What to pack in hospital bag

What are you packing
I dont think you need much, right?
I was just going to pack some comfy, drawstring pj pants, nursing tanks, big undies and flips flops.
Then a small ziploc bag of toiletries.
Also camera, book dor DC's footprints, a book and maybe some snacks I like.

Also coming home outfit for the baby

If I have a regular birth, I wont be in the hospital more than 48 hours, so I figured I would need that much

Message edited 7/16/2008 10:02:00 AM.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

This is the list we got from our Lamaze/Child Birth Prep Class:

For Mom
Comfortable robe
2 nightgowns (or comfortable clothing)
Nursing Bra and disposable pads (if breastfeeding)
Sports Bra (or tight fitting bra if bottle feeding)
Socks
Slippers or flip flops
Comfortable outfit for going home (maternity clothing)
Sanitary Pads
Underwear (no thongs)
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, make-up, toothbrush, soap, etc)
Lip Balm (heavy breathing will dry your lips out)
Headband or rubber band/hair elastic

For your Labor Partner
Change of clothing (you may be there overnight)
Cash (for food, etc.)
Watch with second hand for timing contractions
Snacks

Documents
Insurance Cards
Address book with phone #’s
Photo ID
Childbirth Certificate or baby book so you can get baby’s footprints (you have to request them)

Extras
2 Pillows
Massager (for lower back labor)
I Pod/small radio or CD player
Camera
Cell phone
Book and Magazines
Baby Powder (Johnson and Johnson Pure Cornstarch) *this will help keep you feeling fresh when you are gross and sweaty

For Baby
New Born Hat
2 receiving blankets
2 onesies or undershirts
2 pairs of socks
2 going home outfits (in case one gets pooped on)
Diapers and diaper bag
Pacifier (optional)

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Not sure why they have all that listed for the baby....I am only bringing a coming home outfit, socks, hat (for the sun), blanket and a couple of burp clothes...the hospital provides the rest while the baby is in the hospital.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Definitely bring your own pillow. Hospital pillows stink.

You can pack a nightgown but I was in the hospital 4 nights and only wore my own clothes starting on day 3. Prior to that I was bleeding so much I just stuck with the hospital gown.

IPod for sure. Not sure if you have a room mate. But I did and it was essential for me to get to sleep.

You can pack snacks. But usually I'd just ask a visitor to bring me something to eat.

Flip flops are a must. I also brought slippers and regretted it later. They got trashed and I threw them out at the hospital.

I also brought water shoes for the shower. The floor of the hospital just skeeves me out completely. I bought them for $5 at Target.

Large undies for comfort.

I brought Boppy for nursing but never used it in the hospital. I just used pillows.

Coming home outfit for baby.

ETA - bring as little as possible. You won't use most of it and this way there is less to lose.

Message edited 7/16/2008 10:32:20 AM.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Thanks for posting your lists ladies!

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

I used 2 sets of PJs/Lounge clothing and a nursing bra/tank. The warm, fuzzy socks were essential! The outfit I wore to the hospital was the one I wore home and large underwear were comfortable!

I brought my own pads and I'm glad I did. I hated the "phone book" ones they gave me and would rather change often than wear those. I also was glad to have my Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm, as it was better than anything the hospital gave me. I brought some toiletries and flip flops for the shower. Lip balm was great to have. The best thing I brought was my eye mask...my roommate kept the TV on at night and the light bothered me. I was so glad I could make it dark!

For DH I brought a change of clothes, money for food, and snacks. He was also glad I had a toothbrush and deodorant for him.

I brought my pre-admittance paperwork and phone numbers of people DH had to call. Plus, the baby book for footprints and the cord blood banking kit.

Having my own pillow was so wonderful and I loved the Boppy (for BF and/or FF as well as for guests to comfortably hold DC). You'll need your camera and cell phone, but forget about anything to read.

The only thing the baby will need is a coming home outfit. Let the hospital do the laundry while you are there! Plus, bring an extra bag to take home all the stuff you can from the bassinet!

