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hospital bag for dad

Hospital Bag for Dad

January 3, 2023

There are many lists for expectant mums to use when packing for the hospital. But what about the people they are with? They are usually involved in the process and will also need to be ready. We are focusing on what should be in the hospital bag for Dad as It’s also a good idea you to bring your own small hospital bag with things you’ll need for your part in the labour and delivery process. Keep in mind that you are usually at the hospital the whole time, and sometimes you even sleep in the room with the birthing parent and baby.

Pick a bag and start packing early

Choose a bag that is sturdy, has lots of pockets and pouches, and is big enough to hold a travel pillow and blanket. Plan to pack your bags for the hospital at the same time your partner does, which is usually between 35 and 36 weeks pregnant. Use a bag that you already have. You could use a laptop bag, a duffle bag, a backpack, a suitcase for one night, or even a changing bag that you plan to use for something else in the future. Check out this list to get ideas for what to put in the hospital bag for dad.

What should Dad bring with him to the hospital?

Snacks! You need to keep your strength up while you’re giving birth. So think about what healthy snacks you could pack. Trail mix, granola bars, or whole-grain crackers are all good options.Try to avoid snacks with onions or garlic, which your partner will appreciate, and bring things that won’t go bad. You can always grab some fruit as you leave the house. But just in case you forget, bring along some dry snacks.

Toiletries

Bring a toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, mints, and gum that will make your breath smell better. Taking care of your teeth and breath will make a big difference and make you feel better all around. You should also think about bringing deodorant, wipes to clean your face, hand sanitizer, extra contacts or contact lens solution, and anything else you might need if you can’t take a shower but still want to clean up.

Medications

You should bring your own antacids and painkillers just in case you get a headache, backache, or stomachache. The hospital staff might be able to give you painkillers, but don’t rely on this! Make a list of the last-minute things you need, including any daily medications you can’t pack ahead of time. Once you’ve finished packing the hospital bag for dad, attach your list to the bag so you don’t leave the house without everything you need.

Change and Small Notes

Having some cash on hand is always a good idea, but in this case, you may appreciate it more than you think. If you want something from a vending machine or need to feed a parking meter that doesn’t take cards, having small notes and a few coins on hand could help.

Phone

You can’t pack your phone ahead of time, but you can bring extra charging cables and power banks that you can use to charge your phone. You might also want to bring a list of phone numbers with you as a backup for your smartphone’s contact list. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends will all be waiting to hear when the baby is born and how Mom is doing. Put your phone on the list of last-minute things you need to bring with you when you’re done packing. Remember that once the contractions start and your partner goes into labour, you might feel a little stressed out. So, having a list to look at will help make sure you don’t forget anything, especially something as important as your phone.

The rest of the tech

Think about what other electronics, like earbuds, headphones, tablets, e-readers, and so on, you might need. You might also want to bring a camera or video camera if you don’t want to use your phone to record those first minutes and hours. Don’t forget to bring the chargers. Talk to your partner ahead of time to find out what they like. Remember that you will be helping your partner through labour and the transition, so you won’t need a lot of electronics. But they are nice to have so you can record special moments or use them when you have some time to yourself.

Clothing

Dad and Baby hospital bag for dadIf you have clean underwear, a clean shirt, and a clean pair of socks, you should feel clean and ready for anything. Also, if the room is a little cool, you might want to bring a warm sweatshirt. Parents who are in labour often feel hot, so they may turn down the thermostat to stay cool. If this happens, you’ll be glad you brought something extra to wear. Some partners also find it helpful to have shoes and pyjamas that are easy to move around in. You might also want to bring a unique shirt for photos. Remember that you and your partner will be in a lot of pictures with the baby. Think about how you want to look in the pictures, and bring that shirt.

Bottles and Drinks That Can Be Reused

During labour and delivery, you and your partner will both need to drink a lot of water. So bring some water bottles you can use more than once. You might also want to bring Gatorade, Crystal Light, Powerade, and any other bottled drinks you might want. Even if your partner has limits on what they can drink, you might like having a few different things to choose from.

Pillow and Covering

A travel pillow or neck pillow and an extra blanket are useful to bring along. Even though partners are sometimes given a blanket and pillow by the hospital, it is good to be ready. If you want a bigger, more comfortable pillow, add it to the list of last-minute items that is attached to your bag. So, you’ll always be able to grab it on your way out the door. Many partners say that a good, comfortable pillow makes all the difference when sleeping on a cot or in a rocker or recliner in the room. Some partners even keep a small sleeping bag in the car in case the room is really cold and they need something warmer.

Things that can help your partner

Labour can be hard and take a long time. As your partner’s support person, you can help by bringing things that will help them deal with their pain (and even boredom).

Music

Together with your partner, make a playlist of music that will help and inspire them while they are in labour. Bring a Bluetooth speaker (with a cord to charge it) so you can listen to music in the hospital room.

Massage Oil

During labour and delivery, there may be times when the labouring parent would like a massage to help them feel better. Bringing a little bit of your partner’s favourite massage oil can make a big difference in the experience. One more way to help them calm down is to diffuse their favourite essential oils. Put them in a bag with a tight seal so they won’t leak.

Put on the show

The push present is a gift that a partner gives right after the baby is born. This is a newer trend. You can give your partner jewellery, a piece of art, a gift certificate, chocolates, or anything else they’d like to mark the event. You know your partner better than anyone else, so choose something that shows how much you care for and love them. Every person who is going to the hospital to help needs to be ready and prepared. The things in your hospital bag will help you feel good and be ready for anything. At 36 weeks, make sure your bag is ready to go and easy to get to. And don’t forget your list of things to do right before you leave. This list will make sure you don’t leave the house without your devices, medications, and other things you can’t pack ahead of time.

Good luck Dads!

Click here to read our guide on what do I need to pack? 

 

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