Hospital Bag Must-Haves For Dad

I made the mistake with our first born of not packing a bag weeks, if not months, in advance. I wish I had prepared my bag in advance and knew what to pack. As a first time dad, it can be overwhelming to think about what to pack, it is important to remember that the goal is to have everything you need to make your hospital stay comfortable and stress-free. In this post, we will go through a comprehensive list of items to pack in your hospital bag.

1. Important Documents: Don't forget to pack your health insurance card, a photo ID, and any other necessary documents such as your hospital registration forms.

2. Comfortable Clothes: There may be a lot of waiting and sitting. Pack comfortable clothes that you can wear while you wait and after delivery. Loose-fitting and breathable clothing is best, you'll also want to pack those first time dad outfits to snap some pictures of the moments you first became a dad. 

3. Toiletries: Pack your favorite toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and deodorant. You may be in the hospital for at least a couple days, make sure to pack everything you need to stay & feel fresh. 

4. Snacks: Labor and delivery can be long and tiring and hospital food is not always the best. You'll want to pack some healthy snacks such as granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit. You may also want to bring some comfort foods such as cookies, chips, or candy.

5. Water Bottle: You'll want to make sure you stay hydrated and feel good while you wait for your little one to arrive, so pack a water bottle that you can refill throughout your stay.

6. Cellphone and Charger: I forgot my charger... You will want to keep your cellphone nearby to communicate with family and friends, and to capture those special moments with your newborn. Don't be like me & don't forget to pack a charger as well.

7. Camera: If you have a nice camera and want to have some professional photos taken don't forget to bring your camera. Also, make sure the battery is charged and ready to go. If not, make sure your cell phone is fully charged so that you can capture all the moments on this massive day. 

8. Baby Clothes and Blankets: You'll wan to make sure you pack several onesies, sleepers, hats, and blankets for your newborn. Make sure to pack a going-home outfit and a car seat for your baby.

9. Entertainment: As mentioned, sometimes you might be waiting for a while. Check with the hospital as they may have a TV with DVD player in the room or a smartTV. You'll want to be sure to pack books, magazines, or a tablet with your favorite shows or movies to keep you entertained during downtime.

10. Pillows and a Blanket: The couch or lazy boy that is for the dads isn't the most comfortable, so pack a pillow and a blanket to make your stay more comfortable.

11. Comfortable Shoes & Slippers: You will have a lot of time to walk or grab things for your significant other pre and postpartum. Pack comfortable shoes to wear around the hospital. You'll also want to pack some comfortable flip flops, sandals or slippers for the late night runs to grab ice or snacks. 

12. Car Seat: Make sure you have a properly installed car seat to take your newborn home safely.

Not being prepared when your little one decides to come can make the process even more stressful and overwhelming. Planning ahead and having your bag packed with everything listed above can help to alleviate the stress just a little so that when the time comes you're all ready to go. Hopefully the list above helps for when that big day comes for you!