Dad’s Guide to Packing Hospital Bag for the Birth of Your Baby

Here is a suggested list of items that you need to take with you to the hospital:

  • Toiletries (conditioner, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste)
  • Pajamas
  • Change of clothes for two days
  • Change for vending machines (some hospitals now have machines that accept credit cards) 
  • Camera (check with hospital for their video/photo policy)
  • Have numbers programmed into cell phone for everyone who needs an update on the baby’s status.
  • Gum or Hard Candy (to help keep your mouth from getting dry)
  • Snacks
  • Cell Phone and Charger
  • Laptop, MP3 Player, or E-Reader (if wanted for entertainment)
  • Cash for parking or for meals in the cafeteria
  • Pillow and Blanket (some hospitals will provide a blanket)
  • Insurance Cards
  • Medication
  • If you have other children at the house, make sure that you have lined up someone to care for them during your stay at the hospital or during the labor and delivery process.

I hope that this makes packing your hospital bag easier.  Take the time and make sure that you have the car seat installed in the car so that you don’t have to worry about installing it when you are in a hurry.  Once it is installed, you want to make sure the car seat is properly installed.  If you are unsure, you can take the car seat by most police or fire stations and they will confirm that it is installed properly for free.

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your new baby boy or girl.

Dads please share what item that you enjoyed having at the hospital that is or isn’t on my list of items to pack in the hospital bag?

Comments

12 responses to “Dad’s Guide to Packing Hospital Bag for the Birth of Your Baby”

  1. Susan Avatar

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a post about the dad’s hospital bag before!! My husband came with the shirt on his back. The rest was alllll mine. 🙂 😉

    1. Christy Avatar

      My husband didn’t pre-pack his bag until the day of my c-section. He figured he would just run back and forth from the hospital, which he did anyhow.

    2. Christy Avatar

      Susan most dad’s don’t think ahead and live in the moment. If I had to labor for hours, I know that my husband would have been bored if he didn’t have something to do to help pass the time.

  2. Roz K. Walker Avatar

    What a great idea. This is good information for dads!

    1. Christy Avatar

      Thank you Roz, dad’s need entertainment, especially, if labor is long.

  3. rhonda Avatar

    Wonderful article. Poor dads sometimes need a great deal more direction and attention at such a crazy time in their lives. While mom is preparing, dad should as well! Great tips – will keep the already stressful time a bit less flustering. Wow. Brings back so many memories.

  4. Lexie Lane Avatar

    This is definitely a great way for dads to get involved. My husband hates being told what to do so I always have to be creative. Next time ….

    1. Christy Avatar

      Most men don’t like being told what to do; however, you can remind them how boring a hospital can be if labor drags on for several hours.

  5. Sharon Green Avatar

    Very good idea! We always went to the hospital with just 1 bag for me but thank God we weren’t there too long before our babies were born.

    1. Christy Avatar

      I always remember packing my bag and something for the baby. Dad’s have a bit more freedom than we do but never know when you might need a change of clothes during the labor process if you know what I mean. 🙂

  6. Laura Avatar

    That is a long list. When my girls were born (23 & 17 years ago), I don’t think their dad packed a bag. But this is good info for dad’s to be.

  7. Theresa Avatar

    Awesome idea to pack early. Insurance cards are definitely a must. Of course, what some new dads might not realize is that labor can last soo long, that there could be plenty of time to throw a couple items in a bag. My hubby definitely packed in about 5 minutes. He didn’t want to bring much. 🙂