Pregnancy Hospital Bag Packing List - everything you need for baby & you

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Here you are reaching the end of your pregnancy dying to know what your new bundle of joy is going to look like when he/she arrives into this crazy world, but first you want to make sure you have everything you need for both you and your baby before labor begins.

I gave birth to my first child December 2013. My water broke just before midnight and we welcomed her into the world about three hours later.  She was eight days early and boy was I glad we already had our bags packed and ready to go; now here I am, fourteen months later and thirty-six weeks pregnant with baby number two packed and ready to go for whenever he decides to make his way into the world.

I'm one of those people who tends to overpack for vacations because you never know what the weather is going to be like or where you will end up so when it was time for me to start packing for the hospital I had no idea what to put in my bag.

Being the first of my friends to get pregnant, I couldn't go to them for advice and oh how times have changed since my mom and grandmother gave birth so I resulted to google searches only to find a few lists that contain barely anything or a bunch of things I knew I wouldn't need like a hair dryer. I'm sorry but I don't think anybody is going to care what your hair looks like, after all you just had a baby.

Since my google searches ended in a fail, I ended up winging it and once it was all said and done I BARELY USED ANYTHING I packed in my bag. So this time around I decided to pack A LOT LESS - to an extent - and a lot faster since I literally just did this a few months ago.

Now I'm sitting here awaiting the arrival of baby number two so I figured I'd share a list of what to pack just incase you're in my boat the first time around and have no idea what to pack.

When to Pack your Bag:

I packed my bags several weeks ago because I'm ready for my baby to be out and I have a feeling he's going to come early but the best time to pack a hospital bag is around 35 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. This way you aren't sitting there staring at your hospital bags forever making you more impatient for the arrival of your little one.

By this point you most likely have already had a baby shower so should have everything you need to pack, plus the doctors will usually allow the baby to come after 36 weeks if your little one decides to make an early appearance.

What to Pack:

Literally all you need is a change of clothes for you and an outfit for the baby to come home in, a picture ID, insurance cards and a carseat.

The hospital supplied everything else from diapers to a mini set of shower supplies waiting for me when I got in the room. I was surprised that they supplied pretty much everything without me asking so if you don't have time to pack a bag, the hospital will most likely supply you with what you need.

I will admit though that using your own shampoo and toothbrush will help you feel more comfortable those three days you're at the hospital.

UPDATE: My sweet baby boy arrived two weeks early so thank goodness I already had my bags packed. The hospital I delivered my son at was different than the one I delivered my daughter at. This hospital DID NOT supply me with toiletries like the other one did. I'm sure if I asked, the nurses could of brought me some but I already had some packed so I wasn't worried about it. 

This hospital supplied feminine care products, socks and a gown for me. They supplied the baby with everything he needed from diapers to wipes to baby wash to a pacifier and hair brush. 

During Labor:

• Picture ID (drivers license)
• Insurance Cards
• Camera & Charger
• Something to keep you occupied/relaxed if it is a long labor (cell phone, book, magazine, coloring book, deck of cards, iPod, pillow, etc...)

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For You:

• 2 Nightgowns / Pajama's / Comfortable Outfits
• 1 Going Home Outfit
• Remember that you will still look like you're a couple months pregnant so make sure your going home outfit is loose. Don't worry your baby belly will eventually go back down with time!
• I walked out of the hospital wearing black sweat pants, flip flops, one of my husband's t-shirts and a coat. There is no need to pack anything nice for you because it will probably get ruined by blood, leaky nipples or baby puke, besides, who are you trying to impress? 
• Comfortable Nursing Bra / Sports Bra 
• Your breast will most likely be tender whether you choose to breast feed or not, plus your going to be laying in a bed for a few days so push up bras are a definite NO.
• 2-3 pairs of Socks OR Slippers
• The hospital will supply you with a pair of thick socks 
• 2-3 pairs of Old/Cheap Underwear 
• The hospital supplies you with several mesh underwear that are great because they stretch not putting pressure on you and you can throw them away so you don't have to worry about ruining your own underwear.
• The hospital supplies you with huge pads that reminded me of mini life boats but they definitely come in handy and they supply stuff to help relieve the swelling down below but make sure you have several pads waiting for you at home.
• Toiletries: 
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Deodorant
• Chap Stick
• Hair brush/Hair band/Head band
• Make-up
• Optional - razor, lotion and perfume (not recommended because the scent may mess with your new baby's sensitive skin)
• Cell Phone & Charger

