Below is my Hospital Bag Essentials Guide to help guide you on what you need at the hospital. No point in lugging your entire house with you! After all, most often you'll be only staying in the hospital for 48-72 hours.
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When I was packing my first hospital bag, I spend a lot of time researching what I needed, wanted, and the long list of suggested must-haves. Maybe those were outdated or maybe the hospitals finally researched what moms and dads wanted but I found that most items suggested were already readily available at the hospital, or at least it was at my hospital. Maybe it was the decisions that I made that also made a difference as well. For instance, I chose to breastfeed. That means I didn't need to bring a bottle of my choosing or my chosen formula. The hospital also provided a hospital grade breast pump so I didn't need to bring mine. It's best to ask when you go on your birthing hospital tour what they actually provide. Most will even give you a list to help you pack your hospital bag or you can ask your OB.
+ I was given a little beanie for my son and he was swaddled the whole time so the outfit I brought him was for when we took him home. Nurses and doctors are constantly checking up on you and your baby so baby in a swaddle is so much easier for everyone.
+ This is completely customizable for your significant other. Mine requires an iPad as he's ADHD and cannot sit still ever.
+ I forgot my slippers last time and I hated it and made my hubby buy me some at Walmart. Basically you want to bring loose, comfortable clothing. I didn't bring a nursing cover last time and I felt like I was constantly exposing myself and that made things awkward for me!
* Bath Kits Include in ziplock bag: deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, Chapstick, shampoo and conditioner, lotion.
Additionally, most items you pack in your hospital bag may be items you use everyday (deodorant, phone, chargers, etc) therefore you should place a note on top of your hospital bag to remind yourself to grab these essentials and put them in your hospital bag before you leave to go to the hospital.
Everyone is different when it comes to comfort. You may have a special pillow, toy for the new baby, exercise ball, etc that you may need. The most important thing to remember when packing for the hospital is to bring what makes you comfortable.
I agree with packing light. It is also a good idea to pack snacks for dad.
ABSOLUTELY! Those vending machines are not always stocked! Thanks for the tip!
What a great list, especially for new moms and a refresher for us older ones!
Thanks for stopping in! I remember packing and wondering what the heck I'm suppose to be putting in my bag! I know I'm not the only one!
Super cool! This is a very concise list!
I never would have considered snacks for Dad – that's a good one!
Vending machines can be so awful! Just don't even waste your time, get your own snacks – much cheaper that way! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks! I love getting to know everyone in the linky! Thanks for visiting!
This is very useful for first time moms. Thank you for the list!
It sure sounds like you thought of everything. And then some!
This list should be kept handy by every expecting mom. Doesn't matter if it's your first or second. There are things which we forget all the time. This keeps everything easy to remember. I am not a very methodical person but my MIL ensured I make a list and it proved me very helpful.
There is so much to prep when you are about to give birth. You need to think about so many things, good that the dad is here to help too!
This is very helpful, thank you for sharing. You're lucky your hospital sent you home with some stuff and it's great to remember this.
Very nice post! I had the smallest bag in the whole hospital I swear! The only thing others didn't bring and I did was yarn and hooks, lol! I am a crochet addict!
GREAT idea – for everyone, with or without baby! We should all keep a bag ready just in case. You never know when you'll need to rush off to the hospital!
It's been 5 years since I last had to pack a hospital bag! Needless to say, this is the perfect guide! I hope a lot of parents-to-be reads this post!
Perfect timing on this! We're getting ready for our third hospital trip and we're finalizing the items in our bag. This definitely comes in handy.
This looks like a really great list. This will totally come in handy for new moms, for sure.
haha you're so welcome <3 !
Great baby bag list! I'll tell this to my mommy friends.
Ah, I remember the days when we were getting ready to be in the hospital. It ended up turning out we had to have a planned C-section so we didn't have to rush. We had a week planning in advance prior to delivery.
That must've been so nice!
Great list! You got everything a mommy and baby would need. I remember the excitement of packing a mommy bag.
It was exciting for me too! Just signs that the pregnancy was comin to an end! Yes!