What Goes into a "Hospital Bag"???

I had a list and I still overpacked :) Definitely bring
socks/slippers (hospital floors are cold!), soap & shampoo, comfy pajamas, and loose fitting clothes for going home. Don't bother bringing diapers, blankets, etc for the baby as the hospital will supply those. Also take a cute outfit for the baby's hospital photos.

Comfortable pajamas, maybe a robe, maxi pads, toothbrush, clothes to come home in, stuff like that. My biggest thing when I was pregnant the second time around was that I did NOT want to use the pads they have in the hospital, they were terrible, so that is the one thing I KNEW I wanted to have with me.

My most useful items were comfy slippers and a warm zip-up sweatshirt to sit up in bed and be warm when I nursed!

Since I had to go into the hospital early (1 month) to have my daughter, I only had a few minutes to pack. I suggest bringing a nursing bra (if you plan to nurse), a book on nursing, underwear that you know will be stained, your favorite brand of pads and a pair of pajamas/nightgown. Also, throw in a disposable camera. I also took my own pillows and that made a big difference for comfort.

Oh yeah...I brought everything and the kitchen sink to the hospital when I had my first child (I'm talking a cd player, magazines, card games)I laugh now cause there was no need for any of it. Needless to say with my second I brought a change of clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush and deoderant. That's it! Bring what makes you feel comfortable but leave all the "fun" extras at home. Good luck!

Hi,

When it was my time for the hospital, I was totally unprepared because my daughter came 6 weeks early. So I quickly threw in a change of clothes, extra undies, socks, nursing jams, slippers, a robe, my own pillow and a book I was reading, the baby's outfit to wear home (which didn't fit, so my husband bought a preemie outfit instead), a camera and camcorder and a list of numbers of people to call, my toothbrush and deoderant and brush. If there was anything else I needed, my husband brought it for me. I would keep it light and just add to it if needed. And don't forget the car seat for the trip home. Good luck to you :)
B.

COMFORTABLE CLOTHES! :) and a hair dryer...those were my big things...and of course an adorable outfit for your new baby!

Congrats and Good Luck!!
C.

Yeah it all depends on what you want to take with you. With my first baby I didn't know what to take, but now I am playing the waiting game with my second. I was due yesterday:)
My bag has slippers and a robe, an outfit to go home in, hair ties and a brush, shampoo and soap, my toothbrush and paste, lotion, basic make-up, socks, nursing bra and pads, undies and then for baby I have two outfits for baby (my first time the outfit was too big for baby), blanket, socks and hat for baby.
The hospital will provide everything you need while your there; so you only need what ever you want to go home in for you and the baby. It's up too what else you take if you think something will make you more comfy. Oh and I would suggest snacks; they have food but don't depend on liking it or it being enough. Especially the first day once your in labor you won't be eating anything until you have the baby and are to your recovery room then you may have to wait for the next mealtime to roll around.
Hope this helps some, and good luck

Hi N.,

I made a list after I delivered my son because a lot of the things we brought we didn't need and there were things I wished I had remembered. Here is what I came up with:
What to bring with you to the hospital:

1) What you definitely need
a. Snacks for you and your coach (cereal bars, energy bars, Popsicles – the ones that kids eat that are sealed on all sides are best as they won’t leak – you can put them in the freezer once you get to the hospital). Remember, if you get an epidural, you can’t eat or drink anything anymore – so eat/drink plenty before you decide to get any drugs.
b. Baby outfits – bring several – one to bring the baby home in, but others to dress him in while you are still at the hospital
c. Your own pillows – just make sure they have colored pillowcases so they don’t get mixed up with the ones that are in the hospital. Also – they may get blood on them – so don’t bring your favorite pillow – we actually went out an bought pillows just for the purpose of bringing them to the hospital with us. That way if they got ruined, it didn’t matter. You can use the hospital ones for between your legs or under your legs when in bed, but use your good ones for your head and for breastfeeding.
d. Your birth plan – make sure everyone gets a copy – including the post-partum nurses
e. A change of clothes for your partner
f. Clothes for you to go home in…bring maternity clothes – you will still look like you are 5 or 6 months pregnant when you leave the hospital.
g. Sandals for your feet – you are often quite swollen after giving birth – and your regular shoes may not fit – so wear something loose.
h. Digital camera – you definitely want pictures of your little guy as soon as he comes out. Make sure you ASSIGN someone to take pictures. We didn’t get any pictures with our camera when the little guy was first in the room with us – luckily, our Doula took pictures with her camera and sent them to us – they weren’t digital, but we scanned them in. Take pictures of everything – you will wish you had more afterwards – no matter how many you take. And make sure you take family pictures and pictures with your Doula – we didn’t get a single picture with our Doula and I wish we had!
i. Cash - Small bills for vending machines, and enough for dinners. Don't forget you'll need money for the big "It's a Boy" balloon.
j. Note: One other piece of advice: Double & Triple check, then check again, all the birth certificate & social security card information before signing. You want to make sure that everything is super legible.
k. You might not be in any shape to call people right after the birth. So you might want to make a list of who you want called ahead of time for your partner/coach.
l. Something for your husband to wear at night. The nurses might not appreciate his normal nighttime attire as much as you do.
m. Toiletries for you and your partner.
n. A nursing bra

