Hospital Bag Essentials: What Dads Actually Need to Pack

Everyone talks about the mom's hospital bag. What to pack for baby. But what about you? You're going to be at the hospital for days, supporting your partner through labor, staying overnight, living out of that bag.

Here's what you actually need—tested by dads who learned the hard way.

Why You Need Your Own Bag

You might think, "I'll just run home if I need something." Wrong.

Reality check:

• Labor can take 12+ hours (sometimes much longer)
• You won't want to leave your partner
• Hospital parking is a nightmare
• You need supplies NOW, not after a 45-minute round trip

Pack your own bag. Keep it in the car starting at 37 weeks. Thank us later.

The Essentials

Phone & Charging

What to Pack:

• Phone charger (with LONG cable - 10ft minimum)
• Portable battery pack (fully charged)
• Car charger as backup
• Headphones

Why It Matters: Your phone is your camera, your communication, your entertainment during long stretches, and your research tool. A dead phone during active labor is not the time to realize the hospital only has one outlet across the room.

Snacks & Drinks

What to Pack:

• Protein bars (6-8, variety of flavors)
• Nuts or trail mix
• Granola bars
• Beef jerky
• Crackers or pretzels
• Energy drinks or caffeine pills
• Water bottle (refillable)

Why It Matters: Hospital cafeterias close. Vending machines run out. You need to eat to stay alert and supportive. Your partner can't eat during active labor—don't eat a full meal in front of her, but keep your blood sugar stable with quiet snacks.

Comfortable Clothing

What to Pack:

• 2-3 changes of comfortable clothes
• Pajamas or sweats for overnight
• Hoodie or jacket (hospitals are COLD)
• Comfortable shoes (you'll be standing/walking a lot)
• Flip-flops for shower
• Extra socks and underwear

Why It Matters: You might be there 2-3 days. You'll sweat from stress. You'll sleep in a chair. You'll want fresh clothes and something warm.

Personal Care Items

What to Pack:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Face wash
• Razor (if you care)
• Shampoo (travel size)
• Glasses if you wear contacts
• Any regular medications
• Lip balm

Why It Matters: Hospital soap is terrible. You'll feel more human after a shower. Your partner will appreciate you not looking (and smelling) like you've been up for 30 hours straight.

The Game Changers

These aren't essential, but they make a huge difference:

Eye Mask & Earplugs

Hospitals are loud and bright 24/7. If you're trying to sleep in a chair while your partner and baby are sleeping, these are lifesavers.

Pillow from Home

Hospital pillows are plastic-covered bricks. If you have room in your car, bring your own pillow. You'll sleep better (or at least, less badly).

Entertainment

Options:

• Book or e-reader
• Tablet loaded with shows/movies
• Handheld gaming device
• Headphones (mentioned above but worth repeating)

Labor has long stretches of waiting. Your partner might want quiet. You need something to do besides stare at monitors.

Bluetooth Speaker (Small)

For playing calm music during labor or white noise for baby later. Keep it quiet and ask nurses if it's okay.

Folder for Documents

• Insurance cards
• ID
• Hospital pre-registration papers
• Birth plan (if you have one)
• Pediatrician contact info

What NOT to Pack

Skip These:

• Expensive jewelry or watches
• Laptop (seriously, you won't use it)
• Cologne or strong scents
• Full changes of nice clothes
• Dress shoes
• Work materials

The Dad Bag Checklist

Tech

• [ ] Phone charger (long cable)
• [ ] Portable battery pack
• [ ] Car charger
• [ ] Headphones
• [ ] Camera (if not using phone)

Food & Drink

• [ ] 6-8 protein/granola bars
• [ ] Nuts or trail mix
• [ ] Crackers
• [ ] Energy drinks/caffeine
• [ ] Refillable water bottle

Clothing

• [ ] 2-3 comfortable outfits
• [ ] Sleepwear
• [ ] Hoodie or warm layer
• [ ] Comfortable shoes
• [ ] Flip-flops
• [ ] Extra socks & underwear

Toiletries

• [ ] Toothbrush & toothpaste
• [ ] Deodorant
• [ ] Face wash & soap
• [ ] Shampoo
• [ ] Razor
• [ ] Glasses (if applicable)
• [ ] Medications
• [ ] Lip balm

Comfort Items

• [ ] Eye mask
• [ ] Earplugs
• [ ] Pillow from home
• [ ] Book/tablet/entertainment
• [ ] Bluetooth speaker

Documents

• [ ] Insurance cards
• [ ] Photo ID
• [ ] Hospital paperwork
• [ ] Birth plan
• [ ] Pediatrician info

When to Pack It

Timeline:

• Start assembling items at 34-35 weeks
• Have bag fully packed by 37 weeks
• Keep it in your car from 37 weeks on
• Check/refresh perishables weekly

Real Talk from Dads

"I brought a full change of 'nice' clothes thinking I'd need them for the birth certificate photo or something. Never touched them. Lived in sweatpants."

"Best thing I packed: my own pillow. Worst thing I packed: my laptop (never opened it)."

"The long phone charger was clutch. The hospital outlet was behind the bed, and I needed to be next to my wife while charging."

"Pack more snacks than you think you need. Way more. Labor took 22 hours and the cafeteria closed at 8 PM."

"Bring entertainment but be ready to not use it. My partner wanted me engaged the whole time. The book I brought stayed in my bag."

Pack for Different Scenarios

Short Labor (Under 12 Hours)

You might not need everything, but better safe than sorry. You'll still be there for recovery and first night.

Long Labor (12+ Hours)

You'll use everything on this list. Multiple outfit changes. All the snacks. Every charger.

C-Section

You'll be there longer (3-4 days typically). Pack extra of everything, especially comfortable clothes and toiletries.

NICU Stay

If baby needs NICU care, you might be shuttling between NICU and postpartum. Pack for a week-long stay to be safe.

The 24-Hour Reminder

At 37 weeks, set a weekly phone reminder: "Check hospital bags." Make sure:

• Bags are in car
• Snacks are fresh
• Battery packs are charged
• You know where everything is

Bottom Line

Your hospital bag isn't about over-packing or being paranoid. It's about being comfortable and prepared so you can focus on what matters: supporting your partner and meeting your baby.

Pack the bag. Put it in the car. Forget about it until you need it. Then be grateful it's there.

---

For more labor preparation tips including our complete Birth Day Game Plan, check out the Pregnant Men Guide app and book bundle.