Hospital Bag

yellingbanana · January 2021

We are approaching the time to start getting our hospital bags ready. You’d think after 3 kids that I’d know exactly what I want to bring, but it changes each time! Some of it is thanks to the Bump birth month groups, I’ve gotten some really good ideas about things to pack for the hospital from some amazing ladies. So let’s all share what we are bringing, it’ll help you get organized, and help fellow bumpies!

Do you plan on bringing one big bag for you and baby? Separate bags? What are your must have items? Or just throw your whole list up!

ec1212 · January 2021

Started a checklist a while back & keeping adding to it. Will bring a big bag for me with below things, small bag for baby with onesies, a blankie & going home outfit and DH can pack himself but I’ll ask him to bring swim trunks & shower shoes so he can come in shower with me. Not sure if hospital has tubs yet.

eye mask for sleeping
fridamom ice packs
extra long charging cord
extra phone battery
pillow in pillowcase
Pilates socks with grippies on bottom
snacks or Gatorade/pedialyte packets
Bose headphones and charging cord
Earplugs x 2
Portable speaker
Depends panties & giant pads
Roku cords & remote?
Wine 🍾
Comfy slip on shoes/slippers to labor in
Disposable shower flip flops
Sports bra to wear in birthing tub
Lounge clothes / nursing bras for after
Going home outfit
Tote to bring home hospital freebies
Colace (on advice of my doula, hospital no longer provides)

gusgus14 · January 2021

I plan on bringing one bag but it has a separate bottom zippered section that I’ll use for the babies and put my stuff in the main compartment.

For me:
Nursing bras
Leggings/comfy clothes
Toiletries
Phone charger
Snacks (mostly for DH; I didn’t eat any of our snacks last time)
Comfy socks/slippers
Maybe a book or iPad but last time I just watched the hospital tv during labor.

Babies:
1-2 onesies each (probably just 1 but I tend to overpack so maybe 2)
*Muslin blanket each
*Velcro swaddle each
Socks
Coming home outfits

*maybe

My hospital provides post partum supplies and newborn diapers so won’t bring those.

brynn_mamaof4 · January 2021

I screenshotted this the other day just because it had some different ideas of things to pack... like jolly ranchers. Honestly I aced it for the jolly rancher reminder haha

littlelibelula · January 2021

I will just bring my deuter backpack with all its pockets and extra space.
Me
- documents
- extra cash
- cellphone
- cable and charger
- earplugs
- shampoo/conditioner (travel sizes)
- toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
- comb
- going home outfit (probably a compactable dress.)
- 3-4 pairs granny panties
- a package of overnight pads
- disposable breast pads
- wool socks
- flannel button-down night shirt
- sweater
- button down nightdress
- plastic slipon shoes/crocs
- snacks
- water bottle
- two simple bras
- blanket
- KN95 masks 😔
- hand santizer

Baby
- package of newborn diapers
- a few size 1 diapers
- maybe cloth diapers instead
(I haven't decided if I want to do EC, cloth or disposable in the hospital)
- package of wet wipes
- 2-3 swaddle blankets
- 1-2 sleepers
- 1-2 hats
- cloth carrier?
- going home outfit

yellingbanana · January 2021

Most hospitals provide diapers and wipes. All of the hospitals that I’ve been at use Pampers Swaddlers and some generic unscented wipes.

mrosek91 · January 2021

With my first I overpacked and ending up not touching most of what I brought, with my third I went the other way, and ended up having to have DH bring me a bunch of stuff from home. Here's what I plan on packing this time -

1) Going home outfit for me (including underwear, and a nursing bra)
2) Going home outfit for baby
3) Comfy nursing top - (somewhere between PJs, and a real shirt, I used this when I had visitors, really hoping we'll be allowed visitors by the time these babies come.)
4) phone charger
5) pacifier (most hospitals will give you this, mine did, but I could feel the nurse judging me when I asked for it, and she tried to talk me out of it. Nipple confusion is not a thing. This is not my first baby, I know what I'm doing. I know I can ask for it again, but we own a few, so why not bring it and save myself the judgement when I'm already sleep deprived and hormonal)

Like others have said the hospital will provide diapers, wipes, and pads for mom. Mine also provided these sock/slipper things, so I used those.

mkc3888 · January 2021

I don't have a list, But I'll probably throw most of our stuff in 1 bag and have a diaper bag packed and waiting in the car.

