12 Items Every Father-to-Be Should Have in His Hospital Go-Bag

A good go-bag requires a good bag. If you need a new one, try the Luis Weekender, which combines classic menswear materials in one great-looking bag. Waxed canvas is a historical stain- and water-resistant fabric that gets better with age, while the leather handles and shoulder strap are rugged and robust. Treated with care, this bag will last until your baby graduates college.

At some point in the small hours of the morning, you’ll notice the fuzz on your teeth and the crud in your eyes and want to rid it before the next round of contractions. So you'll need a good Dopp kit in which to place your most trusted toiletries. This one is roomy enough for your essentials and, thanks to its unique tetrahedron shape, balances perfectly on narrow bathroom sinks.

During your time in the maternity ward, the only thing working anywhere near as hard as your wife will be your phone — you'll take video, family will FaceTime, friends will text, likes will pour in after you upload the news to Facebook. When the battery drains you won't want to be anchored to a wall outlet. The PowerCore II Slim 10000 is smaller than the average phone and, on a full battery, can charge a phone three-and-a-half times before needing a refill itself.

Documenting the birth is a must. Might we suggest something like the a7R III, which leads the industry when it comes to the latest camera tech? Mirrorless cameras allow for smaller, lighter bodies that take as good or better photos than their bulky DSLR cousins, and Sony dominates this market. The massive 42-megapixel photos are tack-sharp and easily enlarged for the grandparents, while 4K2 video is so vivid that stills can be pulled directly from it.

Before and after delivery, you could be spending upwards of three days in the hospital, likely without a shower and wearing the same clothes. That means your nethers are going to get funky. The Anatomica Rib Boxers are made of wool, and combine its superfine fabric in a mid-thigh cut that doesn't ride up. They wick sweat, fight bacteria and odor, and regulate temperature, cooling in the summer and warming in an AC-cranking room.

Most hospital pillows have less filling than a lettuce wrap. The Zenbivy Pillow inflates with a few breaths, but its plush cover is so soft that you’ll forget it’s air-filled. When not in use, it packs down to the size of an orange.

A functional hospital bag for dads is one that has a comfy sweat set ready to go in it. Don't overthink it: for the long days and nights in the hospital, you'll need comfortable sweats that won't make it look like you're trying to lose weight for a wrestling match. The Ace Sweatshirt and Sweatpant more than fit the bill — and it's French Terry has a twist: a touch of stretch in its thick cotton fabric.

Massage oil? That’s right. Massage oil. Because your wife will be sore and lying on an uncomfortable bed for hours and you’ll think Man, I wish I could give her a good massage. That’s when you’ll be glad you packed this oil, which combines the pleasant spice of ginger, cardamom, and lemongrass. Her lower back will thank you.

You thought you had a lot of stuff to sign following that ER trip after pickup basketball. Just wait until after the baby. Parenthood comes with a lot of paperwork. And you need a safe place to put it, not some manilla file folder. Store it all in the Work Folio A4, which has a soft leather cover, and can always fit a legal pad, pen, six cards, and a tablet. It'll serve you well for decades after you purchase it.

You will be thirsty. Your wife will be thirsty. This bottle, with its stainless steel guts, double wall vacuum insulation, and wide mouth for bleary-eyed filling, can handle any liquids you’ll need over the coming days.