What to pack in the hospital bag for dad

Building your full hospital plan? Use our pregnancy due date calculator to know exactly when to pack.

Why the partner needs their own bag

Two reasons partners under-pack: they assume the hospital will provide things (it won't, not for them), and they think they can just go home if they forget something (they won't, because they will not want to leave their partner and baby).

You will be in the hospital between 24 and 72 hours. That is potentially 2 nights of sleeping on a fold-out couch, 5 to 8 meals you need to find or bring, and a lot of waiting. Pack like you would for a 2-night business trip in a hotel that doesn't have room service.

The clothing list

Comfortable, layered, hospital-friendly. Hospitals are kept at extremes: too cold in labor rooms, too warm in postpartum.

• 2 to 3 changes of comfortable clothes. T-shirts, joggers, sweatpants. Nothing fitted.
• 1 button-down shirt. For skin-to-skin time with baby.
• Hoodie or zip-up sweatshirt. Easy to layer.
• 4 to 5 pairs of socks. The floor is cold. The bathroom is colder.
• Comfortable closed-toe slip-on shoes. You will leave the room a lot — for water, food, coffee, ice chips, paperwork.
• 3 to 4 pairs of underwear.
• Pajamas to sleep in. Loose. Forgive me — yes, you will sleep some.
• 1 going-home outfit. Whatever felt nice when you left the house.

The food and drink list

Hospitals feed the patient. They do not feed the partner. Your options on-site are usually a cafeteria with limited hours and a vending machine. Pack like you are camping.

• Protein bars, granola bars, trail mix. Enough for 2 days.
• Beef jerky or other shelf-stable protein.
• 2 large refillable water bottles. Stay hydrated, especially during a long labor.
• Caffeine of choice. Coffee, energy drinks, tea bags. Vending coffee at 3 AM is sad.
• Quick-energy snacks. Dates, gummy bears, peanut M&Ms.
• A few mints or gum. You will be in your partner's face. Help them out.

Electronics

• Phone + charger. Bring an extra-long (6+ feet) cable. Hospital outlets are never near where you sit.
• Portable battery pack. Fully charged before leaving home.
• Headphones. For when your partner is sleeping and you want music or a podcast quietly.
• Tablet or e-reader. Labor can have long lulls.
• Camera or charged DSLR if you want better photos. Phones do fine for most.

Toiletries

A small kit. You will sleep in the hospital, but you will shower and reset between long stretches.

• Toothbrush + travel toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Face wash
• Lip balm (hospital air is dry)
• Hand lotion
• Brush or comb
• Razor + travel shaving cream (if you want to look not-exhausted in photos)
• Glasses + spare contacts if you wear them
• Any daily medications you take

Paperwork and admin

• Your driver's license + insurance card. You will be asked to verify identity at admission.
• Your partner's insurance card. In case they cannot easily access it.
• The birth plan, printed. Even if you don't follow it exactly, the L&D team likes seeing one.
• Hospital admission paperwork. If pre-registered, bring the confirmation.
• Phone numbers list, printed. If your phone dies, you still need to call grandma.
• Car seat installation manual. You may need to install or adjust at discharge.

Things partners forget that L&D nurses see all the time

From talking to 3 labor-and-delivery nurses:

• Extra-long phone charging cable. Number one most-forgotten item.
• Snacks for the long pushing phase. If the partner crashes, the nurse has to handle it.
• A change of clothes for after the messier parts of labor. Plan for it.
• The car seat already installed in the car. Not in the bag, but in the car. Don't bring an uninstalled seat — install before labor.
• A water bottle for themselves. Yes, hydrate yourself too. Tired dehydrated dads also pass out.
• Cash for the cafeteria or vending machines. Some still don't take cards.

The bonus items that make the stay better

• Eye mask + earplugs. For sleeping during nursing hours.
• Travel pillow or small blanket. The fold-out couch is rough.
• A small fan. Some rooms run hot, especially overnight.
• Bluetooth speaker. Music during labor calms many laboring people.
• Notebook + pen. Write down the lactation consultant's name and number, pediatrician follow-up, etc.
• A small gift for the L&D nurse. Chocolate, candy, a $20 Starbucks card. It is a thoughtful gesture they remember.
• A "you survived" celebration item. Whatever signals "you did it" to your partner. Flowers from the gift shop. A nice meal delivered after.

The going-home setup

• Car seat installed correctly. Practice the buckling before labor.
• A baby outfit you actually like for the going-home photo.
• Hat or sun cover for baby. Bring even in summer; the sun is harsh.
• A blanket to lay over the car seat carrier handle on the walk to the car.
• Snacks for the ride home. Both of you, after a sleepless 48 hours, need to eat.

What to skip

• Too much. One backpack or duffel is enough. You will only be there 2 to 3 days.
• Work things. Don't bring your laptop intending to "work between contractions." You will not.
• Anything precious or fragile. Hospital rooms are not your living room. Things get lost.
• An enormous water bottle. The hospital provides ice chips and cups. A 24 oz reusable is plenty.

The bottom line

One backpack with 2 days of clothes, snacks for 2 days, a phone setup, basic toiletries, and the paperwork. Pack it at 36 weeks. Leave it by the door. When labor starts, you grab it and go — and you don't show up at the hospital starving and ill-prepared.