By Josh Moore
Your wife is due to give birth in a month or so, and you want to make sure that you’re both prepared for your hospital stay. Dads can pitch in when it comes to packing the hospital bags! You can find lots of helpful packing tips - and parenting advice - from the Children’s Craniofacial Association. Here are a few suggestions to get you started, from essential devices to clothing for mom and baby!
Tech Devices and Chargers
Don’t forget your tech devices at home! Make sure to pack a tablet in the hospital bag. Tablets are affordable, and since they have large screens, you can easily use them to video chat with family members who live far away! Plus, you’ll be able to browse the internet, answer emails, and handle other simple computer tasks.
Of course, you’ll also want to pack your phones and long charger cords. Furthermore, if you know that you’ll need to wrap up some work while your wife is at the hospital, bring your laptop and charger, too.
Paperwork
You’ll need lots of paperwork when you get to the hospital. The Planning Mom states that you’ll have to pack a photo ID and health insurance card, hospital registration paperwork, any relevant health insurance documents, your wife’s birth plan, and paperwork for your child’s new pediatrician. Check in with your wife’s OB/GYN to see if you need any additional documents.
Clothing
Your wife will need clothing for her due date, such as a gown or robe that she is willing to get rid of after giving birth. The hospital will not provide maternity clothes, so make sure to pack postpartum cotton panties, nursing bras, slipper socks, pajamas, basic t-shirts, and loose pants. You will also want to bring onesies for your baby.
Toiletries
After giving birth, your wife will need lots of postpartum toiletry products. It’s important to stock up on these well ahead of her due date and bring the necessary items to the hospital to keep her feeling clean and comfortable. Very Well Family states that you’ll want to invest in maternity pads, mesh underwear, chux pads, a squirt bottle, gauze, and nipple cream. Your wife’s OB/GYN will undoubtedly have more suggestions for hygiene products!
Entertainment
You might assume that once your wife begins having contractions, the baby will arrive shortly - but labor can take quite a while! New parents are often waiting in the hospital for quite a while until they can finally welcome their baby. Therefore, you should bring a few items for entertainment, like a good book or a journal, so that you can remember this moment.
Snacks
Some women are able to eat while in labor, while others cannot. However, it’s a good idea to pack a few snacks in your hospital bag anyway. While the hospital will have vending machines and a cafeteria, their offerings might be pricey, and depending on your wife’s dietary preferences, they may not have options that she likes. Your wife will be able to have breath mints and lozenges, so keep some of these on hand. Furthermore, you can pack snacks like granola bars, muffins, trail mix, nuts, applesauce pouches, and fresh or dried fruit.
By packing up a hospital bag for your wife ahead of time, you can ensure that you’re both ready to head out the door when she goes into labor. She’ll be grateful to have your help with this task! From tech devices you can’t forget to fun entertainment options, you can follow these tips to guide the packing process.
Are you seeking advice on raising children with craniofacial conditions? Turn to the Children’s Craniofacial Association! Browse our blog today to find the answers to your biggest questions.
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