Hospital Delivery Bag for Mom and Baby: What Do You Really Need?

Having gone through the birth experience four times, I feel the need to inform parents what to bring and what is unnecessary for the hospital delivery bag. There are so many new products out there pushing you to buy them for this and that, but what do you really need and what can you do without?

Items for the Mama-To-Be:
- 2 nightgowns
Be sure they're comfortable and loose fitting.

- 3 pairs of socks
Use your coziest ones. The hospital room is sometimes chilly.

- 1 pair of slippers
You don't want to walk through the hospital with tennis shoes or heels under your nightgown, do you?

- books
If your labor is long, you may get bored, but not want to watch TV. Also, after baby is born, - you may need something to do when the baby is getting baths, shots, or other care.

- magazines and puzzle books
These have the same reason as for the books.

- nursing pads
These are necessary to prevent leakage from staining the clothing. They come in cloth or disposables.

- nursing bra
This is necessary even if you are not planning on breastfeeding. There will still be leakage for a certain period of time, especially the second or third day after baby is born when the milk is starting to come in.

Note:
You will likely not have to pack items such as movies, radios, and toiletries. Most hospitals will provide these items. Besides, you really will be too busy caring for the baby, taking postnatal hospital classes, and sleeping to enjoy the radio or an entire movie. Your baby will probably enjoy your singing more than a baby sounds cd as well. Whatever toiletries are not provided by asking the nurse, the gift shop will likely have them available or you can ask someone to bring them later if necessary. This way you don't have to bring in such a cumbersome bag while you're in labor. Besides, by the time you leave, you will need the extra space in your bag. The hospital will give you tons of freebies for yourself and the baby.

Items For The Baby:
- 2 one piece bodysuits/onesies
Pack one in preemie size and one in newborn size. You never know which size will be appropriate until the baby is born. Many newborns are too small for the newborn size.

- 2 diapers (1 newborn size and 1 preemie size
You are only bringing these in case the hospital does not give you diapers, but in most cases, you will receive at least one free pack of diapers. If that doesn't happen, you can have someone bring you a pack, but it's highly unlikely to not receive diapers at the hospital. If you will be using cloth diapers, you may want to use disposables in the hospital. Otherwise, plan to purchase a fair amount of cloth diapers, for you won't have access to a washing machine and will need to keep an airtight bag or container for all the soiled garments.

- 3 pacifiers (1 rounded, 1 orthopedic, 1 bottle nipple style)
You are bringing three different types because all babies prefer a different type. Sometimes the ones supplied in the hospital are not preferred by the baby.

- Formula and baby bottles
The hospital will provide this, but this is if you prefer a different brand of formula or bottles than your hospital provides. Bring these even if you don't intend to formula feed. Sometimes for unexpected health reasons, a mother may not be able to breast feed.

- 1 going home outfit
Get this in both preemie size and newborn size. If the baby does not fit the preemie size, return it. If the baby does fit the preemie size, you can either keep the newborn size for when baby grows or just return it.

- 1 Carseat with head cushion insert
I recommend the Graco Snugride. It is safety certified, even for preemies and fits even the smallest of babies. It has ranked number one in safety for many years.

- 4 receiving blankets
You will need to wrap baby in one or two of these. If baby is small, you may need to roll up one or two to properly position the baby in the carseat for the ride home.

Items Baby Can Do Without:
- baby nail clippers

- baby toys

- baby shoes

- diapering powders & ointments (baby will likely not need these yet)

- suction bulb (the hospital will provide this)

- Q-tips (These are not recommended for infants. If the outside of the ear canal needs cleaning, use a wet cloth, which will be provided at the hospital.)