TIP - Packing Your Hospital Bag

I have learned a thing or two about what to bring with me when we are sent to the ER, which has ultimately turned into a hospital admission 3 out of 3 times for us.  Obviously, if it is a dire emergency, don't spend time meticulously packing a bag -- just get yourself to the hospital!!  However, if you have time to throw a few things in a bag or have a friend meet you at the hospital with a bag, here are some tips on what to bring based on our experience:

REMEMBER TO BRING:

• A Couple Changes of Clothing for Your Baby:  Hanging out for a few hours or a few days in clothes that are soiled by the various bodily fluids that spew from a sick child can be pretty gross.
• A Couple Different Styles of Clothing for Your Baby: Depending on where they put the IV, it may be better to have short sleeves or long sleeves, short pants or long pants, onesies or t-shirts.  I've also found that it is not desirable to have the baby dressed in footie pants/jammies since they often need access to toes for pulse oximetry meters.  Best to have feet baby's free and bring warm socks.
• Bibs:  You can usually always get a box of Cheerios or a container of applesauce along with spoons, napkins, etc.  You aren't usually offered a bib.  Seeing as how your access to clothing is at a premium, it's best to protect the clothes you brought from meal messes.  I have managed to fashion a bib out of a hand towel that was in our room, but bibs are easier.  Throw one or two in your bag.
• A Change of Clothes for Yourself:  Let's face it, the vomit is always going to land on you, the diapers are always going to explode on you and the sticky food-stained fingers are always going to be pulling at your shirtsleeve.  You will feel grimy enough after a day or two without a shower.  At least you can have some clean clothes on hand.
• A Toiletry Bag for Yourself:  Pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens accoutrements, glasses, hand lotion, whatever you need to stay comfortable and at least mildly presentable for a couple days.  I'd also recommend packing some Tylenol/Advil or whatever your preferred over-the-counter pain reliever is.  There are lots of uncomfortable chairs and lots of stress to deal with and headaches can come with the territory.
• Cell Phone & Charger:  The battery will run low with all the updates flying around between family and friends on your little one's condition.  Be sure to bring a charger so that you aren't disconnected from your support system because your phone is dead.
• Easy to Clean Toys, Books and Distractions for Baby:  Even though he was sick, he was still a busy baby the whole time we were hospitalized.  Having a stash of distractions can be critical to keeping your kid from pulling out an IV for lack of anything else to play with.  I brought only toys and board books that were easy to clean/sanitize later so that I didn't worry about bringing any hospital germs home with us.  If your child has comfort objects like pacifiers or soothers, bring those along, too.  For older kids, all of the hospital rooms that we've been in (and even some of the ER cubicles) have had TVs and DVD players, so toss in a favorite movie, too.
• Distractions for You:  I spent a lot of time quietly holding LB while he napped and, since I'm not much of a TV person, I was glad that I brought along my eReader (and charger!) so that I could read, do email, browse the web, etc. during quiet times.
• Medications for You and Your Baby:  Some hospitals don't have specialized MCADD things like polycose and carnitine on hand readily.  If your kid takes it regularly or is being supplemented by it due to illness, bring it along.  Same goes for your medications.  If you have allergies and you spend two days without your allergy meds, you're going to start getting pretty miserable during a time that you need to be at your best.

Things you probably don't have to bring (or bring in large supply):

• Formula:  Once you're admitted to a room, formula is usually the first thing they bring to you.  They have most of the popular brands (Enfamil, Similac, Gerber) and most variations (regular, soy, gentle, etc.). Bring enough for the ER, but after that, you'll be covered.
• Diapers/Wipes:  Ditto here.  Once you're admitted to a room, the nurses will bring you whatever size diapers you need along with wipes.  Bring enough for the ER, but the pediatric floors of the hospital will have you covered.
• Food/Snacks:  The ER can bring your baby Cheerios/Crackers/etc.  Once admitted to the floor, unless your child has diet restrictions, you can usually order anything you want off the food service menu for him/her.  For kiddos not on finger-foods yet, pediatric floors have jars of baby food at the ready, too.  In terms of food for yourself, parents can usually order guest trays (at a cost) from the food service menu during their posted hours.  There are also vending machines and sometimes even pre-made food available from the nurses that you can access after hours, if necessary.  Bringing a snack for yourself probably isn't a bad idea, but it's certainly not a necessity.
• Blankets:  Someone will always bring you a blanket if you or your baby are cold.  That said, it doesn't hurt to dress both yourself and your baby in layers so that you can shed/add clothing as conditions dictate.

What is your experience with hospitalizations?  What would you add to the list or delete?