@mrosek91 I was never offered on in in mother/baby, but we were discharged and readmitted the next day and the first day on the pediatric wing they offered a pacifier to help soothe the baby.

mrosek91 · January 2021

@mkc3888 I was never offered one either, but they had them available upon request.

gusgus14 · January 2021

@mrosek91 yes! Forgot about pacifiers. My first refused them for the most part but kind of hoping these guys will take them.

texas_t · January 2021

Repeat C-Section here, so I know I will be in the hospital for about 4 days and 3 nights. Our hospital provides mesh underwear, multiples sizes of pads, shampoo, conditioner, soap, a giant water mug, drinks, snacks, meals for myself and my husband, diapers, wipes, Vaseline, formula, pump, pumping parts, lanolin, nursing pads,

For myself:
- Driver's License
- Phone
- Extra long charging cord
- Power Brick
- Headphones with light cable adapter
- Eye Mask
- Ear Plugs
- Shower Flip Flops
- Scrunchies
- Rx medication
- Colace
- Hydrocortisone (I get a rash at the top of my butt crack every single time bc of the mesh underwear, but I like them, lol)
- Brush
- Face Wipes
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Brow Gel
- Deodorant
- Hard-soled slippers
- Soft Blanket
- Nursing Bra
- 2 nursing gowns
- Maternity robe
- Panties
- Dress for going home

For baby:
- 4 Sleepers
- Pacifier
- 2 Blankets
- 1 Velcro swaddle
- Take home outfit
- Carseat

mimser · January 2021

I haven't made my list yet but I don't know if you guys want to add your own toilet paper! I'm not sure we'll have a BM at the hospital after the birth? But possibly before during labor? Anyway I was hospitalized twice in the last 12 months and both times the toilet paper there made my butt crack bleed or set my lady parts on fire. So this one is surely going to be part of my list.

littlelibelula · January 2021

@mrosek91 For my first pregnancy I took the hospital's list seriously and thought I had to have a button down nightdress. Seriously wish I had ignored that advice and had just brought some button down shirts. I'm really not sure for bottoms though, having something unrestricting like a nighty is really nice. But even in quarantine I don't like being awake in pjs, so I would prefer something more clothes like.

queen_frostine · January 2021

I actually started making this list on my own a couple days ago and thought it was way too soon. My first baby I didn't need almost anything -- I showered before I went in, and I didn't stay there long enough to need to shower again. Anything like diapers, blankets, pads for you--the hospital will provide. Mine had toothbrush, toothpaste, and mini hotel toiletries, too.

I am most concerned with FOOD. What kind of snacks are you packing? I barely had my daughter early enough to make the ordering-supper cutoff, and I don't know what I'll do if I'm stuck there an extensive time and my husband isn't allowed to come and go with fast food because of pandemic restrictions. So mostly I'm making a list of possible snacks.

Peanut butter cups, nuts, and Just the Cheese bars for if I have to be there a while inducing or whatever before active labor, so I don't jack up baby's blood sugar and make him crash once he's out
Cereal boxes and shelf stable milk juice boxes for after the baby is out
Maybe lunchables. I might need a cooler.

