Congratulations! You are a dad! Having a baby is supposed to be the most wonderful thing in the world. So why are we a nervous wreck with two left hands? Here you will find all you will need in order to survive the hospital, your newborn, and being a new dad! The New Dad Hospital Survival Kit will be the go-to kit for all new dads! Get ready to jump in with both feet because you were made for this! Stand up straighter and go forth with confidence as you welcome your new bundle of joy into the world.
New Dad Hospital Survival Kit
1. The word NO – Trust me on this one, after having four kids you need to learn when it comes birthing time to use the word no. Remember you are trying to keep your wife comfortable during the process and she may not want those visitors peaking in. So you have to step in and say no. At times it may not be no but you may need to redirect with, can you come back in 30 minutes as my wife is feeding the baby or resting etc. If you have a tough time saying no then start practicing once you find out you’re having a kid, as there will be some point during the delivery process you will have to say no to someone.
2. Snacks – Since this is your first time in the hospital awaiting the arrival of your baby then you might notice that sometimes time seems to stand still. While you are doing great at encouraging your wife, your stomach is probably saying “Hey, don’t forget about me!”. It is important to grab some snacks to help you keep up energy you will need during labor and then delivery! Pick some great treats high in protein like peanut butter crackers, protein bars, or your favorite candy! Just make sure the smell won’t be offensive to your laboring wife. We learned our lessons, that’s why we are writing this new dad hospital survival kit!
3. Pain Relievers – While you might be up on your feet and running around making sure your wife is stocked with ice chips, cool cloths, laboring balls, and everything else in between you might just notice that your feet are getting sore. Since you are packing your own bag for the hospital go ahead and throw in some Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Those will come in handy when your back, feet, or head begin to hurt from running around or sleeping on those uncomfortable Hospital couches. No wife wants to hear you complain about pain during this time! Take it from me, I am here to help you out!
4. Change of clothes – As your wife is preparing and planning for the new baby to arrive by packing all the essentials that she and your newborn will need sometimes they often overlook dads. To make sure your wife did not pick out matching outfits, go ahead and pack a couple of days worth of clothes. Comfy clothes to lounge around in are great plus a good outfit to go home in!
5. Phone Chargers or Battery packs – You know everyone and their mother will be blowing up your phone wanting updates on the progress of your wife and baby. You will be like the paparazzi taking a million pictures of the worlds most adorable baby. So in order for WWIII not to start up in the hospital room, you might want to pack a charger or battery pack. I suggest bringing 2 chargers and a fully charged battery pack. Make sure the battery pack is fully charged as nothing like it being dead when you really need it. You will thank us later!
As a soon to be Dad you need to make sure to check out our Newborn Hacks for New Dads!
6. Get your Lady a Present – I am not really sure if this is a thing or not but it is better to be prepared than not. You’re probably thinking, “Why do I need to give her a present?”. Just do it and thank us later. This present is called a Push Gift and it’s your gift of gratitude for your wife delivering your baby. It can be, no, it must be something personal and meaningful. So don’t get her favorite candy, please. I got my wife a simple necklace with the babies initial on it! IF you forget the Hospital gift shops have stepped up their game and grab one last minute if you need to but I do suggest getting her something thoughtful.
7. Toiletries – Dad if you are going to be at the hospital for a few days then you are going to need to pack a few toiletries. What to include but not limited to these items; soap, shampoo, deodorant, Poo Pourri spray (you’re welcome), body wash, razor, and shaving cream. I am sure you will think of some things you will need also based on your personal preferences. But trust me on this one your wifes’ senses will be heightened so get some Poo Pourri spray or consider using the public restroom.
8. Money – Maybe you opted to skip on number two earlier, if so then you will need money for the vending machines. Some hospitals have pay by the hour parking meters so make sure that sucker stays fed. Nothing says congratulations on your new bundle of joy quite like a $200 parking ticket! YIKES!
9. Instant Coffee – This one is so important on our new dad hospital survival kit that it gets its own slot in this list. I don’t know about you but I am a coffee drinker and will need some caffeine while waiting oh so patiently for my newborn to make their appearance! Stay awake and alert while tending to your wife as well! Go ahead and throw in a few others for when that babe is in your arms and your wife is demanding caffeine since she’s probably been limited or off caffeine for 9 months! Everyone is happy when mama is happy, right?!
10. New Dad Shirt – Show off how proud you are of your new addition with a fun new dad shirt! There are tons to choose from and it will probably be better than your old college jersey that has seen better days! Impress your lady with a new shirt! Check out this Papa Bear shirt from Amazon or these other Cool Dad Shirts! They are stylish and super appropriate to welcome your new one to the world!
Need help? Then check out our 16 Tips on How to Support your Wife During Pregnancy.
11. Entertainment – Even though your main job in the hospital is to help out and assist your wife when needed, there will be some downtime too! She will rest when she can so during that time you will have to entertain yourself. Electronics like our phones, laptops or even a Nintendo Switch seem to be the easiest and most convenient. Just make sure you don’t want to get carried away with the video game or TV show and you start yelling. The other patients just might think you are the one having the baby! Stick to a book, trust me!
12. Gas Mask – To help lighten the mood and bring a little humor to the room make sure to pack a gas mask. Once your newborn is here and cleaned up, belly of milk, and all snuggly warm they will poop. Offer to change the diaper but grab the gas mask or dust mask! Being able to bring a little humor to the table as a parent will help you out in the long run. Enjoy the little things! Keep reading for more great things to put in your new dad hospital survival kit.
13. Pillow and Blanket – No this is not for your new baby, this is for you! Just like hotels, hospitals are not famous for their soft pillow and blankets. Bring the comforts of home to help you rest better and not look like a walking zombie for the first few days as you adjust to being a dad. Just make sure the pillowcase and blanket are clean as you don’t want the hospital staff to see your sweat stains!
Need some ideas on what to say? We put together 20 things wives love to hear from their husbands.
14. Everyone Say Cheese! – One of the most common things to pack but often time gets overlooked due to the fact that technology has infiltrated our beings is a camera! I know we all have cameras on our phones, but I like to pack an extra camera for those special moments as our cameras don’t always take great photos in lower light. As a bonus tip, ask a close friend or relative to be the photographer when you plan to have visitors. This way you can focus on your little one and the guests! There is going to be a lot going on and you might forget to snap a picture of some people. Delegate that to them instead, it will make your life easier!
15. Bring a Book or Magazine – I am sure you have scoured the bookstores with your wife while she wanted to read all about pregnancy and parenting. We want to be involved in the pregnancy process too even though we can’t actually help them carry the baby! Here’s a great read to help you navigate through being a new dad and all the milestones in your new baby’s life! Check out Welcome to the Club: 100 Parenting Milestones You Never Saw Coming by Raquel D’Apice. You can also opt for the newest leadership book as well.
The cross over from dude to dad will be one of the most rewarding times in your life. We helped you take the stress out of the delivery day with this fun new dad hospital survival kit. With all the items we suggest for you to add to your bag for the hospital also know there are more that we didn’t mention! Make your bag personal to you and your family. Make sure you don’t wait until THE day to pack. We all know we had roughly 9 months to prepare, so don’t procrastinate about this one! I love being a dad and by the time we had our fourth baby I was a pro at packing and know what I needed and didn’t need. Surprisingly our baby didn’t need near as much as my wife packed, but who am I to argue with her?! Just nod your head and say “Yes Dear!”. You will thank me later, no matter how many kids you plan on having! Leave us a comment with some items you packed that we didn’t mention. We would love to hear from you!
