Hospital Bag checklist

Helmink0804

I know this thread has been done before- maybe more than once, but I'm too lazy too search for it and I just came up with my list (with the help of Pinterest) and would like to know if I am missing anything or if there's things I have on that I won't need. I'll appreciate it!

Camera/Charger

Cellphone/Charger

Snacks

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Breastfeeding tanks

Breastfeeding bras (2)

Cheap cotton undies (10)

Hairbrush/Comb

Shampoo

Conditioner

Body Wash

Mesh sponge

Deodorant

Disposable breast pads

My going home outfit

Kindle/Charger

Razor

Face cloth

Chapstick

Hair ties

Pen and small notebook

Slippers/socks

Sanitary Pads

Foundation

Light weight blankets for baby

Baby face cloth

4 outfits for baby

PJs for baby

Socks for baby

Baby booties

Cotton hat for baby

Baby's going home outfit

Receiving blankets (2)

Scratch mittens

Hand sanitizer

2 different pacifiers

Nail clippers for baby

Baby comb

Vaseline

Nasal aspirator

3 undershirts for baby

Newborn diapers

Flip flops

Comfy pants for me to wear in hospital

Boppy pillow

spacepotatoes

That looks pretty thorough! This checklist has been posted a few times before and I'm planning on using it as a guide:

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2012/5/21/hospital-bag-what-to-pack.html

ETA: not sure you'd need things like nail clippers or nasal aspirator. I'd imagine the hospital would have those things if needed?

Helmink0804

@spacepotatoes thanks for the link!

amroke

Do you have something against using the supplies and clothes that the hospital provides? They will provide diapers as well as clothes, hats, blankets... Really everything you need except an outfit for the baby to go home in.

Helmink0804

@amroke I'm a FTM, I'm not sure what our hospital provides and doesn't provide. I went off of a few different lists from Pinterest and the one lady did comment saying she rather use her own stuff than the hospitals (it was her 5th baby that she posted the blog about).

mmks

I would strongly suggest doing a hospital tour and asking what you will need for the baby.  It is very likely that you will not use most of the baby stuff. 

Helmink0804

@mmks we did the hospital tour, I just didn't think to ask what kind of supplies they had, there's a paper in the folder that says they have supplies for infant care in the crib drawer, just doesn't specify what exactly they had. I didn't think of it until I started making a list for the hospital bag.

TecheB

Definitely check with your hospital for what they provide. No need to drag so much to and from. I will add make sure they provide wipes. One of the local hospitals don't give you traditional wipes, instead it's thick cotton ones you have to wet. That's a total pain!

mmks

Could you call and ask or ask your OB or someone who has delivered there recently?  Would be worth it so you don't drag a bunch of stuff in that you won't use.

Helmink0804

Thanks ladies for the feedback, I appreciate it!
 I am part of a Cleveland Mama FB page, and I posted there asking about the things on my list for the baby and said which hospital I'm delivering at.

Helmink0804

Question and it might be a stupid one, but....

If my milk isn't in yet, how do you BF the baby at the hospital that I'll need the boppy and nursing tanks/bra for?

MissLadyTay

Helmink0804 said:

Question and it might be a stupid one, but....

If my milk isn't in yet, how do you BF the baby at the hospital that I'll need the boppy and nursing tanks/bra for?

I'm not sure I understand. But you will still nurse before your "milk comes in." To stimulate milk production you nurse. So even though your milk doesn't come in for a few days you are still nursing every few hours around the clock. The baby gets colostrum.

fyafighterwife86

I 100% agree with @kitchencolors.

You definitely don't need a razor. The last thing you're gonna give a shit about is how hairy your legs are or aren't.
Nail clippers- don't need them.
You can pack extra outfits if you want him to be dressed in something other than a swaddle blanket and the plain white-t the hospital provides.
I would also recommend Chapstick. My lips got SO dry last time and unless you want to spend $5 in the gift shop, it's a wise choice.

Basically- make sure YOU are comfortable. Bring your favorite pillow, blanket, nightie, etc.

Helmink0804

MissLadyTay said:

Question and it might be a stupid one, but....

If my milk isn't in yet, how do you BF the baby at the hospital that I'll need the boppy and nursing tanks/bra for?

