Packing for a hospital stay: advice from parents

Parents often ask what to bring to the hospital when their child is having surgery. I set out to find answers from the best source: parents of my patients helped generate a suggested packing list for surgery at my hospital. This is developed for parents, by parents who have been through the experience. This particular list is from moms of babies up to 1 year of age: 

For parents

• Your own small blanket, scarf, jacket (to use while in chilly waiting room)
• Cell phone and charger
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, lotion, shampoo)
• Comfortable change of clothes
• Socks, comfortable shoes/slippers
• Coins for vending machines/washer and dryer & cash for food
• Snacks, drinks, tea
• Laptop/tablet and charger
• Books or magazines or e-reader 

​For baby
 

• Special comfort items (your child’s favorite toy, binky, blankie, stuffed animal, videos, etc)
• Bottles, nipples if your child only takes a certain kind
• Diapers, wipes if you use a special kind (hospital uses Huggies, Pampers)
• Boppy pillow (if you use one)
• Music, videos, toys with sounds
• Change of clothes for your baby (zip-up or snap-up clothes work well to avoid pulling clothes over the head) 

If you prefer, & other extras
​

• Pillows and blanket for your child and yourself
• Your own towels
• Your own cushion/memory foam for sleeping in hospital room
• Slippers for yourself and baby
• Your own breast pump (hospital can provide a breast pump)
• A picture of your child in natural element/at home

Items provided at our hospital

• Blankets/Sheets
• Towels
• Baby Milk/Formula (Formula Room carries all types of formula)
• Milk Bank (for breastfeeding mothers’ milk storage)
• Cushion foam for mattress (special request to nurse)
• Washer/dryer
• Vending Machine, Microwave, Refrigerator
• Diapers, wipes
• Baby gowns, t-shirts
• Bottles, nipples