If Breastfeeding:

• Nursing Pads
• My milk came in the second day so I was leaking through my nightgown. The hospital supplied me with a manual breast pump that I packed this time incase the same thing happens. 
• Nursing Cover 
• Nursing covers can get in the way until you get the hang of breastfeeding but if you plan on having guest visit, it may come in handy. You can also just have someone hold up a blanket to block your guest view or ask your guest to step out. 
• Nipple Cream
• Your nipples will be irritated whether it's your first time breastfeeding or third. The hospital supplied me with nipple cream when I asked because I was unaware I needed it. I made sure to pack it the next time.

When I finally showered and changed out of the hospital gown, I wore sweatpants and a larger t-shirt. After one of my births I wore my husband's sport's shorts and a loose shirt. I tend to pack my husbands clothes because it is larger than my clothes so it fits me better and is looser and more comfortable.

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Your Partner:

• 2-3 Comfortable Outfits
• They will be doing a lot of standing/walking around and sleeping on an uncomfortable hospital bed/chair.
• Toiletries
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Body Wash
• Razor 
• Picture ID 
• Money for food just incase 
• Cell Phone & Charger

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Your Baby:

• Hospital Picture Outfit (this can be the same as the going home outfit)
• Going Home Outfit
• I packed a couple different size outfits (NB, 0-3M, 3M) because you never know how big or small your baby is going to be. 
• Baby Scratch Mittens 
• Baby Socks - They can act as scratch mittens as well if you don't want to buy any.
• Pacifier or Wubbanub
• Baby Blanket
• The hospital supplies you with thin receiving blankets but I recommend bringing a warmer blanket for your baby for the car ride home.
• Carseat - you CAN NOT take your baby home if you do not have a carseat properly installed.

The hospital will supply you with diapers, wipes, body wash, pacifier, booger sucker, receiving blankets, white baby shirt, baby hat, etc.  I packed a mini lotion, wash rag, Wubanub, few diapers and wipes just incase I needed them. Also an emery board incase the babies nails are long.

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Optional:

• Shower Shoes -  You don't know what's touched that nasty floor. Flip Flops work great.
• Pillow & Blanket - To make you and your partner more comfortable 
• Snacks - The hospital I had my first baby at supplied the family with complementary snacks and drinks but I hear not all hospitals do that so pack your own or bring money for the vending machine/cafeteria. 
• Boppy Pillow/Nursing Pillow - If you have a toddler, this may come in handy if they want to hold their sibling.
• Gift for the Siblings - I'm not doing this because my daughter is only 14 months old and probably won't have any idea whats going on other than pointing and saying "bay-bay" but I've been told that it's nice to have something small for the new baby/parents to give the older siblings so they don't feel left out and forgotten in all the madness.
• Medications - I may be wrong but I don't think the hospital wants you to bring in medications. This includes vitamins. If you need medications talk to your doctor and I'm sure they will supply you with them.

There isn't a ton room in hospital rooms so don't bring a bunch of bags and extra stuff because it will only take up space making it feel more crowded when you have visitors.

Leave some room in your bags for everything you're going to get at the hospital (feminine products, mesh panties, toiletries, diapers, wipes, water jug, etc..). They're just going to throw it away due to sanitary guidelines so you might as well take it!

Remember what I said before, literally all you need is a change of clothes for you and the baby to come home in, a picture ID and insurance cards. The hospital supplies pretty much everything else and if not you can ask them for it and they will get it for you. If for some reason the hospital doesn't have what you need, I'm sure one of your loved ones can run out or run home and get it for you. I hope this blog helps you when packing your Pregnancy Hospital Bag. Congratulations and Good Luck!

Drop a comment below with what you absolutely couldn't go to the hospital without!