How big is your hospital bag?

CapitolBaby · January 2010

I always pictured something on the smaller side, but I thnk we're going to end up taking our large suitcase for the bulk of the stuff (our clothes, boppy, toiletries, robe, etc.), and a small shoulder bag for the more important items (cameras, hospital papers, wallets, phones, etc.) Just curious what the rest of you are planning on.

sammy.k · January 2010

We'll be using our small roller suitcase and shoulder bag for electronics, etc. I'll also have a diaper bag for little man.

JARbaby · January 2010

Take a small bag for L&D and a bigger bag to leave in the car till after. Though I was in the hospital for 8 days with #1 (4 before and 4 after) and never cared about the stuff in the 2nd bag.

k.martell · January 2010

I want to pack lightly because I have a feeling we are going to be taking a lot of stuff home. We are going to take DH's travel bag that we use for weekend over nights and the diaper bag.

aocain02@yahoo.com · January 2010

I have two bags, one with my stuff for laboring and that's just a small messenger size bag then my other one has clothes, toiletries, and other stuff in it and that one is more of a duffel bag. We only live 5 minutes from the hosptial though so if I need to send someone to the house to pick up something it's not a big deal. Plus my DH plans on coming home to shower/change.

Alyssajoy87 · January 2010

::Butts in to give unsolicited advice::

We brought a duffel bag, our diaper bag, and a briefcase for our computer... we left with a lot more than we came with because we were also carrying the carseat and several bags filled with gifts and items we could take home from the hospital.

I would say, pack light!!! I brought too much stuff and it was a pain to haul it all around. I used my toiletries and a change of clothes but I didn't need half of the things that we had with us! Pack what you think is essential but when in doubt, leave it at home!!! Wink

mrsmegs06 · January 2010

I'm using a small rolling suitcase that you'd normally use as a carry on bag. I had another bag too at one point, but with all the suggestions for what you really need I have taken a lot of things out. We live two miles from the hospital, and if we need anything desperately DH can run home.

sapphire angel · January 2010

My childbirth class suggested two bags, one with the essentials for the actual labor including whatever I wanted to labor in and activities for the boredom of a long delivery, etc. This bag would go with us inside the hospital immediately. This small bag would be easier to handle for your partner incase you get sent home again. ...And then a bigger overnight bag. They suggested that the bigger bag is one that can stay in the car until you and little one are in a recovery room bonding and having family time etc. This bag would have your going home clothes for both of you plus an extra blanket for the baby...

JARbaby · January 2010

mrsmegs06:
I'm using a small rolling suitcase that you'd normally use as a carry on bag. I had another bag too at one point, but with all the suggestions for what you really need I have taken a lot of things out. We live two miles from the hospital, and if we need anything desperately DH can run home.

Ha, we lived near Frederick, MD and I delivered at Inova Fairfax and DH running home was not an issue. 35-45m drive. Wink

Lola'sDogMom · January 2010

I have a small carry-on size suitcase, the diaper bag, and DH's laptop bag. The thing that takes up the most space is the robe I packed but I think I'll want it to cover up my hospital gown when people visit so I'm not taking it out.

katester72904 · January 2010

a gym size duffel bag... I will quish my robe in there. lol

CapitolBaby · January 2010

Alyssajoy87:

::Butts in to give unsolicited advice::

We brought a duffel bag, our diaper bag, and a briefcase for our computer... we left with a lot more than we came with because we were also carrying the carseat and several bags filled with gifts and items we could take home from the hospital.

I would say, pack light!!! I brought too much stuff and it was a pain to haul it all around. I used my toiletries and a change of clothes but I didn't need half of the things that we had with us! Pack what you think is essential but when in doubt, leave it at home!!!

Good advice. Our suitcase is expandable, so even if it's full, we can get a lot more stuff in there if we need to. But I'll try to keep the packing light.

peaceful · January 2010

Small suitcase + diaper bag

Poonico · January 2010

I had a small suitcase and a shoulder bag for baby, but I used cloth diapers in the hospital, so that's why I had the small bag.

I have a post on packing your hospital bag here on one of my blogs

Hospital Checklist

poison489 · January 2010

I started packing a small suitcase/carry on bag. Now I have 6 different bags. I am making my DH go get our big suitcase out of storage, so we don't have to carry all of the little bags.

Iheartkevi · January 2010

It's a larger suitcase, but that's because it has lots of room in it for our extra pillows we're taking, boppy, my stuff, DH's stuff, baby's stuff, and room for all the freebies they give. Easier to roll one bag than carry a bunch of little ones.

Summer20 · January 2010

Iheartkevi:
It's a larger suitcase, but that's because it has lots of room in it for our extra pillows we're taking, boppy, my stuff, DH's stuff, baby's stuff, and room for all the freebies they give. Easier to roll one bag than carry a bunch of little ones.

This is what we have planned too - originally I was thinking of something much smaller, but the large suitcase fits all my stuff, DH's stuff, LO's stuff, Boppy and bed pillows, plus some extra space. Much easier than multiple bags I think.

Married2MrWright · January 2010

Medium roll-aboard for clothes, towels, nursing pillow, comfort tools (tennis balls, massage lotion, etc.) toiletries, etc. And a small bag for the laptop, CDs, camera, etc. We're also bring a birthing ball and a body pillow.

LaNegrita · January 2010

peaceful:
Small suitcase + diaper bag

this. Small rolling carry on type, with a toiletries bag & diaper bag (that I hope to fill up with baby gear)

HansenMama2010 · January 2010

so far we have a small suitcase on wheels for my stuff, a duffle bag for my DH and a diaper bag for our little guy, the only one we plan to take in right away is the suitcase, the rest will stay in the car until needed.

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