My wife and I recently introduced our second baby girl into the world. While I'm retiring from that business, I wanted to share some insight for future dads on packing for the hospital. I will admit even though this was my second time around, I failed and failed miserably on packing correctly. Don't make the same mistake as me and make sure you pack these 5 essentials for the big day and the few days in the hospital after.
5. Slides/crocs
I don't know what I was thinking but the only shoes I had during my hospital stay, were the ones on my feet when we walked in the hospital. I kind of got annoyed every time I went to the cafe that I had to put my sneakers on and lace them. Knowing that the average hospital stay during the birthing stage is 2-4 days depending on various factors, pack some slides.
4. Phone Holder
We all know cable TV is in a rapid decline and they don't seem to care anymore. And the only thing available in hospitals are cable, or luckily for us DirecTV which by the way it rained one evening and the signal went out. Anyway, there wasnt much on TV and while I did watch some movies and shows I haven't seen in a while. It was very annoying to constantly try to find something to watch.
When I did watch stuff on my phone, I got tired of holding it and didn't have anything to prop it up with. Thus I realized the phone holder is an essential these days.
3. Hoodie
Hospitals are notoriously cold for various factors pertinent to safety and comfort. Expecting a child in the summer you tend to forget about the time that will be spent in the hospital. Which I kind of remembered, but didn't. I bought a light weight hoodie, but I should have packed some long sleeve t-shirts and a real hoodie. Sometimes I was absolutely freezing.
2. Snacks!!!
I dropped the ball big time with this. I had snacks like gummies and sunflower seeds. I forgot about substance snacks to hold me over at night or early in the morning. Crackers plain or peanut butter crackers. Chips, granola bars items like that. Hell, I should have took some bread, and PB & J.
I spent way too much money in the cafeteria.
1. Pillow and Blanket
I mentioned how I wish I had bought a hoodie, well add a blanket to the list. I remembered how uncomfortable the hospital pillows were for the dad bench last go around, so I made sure to buy a pillow for my stay. What I did not anticipate was the dad bench being right under the a/c vent making me even colder. I had a little throw blanket but man I wish I had a whole damn winter comforter as cold as it was. While you never truly know how cold you'll be, the thin hospital blankets won't cut it...bring something from home.
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