Use this checklist to ensure the hospital bag is ready!
It’s time… the babies coming whether you’re ready or not. You’re about to be a new father (welcome to the club it’s now acceptable to wear cargo shorts and New Balances). So, you help your lady friend to the car, grab the hospital bag (it better be ready by this point) and get on the road. Are you sure you have everything in that hospital bag though? Use this checklist to make sure! It’s also a good idea to have the bag ready a week or two in advance, babies don’t always stick to a schedule so be ready just in case. One quick tip before we start, make sure you have everything you need but, don’t overpack. This isn’t a 6-day cruise…
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We’ll start with what you should bring for the baby; The hospital will probably be providing a lot of what the baby will need. The hospital should have the essentials for you like diapers, wipes, etc. Here’s what you should bring:
- Onesies (I would make sure to have 2 at least, probably 3)
- Coming home outfit
- Blankets, swaddling will help comfort the baby (I would recommend bringing at least 3 blankets to swaddle your newborn)
- Hat, the hospital will give you the standard beanie hat for your baby, but if you have some you like better… bring 1 or 2
As you can see there isn’t much needed for baby. Now, let’s talk about what to bring for mom. Let’s be honest, she probably is going to pack her own stuff, or at least pick out what she wants to pack. That doesn’t mean you can’t help pack it up though and do a quick look over to make sure she has everything (you’ve probably already experienced her pregnancy brain… she’s probably forgetting something).
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) As a note to this, the hospital will probably have shampoo/conditioner/soap there but if she wants to bring her own get some of the travel size containers for her to bring
- Make up (she probably wants to look decent for all the pictures that will be taken)
- Comfortable clothes (robe x1-2, pajamas x2, comfortable shorts or pants, comfortable shirts. Etc.) Also she probably has some nursing gowns and bras already, include those!
- Socks (x2, my wife liked the comfortable fuzzy socks for lounging around in)
- Shoes (ok she probably wore shoes there but maybe a set of slippers)
- Underwear (x5 at least) this isn’t the time to pack that sexy lace lingerie, she’s going to have some stuff going on down there after the birth so be realistic
- Coming home outfit (she probably already has something picked out don’t worry)
Ok so now it’s our turn, what should the father pack in the hospital bag? Usually we’re pretty simple but here’s some ideas:
- Sweatpants/comfortable shorts (x2)
- T-Shirts (x2)
- Boxers (however many you may need so everyone doesn’t start smelling your… well you know, you need probably at least 3 pairs) Pro Tip: while you’re packing your boxers go ahead and throw those old ones away with the skid marks and the holes… I know you have them still.
- Socks (x2-3)
- Shoes (Yes, I know you wore a pair there but grab a pair of old man slippers to wear around the hospital)
- Wallet/ID (This is obvious but make sure to have it)
Finally, here’s a few miscellaneous items that you and the mom will both use and appreciate having:
- Phone Charger (if you and the mom have different types of phones bring a charger for both)
- Laptop/Tablet (You’ll probably have a lot of down time waiting on the baby to pop out, you and the mom can watch movies to pass the time)
- Books/Magazines (Again, another great way to pass the down time)
- Tumbler/Cup/Water Bottle (Listen I’m not saying you should have a tumbler full of Bloody Mary… I mean that’s up to you. But if you have a tumbler or special cup you usually use through the day just bring it.)
- Snacks (Yes, some hospitals have decent food and there’s probably lots of vending machines, but why spend the money at the vending machines if you can bring the snacks you actually want)
There it is! The ultimate hospital bag check list! There are probably some things you or the mom may want that is not on the list, feel free to bring extra items if you want to. Just remember the more you bring there, the more you must take back. Keep in mind you will probably have a lot of flowers/balloons/stuffed animals, etc. to bring back as well plus the supplies the hospital will give you! But mostly importantly, when the baby comes put your phone down, close your laptop, and enjoy the time with your new family!
-That’s Just Dad Shit
