What's in your hospital bag?

[JoyRenee]

So perhaps this is a little early but let's have some fun. It's always soooo quiet in here!

What is (or is GOING to be) in your hospital bag?!

And if you're unsure what to take I'll post what'll be in mine first (as a momma whose pregnant with #3) to give you some ideas and I'm sure the other ladies will have great ideas on what will be in theirs as well!

[JoyRenee]

Nah, it's cool! Extra reminders hopefully mean no one forgets!!!

[kellyjo82801]

oh wait you did mention batteries... sorry.

[kellyjo82801]

Just thought of one last thing that I didn't see on here- Extra batteries for camera and your cell phone charger!.

[JoyRenee]

A nightgown is the best thing to wear at the hospital. They specifically make nursing gowns. I just sat there in a nursing bra with the hospital gown over the front of me (especially with visitors).

[nicole179]

i would prefer to bring my own pj's to wear while at hospital, any suggestions as to what works best for nursing?  i haven't really started to think about packing yet!! i haven't even cleaned out the office to make the nursery!!!!  i think that i think it will all magically get done by itself!

[JoyRenee]

DON'T FORGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your camera and extra batteries and/or a camcorder!


One tip I have is that when you pack your bag you may find that some things are last-minute things to pack (such as your camera). What I did was keep my bag by the door with a note taped to the top with a list of my last-minute items we'd need to grab.

[TKM22]

in my labour bag there will be for myself - nitie, slippers, dressing gown. outfit to go home, wash bag, makeup, hairbrush  and a towel for the waterbirth.  pants, bra, maternity towels and money for  phone and  shop.

baby-  4 sleepsuits
          4 baby vests  
          blanket
          nappies
          hat/mittens
          car seat
          bibs.

[kellyjo82801]

I don't even have much for the baby or her going home outfit. I'm so behind but I wanted to wait for my babyshower in September to get what else I needed. So no hospital bag yet... or even car seat

[kjbutcher]

I am with joy with the dont bring too much!  I took so much last time and barely touched any of it.  the books scare you and say that they have the 50's style pads so bring your own, I had half of a suit case just of pads...never touched them.  I brought all different size clothes because they were like 5-7lbs and 8-11 lbs and I wasnt sure how big he would be...no need.  the 5-7 lb stuff will fit until about 13lbs and will be huge on a newborn.  He spent most of his stay in the little tee shirt and blanket so out of the 12 outfits I brought, he wore 1...for his pictures (the one outfit I would add to joys list), he even wore the little tee home (of course that was summer time!)  Not only do you not use half of what you bring, you leave the hospital with so much stuff that your car is full to the max!  it took us like 6 trips to bring everything in last time, then we had to put it all back away.  I also did enjoy having a pair of my own pjs with me for the stay so i didnt have to wear the gown the whole time.

[JoyRenee]

P.S. Don't forget- you don't need to bring pads, diapers/wipes as the hospital will supply those things! And before you leave, ask for extras!!!

[JoyRenee]

Okay!!! Here's what we're taking to the hospital:

For Daddy- he's not staying overnight (unless labor goes overnight) so no bag for him. Probably some cash/change for vending machines and cafeteria.

For Baby-
-Infant Seat (will stay in car)
-Going home outfit
-Light blanket
-Binky

For Mommy-
-Toiletries (makeup, ponytail holder, glasses/contacts, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
-Special book someone gave me to mark down diapers/feedings
-Boppy and extra pillow from home
-Underwear I don't care about ruining
-Socks/slippers
-Going home clothes (from when you were about 5 months pregnant, NOT pre-pregnancy sized clothes)



When I had my first daughter I brought half our house with us. With our second I brought less. This time I'm bringing the bare essentials because I didn't even TOUCH my bags except to brush my teeth and put on makeup while at the hospital.

Some other things you may want to consider bringing:
-lollipops/hard candy to have during labor
-focal object (when having contractions)
-special treat/gift from baby to siblings
-movies/music/CD player because time will move SO SLOW at the hospital