Let me start by saying that I know there are UNLIMITED amounts of hospital bag checklists out there already! I wanted to share mine because mine is a bit on the minimal side.
I try not to go overboard in bringing things to the hospital, especially things that I either know they have or I know I will be able to take home at the end of my stay. There are many things I’ve learned with my previous five babies, so I want to share my version of a minimal hospital bag checklist with you!
This list is great for moms who have multiple kids already, too! Here are eight things to keep your hospital bag minimal!
Hospital Bag Checklist
1. Clothes for the Baby
A lot of articles I’ve read and people I talked to go a little overboard on this one! Honestly, I’ve only ever needed 2-3 outfits for the baby. Personally, on the first day, I leave the baby in the wrap provided by the hospital, and I don’t dress the baby until the 2nd day.
On the 3rd day (Normally the day we are headed home), I will change the baby into the going-home outfit I selected. I have an extra outfit because I didn’t use one the first day! Always good to have a backup!
2. Clothes for You
This is a bit of a tradition that I started with my 2nd pregnancy. Right before I gave birth to her, I went to Target and bought two comfy pairs of pants and two comfy shirts. I took a shower the second day and put those clothes on, and felt. so. good.
It was one of the best ideas I’ve ever had!
3. Bathroom Essentials
This one is kind of a given! You’ll need the following:
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo/Conditioner
I also take my leave-in hair cream too. The hospital may have a few of these items but I don’t like taking the chance, and I feel more comfortable with bringing my own bath items!
4. Electronics
Of course, I take my phone and charger to connect with my family! We also always take the laptop to stream onto the TV, or sometimes we watch on the computer if we need to. Especially being induced, the first night is normally a lot of waiting, so I’m glad we bring it.
Don’t forget to download some things to watch just in case the streaming doesn’t work!
5. A Few Pairs of Really Comfortable Underwear
I didn’t do this until my 4th baby because the hospital provides you with these AMAZING mesh underwear (And I don’t look back). My husband turned to me one day when I was packing and said, “But what if they don’t have any? Then what would you do?”
And that’s a good point. I have never used them, but it’s good in case I would ever need to. I can’t sing enough praises about mesh underwear, and I wear them for an embarrassing amount of time after birth. This is why I get extra!
But don’t rely on the hospital to have any of these items, just in case!
6. A Few Dollars, Insurance Card, and a Photo ID
Some hospitals have yummy food or other restaurants inside, so just in case; a few dollars makes a good idea! Also, you will need your photo ID and insurance cards, even if they are already on file and if they say they won’t need them.
It is ALWAYS better to have it anyway, even if they don’t end up needing it. You’ll save yourself lots of annoying phone calls when you’re at home!
7. Notebook
Or, just a few sheets of paper will do (unless you love writing like me!). My husband wrote a “to-do” list and other important things on some paper after our baby was born. His list consisted of who we needed to call, what we needed to do, etc.
It’s also a good idea to have your insurance company’s phone number on hand so you can report your child’s birth. Some people probably wait until they get home to do this, which is fine, but I wanted to finish it all while I was there. I didn’t want to have to worry about it at home.
8. Car Seat
You’re going to need this to bring the baby home! We install ours before going, so we didn’t have to worry about it while I was in the hospital. Also, most hospitals have a car seat inspection service, so beforehand, you can call them and make sure you have it installed correctly. The nurses at the hospital may also peek to ensure the car seat is installed correctly when you’re ready to leave!
In closing, there is anINFINITEamount of hospital bag checklists out there.
However, this is the list that works for me. This minimal hospital bag checklist is just a guide and will depend on you!
Let’s recap:
- Clothes For Baby
- Clothes For You
- Bathroom Essentials
- Electronics
- A few pairs of underwear
- A few dollars, an insurance card, and a photo ID
- Notebook and pen
- Car Seat
Pro tip: There are things that the hospital will already have and give you that you don’t need to bring. For instance, you don’t need to bring diapers, wipes, or even formula if that’s the route you want to go
This may not be the case for all hospitals, so please call the labor and delivery unit of the hospital or birth center you plan on delivering at and ask these questions!
It’s also important to note that everything I packed for myself, I packed for my husband also. We didn’t need anything other than these things, and we weren’t missing anything!
It can be really stressful to think about all of the things that you need to pack, especially when you have multiple kids, but the reality is that you don’t need much at all.
What’s in, or what was in yours?! I’d love to know in the comments!
Pamela
