Packing Your Baby Hospital Bag
We have officially entered birth month for Baby D!!! So it’s probably about time we pack our hospital bag!
Unlike many Hollywood portrayals, most pregnancies don’t end in your water breaking and a frantic dash to the hospital. Desperately trying to keep from meeting baby in the car, and barely making it in time. Especially with your first baby, be prepared for it to take some time.
Since we are currently packing for baby number three, I have learned a little bit about what is helpful to bring yourself, what the hospital supplies or doesn’t allow, and what just isn’t worth hauling back and forth. But, ultimately, it’s all about you and what will make you most comfortable.
There should be time for any last minute additions to your hospital bag or even a trip home for any forgotten essentials. But, if you’re an over planner like me and having things ready early brings you comfort, here is my list of what to pack beforehand in your Baby Hospital Bag!
For Mommy
- Extra Long Phone Charger
- Because phones have such a heavy influence in our lives, most people think to bring their phone chargers already. However, it has been my experience that available outlets in a hospital room are few and far between. Working around a giant bed positioned in the middle of the room away from the walls, doesn’t work in your favor either. So I would suggest that you invest in an extra long cord. You will be using your phone to stay in contact with family members and also help pass the time. Keeping it within arms reach, even while charging, is incredibly helpful.
- Computer
- As I hinted at earlier, the first part is going to be a waiting game. Whether you go the natural route (waiting is filled with painful contractions) or you opt for an epidural (stuck in bed for a while). There will be waiting, and it will most likely take time. I chose the epidural route, and being trapped in a bed for many hours (over 24 with my first, and over 12 with my second) can get super boring. If you have a laptop available, bring it with you!
- Pro Tip: this is a great time to binge watch all the shows you won’t have time for after baby arrives!
- Contact List
- There will be a (happy) haze around you for a bit. Remembering all the plans you made before, will be nearly impossible. Having a list of contacts for announcements or emergencies is a great option! It also means you can nominate someone else to send out the information, so you don’t have to set baby down.
- Nursing Bra
- This won’t apply to everyone. But, if this is your first baby and you plan on nursing, you will want to pack a bra for the hospital. As much planning as I did the first time through, it never crossed my mind to bring a nursing bra with to the hospital. They take a little getting used to at first, so start practicing with it right away.
- Toiletries
- The birth of a baby is beautiful, but it’s also a ton of work!! There will be sweat and tears and a number of other less than clean factors. You will definitely want to get cleaned up (after some long anticipated cuddles). You may not want to pack up and transport your entire morning bathroom routine, but the basics are nice to have around.
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Face Wash
- Chapstick
- Hair ties
- The hospital should supply soap, wash clothes, and towels. Unless you’re particular about those items, it’s better to not take up space in your bag or have to worry about bringing dirty laundry home (you will have plenty of baby laundry ahead of you!)
- The birth of a baby is beautiful, but it’s also a ton of work!! There will be sweat and tears and a number of other less than clean factors. You will definitely want to get cleaned up (after some long anticipated cuddles). You may not want to pack up and transport your entire morning bathroom routine, but the basics are nice to have around.
- Comfortable Clothes
- This will look different for everyone, but basically just bring what you’re most comfortable in. For my first baby, I spent my entire stay in a hospital gown because of the nurses needing access to my C-section incision. My second was a vaginal birth, and by the end of my stay I was wearing athletic pants and a t-shirt. For baby three, I’m planning on packing some leggings and a casual top.
- Pro Tip: if you are planning to nurse, some clothes work better than others (you’ll soon realize not everything from your wardrobe is nursing/infant friendly). I would suggest bringing a top that opens from the front (button down, nursing cami, robe) or something loose fitting/stretchy that is easy to lift up.
- Waist Trainer
- A new addition to my hospital bag this time around! I have heard of these for after baby, but not tried one yet. After baby is born, your body has natural baby weight recovery. Even a special serum for getting that stretched skin back to normal, but it only lasts a short time. It took nine months to stretch out and wont be gone over night. Rumor is, using a waist trainer helps the process along. We will find out!
- Notebook
- Throughout this process, you will be flooded with emotions and hormones. Even if you’re not typically a sentimental person, you may be filled with thoughts you’ll want to preserve or express! Some moms write letters to their babies, while others journal about the pregnancy experience that just ended, or you may just want paper handy to write down important information from the doctor. No matter what your reason, it’s a good idea to have a notebook handy.
- Camera
- I think every new mom can relate to an overwhelming desire to preserve every moment with their new little one. We long to linger on every stage and remember every milestone. There are so many little details about baby’s arrival that you will want to look back on. But depending on an exhausted mommy memory may leave you disappointed later on. If your phone has a nice camera then you can definitely use that (see point #1), or if you want something a little more professional you can bring a more elaborate camera or whatever you have available.
- The main point is, take pictures! Time goes by so quickly and every day brings something new you’ll want to remember.
- Pro Tip: if you will want a nice family photo or leaving the hospital photo, think about bringing items necessary for those staged oportunities. That means any extra make up for mama, a nice outfit for anyone in the photo, cute baby blankets you want, etc.
