I have spent a lot of at the hospital with my wife and her grandfather, plus I spend a lot of time there on a daily basis with my job. All of this has helped me become quite the expert at packing a hospital bag. I’ve learned what should you take with you to make the stay as comfortable and easy as possible. Since I will be calling the hospital home for a little while when my baby arrives, I can put my skills to use. I can pack a bag and be out the door in ten minutes or less!
Here’s what to take in a dad to be hospital bag:
Basic Toiletries: deodorant, a hairbrush, and all those little things to keep me looking presentable, especially if I am called to talk to a patient at the last minute.
Snacks and drinks: Vending machines are expensive and the cafeteria is not always open, as we’ve learned when we planned to sneak down for a quick meal. My favorite snacks to bring are trail mix, which is inexpensive and filling, microwave cup noodles, and Powerade. There is usually a microwave in the waiting room or patient lounge area, but if not, you can ask the nurses if you can use their microwave.
Books, Earphones and Cell Phone Charger: You’ll need something to do during the long hours in the waiting or hospital room. The earphones are for those moments when you are awake and bored but your partner in the small hospital room is fast asleep.
A Jacket and Socks: Let’s face it, it is cold in hospitals and you’ll need it to stay warm.
Two changes of clothes: don’t bring too many, because you will likely have a chance to return home and change. If you live far away from the hospital, you may want to bring more changes of clothes.
Pillow, Blanket and Pajamas: Even though hospitals provide pillows and blankets, they are usually uncomfortable. You will sleep much better if you bring your own. If you have any nightly medications, you will want to bring these to take at the hospital as well.
Pro Tip: Toothbrush and toothpaste are usually readily available when asked for at the nurses station.
Hospital stays are never fun, but they are a little more bearable when you pack the right stuff. What are the must have items in your hospital bag for dads?
Getting prepared for the big day? Read our What to Pack (and not to pack!) in a Hospital Bag for Moms.
Such a great way to think about the dads! Those hospital pull out chairs are SO not cozy! Great list!
What a lovely post for dads, I see too many posts for moms but never dads.
Oh Yes! Dads need to pack a bag too! I know my husband did and it was so helpful to have his things on hand.
This is a great list of essentials!! I really love the idea of bringing your own pillow.
Yep, dad’s gotta have a bag too. Espcecially true if he’s spending the night!
That’s a nice list for dads! I will have to ask my cousin who is pregnant to check this out 🙂
This is fantastic! I keep thinking back to the day that my daughter was born and the things that we did and didn’t have. This is a great list, especially when a little one is making their way into this world to join the family!
Even though it has been couple of years since my girls were born, I remember what my husband packed for himself. He made sure he had his laptop. 🙂
This is a really good list! With my son I was stuck in the hospital for 10 days. Dad didn’t stay because he had to work. So he ended up not needing any bags. With my daughter we were only there for 24 hours =)
Great list! I have never actually seen a list for dads. I am sure a lot of soon-to-be dads will find this useful.
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My husband ended up coming home to sleep. He just couldn’t settle with them coming in and out. I wanted him to be rested so that he could help when we got home. I had a c-section.
Great list, the Mister never packed a bag for the hospital. We were close to home so he would go home shower, set up some items for the baby and then come back.
I think while most people focus on the packing for moms, they forget about dads. This is great for those who’ve never even thought of dad.
This is great. Usually people are just worried about what to pack for mom so this is a great way to look at things too.
Definitely bring a toothbrush and deodorant! That helps both the dads and thee people around him 😛
I would also add, energy drinks! Two of my good friends just had baby girls and I have brought them energy drinks and they were so happy!
My husband just brought a few basics, like snacks and something to read. We just live 5 minutes from the hospital, so he just went home when he needed something.
This is great! my hubby never got to stay too long after delivery just due to the time and having to get back home to the kids. This time, i’m sad to say I’m probably going solo but if not, I’ll have to pack him some little bits.
What a great idea, have a bag for dads. No one seems to discuss what dad to be should have. Perfect ideas!
The biggest thing we pack are pillows and blankets! Sometimes the hospital is so crowded that extras are not available.
I think dads will be more than prepared with all of these supplies. Bringing your own pillow is a really good idea.
Thanks so much for sharing this! Husbands tend to become brain dead when it’s time for the baby to come.
My hubby stayed with my at the hospital, I felt so bad since he was stuck with the chair. He did go home to take care of the dogs once. These are all great things to bring!
My hubby kept saying he didn’t need anything. In my bag, I had goodies, socks and headphones for him. He did end up going home to get slippers. He left daily for showers.
These sound like some great essentials – I have to admit I wouldn’t know where to start!
That sums it up. The hospital bed was so uncomfortable for my tall husband.
My husband went home to sleep. We didn’t see a need for both of us to get no sleep those first few nights.
Socks are so important! It’s always freezing in a hospital room. This is a great list and all are must-haves.
My husband brought a toothbrush, but that was it. We lived close enough for him to be able to run home and shower.