The Ultimate Hospital Packing List for Intended Parents

What Do I Bring to the Birth of My Child?!?

So much of the surrogacy journey focuses on getting to this point – the birth of your child – that preparing for what comes next almost seems like an afterthought. Thankfully, the hospital will provide many of the things you need for your newborn, like diapers, burp cloths, swaddles, and formula. (Pro tip: Snatch as many things from the hospital as you can!) And you can always purchase locally many, if not all, of the things you and your baby will need. So no need to despair if you forgot something. But there are some things that you will want to bring for yourself and your newborn and it’s useful to consult a packing list to make sure you are not forgetting anything.

Must Haves

- - - Car Seat / base – you will not be allowed to leave the hospital without an approved infant car seat installed in your car
    - Your insurance cards
    - Your IDs (driver’s license or passport)
    - A few copies of any paperwork your lawyer advises you to bring (e.g., pre-birth order, surrogacy contract, power of attorney)
    - Contact information for your local counsel
    - Coming home clothes for the baby + extra outfits
      - Kimono-style onesie to help protect the umbilical cord stump
      - Hat
      - Blanket
      - Booties and mittens
      - Again, think layers to adjust the baby to different temperatures
      - Note: depending on your baby’s size at birth, they may fit best in P (preemie), NB (newborn), or 0-3 months.
    - Clothes and toiletries for you
      - Toothbrush/toothpaste
      - Hairbrush
      - Daily prescription medications
      - Contacts and glasses
      - Deodorant
      - A front buttoning shirt if you want to do skin-to-skin contact with your baby
      - Layers because hospital temperatures can vary
    - Your phone charger

Maybe Needed

- - - Wrap style baby carrier
    - Diapers, wipes, and cream
    - Travel-friendly changing pad
    - Burp or spit-up cloths
    - Bottles, formula, or whatever supplies you need to transport breast milk
      - You might want to wait to see how your newborn responds to whatever the hospital supplies
      - You can also purchase ready-made formula bottles to use until you get home
    - If staying in town for more than a few days:
      - Stroller
      - Baby-safe laundry detergent
      - Bottles, bottle sanitizing bags, and setup to wash bottles
      - Infant thermometer
      - Infant tylenol
    - A copy of your birth plan
    - The contact information for your pediatrician
    - Some extra cash (parking, vending machines, etc.)
    - A list of names to contact after the baby’s birth (including Brownstone!)

Up to You

- - - Books/magazines and other entertainment (labor can take a while!)
    - Headphones
    - Snacks
    - A gift for your surrogate
    - A gift for the nursing staff
    - Laptop and charger
    - A favorite/sentimental book to read to your newborn
    - Velcro-style swaddle blanket (if wrapping a tight baby burrito feels too daunting!)