- Appointment Calendar
- A hospital bag must! During your hospital stay, you will begin setting up doctor visit appointments for both you and baby. As well as a number of other things that will be time sensitive. Having a calendar with you (again, exhausted mommy memory is not reliable at this point) will be super helpful and save you a ton of anxiety and stress!
- Large (Empty) Bag
- Every hospital is different, so be sure to check with the hospital staff. But, because of the sanitary standards, once something has been brought into your room, it cannot be used for anyone else. Often, that means any diaper packs or wipes that have been opened, any gauze pads and ointment (if your little guy is circumcised), or baby bath supplies that are used get charged to your room and thrown out after you leave.
- Now, I’m not promoting any kleptomania habits, but definitely take advantage of things YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHARGED FOR. Bring a bag to pack all the supplies the hospital provides for you. Some of those may even be for you mama. Like the sanitary pads or medicated wipes.
For Baby
- Nice Blankets
- Even if you don’t plan on doing anything with special photography, some blankets are a little easier to work with than the ones the hospital supplies. I would suggest some of the muslin blankets that are available. They are easy to fit in the hospital bag and are great for baby.
- I mention the benefits of these, as well as some other new baby essentials in my post Baby Registry Must Haves.
- Pacifier
- You may not be a pacifier person, and that’s totally fine. My first son was obsessed with pacifiers. He was inconsolable without it. My second son wanted nothing to do with them. I have to admit, they can be incredibly worthwhile! Screaming babies in church, sleep soothing, and comforting are just a few reasons why I love being able to pop something to occupy their little mouths!
- There is also a lot of research out there saying they help with SIDS, but I haven’t done enough research to give an educated opinion on that.
- Going Home Clothes
- It will be totally fine for baby to be naked during their hospital stay. Cuddles make the best warmers (there is nothing as amazing as naked baby cuddles! Seriously, you have to try it.) And it’s helpful to the nursing staff if they don’t have to remove clothes for every procedure or vitals check. But, you will want something to put them in for their trip home. Especially if your baby arrives during the cold months. It can be something super cute for pictures, or something super casual (that will most likely be pooped through before the end of the day). It’s totally up to you, but just be sure to pack more than one option!
- Car Seat
- Most hospitals will not let you leave with baby until you’ve produced a car seat for them. You can’t put this in the hospital bag, but be sure it’s on the to go list. It depends on how strict the hospital guidelines and policies are. Some only want to see it, some want to see baby in it, others want you to speak with a car seat expert before you can leave. Make sure you know your hospital policies and have everything installed and ready to just click baby in and drive away.
For Daddy
- Cash for Vending Machines
- Once you’ve began labor, mama isn’t allowed to have anything other than clear liquids. The hospital will supply a few options. Dad may use your meal allowances during that time, but many hospital kitchens close after supper. If you end up laboring through the night and dad is there to help, he will probably be more interested in food than you will be. Having some cash for vending machines (some of them even offer coffee!!!) is good for dad, and also provides a helpful distraction or excuse to stretch their legs.
- Phone Charger
- I know this was already on the list earlier. But trust me, you don’t want to play tag with a charger. So pack more than one and avoid having to bounce the charger back and forth.
- DVDs
- This kind of piggy backs off of point #2 on mom’s list. If you’re hospital doesn’t offer free wifi, or certain accounts are blocked by their server, you may want to pack a few backup movie options for the computer. I wouldn’t suggest getting new releases or something he hasn’t seen before. Because, let’s be honest, you still want the majority of his attention to be on you. But, it does help the time go by a little faster during that waiting period.
- Cards
- Include a deck of cards, or some other games you might enjoy in your hospital bag. This is also great for the two of you to do together, and enjoy or reflect on the experience!
- Nice Pillow
- Let’s be honest, the hospital and staff will be primarily concerned with mama. They will constantly ask how they can help make her more comfortable and how she is feeling. Dads are often tossed onto a stiff fold out couch that might also function as a flotation device during a flood! If dad has a pillow at home or something else that would help him be more comfortable (remember, it’s probably gonna be a long drawn out process) pack that in the hospital bag too!
- Change of Clothes/Shower Supplies
- After hours of sleeplessness and anticipation, being able to take a shower is great! Especially if you’d prefer him to stick around the hospital rather than run home.
Okay so the condensed version…
For Mommy
- Extra Long Phone Charger
- Computer
- Contact List
- Nursing Bra
- Toiletries
- Comfortable Clothes
- Waist Trainer
- Notebook
- Camera
- Appointment Calendar
- Large Empty Bag
For Baby
- Nice Blankets
- Pacifier
- Going Home Clothes
- Car Seat
For Daddy
- Cash
- Phone Charger
- DVDs
- Cards
- Nice Pillow
- Change of Clothes/Shower Supplies
Well, that’s what will be going in my Baby Hospital Bag this time around!
Is there anything you would suggest? What are some of the essentials you would include? I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts in the comments below! Have you tried things like the waist trainer I mentioned and LOVED them? Please share some wisdom with us other mamas!
Or, I would love for you to hop over to our social media platforms and share your lists with the community there! Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.