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Packing a hospital bag for a medically complex child is not something you want to have to figure out in the moment. When something happens there is rarely time to think. That is why I keep one ready. Because when the worst happens, and I have experienced that, the last thing I want to think about is what to pack. Or sit down to write a list for someone else to pack.

My daughter has complex medical needs, but our bag is not full of medical supplies. Its everything else. The things that keep us functioning during week long hospital stays, when the days and nights start running together.

This list came together after a two-week stay in the ICU. My husband and I traded off days and nights so one of us could always be there.

He’d forget his charger. I’d forget a sweater and freeze all night. Dry shampoo, instant coffee, face wash. None of it was on my radar when we first walked through those doors. Every stay I’d add something else to my mental list of what to pack next time.

It doesn’t matter how sterile the hospital is. When your days and nights start running together you start to feel grimy. Being able to wash my face in the morning made a real difference.

Everything below is what I actually pack. It’s not a generic list. It’s what got added during years of overnight stays, trading off with my husband, and figuring out what things we kept texting each other for or getting DoorDash to deliver.

This is the packing list I use. It takes the thinking out of the moments when everything is happening fast.

It’s especially helpful if someone else has to pack for you. Everything is laid out exactly how I use it.

Download it and keep it somewhere easy to grab when you need it.

I carry a daily bag with everyday essentials and a few just-in-case items. This is the bag I had with me when a routine doctor’s appointment turned into an overnight hospital stay.

When I called my husband to tell him I was staying, he mentioned he had packed a gym bag that morning that he didn’t get to use. Between my daily bag and his clean gym clothes we ended up covered. That’s when I realized how close we already were to being prepared without knowing it..

You can see my daily essentials bag here and how I pack it , in this short YouTube video.

These stay packed and ready to go. Before we leave, I do a quick check to make sure everything has been replaced from the last trip.

• 1 pack of XL pre-moistened wipes (we use Assurance XL Wipes for Adults)
• 5-6 Diapers
• Aquaphor healing ointment
• 2 sippy cups
• Snack Pod with handle
• Bottle or pacifier strap
• Pacifier wipes or disinfecting spray
• Pediasure or Formula
• Pedialyte powder single packets
• Extra snacks
• Light blanket
• Extra bib
• Extra set of clothes
• 1 set of adaptive clothing (to accommodate IV access)
• Changing pad or Incontinence bed liner
• Roll of disposal bags for diapers
• Toy Bag (we use bottle straps to attach toys to the stroller)
• Tablet and mini bluetooth speaker
• Sensory fidget items
• Book and interactive lap activity
• Extra G-Tube/NG Tube supplies
• Your child’s specific size supplies
• OTC Medicine pouch (Tylenol, suppositories, Gas Pills, Essential Oil Rollers, Pepto, etc.)
• The Caregiver’s Medical Companion Journal : This is the one I made and use. It includes a dedicated hospital section with plenty of 24-hour lined daily logs to record every interaction during the stay.

You can also browse my full Hospital Bag Essentials List on Amazon. Where I have everything I reach for all in one place.

• Nail Clippers
• Saline nose mist
• Aerosol hand sanitizer
• Mini wet brush & hair ties
• Face wipes
• Bath wipes

• Blood stop spray
• Liquid bandage
• Alcohol pads
• Gauze
• Cohesive wrap
• Bandaids
• Styptic pencil

Parent Pouch

I keep this pouch clipped to the stroller or wheelchair.

• Single-serve flavored drink powder packets
• Celsius or Alani powder packets
• Electrolyte powder packets
• Single tea bags
• Protein bars and jerky sticks
• Dry shampoo
• Earphones
• OTC medicine pouch (tums, tylenol, etc)
• Lotion, body wipes, face wipes, mini deodorant and hand sanitizer spray

Parent Overnight Bag

• Sweater
• Cash- bills and quarters
• E-reader or Kindle
• Ipad/tablet and charger
• Phone and watch chargers
• Extension cord and power strip
• Change of clothes
• Travel mouthwash and toothpaste
• Shower shoes or rubber flip flops
• Small pillow or neck pillow
• Sleep mask
• Compression socks
• Magnetic cup hooks (to hold pouches, cables and other items)
• Carabiner clips (to attach bags or cords to items)
• Laundry pods or sheets (for hospital washing machines)
• Personal prescription medication
• Pill crusher
• Electric tape roll (can cover led lights or toilet auto sensor for children with sensory sensitivities)
• Disinfecting wipes
• Over-the-rail bedside caddy

These are the things I’m always glad I packed when something unexpected comes up.

• Screwdriver & extra batteries for toys
• Small flashlight
• Phone & tablet charging cables
• Clip-on fan and battery
• Permanent Marker, Pens
• Reusable water bottle

Not every bag works when you’re carrying medical supplies, snacks, extra clothes, and everything else we carry. About 70% of the bags I reach for aren’t actual diaper bags. They just work better for what I need.

Tip: you can find some really great all around bags at the Vera Bradley outlet store. I still use the “weekender” style bag frequently. It durable and holds an impressive amount. (It’s actually what the below “large tote” picture is of)

A hospital stay is already a lot. Having a bag ready means one less decision in a moment when you have too many.

If you haven’t grabbed the checklist yet, it’s linked above. Print it, save it, send it to whoever might need to pack for you someday.

If you want everything in one place, the Hospital Bundle in my shop includes the hospital bag checklist along with a daily reference sheet, 24-hour daily inpatient log, and discharge summary — all printable and ready to go.