Bag packing help

[201418]

I'm 23wks with triplets and thinking of getting things ready just in case! I'm having a cs at 35wks but I just want to be prepared and with three babies I'm just not sure how much I will need of everything.

Congratulations!

I'm sure someone with triplet experience will be along soon, but I thought I'd say what I took in for my ID twins (now 14 weeks). I had totally underestimated the length of time I'd need to stay and even though I knew special care was likely, I hadn't given this enough thought - it seemed so abstract to me...very silly of me, we were kept in for ten days, which isn't even that long for a multiple birth.

Anyway, my OH and DM were back and forth to the hospital with more supplies/clothes pretty much every day!

In addition to the 'usual' list (search mumsnet for other mums' lists - or DM me and I'll send you mine), I should've taken:

• plenty of blankets
• small woolen hats if you can get them. My little twin was mainly dressed in a vast array of mis-matched woolens donated by the WI. She looked adorable, but somewhat strange (weird how much this mattered to me - I just wanted her to look like a proper baby, not a little skinny thing dressed in odds and sods)
• tiny baby nappies (size one fit my littlest twin, who was 3llb5, but if babies are smaller it might be useful).
• a box / boxes to help you keep stuff organised. The messiness of my cubicle drove me crackers. OH brought in two plastic boxes for nappies / clothes for each baby as they were such different sizes)
• a changing mat. Had to change babies in their cots, which meant multiple mess and the faff of changing their cots repeatedly. Once I had the changing mat from my nappy bag, this was a bit easier.
• if planning to BF, an old sports bra you can cut slits in to hold the breast pump and make expressing easier.
• your own pillow - just for comfort
• headphones / handsfree kit so you can answer calls / keep in touch with people (and also block out noise on the ward).
• an eyemask for when / if you get to sleep. I couldn't in the glaring lights of the ward.

Hope that helps!

Thanks waffles that's a big help. I had a cs with my Ds (4 years ago) we were in for 2 days and out on the 3rd morning, I wasn't sure if I would be kept in until the babies are ready to leave or until I was able to leave never thought 10 days +/- would be a possibility!

I feel I'm more prepared for a stay with suitcases, more wipes, nappies but not sure with the babies things.

Mine were born at 35 weeks - and their size had been underestimated. Great unit at hospital allowed my bigger twin (born 5lb7) to stay while my smaller twin (3lb5) gained weight / learned to feed. It's unusual for everyone to stay together, so I was v lucky.

That's a good size for both. I will plan for a longer stay and send df back for more stuff if need be.

I had 2 bags packed ready to go, one for labour/csec and 1st few days then another for about 5 extra days stay.

Mine were 4lb 11& 5 lb 10 and needed micro nappies for the wk we were in, t2 then moved up to sizes 1 (cos we had loads) and t1 had another 2 packs as she was really skinny.

First bag was mostly my stuff, toiletries, clothes, big pants, pads, breast pads, towel and thin big cardy type thing instead of a dressing gown, phone charger, book a decent hand cream as the sudden increase in hand washing and heat made them sore very quickly. 6 vests, 6 baby grows, hats, cardys. They struggled to maintain temps. Pack of nappies and wipes.

2 nd bag had more clothes, pants, pads for me. Then I worked on an average of 3 clothes change for them a day and packed for another 5 days. Average of 10 nappies each a day and packed some of those, (left rest in car), muslins, loads of snacks as I am starving for days afterwards, dilutable juice. Loads of change for coffee, magazines etc etc so you can go for a wander to stay mobile.

Thanks slightly. I think I will pick up micro nappies, we have loads of size 1 so far and I thought size 4lbs to 11 would be ok.

I have two suitcases, one for me and one for babies. I've made a start to packing. So far in mine is:

3 nighties
1 PJ bottoms and top ( easy for feeding if possible and also when I can finally wear trousers)
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Toiletries
Hairdryer
Still a few items to add but its a start.

Babies suitcase:

Nappies 2xbags (50 altogether)
2x packs of wipes

That's it so far...

Get lots of sleeveless vests - smallest size you can get. They are much easier to get on than long sleeved or short sleeved ones. Also if you can find them, the little ones that close across the body using poppers are brilliant (partic if they are in NICU for a bit as they can be put on without disturbing wires. Petit bateau have them (very !) and also Vertbaudet. www.vertbaudet.co.uk/pack-of-3-organic-collection-newborn-baby-short-sleeved-body-grey-light-solid.htm?ProductId=700040088&FiltreCouleur=6429&FiltreTaille=TINY&t=1

I found a sports cap bottle to be a life saver as you can leave it in the bed and it doesn't spill and less reaching across. I was soooooo thirsty in hospital.

I preferred really stretchy yoga trousers and vest tops in hospital with a very light cotton dressing gown over the top. I LOVED my bravado nursing bras and wore them constantly www.bravadodesigns.com/shop/uk-en/the-body-silk-seamless-nursing-bra I had two in black and purple and wore them to death. They were particularly good for the sore tender initial period.

I didn't bother with a hairdryer. It's hotter than hell in maternity wards - your hair will dry fast!

Lots of snacks - cereal bars, dried fruit, every visitor to bring a sandwich and fresh fruit. You will probably miss meals as you will be so busy and you can't rely on anyone remembering to leave your food for you (bitter experience of having nothing to eat for 15 hours after my csection).

flipflops or other light shoes to wear as slippers.

lots of big pants - granny knickers in black 2 sizes up from your normal size. about 10 pairs.