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Thanks for the list.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by stayandjohn

Posted by Bubbs

This is the list we got from our Lamaze/Child Birth Prep Class:

For Mom
Comfortable robe
2 nightgowns (or comfortable clothing)
Nursing Bra and disposable pads (if breastfeeding)
Sports Bra (or tight fitting bra if bottle feeding)
Socks
Slippers or flip flops
Comfortable outfit for going home (maternity clothing)
Sanitary Pads
Underwear (no thongs)
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, make-up, toothbrush, soap, etc)
Lip Balm (heavy breathing will dry your lips out)
Headband or rubber band/hair elastic

For your Labor Partner
Change of clothing (you may be there overnight)
Cash (for food, etc.)
Watch with second hand for timing contractions
Snacks

Documents
Insurance Cards
Address book with phone #’s
Photo ID
Childbirth Certificate or baby book so you can get baby’s footprints (you have to request them)

Extras
2 Pillows
Massager (for lower back labor)
I Pod/small radio or CD player
Camera
Cell phone
Book and Magazines
Baby Powder (Johnson and Johnson Pure Cornstarch) *this will help keep you feeling fresh when you are gross and sweaty

For Baby
New Born Hat
2 receiving blankets
2 onesies or undershirts
2 pairs of socks
2 going home outfits (in case one gets pooped on)
Diapers and diaper bag
Pacifier (optional)

Honestly, that a lot of stuff. You dont need all that.

For you
1 or 2 nightgowns or pjs
Robe
Slippers and flip flops for the shower
body wash or soap
going home outfit
toiletries
underwear
super maxis (the ones in the hospital dont have adhesive)

Baby:
going home outfit
socks
blanket
(hospital will provide you with ointments, baby wash, diapers, alcohol pads etc)

extras:
camera
batteries
money
insurance docs and drivers licnense

You basically listed the same things as Bubbs. Nothing in either list is excessive. You want to bring the basics and anything you feel you will need to keep yourself more comfortable throughout labor. Like Bubbs list said, 2 outfits and blankets for baby in case he/she has a "blowout" and soils the first outfit. Not sure how it is at other hospitals but at St. Charles we were told they don't send you home with clothes or blankets so you want to be prepared. Of all the lists I have seen I felt the list above from Bubbs that we got at Lamaze was really the most informational and concise but that is just my opinion.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

make up :)
slippers
flip flops for shower
robe
socks
toiletries
brush
undies
camera
books
coming home out fit
normal clothes to wear home

pictures of my doggies for the baby's hospital crib

Message edited 7/16/2008 2:42:18 PM.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Posted by stayandjohn

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by stayandjohn

Posted by Bubbs

This is the list we got from our Lamaze/Child Birth Prep Class:

For Mom
Comfortable robe
2 nightgowns (or comfortable clothing)
Nursing Bra and disposable pads (if breastfeeding)
Sports Bra (or tight fitting bra if bottle feeding)
Socks
Slippers or flip flops
Comfortable outfit for going home (maternity clothing)
Sanitary Pads
Underwear (no thongs)
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, make-up, toothbrush, soap, etc)
Lip Balm (heavy breathing will dry your lips out)
Headband or rubber band/hair elastic

For your Labor Partner
Change of clothing (you may be there overnight)
Cash (for food, etc.)
Watch with second hand for timing contractions
Snacks

Documents
Insurance Cards
Address book with phone #’s
Photo ID
Childbirth Certificate or baby book so you can get baby’s footprints (you have to request them)

Extras
2 Pillows
Massager (for lower back labor)
I Pod/small radio or CD player
Camera
Cell phone
Book and Magazines
Baby Powder (Johnson and Johnson Pure Cornstarch) *this will help keep you feeling fresh when you are gross and sweaty

For Baby
New Born Hat
2 receiving blankets
2 onesies or undershirts
2 pairs of socks
2 going home outfits (in case one gets pooped on)
Diapers and diaper bag
Pacifier (optional)

Honestly, that a lot of stuff. You dont need all that.

For you
1 or 2 nightgowns or pjs
Robe
Slippers and flip flops for the shower
body wash or soap
going home outfit
toiletries
underwear
super maxis (the ones in the hospital dont have adhesive)

Baby:
going home outfit
socks
blanket
(hospital will provide you with ointments, baby wash, diapers, alcohol pads etc)

extras:
camera
batteries
money
insurance docs and drivers licnense

You basically listed the same things as Bubbs. Nothing in either list is excessive. You want to bring the basics and anything you feel you will need to keep yourself more comfortable throughout labor. Like Bubbs list said, 2 outfits and blankets for baby in case he/she has a "blowout" and soils the first outfit. Not sure how it is at other hospitals but at St. Charles we were told they don't send you home with clothes or blankets so you want to be prepared. Of all the lists I have seen I felt the list above from Bubbs that we got at Lamaze was really the most informational and concise but that is just my opinion.

