When I was in the military we use to have to pack and pack efficiently. After years of this I learned how to pack a ton of stuff and fit it in a small space. However, when I was trying to pack for the my hospital bag for the big day I had no clue what to bring. Almost all lists where a hospital bag checklist for what moms need to bring but not dads. Most of the dad’s hospital bag lists had just the basics clothes, food, and cell phone, and paperwork with no explanation of why. I am a person who want to know why I need certain things so I know if I feel I’ll really need it. So, here is my list and reasons why you should bring these must-have items.
Reusable water bottle
Not only will you get hungry, but you will be getting thirsty waiting for your new baby to arrive. Also, Mommy-to-bee will need you motivated and hydrated.
Favorite snacks
You are not going to want to keep leaving the hospital room to go to the vending machine, or cafeteria for food. Besides almost the entire time I was at the hospital the cafeteria wasn’t even open for regular service.
The hospital staff did offer me a sandwich once in a while, but I always felt like a burden to them when I preferred they focus on my wife.
Some good snacks are:
- Cheese or peanut butter crackers
- Cheese-Its (or other types of crackers)
- Slim Jim’s
- Chocolate
- Beef jerky
- Cliff Bars/ Granola bars (or other cereal bars)
- Trail mix
If you can try to pack some healthy snacks in there too.
Gum
You will be tired, awake for many hours, and close to your wife so make sure you have gum or mints she will appreciate it.
Also if you are a smoker, which I am not but use to be, I would suggest bringing some nicotine gum.
Energy drinks/shots
If your wife is going through a long labor you may be up for 30+hours. I’ve heard the first born is a long delivery process for most woman. When my first child was born it took 36 hours. You will be up for most if not all of it.
I brought energy shots and sucked those down when I felt like i was on my last leg. The last thing your spouse is going to want to hear is how tired you are when she is in labor. On a side note if your wife sleeps try to get some sleep yourself. Either in a chair or if they have a pull out bed for dads even better.
Dental hygiene
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Floss
This goes without saying no one, spouse, nurses, or doctor wants to smell fowl breath from dad especially when you’ve been there for 3 days.
Change of clothes:
When you are packing clothes me sure to pack comfortable clothes
- Shoes-make sure you are packing comfortable shoes, a pair that isn’t comfortable is not going to make your stay present.
- Socks
- Underwear
- Pants
- Shirts- T-shirts of course, but it’s a good idea bring a few nice button up shirts. In some hospitals a group will come around to take professional photos of the baby & you together. I got some done with all my kids and I was happy to have them wearing a nice shirt. It’s also nice when you are ready to go home because you’ll be taking a ton of photos as you start your new path in life as a family.
- Shorts- These are for if you are staying with you wife in the hospital for the 2-3 days after the baby arrives. It’s nice to have some night clothes to change into.
- Jacket/Sweatshirt- Hospitals are freezing cold. Like all the time. Trust me, bring a jacket or sweatshirt. They also make for a great pillow if you didn’t bring one.
Headphones
For you and your wife. You might want to listen to music or watch a tv show on the down time and don’t want to disturbed your wife or the baby after he/she arrives. This is a good option to share with your wife if she doesn’t have hers. I know when I went through birthing classes the mentioned playing music to calm your wife and help her through the birthing process.
Money
Both cash and debt/credit card. You may need a little cash for snacks, water, and coffee from any vending machines if they don’t take card., parking, and some hospitals have a team of professional photographers come around and will take newborn photos. We did this for every birth. It cost a few hundred at the time but they are cheaper then a traditional photo shoot. They did a great job and this it their specialty so they know exactly how to shoot babies and families.
Deodorant
Duh, but in the rush of things sometimes this is a last thought and you don’t want to forget this, trust me. After 2-3 days, the funk that will be rolling off you will be so bad and that is the last thing you want your spouse to remember about that time.