Of course, part of that will depend on the situation at the time.

ccmrc143 · January 2021

Question for STM+ — all the things you’re saying the hospital provides, does that end up on your insurance bill? I want to take advantage but not if I’m charged.

mkc3888 · January 2021

@ccmrc my understanding is pretty much all meds are charged. If the scan it, it’s charged. I think pads, diapers, wipes, mesh undies are all included. But ibeuprofin, stool softener and other meds are charged at an obscene rate. If you want to know what’s included at your hospital I’d call because I bed it carries from one hospital to the next.

gusgus14 · January 2021

@ccmrc143 I don’t remember but I’ll hit my deductible either way so it doesn’t really matter to me 🤷‍♀️ My guess would be yes but I can’t say for sure.

ec1212 · January 2021

And the fun part is our hospital tells us not to bring any drugs or baby supplies from home (with the exception of the stool softener, oddly) because they will provide everything we need there. Highway robbery

. I wonder if they do that because patients have made mistakes taking their own medications while in labor or exhausted, and lawsuits cropped up.

mimser · January 2021

Interesting how they don't provide anything here, only formula and those cleansing bottles... From my experience they give you ONE pad if you have surgery (D&C or cerclage, and I suppose c-sections as well).

ckmb_1250 · January 2021

My doula brought coconut oil last time to rub on baby’s butt and help in wiping the meconium, which I never would have thought of!

I expected to shower and put makeup on afterwards last time (what?😂) and this did not happen. I just rinsed off in the shower while there and wore giant sweatpants & a T-shirt home. I don’t like the feel of showers outside of my own home!

We brought Gatorade, gummy bears, and larabars for snacks.

I plan on bringing an outdoor blanket or something like that, that I don’t care if it gets ruined, because I don’t plan on getting on the bed during labor/pushing & want to try the birth stool (but absolutely don’t want to touch the floor!) Last time I thought maybe I’d use the tub, and the room was smaller than I thought and didn’t have many options other than the bed.

yellingbanana · January 2021

Since I’ll be having a repeat c-section, I’ll be in the hospital a little longer than a regular birth. Usually around 2 or 3 nights if everything goes well.

I really suggest packing with the idea in mind that you could have a c-section, even if it’s not the plan. I really wanted a natural, unmedicated birth with my first and things didn’t go well. I wasn’t prepared to stay in the hospital for 5 days, and wish I had brought some of my own pjs. I got tired of wearing the hospital gowns with the tie up shoulders. And my going home clothes weren’t c-section friendly, they were just maternity clothes that were too tight on my incision. I had to send DH home to get different clothes.

Also, if you are a FTM and your husband doesn’t know how to change a diaper, teach him now. Also, teach him how to swaddle a baby. You can use a stuffed animal to practice on! Giving birth is hard work anyway you do it, and DH needs to be helpful once baby is out!

I’ll be packing separate bags so DH doesn’t have to dig through my stuff to get Mia’s pjs.

My hospital has a snack area available to me and DH 24/7. Plus they provide diapers and wipes, basic shirts, hospital blankets, hat, nail file, and baby and adult toiletries (but I prefer my natural ones). When I had DD2 9 years ago, they gave out free Halo swaddle sacks! Not with DS though.

My bag:

Documents

Charger

Hospital gown (ordered a comfy one from Amazon)

Robe

Slippers

Socks

High waisted underwear (the mesh ones are fine for a day, but after that they irritate my skin and give me a rash).

Nursing Nightgowns (pants are a no-go w/incision!)

Toiletries (don’t forget lotion!)

Face wipes (brought these last time and so refreshing!)

Boob pads

Nursing bras

Nipple butter

Going home outfit (loose, comfy, not tight by incision area!)