2) What you definitely don’t need
a. No need to bring your own baby supplies – the hospital has plenty of receiving blankets, diapers, shampoo, etc.
b. No need to bring your own soap/shampoo for the shower either – they have plenty of that – you just have to ask for it.

3) Other items that might be helpful
a. Music that you find soothing/relaxing – practice relaxing to this music ahead of time
b. A birthing ball
c. A cushion that you don’t mind getting wet/soiled to bring in the shower with you. The shower is an excellent place to try laboring
d. Ask to go in the Jacuzzi – another excellent place to labor.
e. Bring a boppy pillow to the hospital with you – it will make trying to breastfeed a lot easier.
f. Portable fan – we used this a lot – we bought one at the dollar store and it was well worth it!
g. Cell phone charger and cell phone. They tell you that you are not supposed to use your cellphone – but we did – just don’t do it when the nurse is in the room. You can’t make long-distance phone calls from the room phone – so if you don’t have your cell phone then you need a calling card.
h. Video camera – we didn’t actually use ours very much – but it would have been nice if we had assigned someone to take pictures with it. You and your coach likely won’t have time to take any yourself. If you have an “extra” person in the room – they can do it (mother, doula, etc).
i. Backup Camera & Batteries - It is cheap insurance.
j. Pad of paper for notes.
k. Pair of Walkie-Talkies - It can be nice to remind the person getting lunch to get extra mayo.
l. Something your partner can wear if you want them to get in the shower with you during labor.

J.

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i brought music, snacks and pictures; despite my long labor, i used none of it

Pack what you think you will need. I packed clean underclothes, a few bras just incase I leaked through one. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shower stuff, a few sets of clothes. You don't know how you will feel after the baby. I also took some of my own jammies, slippers, socks. Make sure you pack nursing pads and stuff for the baby. My husband insisted on taking our moniter to the hospital because it played music and a light show. You will also need cloths to take the baby home in and the car seat, if you are having the baby soon make sure you have blakets to block them form the wind and cold, and some receiving balnkets to tuck around them and their jacket. I gave birth in Michigan and my hospital supplied any baby stuff I would need there, like diapers, wipes, blankets and stuff like that. Find out if your hospital offers that stuff so you know if you have to have it. You might also want to take a book to read. Good luck!

A package of your own maxi pads. I hated the ones from the hospital with my first son, so with my second, I packed my own. I was so much more comfortable. And slippers!

This is a little off the wall, but I am very sensitive to smell and I really dislike the smells in a hospital so I always take 1 or 2 Plug-ins! (depending on room size) The nurses love coming in to that room and wonder why no one else ever thinks to do that. It makes me feel more at home so pick your favorite scent! I also make sure I have some mints or lifesavers on my side table to freshen my mouth, it's so dry in the hospital, and lip balm. Plus, it might be a little vain, but I always feel better when I put a little make-up on and when you've just given birth and maybe not feeling so pretty, every little bit helps! It's a good idea to have a long robe, as I was made to walk the halls before and after the birth, plus it can get chilly. As for the feet, I took old slippers and rewarded myself with a new pair when I got home because my sister-in-law works at the hospital and says she never lets any shoes from work enter her home b/c she knows whats on those floors! Yikes!

