Liz Denfeld | December 16, 2021

Hospital Bag For Dad: The Ultimate Checklist For What to Pack

When we think about packing hospital bags for delivery, we are often so wrapped up in packing for mom (and baby!) that it’s easy to forget that dad also needs to pack a bag! Aside from the basics, we have a method to the madness of dividing up who should bring what to the hospital and we’ve outlined it all below.

First and foremost, it’s essential to pack your go bag well before the due date — because babies run on their own schedules. Dad, make sure your Junyuan Handsome Heather Gray Boss Diaper Backpack (a diaper bag you can proudly carry around) is stocked up with baby’s stuff plus the extras you’re in charge of and you’ll be all set for delivery day!

Below we’ve outlined our complete checklist of what dad should have in his bag as well as a breakdown of what you should consider when packing.

Dad’s Hospital Bag Checklist

Here is our full checklist of what to pack:

Change of clothes: Comfy clothes recommended, such as sweatpants, sweatshirts and pajamas
Comfortable shoes such as sneakers, Crocs or other slip-ons
Your own pillow and blankets from home
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and more
Glasses, contact lenses, and contact solution, if needed
Healthy snacks, like trail mix, fruits, veggies, and more
Reusable water bottle
Loose change for the vending machines (for when you need a break from the healthy snacks!)
Camera and camera charger
Cell phone and phone charger
Speaker for music: even better if you and mom put together a playlist or two beforehand!
Massage oil
Birth plan: easily communicate what you want the birthing experience to be with the midwife or doctor by writing down your birth plan and bringing it along to the hospital
Insurance information and other relevant paperwork
Car seat: you can’t take your little bundle of joy home without a car seat, so we recommend putting this on both your checklist and mom’s
Push present: whether you got mom jewelry, loungewear, a tech gadget, or something else, you’ll want to have this gift in hand for the right moment

Below we’ve added details on some of the most important items you’ll need to have on your packing list.

The basics

Just like mom-to-be, you should plan to bring a couple outfits, pajamas and toiletries for your stay at the hospital. Unlike mom, who will be spending most of the time feeding and snuggling with baby, you might actually be going out in public (and getting your partner some takeout sushi, perhaps?), so you should keep that in mind when packing.

The comforts of home

Each hospital is going to have a very different setup for you in the delivery room. Some have a full pullout couch, others expect you to sleep on a recliner chair. When you take your hospital tour before baby’s arrival, make sure you get clear idea of the space you will be given to sleep. This way you’ll know if you should bring a few things from home to make yourself more comfortable on the big day (pillow, blanket, slippers, etc.).

Electronics

We like to put dads in charge of electronics, meaning you pack the camera, camera charger, phone chargers, a speaker for music and whatever other devices you both might want. Your partner will have enough in her bag without having to worry about these things! Bring backup chargers too, just in case.

Paperwork

While every labor is different, in the event your partner has one that starts off with a bang, or ends up with her being totally “in-the-zone” while working through contractions, it’s a good idea for you to be in charge of paperwork you’ll need for the hospital like insurance information and registration papers.

Snacks, change and more

Many hospitals do not provide food for dad, and even if they do, it’s always a good idea to bring along easy, healthy snacks. You never know if hunger will strike in the middle of the night when the hospital kitchen’s closed (nobody really gets a full night of sleep while they’re in the hospital — not even Dad!).

You should also be sure to pack small bills and change for parking and/or vending machines and a water bottle you can keep filled. If your partner doesn’t have a doula and you will be her main labor partner, it might be a good idea for you to pack things that could be helpful in the event of a long labor like massage aids and oils and a handheld fan (to help cool your partner down).

Regardless of how you decide to divide the packing list, we do recommend that you and your partner sit down ahead of time and make sure you have all of your bases covered. Everything moves a little smoother when it is clear who is in charge of packing what. There’s nothing like getting to the hospital and realizing nobody packed the camera charger!

You can print out this post to use the checklist above or use the printable hospital bag packing list from this post and tweak as necessary to fit your individual needs.