Mia’s bag:

Pjs

Onesies

Hats

Scratch mittens

Baby soap (natural, not the harsh stuff at the hospital)

Halo swaddle or Swaddle Designs swaddle (they’re easier for DH and he will be doing most of the baby work because of the c-section)

mimser · January 2021

What kind of bags are you taking?

gusgus14 · January 2021

@mimser I use a weekender

ckmb_1250 · January 2021

Oh also, towards the end of pregnancy I started taking my ID and insurance card out of my work bag at night and putting it in a sheet protector with my birth plan, right next to the hospital bags, so I didn’t have to think about digging it out of my bag before leaving. I carried that and my husband was in charge of all the bags. Our hospital valet is closed overnight so we were separated for a few minutes while he parked, but I had my Important stuff with me.

spartan4life · January 2021

You all have the basics down so here are two of my favorite items that I must have at the hospital again with me:

Nursing night gowns:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHRKL74?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I loved these even though I wasn't set on nursing. They were flowy andade it easy to be checked for whatever was needed. They also made me feel more human and looked nice.

Grippy slippers (2pack is a must):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G617TXC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

My feet are always cold and the hospital socks are way too big on me. I loved these because they were cheap but comfy so when I peed/bled all over my first pair I didn't mind throwing them away and putting on pair number 2!

queen_frostine · January 2021

Oh yeah, re: meds. I was told I was not allowed to bring any of my own meds, but that I would not want the hospital to dispense meds to me because it would be super expensive. So I was without my metformin, levothyroxine, and fexofenadine for those days, which seems utterly stupid to me. I think continuity of metformin might have helped breastfeeding go smoother, and I get so itchy if I miss a day with my antihistamine.

yellingbanana · January 2021

@queen_frostine that’s crazy! I’d just have your DH sneak them in and take them when no one is around!

ec1212 · January 2021

Q: When should we pack these bad boys? I was planning on 36ish wks.

I have a friend who went into labor @ 34 wks last year but I know she’s an outlier...I will have more on my mind if I go into labor that early than comfy socks. (Her baby boy is perfect, btw. He was in the NICU for 10 days while they monitored his breathing but he’s a cute chubby happy guy now.)

mimser · January 2021

@ec1212 I was planning on doing it sometime between 32 and 36 weeks. I definitely want to be done by 36 weeks

littlelibelula · January 2021

For my DS I put everything in his diaper backpack. I think I slowly threw things in as I thought of them especially things I had no other use for. And then, I don't know how much before, I dumped it all out, sorted it and did the final packing.

Especially if you are buying things specifically for the birth, your bag or a box(if you're using the bag) really makes sense for when you have an a-ha moment and can just throw it in and look and make final selections at the end.

nsk489 · January 2021

My sister had my niece at 30 weeks and my SIL and a friend both gave birth at 34 weeks...I know that's not necessarily the status quo but I think I will get my bag ready between 32-34 weeks just for peace of mind!

Sorry if this is kinda a dumb question but do you wear the hospital gowns while you're there? I see some of you saying you're packing button down nightgowns or nursing dresses...is that for before you give birth? After? During? My husband bought me a nice maternity robe for Christmas (link: https://cadenlane.com/collections/mommy-robes/products/savannahs-sunflowers-knit-maternity-robe) but I'm assuming I will mostly wear it after giving birth

spartan4life · January 2021

@nsk489 for me, I had to wear the hospital gown while in labor but I was pretty much in just my nursing bra by the end. They gave me a new gown when I was transferred to the mother/baby unit. I had DS at almost 9pm so I didn't shower until the next morning. Once I had my IV out and I took a shower, I was allowed to wear whatever I wanted so I chose a nursing gown. I would avoid pants just because they come in to check stitches, bleeding, etc. So pants would be a pain IMO.

yellingbanana · January 2021

@mimser I would definitely have it ready by 30 weeks at the latest. Statistically, at least a handful of us will be going into labor a lot earlier than we planned.

