New Dad Survival Bag

strickland8052 · September 2016

Someone mentioned on another thread that they are making a new dad survival bag for their SO as a gift. I loved that idea and decided to steal it. Are you doing this? If so, what do you plan on putting in it?

strickland8052 · September 2016

So far, I've decided to include:

Some of his favorite snacks
A bottle of Mexican Coca Cola
Those icy hot back pain strips (he has back problems so I worry about him in the uncomfortable hospital furniture)
Some change/dollars for vending machine
Travel size toiletries and liquor
A new book that I think he'd enjoy

Would love to hear what others are including for more ideas.

Or if you are a BTDT mom, what did DH bring to the hospital or should have brought to the hospital to keep his energy up?

gatorMom2014 · September 2016

Make sure you pack him a change of clothes. We totally forgot last time!

blaf322 · September 2016

Advil
A thank you note from you for being a great support
if he has any favorite snack items, pack those bc if he's really hungry during a more intense portion of the labor, he's not going to want to leave you bc he's hungry.... But could scarf down a protein bar or whatever he likes in the room between contractions.

eta- that was me that suggested that so I'm excited to see so many of you using the idea

CopperBoom86 · September 2016

gatorMom2014 said:

Make sure you pack him a change of clothes. We totally forgot last time!

All of the hospital packing lists I've seen on Pinterest say to "bring dad a change of clothes." But aren't we going to be in the hospital for 3 days? Wouldn't he need at least 2 outfits? Or am I missing something? I get that he could technically go home and change, but my husband will probably want to stay with me the whole time.

jjgypsy · September 2016

Cash (small bills), phone numbers (he may not have of people I'd like him to call), usual toiletries, clothes, phone charger, slippers & snacks.
The nurses laughed at us, but my hubby's bed was so uncomfortable we all squeezed into my hospital bed for sleeping.

ignoscemihi · September 2016

CopperBoom86 said:

gatorMom2014 said:

Make sure you pack him a change of clothes. We totally forgot last time!

All of the hospital packing lists I've seen on Pinterest say to "bring dad a change of clothes." But aren't we going to be in the hospital for 3 days? Wouldn't he need at least 2 outfits? Or am I missing something? I get that he could technically go home and change, but my husband will probably want to stay with me the whole time.

Our hospital keeps you 24-36 hours from when you give birth, so unless you have a long labor, you probably will only stay 1 night.

krzyriver · September 2016

My "survival kit" wasn't so much a labor survival kit as it was just a bunch of random crap for him. Energy drinks since I keep him up all night struggling to get out of bed. Snacks for the hospital. A baby book to read to the baby. An outfit for baby. Can't remember what else.

I did pack most of the snacks in his hospital bag along with a change of clothes for him, a pillow and towel, his toothbrush, his phone charger, and change for the vending machine. His hospital bag is just as stuffed as mine. Lol

LauraPCOS · September 2016

We're sharing a hospital duffle bag and right now it's packed full! He helped me pack it so there's not real surprises, but I might sneak in some of his snacks (which will be fuzzy peaches and skittles lol).

In our bag we have his toiletries, lounge pants, 2 t-shirts, 2 boxers, and socks. I also packed a towel (not sure he'll shower there, but if he does he said he'll share mine just in case the hospital ones are horrible). He said he'll wear whatever jeans/shorts he's wearing to the hospital multiple times, as well as his hoodie if he is wearing one (if not I'll grab it on my way out) - same goes for his sandals so he can walk around the hospital without socks on.

We're also bringing our iPads, but the charger is already in the bag, and he has his headphones.

CopperBoom86 · September 2016

Hmm, our childbirth instructor, who is a nurse in L&D at our hospital, told us they would keep us 3 days for vaginal delivery. I'll probably have him pack 2 outfits and a pair of pajamas just in case.

krzyriver · September 2016

@CopperBoom86 Probably varies from place to place. I was told for months and months by different people that you stay for 3 days. But on my tour of my hospital, they told me they release about 24 hours after birth.

jbal918 · September 2016

I've been thinking about this! We live about 45 minutes from the hospital and I'll be there 2-3 days, depending on how I deliver. So far I've got clothes for him and I need to add some snacks. He has sleep apnea so the C-Pap machine is a must and so help me he needs that machine because he will have the whole floor awake with his snoring so he might go home 1 night to sleep at home which I'm ok with if he needs to but he said he probably won't... Besides that I don't know what else to pack lol

suzy311 · September 2016

Lots of great ideas here!!

One of my good friends is a L&D nurse and she recommended packing a soft zip-up hoodie. She said it's perfect to wear without a shirt so dad and baby can have some cuddly skin-to-skin time. Going to pick up a cheap one this week!

BarrysBride05 · September 2016

DH keeps a bag packed in his truck for work. I am sure he'll throw in some athletic shorts and a t-shirt or two. I am sure I'll grab him son of his favorite candies and gum to tuck in my bag. He is pretty prepared at all times.
The plan is for him to stay one night with me and the new baby and anymore (if we stay longer) with DD1 at home.
A dear friend/cousin will come stay another night with me (if needed) and DD2. DD1 was born super early in a.m. (1:56) and the only reason we stayed two nights then is because DD1 was in NICU and we were feeding her every three hours. Who knows...we may pull a Will and Kate and go on home.

mizzkbrat · September 2016

Since we are sharing a suitcase, I'm buying him a shaving kit bag as he doesn't have one. I'm going to fill it with his snacks and a thank you note for the hospital.

von1976 · September 2016

I'm not planning a bag specifically for him, but I will pack for him: a bathing suit (in case I need him in the shower with me during labor), a change of clothes, some snacks, and some cash and quarters for vending machines. I am trying to talk him into going home overnight. He has a bad back and our bed is way more comfortable than the bench they give you for your "support person". Plus, our dog will be crated and will need to be walked and fed.

mommabear444 · September 2016

Since this is FX our last baby, I will probably write a really sappy love letter for him and put it with some of his favorite snacks ! With all 3 babies he never stayed in the hospital with me because it was so uncomfortable, he always gets a migraine on their birthdays, and eventually we thought it best he stayed with the other kiddos. But I always bring his charger and a new shirt for him. Sweatshirts are a must because it gets real cold in there, and definitely headache medicine.

serenaxo84 · September 2016

Can I get a new mom survival bag???!

linnielou · October 2016

These are all super helpful ideas--I have been so focused on all the "mommy" stuff, I didn't even consider that DH would need to have a bag, too. Since he doesn't drive (we're having a family member take us in--luckily we've got a scheduled c-section) he'll be with me the whole time without much opportunity to come home. And being a c-section, I'm going to be there for at least a couple of days.

mrszoess · October 2016

**Removed for TOU violation**

mrszoess · October 2016

did she actually report me? for what?? wow. she comes in begging for someone to give her advice when she isn't due in october and has nerve to post about two different trigger warnings and IM the one who is reported and i didn't even curse?

mrszoess · October 2016

linnielou said:

These are all super helpful ideas--I have been so focused on all the "mommy" stuff, I didn't even consider that DH would need to have a bag, too. Since he doesn't drive (we're having a family member take us in--luckily we've got a scheduled c-section) he'll be with me the whole time without much opportunity to come home. And being a c-section, I'm going to be there for at least a couple of days.

also qfp

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