Eye wear
If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair (If you have them). If you wear contact lenses bring extra and contact lens solution
Gift basket for hospital nurse stations
This is an optional, and one that might have changed after COVID but we felt it was something we had to do. The nurses were spectacular and honestly do more for you then the doctor. They are there with you through the whole thing and are constantly encouraging your wife when you don’t know what you are doing and trust me there are a lot of times like that. The nurses are amazing. They actually almost had to deliver my youngest daughter because she came so quick the doctor almost didn’t even make it in time. So, if you can show some appreciation for all their hard work.
Pillow
Having a comfortable pillow from home when your staying in the hospital is a must. Trust me bringing your own pillow makes a huge difference. Plus, when you are just learning to hold your baby your arm and shoulder get tired. You can use it to support your arm by sticking it under your elbow.
Electronics
- Phone- Another item that is a given but in the rush you want to make sure you have that and everything you need on it. For instance maybe this is where you keep your cheat sheet of how to help your wife, or the times you need to be keeping track of like contractions and intervals. It’s also great to take photos of the whole process.
- Camera- That is if you plan to bring a camera or video camera that’s better then your phone. Some like to bring a DSLR to get the best photos possible. Just remember, sticking a huge camera in your wife’s face my get you smacked lol. If you do bring a camera make sure to pack the charger, any extra batteries and an extra memory card.
- I-Pad- I had this with the last one and when I had a bit of down time after the baby was born I was happy to have a chance to hop online, take some photos, do some writing or play a game. Of course, don’t do this a ton or when your wife is in labor your wife might get annoyed.
- Chargers- You will want chargers for any and all electronics you bring. You will be their for a possible 2-4 days on average. You will have a bit of downtime and will want to search all the things you didn’t know about when it comes to being a new dad. When your wife isn’t using her phone put it on the phone charger for her. That way after the baby has arrive she can take all the photos she want without worry.
CBR kit
If you are doing Cord Blood Registry (CBR) make sure you have the kit ready and let them know as soon as you can that your plan on saving the cord blood and tissue.
Baby clothes
This is something the wife and I did together. You’ll want some for hospital photos and and for when you all go home together. I suggest for the ride home you go with a onesie and pants because it’ll be easier to get them in the car seat. The last thing you want when your first learning to put your newborn in a car seat is to struggle with a flowy outfit. Bring a diaper bag but leave it in the car as the hospitals usually prefer it that way.
Important documents
- Driver’s license
- Insurance card
- Birth plan- It’s good to be on the same page as your wife on how she would like the birth to go. Usually you and/or her will go over it with her OBGYN but bring a copy with you because there is no guarantee the Doctor you’ve been talking with about this for the last 9 months will be the one delivering the baby. Ours was busy delivering so they had to have another doctor deliver my daughter. The last thing you want is to have to ask your wife not explain to the Dr anythign when she is having contractions or is pushing the baby through.
- To-do list- After the baby arrives you will have a list of things to do like being the one to contact each family member to let them know the baby has arrived.
Push present
This is a great way to show your wife how much you appreciate her and all that she has gone through in the last 9-10 months. This whole process has been harder on her then any of us men will ever understand and that is if everything has gone according to plan which it usually doesn’t. So if you can, get her something to show her you care.
Now that I went through everything that you will need, how to pack is just as important. There are a few techniques you can do to get it all to fit in your bag. Rolling clothes is best way to naturally pack as much as you can into your bag. Another way is to use travel compression bags. Just make sure you pull out your nice shirt so when you have photos taken your shirt has as few wrinkles in it as possible.
Know this, if you or your wife bring any luggage make sure its one with wheels because you will have to carry all of it yourself. When leaving or moving rooms they will usually give you a cart to load your stuff up on. If you are using your own bag and don’t want luggage I suggest a backpack it leaves your hands and arms free to help your wife get checked in when you arrive. Trust me you don’t want to be wrestling with a bag when your wife is in labor. For one, if she is having contractions they will stop her in her tracks and the last thing she will want to hear is that your bag is heavy lol.
That is my list and tips of what to pack for your hospital bag. The stuff I used and why I brought some of it. Let me know if you think I missed anything I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have been through this, what is one thing you wish you had brought or one you are super thankful you did?