@nsk489 I just used the hospital gown they gave me for my first, and it gets pretty uncomfortable after a few hours. So I ordered a comfortable ‘labor and delivery gown’ from Amazon. It’s way more comfortable than the ones at the hospital. And this is what I’ll be wearing for surgery, or ‘labor and delivery’. I wish I’d had something like this when in labor with my first, the gown from the hospital drove me nuts. But everything drives you nuts when in labor😆 😬. The gown has a button up back and front, from top to bottom. It also has some buttons for nursing access, and pockets.

https://www.amazon.com/Kindred-Bravely-Universal-Delivery-Hospital/dp/B08DR8G58Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=labor%2Band%2Bdelivery%2Bgown&qid=1610230247&sprefix=labor%2Band%2Bd&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A1YG676VKULD43&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRE5XOEJCMTQ2V0RUJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDAzNTYxUjI5SEJZTVRMSktHJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3MTEyNzMzUFFLQzFNR1VHNThTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

The nursing gowns I got are for after the baby is born, and after recovery. So about 4-6 hours after the baby is born. Or whenever I feel like changing. They are just comfortable nightgowns with nursing access. I prefer short sleeves. I’m going to get about 4 because I’ll be in the hospital about 2 or 3 nights. It’s nice to change in the morning and at night.

https://www.amazon.com/Ekouaer-Nightgown-Nightdress-Maternity-Breastfeeding/dp/B07G33C6KG/ref=mp_s_a_1_39?dchild=1&keywords=nursing+nightgowns+breastfeeding&qid=1610230655&sprefix=nursing+ni&sr=8-39

brynn_mamaof4 · January 2021

Something small I bring anytime I will be staying in a hospital, is chapstick and a good moisturizer! I find the hospital air to be sooo dry, mostly affecting my lips. So I will be packing my Laneige Lip Mask. Just a little tip aside from the obvious items!

mrosek91 · January 2021

One thing I will tell STMs is - Do not expect your later births to be exactly like your first. I didn't pack clean underwear because I needed to use depends after DS#1 was born, but with each baby my flow has gotten significantly less, with DS#3 by the time I left the hospital overnight pads were sufficient.

Also, my hospital provided so much, but you had to know to ask for it. (Lotions, toiletries, even lanolin cream, and medicated nipple pads.) IIRC it was all included in the "price" of the room, I was only charged more for the medications. So it's probably worth it to ask a friend whose delivered at that hospital, or do a little googling to see what your hospital is like.

@nsk489 With DS#1 I used the gown provided by the hospital the whole time, and it was fine. But it doesn't provide great coverage, and I get a lot of visitors, so I decided for subsequent pregnancies to pack comfortable nursing friendly clothing for after birth. It was nice to have comfortable clothes that made me feel a little more human, rather than just another patient. But it is definitely not necessary. I also know that some people like to have a nice gown for laboring, but that wasn't for me. There is so much stuff that comes out of you at that point, I was happy to wearing something that someone else would be responsible for laundering.

texas_t · January 2021

@yellingbanana omg the mesh underwear gave me the worst rash at the top of my butt crack, like omg.

mkc3888 · January 2021

I don’t think I’m gonna pack my bag until the day before I think we’ll have the baby. Only because I think most of the stuff will be being used until then. I’ll probably make a good list and pack stuff that isn’t used daily at eh 34 weeks.

asf0613 · January 2021

@mkc3888 living on the edge! lol

this thread inspired me to start packing yesterday. grabbed a good size bag, put together my list, and threw what i knew i had on hand in. i need to get a few things and also need to hold off on a few for a bit, but i started.

DH thinks i am insane.

ec1212 · January 2021

@yellingbanana I ordered that KB L&D gown, too. I'll pack it, but if things are nuts I might throw on whatever they give me and save it for post-delivery. I am picky about rough fabrics and random tags rubbing on me, so it'll feel good knowing I have a soft, detagged option if I want it.

@spartan4life I ordered those grippy slippers...thx for the rec!

**Thank you everyone for all your tips & lists!** This is so helpful.

littlelibelula · January 2021

@asf0613 I was totally thinking the same thing. The bag I think I'll take is not in use, but hasn't been emptied yet. So I think I'll work on that and then start throwing in baby stuff when we find out the gender later this month.

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