Bring a 3mos. outfit along, too! Little Lizard went home in a t-shirt from the hospital and some too-small pants because she couldn’t fit into the adorable little newborn outfit we brought for her.

Watch for postpartum depression. It’s a life-threatening illness. If the baby blues last more than two weeks, go to the doctor. If you feel like something is horribly wrong before then, go to the doctor and explain what’s going on.

And also that if you are upset by the birth experience, your baby probably is too (and might be even if you aren’t) and there are ways to resolve painful memories for baby and mom.

On a minor note:
This may vary from hospital to hospital, but at ours, only the lactation consultants (who were not in on all shifts) could dispense samples of lanolin creme for breastfeeding. They literally kept them under lock and key. I was fortunate that a friend gave me a tube and said to bring it to the hospital. It’s one of those little things you might not think to bring, and it makes a huge difference in comfort.

Mom, bring a multi-pack of cheapo cotton underwear, a size larger than you’d use pre-baby. Something you don’t mind throwing away after wearing once, because it is going to get stained. (You would not believe what the hospital gives you to wear postpartum.)

Also, there is a pain-relieving disinfectant spray that can work wonders on your nether regions during the first few days. Bring a can, and apply after the washing routine they’ll teach you. It helps.

Food. Nursing moms will be hungry. Friends, consider sending chocolate instead of flowers– especially if she’s deprived herself of chocolate during the pregnancy.

Remember that everything you bring in, you’ll have to haul out to the car when you leave– plus baby, flowers, gifts, etc etc.– and dad will have to do 90% of it, unless you have friends/relatives willing to wait for hours for the unpredictable checkout to occur. Minimalize the crap if possible.

One exception (for me) to the above is a boppy-type nursing pillow. It’s bulky but worth it.

Gowns, not PJs, for mom. Button front for nursing. Consider that, if the baby’s got any health issues and isn’t allowed in your room, you may be making many trips through the hospital to see him/her. (I didn’t, and had to do it wearing some fairly embarassing stuff. I hardly noticed, but thought about it later- coulda planned a little for that.)

Ditto the lactation consultant comments. USE them heavily while in the hospital, where they’re free and available. Also, the preemie outfit comments. I’d buy one package of preemie diapers for home, too- you can always return them if not needed.

If you have to share a room with another mom, for God’s sake don’t entertain a herd of well-wishers for hours on end– even if you’d like to. Have a little compassion for your neighbor.

Dads in the delivery room: take care of yourself. There’s a whole team to take care of momma and the baby; they don’t need you fainting at the wrong moment because you didn’t eat a sandwich.

Dads in the delivery room: wear comfortable shoes. Know how to take care of your back. ASK her what she needs or wants.

Don’t be shy about telling people that you WANT TO SLEEP! Be prepared to put up a sign. EVERYBODY comes in and out. Audio testing, family members, picture people, lactation consultants, etc. Dads: kick people out after a reasonable time. Some people (grandmothers) will stay far past the time when they should leave.

Have at least one preemie outfit, in case that cute outfit for the ride home doesn’t fit.

Install the carseat at least a month before the due date. It’ll be there for a looooong time, so an extra month won’t hurt. And the nurse won’t roll her eyes as you struggle with it.

Be prepared for many incidental expenses. Meals for dad, breast pump rental, lactation consultant, flowers, baby clothes, etc.

Diapers. You don’t have to change the baby’s diaper every two seconds. Use some diaper cream prophalactically, and let the baby (and yourself) sleep. (Although we always changed the poopy ones.) Also, learn how to tell when a diaper is wet. Take a dry diaper and pinch the underside. Now pour a little bit of water and let it soak in; it’ll feel slick now when you pinch it.

Collapsable baby tubs are for suckers.

We should stress to soon-to-be-parents the importance of breastfeeding, support them through their journey and help them find the resources they need to succeed (La Leche League, IBCLC’s, education, etc). We all do the best we can with the resources we have at hand :)

And a hearty “amen” to Dan S’s comment above — HOW you feed the babies is secondary to the fact that they get fed and loved up. No mom should beat herself up if breastfeeding isn’t possible or desired.