If you thought packing for yourself was a challenge, try packing for someone you haven't even met yet — your baby! Since the normal tendency is to overpack, you'll want to prepare baby's travel bag a few weeks before your due date.

The easiest way to pack mindfully is to lay out all of the items you think baby will need on your bed, and take a good, hard look at how much you're packing. Are there items that seem extra or unnecessary? If you really want to be sure, invite a friend over to take a look, then toss aside any items beyond the bare minimum: clothes, diapers, and nail scissors.

Clothes

Pack at least two gowns that are open at the bottom or that have a pull string, as well as one going-home outfit. By now, you should have lots to choose from. Decide what you want to dress the baby in for its first pictures, since Dad will probably take several shots of you leaving the hospital. Bring a light or heavy blanket, depending on the climate or the time of year.

Finally, if it's winter and you live in a cold climate, pack a snowsuit. The hospital may give you a cap for baby, but pack one anyway because your newborn's head needs to be covered when you walk out the door, no matter what season it is.

Diapers

If you are planning to shy away from disposables, bring four or five cloth diapers, and be sure to include a waterproof diaper cover to catch any diaper leakage. The hospital will provide all the disposable diapers you will need.

Nail Scissors

Most hospitals won't cut baby's nails, which can grow quite long in utero. Special baby scissors with clean, sharp edges are the best buy.