What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

From Babies R Us

I am currently pregnant with baby #2 and now that I've hit 30 weeks I've started really thinking about the day looming ahead. Namely; what to pack in my hospital bag.

When I look back at what I packed the first time around I, it is very clear that I packed WAY too much! As a first time mom, who didn't know what to expect, I think I packed just about everything I heard anyone mention. This time I am going to try to only pack the things that I used (or wished I had) the last time around.

UPDATE: I have since had my baby and am going to go through this list and give you my opinions and experience. As well as tell you what I did and did not use. Is that alright with you? I hope so! :)

Ready to see what my list looks like? Here it is:

FOR MOM

1.) ROBE!

This one is from Target

This, for me, is number one!! I was SO glad that I brought this! It was nice to put it on and be able to walk around without holding the back of my hospital gown closed!!

(Some people suggest bringing your own pajamas, too. To wear instead of the hospital gown, but I was just fine in the hospital gown since I had the robe.)

One thing to keep in mind, no matter which you choose, is to just go buy something cheap and comfy!! You don't know whether or not it will get ruined during your stay and you'd hate to ruin your favorite robe that you paid a pretty penny for!

This was still number one for me! It was so useful when I got up and walked around. Especially when I had visitors! And, again, I was perfectly happy staying in the hospital gown. So I didn't bring pajamas.

2.) MEN'S UNDERWEAR

I found these at Target

I know, MEN'S underwear?!?! Sounded weird to me at first, too. But when I thought about it I realized it was genius! Here's why: either way, you will need big, ugly underwear. Your cute little lacy stuff you've got in your drawer now just won't cut it! And the reason you opt for men's underwear rather than "old lady" women's ones is because the double-layered crotch on the men's ones provides more support.

I honestly didn't use these even once. For the first day or so I just used the mesh ones that the hospital provided (which I actually forgot all about from last time), then after that I used the depends. I will not be packing these next time.

Which brings me to my next point....


***THIS IS YOUR WARNING TO STOP READING NOW IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH AND/OR DON'T WANT TO KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT THE LABOR AND DELIVERY PROCESS***  

Ok. Now that that's over with, I can continue. Don't say I didn't warn you.


3.) LARGE PADS (OR DEPENDS)

From soap.com

Now, I honestly haven't decided which I'll bring. I am not sure how I feel about wearing adult diapers. But I must admit, the people that have mentioned them seem pretty sold. So we'll see.

At the very least, I know I will need some large pads. There will be a lot of... fluids. Of all kinds. And, trust me, you will need something more than a regular "period" pad to deal with it.  

Now, keep in mind that they will give you some large - and I mean "mattress sized" - pads while you are in the hospital as well, but it's always nice to have extra (especially if you do decide to go for the depends, because they won't give you those at the hospital)

Alright... I still wasn't sure about the idea of wearing diapers. But let me just say that I am SO glad I gave it a try. Like with the underwear, for the first day or two I just wore the extra large pads that they provided, but after that I switched to the depends and they were great! They gave the support of underwear and the leak protection of a pad without the bulk there would have been with wearing them. I will definitely pack these next time!

4.) SOCKS WITH GRIPS

From Amazon

This is another one of those "personal preference" things. Some people say slippers, some say socks, and some say both. I am choosing to bring thick socks with grippers on the bottom. I think that will be the easiest.

Last time I brought regular socks (without grippers) and slippers - but ended up not using either because the hospital gave me the socks with grips and those are all I wore. They were just much easier than putting on/taking off my slippers every time I got out of bed.

For me personally I got too hot in these, but I wore them despite that because I loved having the grips on the bottom. So next time I will still be bringing socks with grips on the bottom, but I will be finding some thinner ones.

5.) TOILETRIES

soap.com

This will, again, vary from person to person. I only plan on bringing the very basics: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Face Lotion, Brush, Hair Ties, and Bobby Pins. Those are the things that I decided I need because the hospital stuff wouldn't cut it.

Some people also include Shampoo, Lotion, Body Wash, etc - but my thoughts are that the hospital provides these and they will do just fine. I may still decide to get some travel sizes last minute, but for now I am thinking I'll skip it.

I had been thinking of not packing these, but at the last minute I decided to pack some travel sizes... And I am grateful that I did. The hospital only had a small bar of soap. You know, the kind that really really dries out your skin? Ugh! So I suggest bringing (travel sizes!!!) of all of your toiletries.

Another thing that some people will want to bring is make up. I don't wear it, so I won't be including that.

6.) NURSING SUPPLIES (IF YOU PLAN TO BREASTFEED)

From Lansinoh

This category could include anything from Nursing Bras and Tanks to Breast Pads and Nipple Cream to a Breast Pump.

I plan on bringing all of the above.

The breast pump isn't really necessary to bring, but I had trouble pumping the first time around, so I'd like to get a lactation consultant's help with it this time around.

Ok... So looking at the post now, I realize that I assumed everyone that reads this would be breast feeding. That isn't fair or accurate, so let me clear this up:
~If you plan to breast feed you will need nursing bras or tanks and nipple cream and breast pads (either disposable or washable). As I said, I took my breast pump as well, but that was so I could get some help from the lactation consultant.
~If you plan to formula feed: You won't need any special tanks or bras, but you will still need a few breast pads because you will leak milk/colostrum until your milk dries up. You will also need formula (obviously). I would suggest that you wait and ask the nurses which brand they suggest. And you will probably get a few samples as well.

7.) GOING HOME OUTFIT

From Victoria's Secret

Those of you that are going through this for the first time won't want to hear this, but your "going home outfit" will need to be either your maternity clothes, pajamas, or sweats (basically, anything stretchy). You won't necessarily look 8 or 9 months pregnant, but you won't be in your pre-pregnancy skinny jeans either!

