What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
One of the hardest things about staying in a hospital is trying to get comfortable. It’s can be very difficult to adjust to an unfamiliar environment, and if your body is trying to recover or get well, the added stress never helps.
Hospitals do try their best to provide everything you may need. When you first arrive to your room, you will probably find a bucket of toiletries, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, bar soap, and hand sanitizer. Hospitals can even provide towels, socks, and a gown.
If, however, you are able to pack a bag in advance, it always makes things much easier and more comfortable.
There are many items I tend to have already packed at all times. If there’s ever an emergency, my family will be able to easily grab and go with little added stress.
I also like to have a list ready of anything that may not be packed yet but will be needed. Even if it’s you preparing your bags, pain and sickness can often hinder your ability to think straight. Lists can help keep you on track.
Keep in mind that you may be traveling from room to room so try to keep the load light.
If you are wondering what you might need for your hospital stay, check out my lists below!
Toiletries Bag
(Travel sizes)
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Deodorant
- Contacts/ Glasses (it’s honestly easier to just stick with glasses)
- Contact Solution
- Hand Sanitizer
- Room Freshener
- Q-tips
- Lip Balm
- Razor (you never know how long you will be there!)
- Nail Clipper & File (never hurts to have on hand!)
By the way, hospital showers don’t always have shelves to set your toiletries on. If you are experiencing medical issues that limit bending down, you may want to invest in an inexpensive travel hanging shower bag.
Bag
You tend to mainly wear the hospital gown and socks they give you, but it isn’t always required.
It is highly recommended though to stick with nothing but loose, comfortable clothes.
Pack clothes with the thought it mind that there may be wires, tubes, or needles that may need to go in or around your body. If your clothes wont allow for this, just stick with the hospital gown.
Also keep in mind that although you will likely have your own thermostat in your room, hospitals tend to be freezing.
Here’s what I keep in my bag:
- Nothing but comfy clothes
- Changes of undergarments (full coverage is best for those open back hospital gowns)
- Clothes to go home in
- Phone charger
Snacks
Hospitals tend to be nothing but waiting, waiting, and more waiting. Although you may need to follow their restrictions if there’s any pre-procedure fasting involved, it helps tremendously to have fuel to keep you going. While there are vending machines and cafeterias everywhere, you may not always be able to leave where you are to get some refreshments.
Here are some things we like to keep on hand:
- Water
- Apple Juice (helps if there’s ever a drop in blood sugar)
- Nuts
- Jerky
- Protein bars
- Granola
Optional
- Peppermint oil / peppermints (Helps with the nausea/ stomach issues hospitals tend to bring)
- Sound machine or headphones (Hospitals can be loud, from sensors and alarms constantly going off to nurses having conversations to get them through the workday.)
- Your own pillows, blankets, or towels (Although the hospital can provide these things, creating a comfortable, relaxing environment can be very important.)
- Entertainment (books, cards, something to break up the monotony of staring at a screen)
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the Lord.
– Proverbs 21:31
What are your hospital must-haves?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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2 Comments
Lynzy
Love this! I usually have a grab bag ready to go too but this had some excellent additions:)
April Normand
Thank you! I would love to hear if you pack anything that I might have missed!