How to Pack Your Hospital Maternity Bag

Once they reach their third trimester, most pregnant women start seriously preparing for the birth of their baby. The fun parts are buying baby clothes and setting up the nursery. But one thing you must do ahead of time that isn't quite as exciting is pack your hospital maternity bag. But what exactly do you need? Read on and take advice from this mom of four to find out just what you should pack in your hospital maternity bag.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An outfit for mom
• An outfit for baby
• Toiletries
• A pillow
• Camera
• Camcorder
• Important phone numbers
• Nursing bra
• Magazines, snacks, baby book--all optional

1. To begin packing your hospital maternity bag, you will definitely need an outfit to wear home for yourself and one for the baby. Plan on bringing a maternity outfit for yourself, since you will still be looking and feeling about 5 months pregnant when you leave the hospital. You will also want to include a nursing bra if you plan to breastfeed. Some warm socks are a must as well. If you don't know what gender your baby is, you will want to pack one girl outfit and one boy outfit so that you'll be prepared either way.

2. You should pack whatever toiletries you normally use in your hospital maternity bag. I suggest buying a bunch of travel size versions of things like shampoo and toothpaste, so that you can easily just throw them away before you leave. This way you have less to unpack and put away once you get home.

3. A camera and/or a camcorder are absolute necessity items to pack in your hospital maternity bag. You don't want to miss even one memory from this special moment in your baby's life.

4. One thing that I've found to be particularly comforting to have along is your own pillow. Hospital pillows are very uncomfortable, and it's hard enough to sleep in the hospital as it is so having a comfy pillow from home can be very soothing.

5. You will want to bring a list of important phone numbers along, so you can share your news with all of your family and friends. Many hospitals do not allow the use of cell phones, so don't count on being able to use yours inside your room. That's why it's so important to pack a list of numbers in your hospital maternity bag.

6. All of the following are things I consider to be optional items, but you may want to bring them along. Many people feel the need to bring snacks along. I've found this to be completely unnecesary, since the hospital provides three full meals every day. You can always ask them for extra snacks like pretzels or a sandwich if you feel you need something in between meals. You may want to bring a magazine or a book to read, although you'll most likely be so tired and so interested in just snuggling with your new baby that you won't want to do anything else. If you have someone else staying with you, however, you might want to pack such things for them. Otherwise, I would leave them out your hospital maternity bag. No need to pack things you won't use!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that you must bring a carseat to take your baby home in, but this obviously is not something you can pack in your hospital maternity bag. You should also plan on bringing a baby blanket to cover your baby on the ride home even in warm weather. Babies have a hard time keeping their temperature balanced in the early days, so it's important to keep them covered.