That's not to say it can't be cute... it just won't be as glamorous as some of you might hope. Whatever out fit you choose, just make sure it's cute and comfortable! You'll feel a little better about it being sweats.

I took a pair of maternity jeans and a loose maternity top. Now, I was preparing in case I had to have a c-section -- I was trying for a vbac, but didn't know if it would be successful (It was! YAY!!) -- so I made sure to pack clothes from late in my pregnancy so they would be very loose. But next time I think I will pack my maternity clothes from the first half of my pregnancy.

8.) CAMERA AND CHARGER OR BATTERIES

From Target

It doesn't matter whether it's a DSLR, Point and Shoot, or just a disposable... but be sure to bring one! Even if you never show these pictures to anyone else - you'll love looking back on those first days with your little one. Even if you don't look your best!

Not much to say here. I brought this and was glad I did!

9.) CELL PHONE AND CHARGER AND "TO CALL" LIST

There are, undoubtedly, certain people you will want to call right when you go into labor and others that you will want to call right after the baby is born.

I suggest having a list of names (and phone numbers, in case your cell phone dies or you forget it) so that when you are worrying about other things, you can delegate the task of calling everyone and still be sure that all the right people were contacted.

Along these same lines, you may also want to bring a note pad and pen, just in case.

One thing I want to say here is that if you do forget the phone charger (or it doesn't work for some unexpected reason like we experienced) then ask the nurse if they have one that will work for you in the lost and found! That's what we did and the nurse told us that they had tons because it was the most left behind item they had.

FOR DAD

1.) CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND SHOES/SOCKS

This one is especially true if your husband has an uncomfortable work uniform. That way, if you go into labor while he is at work and he has to meet you at the hospital, he won't be stuck in his work clothes.

I plan on packing just a T-Shirt, Gym Shorts, and Socks with some Tennis Shoes for E

And, like everything you bring, make sure it's not his favorite. Just in case it gets ruined.

This wasn't necessary because my husband was able to come home from work and change before we headed off to the hospital, but I would still pack it next time because it would have been a life saver if he had to meet me there.

2.) SNACKS AND DRINKS (AND/OR MONEY)

I am thinking of doing a simpler version of this Gift Basket (meant for Father's Day), Found HERE

I plan on bringing some favorite snacks for myself and my husband...

For me, just some granola bars and things plus something called "Mommy Juice" -- They gave it to me in the hospital the first time around and I don't know if they will again, but in case they don't I'll bring my own. It's just 1/3 Apple Juice, 1/3 Cranberry Juice, and 1/3 Orange Juice and for some reason it just hits the spot like you wouldn't believe!

And for E, I am just going to bring some of his favorites for all of that waiting around during labor: Jerky, Sour Patch Kids... things that he doesn't really eat all the time, but that he loves. As kind of a treat for all that time in the hospital.

For this I would suggest only a few snacks (if any at all) and would mostly suggest money. It takes up less space and it'll be nice for dad to be able to go walk to the vending machine or cafeteria (or even restaurant down the road) and take a break.

FOR BABY

1.) GOING HOME OUTFIT

I think this is the one we will have Baby S wear... unless we find one we like better between now and then. We got this one at Kohl's

Some people will just choose to have their little one come home in the hospital onesie or some simple pajamas, but I personally like to save their first outfit as a keepsake, so I like to get a special one.

It's all up to you.

We had this and were glad. She looked adorable! :)

2.) RECEIVING BLANKET

I found these at Babies R Us

This is an interesting (and, in my opinion, brilliant!) idea I heard somewhere. Sleep with a receiving blanket at night and take it with you when you go to the hospital. That way, when baby is born and you swaddle him/her with it, it will smell like you and comfort them.

I think it's a great idea and definitely plan on doing it -- the hard part is remembering to grab it when you rush off to the hospital!

I didn't sleep with one. I only had it packed in the bag and ready to go - I figured I'd forget it.

3.) DIAPERS AND WIPES

diapers.com

Here is another thing that they will provide at the hospital, but I just figure that a few diapers and a travel thing of wipes won't take up too much space in your bag and you can never have too many.

Eh -- I think I'd skip this next time. The hospital provides enough. I never used mine.

4.) CAR SEAT

This one is from Babies R Us

It doesn't matter which kind you have. Whatever you find works for you. Just remember to have one! You can't leave the hospital without it.

I would even put it in the car (and make sure it's installed properly!) a few weeks before your due date so that it's ready to go and you don't have to worry about it again.

Now -- I had a reader make an EXCELLENT comment about this. She said that they installed their car seat and then, before the baby was born, they got into a car accident!! So, before they even had a chance to use it, they had to replace it! So she made an excellent point. She suggested that you should wait and leave it at home until you have the baby and have dad go home and get the car seat and install it before you leave the hospital. He will most likely go home to rest and shower and etc anyway, so he could grab it during one of those trips.

FOR OLDER SIBLINGS (IF IT APPLIES)

1.) GIFT "FROM THE NEW BABY"

Whether or not you choose to have the gift be "from the baby" or not, I think it's a good idea to have a special gift for the older sibling(s). It will get rid of a lot of the jealousy over the new baby getting so much attention.

We did this and I think it made a big difference. Our son wasn't so sure about the new baby, but once "she" gave him his new Duplo toy, he seemed to quickly warm up to her.
Well, that's it for my list. Is there anything I am forgetting? Something you would make sure to bring in your hospital bag? So... what are your opinions? See? I thought I had paired down my list and I still didn't use everything I packed. :)

Comment below with your ideas!!

Also see What to Expect: Recovering from Labor and Delivery