I think it took me a matter of weeks (halfway joking) to pack my hospital bag. I read numerous posts and blogs and tried condensing and creating my own lists. Here is exactly what I used and a listing of everything you need (and don’t need) at the hospital.

Mom Bag (That’s You!)

• The clothes you wear to the hospital
  • I had the pleasure of being induced and picking out my outfit and walking right into the hospital. Yoga pants, a tank and hoodie were the perfect combination.
  • No matter what you wear they make you get into a hospital gown about 10 minutes after you arrive- so your comfort is short-lived.
• A top for each day you will be in the hospital  (notice I only said a top)
  • I went with a nursing tank and hoodie each day we were there
• One pair of comfy shorts or yoga pants to leave the hospital.
  • You won’t be wearing any pants while you are there.. hospital gowns pre-baby and then after delivery you will have the pleasure of wearing these large mesh underwear with special padded ice packs (oh yes). When guests arrive just pull up that hospital blanket. They will never know you are sitting in your mesh undies.
• Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, soap, deodorant, make-up. I also brought a travel hair dryer and straightener (I wanted to look halfway decent for all the pictures!)
• Shower Shoes (seriously)
• Personal items: glasses, wallet, pillow, computer and a movie or two for while you wait, phone charger,
• Camera and battery
• Folder or file to keep all the paperwork in (there is lots of paperwork!)

Dad Bag

• 2-3 outfits for during the day
• pjs
• Toiletries
• Shower Shoes
• Personal items
• The REI Comfort Cot  (your husband will thank me). My man found this and at first I thought he was kidding when he said he was bringing it with him to the hospital but it was literally a lifesaver.  At 6 ft 3 in the “bench bed” in the hospital was way too short for him and VERY uncomfortable. Every guest, nurse, and doctor we had who saw his cot commented on what a genius he was to bring it. He didn’t have any trouble sleeping and was so thankful he brought it. I seriously think we could have rented this thing out and made some big bucks in the process.

Baby Bag (combine in Mom’s Bag)

• 2-3 outfits (if desired)
  • For the hospital photographer pictures
  • For him to wear while you receive guests (if not he will be in a diaper and a wrap around shirt with the hospital logo on it)
• Knitted cap for boys
  • I know the cap had pink and blue stripes and is supposed to be unisex but there is seriously a lot more pink in those hats. Next time we have a boy I’m bringing my little man a more manly hat. (And yes the nurses will insist you keep a hat on him at ALL times.)
• Going home outfit
  • If you’re into that its good for pictures.. but do yourself a favor and pick something that is cute and easy to put on.. Apparently I wasn’t thinking and we went for the outfit that had to be pulled over his head, buttoned and then snapped. Way too complicated. That was the first and last time he wore that outfit!

Things the Hospital Provides (And you should get extras of to bring home with you:)

• Diapers – size 1 – Use them up and ask for more! You’ll never get another free diaper again!
• Wipes
• Blankets (lots of blankets)
• Onesie/Wrap around shirt – ours had the hospital logo on it
• Knitted Caps (see above!)
• Baby socks
• Bulb syringe
• Gauze and vaseline if your little man is getting circumcised (Definitely ask for lots of extra to take home. Vaseline is cheap but I learned quickly that gauze is not, especially when you are using 2 pieces at every diaper change.)
• For Mom: mesh underwear, padded ice packs and pain meds.