Here you are with your due date approaching. You’ve packed your hospital bag thinking you’ve got it all figured out, then you get to the hospital to realize you have what you don’t need and don’t have what you do need.
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That was me. I got on Pinterest to see what I needed in my hospital bag. I packed my bag, got to the hospital, and realized I didn’t need half of the stuff I packed. Most of the things you think you will need won’t ever leave your bag. A lot of items are supplied by the hospital, depending on your location. The rest of the items just take up precious space in your bag that could be used to bring all of your hospital goodies back home.
Today, we’ll go over what you DON’T need in your hospital bag, and what you actually need to pack in your hospital bag. I ended up having an emergency C-section, so this will include items I WISH I had packed in my hospital bag.
What you DON’T need
Food and drinks
Seriously. The hospital supplies all of this for you. That’s why they have cafeterias! Most of the time, you won’t even be able to eat until AFTER you deliver anyway. Skip out on the snacks and drinks. They will feed you, and they have vending machines for hubby.
Video camera
Don’t waste your money on a camera unless you already have one. Your phone will take all of your pictures for you.
Lots of cute baby clothes
You will most likely only be in the hospital for a max of 2 days. All your baby really needs is a onesie and a going-home outfit.
Diapers
Don’t take up space in your bag for diapers, because the truth is, you’ll need a LOT, and the hospital will supply these for you.
Reading material
You may think you’ll have all of this free time, but that is far from the truth. In between contractions, nurses coming in every 10 minutes, and trying to rest, you’ll be plenty busy.
Pacifiers
The hospital usually always supplies pacifiers. Leave your cute ones at home for the baby’s arrival.
What you DO need
A car seat
I know this sounds silly, but don’t forget the car seat! They won’t let you leave the hospital without it.
Driver’s license and insurance card
Between trying to get prepared for the baby’s arrival, you may forget some very important things. That is your driver’s license and insurance card. You’ll need these for registration and filling out forms.
Cell phone and chargers
As I said before, your phone will be able to take all the pictures you need. Your phone will die fast, so make sure to bring an extra-long charger cord to make it from the wall to your bed.
Nursing bra
I didn’t breastfeed, but nursing bras are extremely comfortable otherwise. You’ll want to wear one so you don’t feel so exposed under your hospital gown (silly, right? They’ve all seen everything anyway!) and it’s easier to unhook for nursing.
Maternity robe
You can swap your hospital gown out for a maternity robe to feel more comfortable. I only wore my robe while walking around the hospital. Other than that, I stayed in my room a lot because I had a lot of complications post-birth. That’s a story for another day.
What I wish I had
Small fan with a clip
When you deliver a baby, your hormones will be SO out of whack. I was sweating in a 60-degree room, and I was in the hospital for a total of 5 days. It took them three days to get me a fan after constantly asking. I was a hot mess. Literally.
High waisted underwear
I know the hospital supplies mesh underwear, but they are so loose and uncomfortable. I ended up wearing normal underwear anyway to feel more secure. And boy oh boy how I wish I had high-waisted underwear, especially after a c-section.
Slippers
I had flip-flops in the hospital and I wish I had slippers. My feet were always cold and I actually ended up losing a good pair of socks because they got stuck with the sheets when the housekeeper came in to change my bedding.
Loose fitting pajamas
I had a loose-fitting (well, was!) T-shirt and a pair of Soffe shorts. They ended up being too tight and uncomfortable, and I wish I had some looser-fitting pajamas to wear.
Nursing pads
Nursing pads are a must. You will leak all of your shirt/bra. End of story.
Optional items
Your own pillow
I didn’t do this, but I’ve heard other women bringing their own pillow to make them feel more comfortable. Hospital pillows are hard and uncomfortable.
Swaddle blankets/velcro swaddle
I could NOT swaddle worth a darn, and babies LOVE to be swaddled. I always opted for the velcro swaddles. One word: LIFESAVER.
Nursing pillow
You may want a Boppy or a nursing pillow if you plan on breastfeeding. They’re also convenient even if you’re bottle-feeding. They’re super versatile.
Hair accessories
You may want some comfy hair ties to tie up your hair when the going gets rough. You’ll want your hair out of your face as much as possible.
Nipple cream
Your nipples may become sore and cracked, so it’s always a good idea to carry some nipple cream with you.
Footed pajamas
You can opt to bring some footed pajamas for your new little one. Keep the nice and cozy, not to mention super cute!
Baby mittens
Your baby will have fresh, new, sharp little fingernails. They’ll be reaching for everything and their little hands will constantly be going up to their face. You’ll want to protect them from scratching themselves, so put some baby mittens on those tiny little hands.
Wrapping up
I hope this post has helped you figure out what to pack in your hospital bag, and what not to pack.
And please remember, we are all different with very different experiences. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. This post is my own take on what you do and don’t need to pack in your hospital bag.
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