I feel like all the mistakes I could have made with packing for the hospital for Baby #1 will hopefully be remembered and not repeated with baby #2! This post is part of my baby be-ready series as I look back on what I wish I had done differently, or that I am so glad I did. Click here for my blog post on “What You Really Need for your Baby” the items you need to be prepared for baby’s big debut!
With Hudson, I did have a small bag packed for Blake. However, we were not prepared for the amount of time we would be staying there in the hospital. With it being our first, and in my condition, Blake didn’t want to leave my side (thank heavens, I could barely move, and things were a bit up in the air with my health after delivery). I wish I would have been a little more prepared and spent a little extra to sort of spoil him!
This time around with baby #2 I am feeling confident and much more prepared with a plan in mind. Just in case our plans don’t go smoothly like last time, we will be prepared with the things we need that he can at least hold over for a day or two if he feels like he needs to stay by our side longer than expected.
When Hudson was born, we were in the hospital from Sunday afternoon-Thursday afternoon. Although it was our choice for my husband to stay with me, this time around hopefully recovery will be easier and I would be able to manage on my own for a few hours while he goes home to get supplies or a shower if my stay is extended.
Our hospital did allow my husband to use my shower/bathroom etc, and I did overpack on a few things, so he was totally prepared with having clothes. However, they were not comfy clothes by any means! And for all the sitting and rocking he was doing, I think he would have greatly appreciated some sweats and a t-shirt over his button ups. We lived about 30 mins away from the hospital and my husband new that I was not in a place where I could take care of the baby completely on my own, and with all the babies being born on our floor at the time, he just didn’t want me to get out of bed and get dizzy because my baby was crying and a nurse wasn’t able to come quickly enough. They were really short-staffed that week, and our room was so small that the only place for the baby’s bed was across the narrow room.
These were just minor things we didn’t plan on. This time around, we know that if baby comes early, or if there are any complications, we will be transferred to another hospital since we live in a rural area. Having enough things packed in my husband’s duffel bag will be helpful just in case my baby needs to be transported and I am not able to go with the bab. This way, my husband will be amply prepared to stay with the baby for a couple nights until someone can switch shifts with him.
Tips or Lessons we learned that you may not have thought of:
- I didn’t bring enough snacks!! (I had snacks at home, but wasn’t planning on staying at the hospital after getting started- I was supposed to come home for the night).
Blake could have used a lot more caffeine and good snack options. Especially since with the shortages and covid restrictions the vending machines were basically empty! We weren’t expecting empty vending machines! So our backup plan failed.
Make a doordash account!
We were so tired of hospital food, and wanted takeout one evening. Make sure you have already made a Doordash account prior to being in hospital. It will make it SO much easier and less of a hassle 🙂
If you have friends or family in the area, see if they are willing to bring supplies if needed, or just a snack/soda or takeout! This would have been a great option if we had friends at the time Hudson was born. We were really new to the area, and didn’t have family nearby.
Pack a separate bag for you and husband: (Even though he will complain it’s just another bag)
Although I know many people share toiletry bags with their companions, I would recommend Dad having a different toiletry bag and different duffel bag than mom. It may seem weird and sound like more bags, but it makes it alot easier. (Especially so he’s not asking you where it is and digging through your bags!). This will also be very handy in case the baby will be transported to another hospital and only one parent is able to go.
Bring a Pillow and Blanket.
Don’t rely on the hospitals if you know how uncomfortable those pillows and scratchy sheets are!
If you’re anything like me and dr offices and hospitals make you squirm because you can’t stop thinking about germs, and certain things are “never the same again” once they have touched the floor, etc…
Here’s my tip for you! Buy a cheaper pack of pillows.( Also, a pack of pillowcases/protectors for $2). One for you, one for him. Grab a plush throw! You could also find one at a Ross, TJ Maxx, or Walmart etc that is super soft and inexpensive. That way if you do feel uncomfortable with the germs and feel like no amount of washing will help, then you can feel a little more justified in getting rid of them.