Well as a BTDT mom, I packed what the lamaze sheet listed and hardly needed any of it. I do think a massager, an ipod or CD player, change of clothes for the dad, even a diaper bag (unless you plan on stopping off somewhere on the way home ) is a bit much. Thats just MHO

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by stayandjohn

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by stayandjohn

Posted by Bubbs

This is the list we got from our Lamaze/Child Birth Prep Class:

For Mom
Comfortable robe
2 nightgowns (or comfortable clothing)
Nursing Bra and disposable pads (if breastfeeding)
Sports Bra (or tight fitting bra if bottle feeding)
Socks
Slippers or flip flops
Comfortable outfit for going home (maternity clothing)
Sanitary Pads
Underwear (no thongs)
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, make-up, toothbrush, soap, etc)
Lip Balm (heavy breathing will dry your lips out)
Headband or rubber band/hair elastic

For your Labor Partner
Change of clothing (you may be there overnight)
Cash (for food, etc.)
Watch with second hand for timing contractions
Snacks

Documents
Insurance Cards
Address book with phone #’s
Photo ID
Childbirth Certificate or baby book so you can get baby’s footprints (you have to request them)

Extras
2 Pillows
Massager (for lower back labor)
I Pod/small radio or CD player
Camera
Cell phone
Book and Magazines
Baby Powder (Johnson and Johnson Pure Cornstarch) *this will help keep you feeling fresh when you are gross and sweaty

For Baby
New Born Hat
2 receiving blankets
2 onesies or undershirts
2 pairs of socks
2 going home outfits (in case one gets pooped on)
Diapers and diaper bag
Pacifier (optional)

Honestly, that a lot of stuff. You dont need all that.

For you
1 or 2 nightgowns or pjs
Robe
Slippers and flip flops for the shower
body wash or soap
going home outfit
toiletries
underwear
super maxis (the ones in the hospital dont have adhesive)

Baby:
going home outfit
socks
blanket
(hospital will provide you with ointments, baby wash, diapers, alcohol pads etc)

extras:
camera
batteries
money
insurance docs and drivers licnense

You basically listed the same things as Bubbs. Nothing in either list is excessive. You want to bring the basics and anything you feel you will need to keep yourself more comfortable throughout labor. Like Bubbs list said, 2 outfits and blankets for baby in case he/she has a "blowout" and soils the first outfit. Not sure how it is at other hospitals but at St. Charles we were told they don't send you home with clothes or blankets so you want to be prepared. Of all the lists I have seen I felt the list above from Bubbs that we got at Lamaze was really the most informational and concise but that is just my opinion.

Well as a BTDT mom, I packed what the lamaze sheet listed and hardly needed any of it. I do think a massager, an ipod or CD player, change of clothes for the dad, even a diaper bag (unless you plan on stopping off somewhere on the way home ) is a bit much. Thats just MHO

Point taken. I am totally anal though so I know like a crazy lady I will probably end up with more than I need "just in case".

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

don't forget the cord blood collection kit, if you're doing that... everything else can always be brought in later

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

PSP or any portable gaming system for the Dad's would make sense - along with a charger.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Someone just mentioned it, but I want to stress...

If this is your 2nd, 3rd, etc child, bring a picture to put in the bassinet!!!!!!

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

If you are a germaphobe like me and share a room with someone else--Lysol spray. My roomate and I both sprayed the bathroom down after we used it.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Message edited 7/16/2008 6:56:27 PM.

Re: What to pack in hospital bag

Posted by BlessedMommy

Posted by asecretposter

Posted by BlessedMommy

If you are a germaphobe like me and share a room with someone else--Lysol spray. My roomate and I both sprayed the bathroom down after we used it.

I would be careful with Lysol. It can be harsh to a young baby's lungs. I did bring disinfecting wipes though.

I can underdstand that but the baby is nowhere near the bathroom and you close the door when you are finished Wipes/spray whatever works for disinfecting. I'd rather not touch anything to disinfect it though....