What to pack for baby's hospital bag?

Question

I am trying to pack that baby's bag for his first trip home from the hospital. What should I pack? I have no idea.

Answer 1

Items that I have found helpful:

One outfit appropriate to the weather:
Lightweight cotton in summer
Warm fuzzy sleeper for winter.

Hat- sun hat for summer, warm hat for winter
Bib to catch drool or juicy burps (many babies get these frequently)
2 spitup cloths to wipe baby's face
blanket to keep any drafts off baby, or to use as a sun shade.
The hospital will usually provide disposable diapers. If you want to use nice soft cloth diapers, you'll need to bring them yourself.

Make sure you get a safe rear facing infant carseat, and read the manual. If possible have the seat inspected to make sure it's properly installed before the baby is born. Many children die in crashes due to being unbuckled or in a seat that was not used correctly!

Your baby needs to stay rear facing until he is one year old at the earliest. If he is under 20 pounds at one year, he needs to remain rear facing until he is over 20 pounds. The safest position is rear facing, and your child will be safest if he stays rear facing until he reaches the rearfacing height and weight limit for his carseat.
http://www.cpsafety.com/

Answer 2

A gown for you to wear home the baby's outfit to wear home and some underwear for you. You don't need diapers or formula the hospital gives you all that

Answer 3

not much just some baby clothes if you're not far from home the hospital usually supplies you with a lot of things to take home with you. When I had my son I got diapers wipes and a diaperbag I didn't formula feed so I didn't get a bottle but they gave me formula which ended up in the garbage.

Answer 4

a nice outfit. my daughter wore the same knitted outfit that her dad wore home when he was a newborn, and had the same blanket that my dad used on his way home from the hospital. if you don't have anything like that in your family you can always start a new tradition!

also, depending on how long the drive is, an extra outfit, a couple diapers and wipes, and a light blanket. but newborns really only need one more layer than you, so don't worry about him getting chilly!

Answer 5

Most importantly...Bring a camera and/or camcorder. Also, you will want to bring the telephone numbers of all the people you want to call with the good news. Don't forget to bring clothes (loose fitting) and toiletries for yourself. Prepack as much of the bag as you can ahead of time and then have a note to yourself by the bag with the last minute things to pack. That way, if you have to leave quickly you won't forget anything important. good luck!

Answer 6

"Coming home" outfit with hat
blanket
burp cloth

You will probably not need much in the way of diapers and such if you will be going straight home, since you'll have access to all that at the hospital.

Answer 7

I'm always prepared......Bring......

Diapers
Wipes
Bottle
Pacifier
2 Outfits
2 blankets
A Spit Rag
2 Pairs of socks( to match different outfits
Newborn Hat
Don't forget the little head rest that goes inside baby's carseat

I take everything but the kitchen sink.......

Answer 8

You may want to pack two bags for the hospital or birth center: a small overnight bag for the items you'll need during labor and a larger bag for everything else that you'll need later. Here's a list of things that experienced moms recommend packing. You may also want to ask your caregiver, childbirth educator, or doula for tips on what to bring.

For labor

• Your birth plan.

• Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need.

• Your eyeglasses, if you need any. Even if you usually wear contacts, you'll probably need or want to take them out at some point during your stay.

• A hair band and barrettes, if you think you might want them.

• Lip moisturizer.

• A bathrobe, nightgown, slippers, and a couple of pairs of socks. Hospitals provide gowns for you to use during labor and afterward, but most will allow you to wear your own clothes if you prefer. Choose something loose and comfortable that you don't mind getting ruined. You'll need to wear a gown instead of pants so that your practitioner can check your cervix. Choose a top with short, loose sleeves so you your blood pressure can be checked easily and so you can slip your top off easily if you want to change and have an IV in place. You might also want to bring your own slippers and robe for walking around during the early stages of labor. If you don't want to risk soiling your robe, you can ask for a second hospital gown to wear as a robe to cover your backside.

• Something to read, if you're so inclined. One husband we know spent the early stages of labor reading The Lion in Winter while his wife read The English Patient. "In retrospect, I should have brought the National Enquirer or Vogue — something trashy with pictures," she says.

• Massage oils or lotions, music, an extra pillow, whatever you need to help you relax. (If you do bring your own pillow, be sure to use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's.) You might consider bringing tennis balls or a rolling pin in case you have back labor and need them for massage.

• Talismans, a picture of someone or something you love, anything you find reassuring.

For your partner/labor coach

• Money for parking and change for vending machines.

• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant.

• A change of clothes

• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages.

• A camera/video camera and film or tape or a memory card and batteries. Someone has to document the big event! (NOTE: Not all hospitals allow videotaping of the birth itself, but there's usually no rule against taping during labor or after the birth.)

• A bathing suit. If your partner wants to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want to jump in with her.


Postpartum


• A fresh nightgown.

• Snacks! After many hours of labor, you're likely to be pretty hungry and you don't want to have to rely on the hospital's food. So bring your own crackers, raisins, and granola bars.

• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear, if you'd prefer not to wear the net panties they'll give you at the hospital. Chances are, whatever underwear you do wear the first few days will get stained, even with sanitary pads (which the hospital provides).

• Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, lip balm, deodorant, and makeup, if it's important to you. Hospitals will have soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own brands.

• Your address book and prepaid phone card or cell phone. After the baby's born you'll want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Note: Some hospitals don't allow cell phones to be used in the labor and delivery area, so you may want to ask about it ahead of time.

• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into — believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant — along with a pair of flat shoes. The last thing you'll be worrying about when you go home is whether your outfit is fashionable.

Answer 9

an outfit to wear home and a blanket. the hospital will give you diapers and formula. maybe a pacifer. though you should be given one of these also,

Answer 10

Only what you want to have. the hospital will give you everything you need. Don't forget the car seat!