I'm not sure I understand. But you will still nurse before your "milk comes in." To stimulate milk production you nurse. So even though your milk doesn't come in for a few days you are still nursing every few hours around the clock. The baby gets colostrum.

Thanks!!

tjkdlhb

DH brought a laptop with some dvds.  It might seem like overkill for sure... and no, isn't necessary, but it sure made early labour a lot easier to be distracted in between contractions.  Plus I was there for a long time before I actually was in labour, as they were inducing.  So it really helped with the boredom.

Mimaloo

Helmink0804 said:

@amroke I'm a FTM, I'm not sure what our hospital provides and doesn't provide. I went off of a few different lists from Pinterest and the one lady did comment saying she rather use her own stuff than the hospitals (it was her 5th baby that she posted the blog about).

Have you taken a hospital tour yet? 

DH and I took one this past week and the nurse told us that the only thing we need to bring for DD is a going home outfit. Everything else is provided by the hospital. So if you haven't been yet, ask them what you'll need for baby. 

ETA: missed the above post where you addressed this question.

spacepotatoes

Helmink0804 said:

Question and it might be a stupid one, but....

If my milk isn't in yet, how do you BF the baby at the hospital that I'll need the boppy and nursing tanks/bra for?

As the PPs said, you'll be producing colostrum in the days (or however long it takes) before the actual milk comes in. In addition to the nursing tanks, I'm planning to bring some nipple cream in my main bag and then have my nursing pillow and pump in the car, just in case.

bookishnerd

Maybe check with the hospital or your OB and see if they have a list of things the hospital will provide. We got a list in our birthing class of what our hospital provides and what they recommend bringing. Super helpful!

Meg&Austin

When do u usually pack ur hospital bag?

kb2bkk

I agree with PP a lot of what you have on their for your LO is overkill. The one item I wish I had brought was nail clippers or a file. DD1 came out with super long nails and kept scratching herself any time she didn't have her hands covered. The hospital wouldn't provide clippers/file so I had to have my mom bring them on one of her trips.

You have nothing for you DH on the list. One reccomendation we got was gym shorts / pajama pants. He usually just sleeps in boxers so we never think to pack them when we go on vacations etc., with everyone coming in and out of the room during the night I'm sure he was glad to be wearing them.

cbrust

RE: clothes 

How long do you plan to stay in the hospital? 10 pairs of undies seems like a lot, and 4+ baby outfits seems excessive. Do you live close to the hospital? I do and plan on bringing enough for 1-2 nights stay and then if I need more I'll have DH/MIL bring up more clothes for me or baby. I might even have an extra bag of stuff in the car that I won't bring in with us initially. 

talkthewholetime

My hospital bag is going to have only snacks for my DH cause he is the the best! He is so cool I might actually bring a heater to keep the room from freezing. I wish I was one millionth as cool as my great and awesome DH. Well I am going to make him a delicious bowl of Trix cereal. Later Gators!!!!

tjkdlhb

kb2bkk said:

I agree with PP a lot of what you have on their for your LO is overkill. The one item I wish I had brought was nail clippers or a file. DD1 came out with super long nails and kept scratching herself any time she didn't have her hands covered. The hospital wouldn't provide clippers/file so I had to have my mom bring them on one of her trips. You have nothing for you DH on the list. One reccomendation we got was gym shorts / pajama pants. He usually just sleeps in boxers so we never think to pack them when we go on vacations etc., with everyone coming in and out of the room during the night I'm sure he was glad to be wearing them.

I put a bunch of change in a baggie for DH last time.  It was great to have for parking and late night runs to the vending machine.

tjkdlhb

talkthewholetime said:

My hospital bag is going to have only snacks for my DH cause he is the the best! He is so cool I might actually bring a heater to keep the room from freezing. I wish I was one millionth as cool as my great and awesome DH. Well I am going to make him a delicious bowl of Trix cereal. Later Gators!!!!

hacked?!?

Helmink0804

He said he'll be going home. We only live 10 mins away. Bringing change for him and snacks would be a great idea.

amroke

My husband packed for himself.

