Wondering what you need to pack in a hospital bag for dad?
All of the talk about hospital bags often revolves around what mum and baby need, which is totally understandable as they’re the focus on the big due date!
However as dads are looking at a potentially lengthy stint in hospital chairs, corridors and waiting rooms, it’s practical for them to pack a few essentials for the stay as well.
Do dads need a hospital bag?
Yes dads will find it very useful to have a bag of essentials to take with them to the hospital.
If you’re going to be the best, most supportive birth partner you can be, then you also need to ensure you take care of yourself.
You won’t know in advance exactly how long your partner will be in hospital. But you can expect to potentially be waiting around for 24 hours or more while they are in labour.
The only possible exception to this is if your partner is scheduled in for a C-section, in which case you will have a slightly better idea of timings.
Either way, you may be sat in a hospital chair, or stood at her bedside, for many, many hours.
The hospital will not provide you with a bed for napping, and the shops in hospitals tend to only be open during the day.
There are vending machines but you’ll want to arrive at the hospital with some snacks just in case.
So when packing your hospital bag, think about:
- Keeping comfy
- Having stuff to eat/drink
- Your surroundings and what practical stuff you will need – ie how to make that hospital chair comfier and does the hospital car park accept cash only. Research what ward your partner is going into and what facilities it has – some have hot drink making facilities for example.
You can find my guide to packing a hospital bag for the mama and baby here.
What to pack in a hospital bag for dad
Here’s a run through of what to actually pack in a bag for an expectant dad.
Use a lightweight, small bag, such as a backpack or messenger bag, to carry everything you need.
The essentials for mama and baby will need to go in a larger overnight bag – as dad is likely to need to carry all of the bags make sure they are all easy to sling over your shoulder!
You can download my free printable checklist – featuring all of the essentials for dad, mum and baby – at the end of this article!
And you may want to check out my article on when to start packing your hospital bag.
Your phone (with a contractions timing app installed)
It’s unlikely you’ll forget your phone, but it is going to be invaluable so it’s worth a reminder.
You’ll need it for snapping pictures of the new baby and for calling relatives to let them know the latest news.
You can also make good use of your phone by installing a contractions timing app, which you can use to keep an eye on how the labour is progressing and give the latest timings to your midwife.
Phone charger
Another absolute essential that you may forget.
There are usually plenty of plug sockets in hospital rooms so you shouldn’t struggle to find a spot to charge your battery.
Drinking bottle
A refillable bottle of water is ideal as most hospitals have filling stations dotted around.
Cups of tea are often handed out by staff on the wards, but you’ll more likely be relying on vending machines for drinks otherwise.
Snacks
A few simple snacks are also a sensible addition, as you have no way of knowing how long you will be waiting for.
There are shops and vending machines in hospital, but you can get unlucky and find machines are out of order. Also shops, in my experience, keep to normal 9-5 opening hours rather than being 24/7.
It’s best to be prepared as during your partner’s labour you may find yourself up all night and in need of a snack to keep you going.
Change
You’ll need change to use in vending machines, the car park and possibly at the hospital shop. Take at least £15 (around $15 to $20) worth of change.
Wallet
Don’t forget your wallet with ID and bank cards just in case you need to withdraw extra cash or pay for things at the hospital shop.
Face mask
Bring a spare face mask or two just in case. Hospital policies tend to vary on this, but it’s best to come prepared.
A change of clothes
It’s unlikely you’ll need PJs as you won’t be given a bed.
Bring a comfy change of clothes and be prepared to sleep in a chair.
Travel pillow
The process of giving birth does not follow the usual working hours, and babies are often born at night.
You may need to stay up helping your partner through the birth, but there could be an opportunity to nap in the chair or waiting room. In this case bring a travel pillow to make it a little more comfortable.
Toiletries bag
Access to the shower will typically be just for the patients. But you can bring a few essentials like a toothbrush and toothpaste and deodorant to help you freshen up a bit.
Medication
Remember to bring any regular medications you are taking, as well as some painkillers just in case you develop a headache.
The process is exciting, but it can also be tiring and a little stressful.
Book
You may not get much chance to read it but it could come in useful if you end up waiting around for an extended period of time.
Want the checklist to download and print at home? Grab it here:
What outfit should dad wear for delivery
Comfort is the number one requirement here! The expectant father could be waiting for many hours, in not particularly comfortable chairs.
The temperature in hospitals can also vary between very hot – especially on maternity wards – and a bit chilly.
I recommend wearing jeans or joggers and a t-shirt, with a warm jumper or hoodie.
Wearing shoes you particularly value is also not the best idea, as you never know when they might get a little messy. Giving birth is not a neat and tidy process!
Trainers are the best option for what to wear on your feet.
How long will you be in hospital for?
This is an impossible one to answer, as all labours vary in length.
However while your partner is in labour on the ward you can stay with them to help and support them through the birth.
Once the baby is born the new mama and the little one could be discharged after just six hours if all is well.
But they may be transferred to a maternity ward where they will be monitored by nurses and doctors before they are discharged.
They may stay there for several nights if there are issues. I was in hospital for three nights with my first baby due to high blood pressure.
Birthing partners are not typically given beds to sleep in overnight. While the room where your partner gives birth will be a private room with bathroom, on the ward they will be separated from other beds by curtains.
That is of course unless they luck in with a private room on the maternity ward, but those are typically reserved for new mothers who need a little extra support/care.
So once your partner is transferred to the maternity ward you will need to stick to normal visiting hours – which you can check with the ward.
This means after the birth you can head home and grab a shower, a meal and extra supplies and maybe even get some sleep before heading back for visiting hours.
Final thoughts
As you can see from my packing checklist, the hospital bag for dad is much simpler than what mama and baby need.
When it comes to how long you will actually stay in the hospital, it’s impossible to say for sure.
However you will find that the hospital shops are pretty good, with most emergency essentials you could need including snacks and food like sandwiches.