Don't pack too much you are only going for maybe 2 days and you will use all the stuff the hospital gives you because childbirth is messy. I do recommend makeup and something for your hair because there are usually alot of pictures taken with the new baby and trust me you will want to show off the little one and usually Mom is not as pretty as the baby. Pics w/ baby number 2 are much better that baby number 1. I learned.

Good luck! And if you forget anything one of your visitors can grab it. People love to help out a new mom and bring her something.

-S.

Hi N.,

How and what you pack is entirely in what you feel you will need to keep you comfortable as possible. For me, it was nice to have my own robe and slippers and toiletries. If you like to read (and feel you will have time) you might want to pack a book. You'll also want to pack an outfit to bring your baby home in and one for yourself. The hospital provides everything else that your baby will need (diapers,formula, bathing supplies, etc).

I hope this helps,
Good luck with the new baby!!!
L.

a couple of additions to the advice already given - make sure your going home outfit is loose and comfortable- your regular clothes still won't fit - so maternity clothes or loose sweats are your best bet. socks. change for the vending machines/some snacks for you and your husband for after the baby is born (depending on time of day thehospital cafeteria/local restaurants may be closed), a list for your husband of anyone who needs to be called to announce baby's arrival. insurance card and any numbers you need to call to activate our maternity leave/short term disability (important because you often have to do this within 24 hours of baby's arrival)

The things I brought that were useful were toiletries, slippers and PJs for myself. Underwear and socks were provided by my hospital. Definitely a book or some magazines. I also brought Gatorade, which was great right after the birth--I was amazingly thirsty. Also, bring your camera. And yes, something for you and the baby to wear home. It is nice to have some small pampering item for yourself--new lotion or lipgloss or something, just to perk yourself up.

You will be there at least 2 days. Whatever you wear to the hospital you can wear home. Pack some clean undies, though you may want to wear the hospital issued ones for a bit. Most importantly - pack a robe & slippers. As well as shower supplies - though they will give you those as well. If you are expecting a bunch of visitors pack some essential make-up there will be a lot of pictures taken - some even of you. If you are going to nurse pack a nursing bra & some pads. An outfit for your newborn to wear home & the carseat installed.

Optional recomended items:
chapstick
snacks for your husband (not to be eaten in front of you while laboring: men can get grumpy)
your own pillow (use a bright pillowcase)
your own pajamas
something to read (if you are induced)
deodorant
pillow/blanket & sweats/pjs for dad (leave in car, get if laboring overnight)

Hope this helps. H.

With my last 2 i packed their announcements and i filled them out inbetween visitors(weight and date).We did our own announcements so i took a good picture of my child and printed it out and put it into the area for pictures....
but i agree with your own pads....hospital pads a big and diaper like,hated them.Comfy clothes to wear home

Good luck to you

I packed underwear, slippers, clothes to go home in, nightgowns, toothbrush/toothpaste, hairbrush and ponytail holders, a puzzle book and cards, an outfit for the baby's first picture, an outfit and blanket for the baby to go home in, a notebook and pen, a camera, insurance card, phone numbers. Make sure the baby's carseat is installed. Our hospital wouldn't release the baby without checking to make sure we had the car seat installed.

You might want to check with your hospital about phone procedures. In the hospital where I gave birth ANY outgoing calls were long distance. I don't think cell phones were allowed in the rooms so I bought a calling card to be able to call family.

Congratulations!!

A comfortable robe, some slippers, a nightgown. You may want to use your own tooth paste, soap, and shampoo... and things like that. Maybe some snacks, because hospital foods are horrible, healthy things of course. It depends on what you are going for, and how long you will be there, of course. If you are just going to have a baby, I would take a robe, slippers and healthy snacks, and something to drink. When I had my son, they kept giving me tiny things of juice when I told them I was thirsty. I felt so aweful. I wouldn't ever go to that hospital again though, I don't think most would do that to you. I hope. Good luck with your hospital stay.

Beyond the normal things that you need, I packed a card and gift for my husband from our new baby and me. He is the only one that doesn't get flowers or presents and he is just as much a new parent as you are!