Helmink0804

I'll pack gym shorts and a Tshirt for him. He could always run home the next day to grab more or my mom lives just 5 mins from us she can grab him something if he does change his mind and decides to stay.

spacepotatoes

talkthewholetime said:

My hospital bag is going to have only snacks for my DH cause he is the the best! He is so cool I might actually bring a heater to keep the room from freezing. I wish I was one millionth as cool as my great and awesome DH. Well I am going to make him a delicious bowl of Trix cereal. Later Gators!!!!

Hey ttwt's DH! What it be?

talkthewholetime

spacepotatoes said:

talkthewholetime said:

My hospital bag is going to have only snacks for my DH cause he is the the best! He is so cool I might actually bring a heater to keep the room from freezing. I wish I was one millionth as cool as my great and awesome DH. Well I am going to make him a delicious bowl of Trix cereal. Later Gators!!!!

Hey ttwt's DH! What it be?


Just painting DB's room.

kat8805

talkthewholetime said:

talkthewholetime said:

My hospital bag is going to have only snacks for my DH cause he is the the best! He is so cool I might actually bring a heater to keep the room from freezing. I wish I was one millionth as cool as my great and awesome DH. Well I am going to make him a delicious bowl of Trix cereal. Later Gators!!!!

Hey ttwt's DH! What it be?

Just painting DB's room.

Dood. We like you, stop hijacking your wife's shit and make your own. We'll play nice :P

Miles2Go

kat8805 said:

We'll play nice :P

Speak for yourself.....

kat8805

Miles2Go said:

We'll play nice :P

Speak for yourself.....

Ok, so everyone but Miles will play nice. She's just a turd anyways >:P

talkthewholetime

Sdufort1216

lol that's a crazy long list! there's no way I'd bring all that stuff plus every hospital I've heard of provides a lot of toiletries and diapers, pads and mittens if they need them . baby only needs 1 outfit . I'd def not take a razor either why would you need that your not gonna care about shaving...

CookingStar

Baby nail clippers I would take them to the hospital. My daughter was born with super long nails and we were in the hospital for a week....and they don't clip them (at least they didn't at my old hospital). It was one of the first thing I did when I came home...fed my daughter and clipped her nails while she slept.

Helmink0804

Thanks ladies! When' a good time to pack the hospital bag? I'm 30 weeks today.

likeabel

I'll be bring a razor but only because I get a 5 o'clock shadow on my armpits and feel disgusting when I don't shave them!
I've also heard it's easier to bite your baby's nails off than use the baby nail clippers.

NorthernGal248

likeabel said:

I'll be bring a razor but only because I get a 5 o'clock shadow on my armpits and feel disgusting when I don't shave them!
I've also heard it's easier to bite your baby's nails off than use the baby nail clippers.

Uh.. What if you end up pulling on the nail wrong and end up snagging more of the nail than you expected? Plus, if your mouth is on the babies hand you can't see the nail and tiny finger, how do you expect to be gentle and not accidentally take skin?

LDQAM516

Whoa…you will need and use maybe a tenth of what you have on that list.  Hospital will most likely provide a lot of the baby necessities as well…And your full blown milk supply most likely won't be in until you get home…

Mittens14

Sdufort1216 said:

lol that's a crazy long list! there's no way I'd bring all that stuff plus every hospital I've heard of provides a lot of toiletries and diapers, pads and mittens if they need them . baby only needs 1 outfit . I'd def not take a razor either why would you need that your not gonna care about shaving...

I disagree, I shaved in the hospital, I wasn't as concerned about my legs (although I shaved those too) as I was about my armpits.  I was there for 5 days.  I felt like a new woman. 

ETA:  Although, I do agree that the list is way too much!  I'd eliminate most of the baby stuff.  Also, for the person that said to use the mesh undies the hospital gives you, not all hospitals give you mesh undies, so I was VERY happy to have brought my own.  And I was also much more comfortable with my own pads vs. the pads the hospital gave.  Bottom line for the OP, call the hospital and ask about the items you're unsure of.  I called when I was having DS and asked about a few things ahead of time and they gave me all of the information I needed.  Every hospital is different.

spinsoffresonance

Way, way, way too much stuff. Pretty much agree with kitchencolors's edits. I literally brought nothing for DD to the hospital other than a going home outfit. Everything for baby was provided. I would also skip the nursing bras, just wear the tanks.