I usually use a soft plush throw that I keep in my car for picnics/emergencies. If you know me, you know I actually have like 3 blankets in my car so I am still prepared. Ha! I find them on clearance or on Black Fridays and always buy 1. Then I add to my emergency kits or just as a gift to give. After our stay in the hospital, I can decide after my usual 3 washes if the blanket stays or goes, and I won’t be heartbroken if I end up tossing it. Yes, I am a little overboard on germs but I have found my way to be comfortable and have a backup just in case some items end up on the floor!
Pack slides for your husband!
Not only do you want a pair of easy slip ons, your husband does too! My husband was the one to get up out of bed for the baby each time. He also would run errands alot and get the nurses attention or refill my ice cup. Each time he had to pull on his cowboy boots! I can’t believe I didn’t think of bringing an easy pair of shoes for him. Although just a pair of slide on shoes might work, for my husband I know he wants the easiest thing to put on, and that would be the ever-famous slide sandals!
Make a list of people to contact, in what order, etc. Put basic information down just so your husband doesn’t forget!
Making a list of people you are expecting your husband to contact can be super helpful! If you’re anything like me, I was exhausted after 26 hours. I wasn’t up to facetiming anyone but I did want to send a simple update to close friends and family who were praying for me that day. A simple list of “who to tell first” would have been super helpful. This way Blake won’t ask me a lot of questions, and he would know to look at my phone if he was missing a contact number etc.
Maybe at the top of the list put a cute reminder that you really appreciate candid photos. You could be pleasantly surprised 🙂
I have made arrangements with certain family/friends regarding help with the baby and our toddler, etc. My husband probably heard me say the plans out loud, but he may forget. So some simple reminders of scheduling, backup people to call to watch our toddler, etc, will be helpful.
You just never know if things will be super easy and calm or a little frantic. Having this list will be helpful just in case you are separated from your husband for a little while, and he still knows who to contact, numbers, and who to call for additional help if family isn’t available.
Hospital Bag for Dads
- PILLOW (if you’re like me, don’t bring your favorite, but anything you bring will be better than the one at the hospital.)
- Plush blanket, long enough for his body too. (just trust me on that one.)
- Comfy shoes/slides. (easy to put on, no hands needed)
- Socks
- Toothbrush (This toiletry kit would make it super easy, compact, and you know you have the basics!)
- Mouthwash
- Toothpaste
- Comb
- Hair gel/hairspray
- Mini cologne (he wants to feel good too!)
- Contact container/contact solution (maybe throw in his glasses too, makes it so much easier)
- Pajamas (top + bottom)
- Comfy sweats (separate from his PJ’s!)
- Comfy shirts
- Nice outfit (i.e. jeans, favorite shirt, etc)
- Favorite beverages (i.e. caffeine so he has the energy to help you!)
- Power snacks (somewhat healthy, helps to give nutrients and energy!)
- Pre-packaged snacks (small potato chips, small bags of cookies etc)
- Long phone charger (yes, for hubby too!)
- Folder for all the paperwork and information they give you! (he will be the one that can easily get up and down and move around the room, so make sure he has a spot for all the papers so they don’t end up thrown away, or crumbled in a bag.
- A list of people you want to contact first etc. (example: 1. Text a picture to our parents, next, text my favorite sister; backup babysitters “on call” just in case, who is planning on bringing toddler to hospital to meet baby… etc)
- Cash (for vending machines or the cafeteria). Just in case you came in a rush and forgot his cards or something, rest assured he will be fed 😉
Although this isn’t the most luxurious list, it is able to fit in a duffle bag and will contain the majority of items he needs for a few days in the hospital. I know this time around I will feel better about his duffel bag and knowing he might sleep a little better on the couch with a soft blanket and decent pillow. It will no doubt beat his last experience of a scratchy sheet (that was not warm enough), and the duffle bag that had to be used as his pillow for 4 nights.
He might also really appreciate being able to slide into shoes instead of wearing cowboy boots all day and night. 🙂
If you got caught with labor unexpectedly and felt your bags were unprepared, ITS OKAY. I had no excuses and was one day early and I wasn’t prepared! Give yourself some grace. There is so much we can’t plan for, and there is also so much to do just to get ready for a baby in the first place. Just know that no matter what, it will be okay. Your husband might not have a toothbrush but he might be able to find one at a hospital gift shop, or just wait a day to go home.
Happy Mothering Mama! You got this.
XOXO,
Kelsie Ann
