What to pack in your hospital bag

What to pack in your hospital bag~ A simple list from a momma and doula.

8/12/2015

When I gave birth to my babies, I had three....yes three hospital bags. I think I read every "what to pack" article I could find while I was pregnant and I packed EVERYTHING. I was way over packed.
I only used the things listed below. In my years of being a doula, I have come to realize that less is more! ;)
So, to help all of the new mommies out there, here is my simplified version of what to pack.

Cell Phone & charger~ for a variety of reasons. Labor can take a while so why not have something to keep you distracted. With current technology phones can do pretty much anything, so why not multitask? Contact family/ friends/ or to call your doula ;) , to take pics/ video, music, and video entertainment….from my experience, the TV at the hospital rarely gets good picture or sound and has about three channels to choose from.

Socks & Slippers~ hospital floors are gross, no other reason. LOL

Light weight robe~ in case of hospital gown drafts and they are easy to throw on if you have visitors.

Nursing tank~ my fav! They are super comfy and allow quick access for a hungry baby.

Nursing pads~ the washable kind. They were more comfortable than the crinkly disposable ones.

Going home outfit~ I chose yoga pants and a nursing shirt. *the hospital will supply sanitary pads and some not so sexy mesh underwear. Honestly every momma swears these are the most comfortable underwear around.

Snacks~ for you and your partner. Hospital cafeterias usually close from 7pm till 7am so all that’s left is the vending machine with few satisfying options.

A change of clothes for partner

Toiletries~ toothbrushes for you and partner, toothpaste, mouthwash, razor, travel shampoo & soap, cosmetics, and nail file (for you or baby)

Receiving blanket for trip home

Going home outfit for baby~ the hospital will supply diapers, wipes, hospital onesie

Car Seat~ most important….they will not let you leave the hospital without one!

What are some of your must haves? What would you add?

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64148767@N00/6693570575">fruiby's hospital bag</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>

Buggerflymom

8/21/2015 06:54:45 am

Yes to all of the above!!! After three kids, and preparing for my fourth to come in the next few weeks, I too have learned that less is more and everything on your list is exactly what I packed.

For my third hospital stay, I actually managed to fit all of my things and baby's in ONE diaper bag. I opted for travel sized toiletries: hand sanitizer, tissues (tpersonal preference, the ones at hospital are not soft), deodorant, hairbrush, hair ties, lotion, and a travel toothbrush pack that came with brush, paste, floss, mouthwash (etc.).

The only things I substituted from your list are shampoo and soap. Instead, I opted for a dry shampoo spray and disposable huggies washclothes. Honestly, I chose not to shower at the hospital where I delivered due to privacy issues. Two hospital rooms shared one shower stall that was separated only by a flimsy sheer-ish curtain. I could hear (and see shadows of) the other mommas (and their guests despite the public restrooms down the hall) as they tinkled/showered. I know they say to check your pride at the door when you have a baby because privacy is scarce, but in the day of smart phones and dumb nosey people, I had to draw the line here!

I like how you noted that the hospital will provide necessities for your health as well as your baby's while you are there. Some hospital bag lists that I have seen include things that are good to stock up on for home use, but will go unused while you are in the hospital. For baby I was given: diapers, wipes, rash creams, alcohol swabs, baby hat, and a shirt that had built in mitten hand covers. For me, they provided: jumbo pads, ice packs, witch hazel pads, dermaplast spray (!!!), disposable undies (lol, so sexy!!), sitz bath, lanolin cream (!!!), suppositories, hemorrhoid ointment (which I didn't need to use thankfully, but I had just in case...) and disposable sheet protectors.

NOTE: Some of these items weren't automatically given, but I learned to ask for anything and everything whenever the nurses inquired "Can I get you anything???" I then hoarded as many things as I could and asked for more. LOL!

As a bonus, when I was discharged my hospital provided a book bag style diaper bag filled with more diapers, wipes, rash cream, first aid book, and a handheld breast pump (score!!!). Check with your hospital prior to delivery to see if these items are offered. I knew this going in to all three deliveries, so it helped me plan my bag more efficiently.

Just keep in mind while you pack, that you will always leave with more stuff than you went in with. In addition to the physical care items listed above, you may have gifts, flowers, balloons, etc. brought by your doting visitors. All that awesome stuff comes home with you too!

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What to pack in your hospital bag~ A simple list from a momma and doula.

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