specialist in 2014, and graduated college in 2018. After graduating, she started teaching classes. She now offers online classes and in-person classes in western Ohio as well as birth doula services in the greater Dayton/Springfield area. 

Welcome and congratulations. Let’s get you all packed and ready to go have a baby! If you’d like to print this list, here is a PDF you can download and print. Put it with your luggage and check it off as you prepare.

hospital packing list for the maternity unit

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For baby

Your sweet little one’s needs are simple in those first few days. They need milk, diapers, and snuggles skin-to-skin to keep them warm. The hospital provides diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, hats, blankets, and formula. Go on a tour of the maternity unit during pregnancy to double-check on everything they provide. Some hospitals provide more than others do.
 
What you’ll need:

• Make sure the car seat is installed and you’re familiar with how to take it out and put it back in the car. You can’t leave the hospital without it.
• Bring information on the baby’s pediatrician. You’ll need their name, practice, and contact info. 
• A coming home outfit
• A backup outfit

 
Optional things:

• If formula feeding, you can bring your own if it’s a different brand than what the hospital provides.
• If you prefer diapers and wipes different from the hospital brand, you can bring your own.
• You can bring 3 to 5 outfits for when you’re not doing skin to skin. Newborns can easily stay swaddled in blankets with nothing but a diaper on underneath. Other than a coming home outfit, you don’t have to bring much clothing for them. 
• You have the option of bringing a baby blanket from home.
• If you plan to do photos professionally or personally, bring the outfits you want for those precious photos.
• Any signs/props you want to do photography with

For mom

The hospital will provide you with a gown, chux pads, peri bottle, ice packs for after birth, underwear and pads for after birth, and they likely have a breast pump available you can use if needed. Double-check with your hospital to see what else they provide for new mothers.
 
What you’ll need:

• Government-issued ID
• Insurance card
• Medical information – know what meds you’re on, dosages, conditions, allergies
• If you’re on any prescription medication, you can bring your own from home or the hospital can give them. Consider your health insurance and which option is more affordable.
• Birth plan printed
  
• Birth support supplies ***see separate handout
  
• Slippers or comfortable slip-on shoes (consider potential swelling) to wear in the hospital and possibly in the shower
• 2 or 3 outfits for after birth – loose and comfy. Consider clothing such as maxi skirts that avoid any possible c-section incision site. 

 
Optional things:

• A gown of your own to wear while you labor and possibly after
• You may want to bring pajamas. A button up shirt can be helpful for breastfeeding and skin to skin. You can also choose to sleep in a hospital gown in case of bleeding through clothes.
• Some women want to wear a robe after birth.
• A lot of women bring their own blanket from home that is more comfortable than the hospital blankets.
• If you plan on doing photography in the hospital, consider your outfit preferences.
• A breastfeeding support pillow
• Nursing bra
• Nursing pads to put in the bra (for leakage)
• You may want to bring cough drops or something for a sore throat. Birth can be very vocal and some women get a sore throat afterwards.

For both parents

• Long phone chargers
  
• Chargers for anything else you want to bring (tablet, speaker)
• If you plan on recording, have whatever you need for that – camera, batteries, tripod
• Money for parking (depends on your hospital)
• Money for food 
• Snacks
• If either of you wear glasses or contacts, bring what you need for that.
• Hygiene products (you can get travel containers to save space)
  • Floss
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Cup to brush teeth
  • Mouthwash
  • Shampoo you like
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash you like
  • Deodorant
  • Hair brushes or combs
  • Hair ties or clips
  • Lip balm
  • Lotion
  • Optional: soap if the hospital soap is too drying for your hands
  • If you have a face wash routine you want to do in the hospital as well, bring your face wash.
  • Electric shaver or razor if you want to be able to shave while there
• If you prefer, bring your own washcloths and towels. (Consider postpartum bleeding may stain towels.)
• Optional: Pillows 

Also for dad

• Enough outfits to last 3 or 4 days. You may only stay for 2 days or so, but outfits can get dirty easily with a newborn.
  
• Consider a flannel or button-up shirt for skin to skin.
  
• Dad should bring swim trunks to get in the tub with her.
• Any medication you take daily

Optional 

• If there are older siblings, you can get a gift “from the baby” to their siblings.
  
• A “push present” is also an option.
• Consider bringing a cloth shopping bag (easy to fold) for the things the hospital provides. You can take the peri bottle, tucks pads, hygiene products, ice packs in your room, samples and supplies they offer.
• Pack a list of everything you bring so you can quickly double-check that you have everything when transferring units or leaving the hospital. The fatigue after birth can make it hard to focus on gathering everything.
  
• If you have a wagon, bring that for all your bags instead of carrying things by hand in multiple trips.

Congratulations!

Congratulations on having a baby! While you’re here, check out my classes on birth prep, the blogs, and the shop.