I liked the little light gro company swaddle blankets 0 found them in TK maxx for a bargain price.

paracetemol and ibuprofen - they can be slow delivering drugs and if you are due them, you can just take them off your own bat.

Notebook and pen - preferably one that attachs to the notebook. Write down every poo, every feed, every time you take pain killers. You will not remember. I know people sneer at first time mums who write everything down but in my experience it was critical. Nothing more upsetting than trying to work out which baby you fed last and just not remembering when asked by the midwive etc.

Yes to the writing everything down, really helps with multiples. I hadn't thought of this but my hospital provided sheets to record everything and all mws etc new to fill them in when helping. Ask if they have similar at your next appointment

Yes I'm one of those write everything down! Was told to write everything down the last time by mW and carried on while we were out of hospital with Ds with his sleeping.

I'm packing a bit more today and was going through things I've bought. Will I need to take bibs or socks? I don't think I did last time...

You may well not be in as long as the babies depending on how early they are born and how the birth goes. I was fine after the natural birth of my DTs at 33+3 seven weeks ago; I was discharged after two nights, but the babies were in NICU for 17 days. I packed way too much stuff for me and the babies considering I was out of there so quickly and was coming and going with things for the babies.

Besides the normal hospital stuff, I would note that our NICU asked us to bring nappies (I had to track down some micros as the size 1s I bought were too big), nappy sacks, and cotton wool (no wipes allowed). Do bring plenty of snacks and ask visitors to bring food as you are likely to miss meals, and those they provide are not sufficient to support a mother breastfeeding twins. Change for the vending machines, magazines to read whilst you pump (can't manage a book with a double pump), and really good hand cream as you will dry them out washing and sanitising them constantly. Our NICU provided clothes for the babies, but you could supply your own if you wanted (we did).

Definitely size zero nappies. Size one say they are suitable from four pounds but in reality they are too big until six pounds.

Thanks. I've got some packs of micro nappies.

We had a scan today and asked if I were to hang on until 35wks would i have to stay in until the babies were out and they said no. So I would be out within the normal cs recovery time all going well.

Would we need to get long sleeve vests or just the short sleeve ones?

Congrats on triplets!!

I was so confused about the vest/sleeper situation! Turned out the vests go under the babygrows to keep them warm... I'd just pack a healthy supply of preemie vests (maybe 15? 5 for each baby to start and go from there?) and the same number of babygrows. I found I was sending my mum home to do laundry nearly every day with my meager 4 babygrows and vests! We were only in for a week, but between sick and inexpert handling of projectile poos, it wasn't really a one-babygrow-per-baby-per-day situation. Ours didn't really wear hats much.

Other useful stuff:

-Post-delivery, I lived in a few pairs black Topshop maternity trouser/leggings and some cute vests and oversized tops. Flip flops were easiest on the ward with swollen post-surgery feet. With your stomach going down and the c-section incision healing, it'll be nice to have stuff that is forgiving and comfy but still makes you feel dressed for photos and all the trips to special care. On the self-care note, a bag of stuff like shampoo, conditioner, razor, makeup etc will help you to feel human every morning.

• I'd bring a twin fitted sheet and maybe a blanket of my own for the bed--their bedding isn't awesome and it's nice to feel like the room is a bit homier.

• Food and entertainment. My husband had the foresight to load up my kindle and ipad with a few books and about 10 seasons of Friends films, which was great for nights when the babies weren't with me and the hospital wouldn't let my husband stay over.

• Lots and lots of breast pads and pads for your knickers and some underpants that you can wear with your incision. I'd just wear comfy maternity ones if you have them--the disposables are horrid and make you feel like you're wearing a nappy.

Sorry, forgot to say that we just did short sleeve or sleeveless vests. Yes as well to the cotton wool, we also were not allowed to use wipes. The midwife gave us a homework sheet to record all feeds and poos and changes, so at very least a pen is handy.

Ooh yes, also forgot to mention, a pumping bra was a real boon for me! Not only gave me hands free to read or cuddle a baby, but also helped me to get a better let-down as i wasn't concentrating so hard on getting milk out (a watched pot never boils!) I used this one: www.amazon.co.uk/PumpEase-Classic-Collection-Tuxedo-Medium/dp/B0052ZGRYQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1411254796&sr=1-3&keywords=pumping+bra

Thanks, I'm going to get dh to get my kindle and ipod filled because the last time I was in with Ds I didn't take anything and I was soon board!

I was told by my midwife today that our hospital provides clothes and nappies but I'm still going to take my own stuff in anyway.

Hi, how exciting! We were only in for a couple of days with twins but I'd definitely take lots of food and drinks as I was awake all the time and breastfeeding I was starving, and so thirsty. I'm sure you will have you're own room so I found it hard to leave the room to refill the water jug as didn't want to leave the babies. We got through so many more nappies in that first few days than I expected but my hospital didn't provide them but a dash to the shops was easy for visitors. Mine were pretty good sizes and it was 28 degrees when they were born but still had hat socks and woollen cardigans on for the first day or so as they couldn't keep warm so I'd try and get a few tiny wool things to wear as it keeps them snuggly, yes and blankets in all our pictures ours are wrapped in towels! Good luck.

Thanks, going to take in plenty water, some diluting juice and snacks.
Will remember the hats as I'm sure it will start getting cold soon enough.