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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Hospital bags - what do the hospitals provide?

27 replies

Dogsmom · 07/01/2013 20:08

I've just packed my hospital bag but was unsure what the hospital provides for changing the baby?

I've put 5 nappies in but do I need to pack nappy sacks, wipes, cream, talc etc?

OP posts:

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FoofFighter · 07/01/2013 20:10

I'd say yes. And to put a whole packet of nappies in, 5 will maybe only see you through one daytime!

Kiriwawa · 07/01/2013 20:10

They provide nothing. You need to bring everything

coldcupoftea · 07/01/2013 20:11

Yes- both times hospital provided just cotton wool and water.

MikeLitoris · 07/01/2013 20:12

My hospital provided cotton wool and some bubble bath type stuff for first bath.

That was it.

Heavywheezing · 07/01/2013 20:13

You won't need talc, but mostly everything else.

Put a whole packet of nappies in, they don't take up much room.

ihearsounds · 07/01/2013 20:15

You need to take everything, and more than 5 nappies. They provide nothing.
Do people really use talc? Always told my medical people not to.

Onesliceortwo · 07/01/2013 20:18

Take everything! My hospital provided nothing at all - apart from sheets and blankets for the baby's goldfish bowl/crib - good luck!

Namely · 07/01/2013 20:18

They provided me with 2 blankets for his crib on his first night. I did have my own for him but I followed the advice on here and used theirs to stop mine getting all hospitally! Other than that they provide nothing.

SetFiretotheRain · 07/01/2013 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

joanofarchitrave · 07/01/2013 20:18

Nothing, but then you don't need much. I would say that cotton wool and water would be a better option than wipes for a newborn anyway. Likewise generally powder/talc isn't hugely recommended these days (though I'm sure people do use it). I wouldn't bother with nappy sacks as the bins are emptied regularly and you are unlikely to be going out and about much from the hospital before you go home.

There are hospital bag lists on here somewhere.

Oh and best of luck and congratulations in advance...

DoodleAlley · 07/01/2013 20:19

I would be impressed if five nappies lasted you even a morning!

I'd echo I bring everything you need. And then double the amount of nappies.

Btw I hate the taste of hospital water and therefore consider a bottle of squash as a necessity to ensure I actually drink!

HorraceTheOtter · 07/01/2013 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jollyb · 07/01/2013 20:20

Whole pack of nappies. Wipes - I wouldn't bother with cotton wool balls - they won't touch the meconium. You won't need talc or any creams. I bought some pampers disposable changing mats which were quite for changing on the bed. I'd reuse them.

Tincletoes · 07/01/2013 20:26

Yes yes yes to wipes for those first few Meconium nappies, even if you're planning on doing cotton wool etc longer term. One of my worst memories of being in hospital was at 3am when he erupted everywhere with this awful, sticky, tarry mess - I was all set on being good and doing things properly for his sensitive pfb skin - after 20 minutes I was in tears and had almost dropped him, he was bright red from crying so much and it took an age to calm him down. Wipes really are your friend for those first few nappies.

ihearsounds · 07/01/2013 20:28

A little plastic bowl to put water in. They have water, but not really anything to put it in.
Also dont forget you need stuff as well, including loads of pads, soemthing to nibble and drink.. If you get on ward after meal times, they dont usually have anything to eat.

Original poster

Dogsmom · 07/01/2013 20:31

Thanks everyone, I'll put more nappies in (first baby and a total amateur).

I didn't realise talc wasn't a good thing either, I just assume I'd wipe her, apply cream then talc to keep her dry. I've bought Drapolene, will I need that or is it literally just water and cotton wool then a clean nappy?

OP posts:

Tinselandchocolates · 07/01/2013 21:39

Just cotton wool and water and a nappy is fine.
Talc causes dust clouds which can harm babies lungs. Best to avoid altogether and it's totally unnecessary anyway.
Good luck!

Tincletoes · 07/01/2013 21:53

Did some people seriously manage to clean up meconium nappies with cotton wool and water? Or do I have children with particularly huge first poo efforts? I take my hat off to you, I really do!

lurcherlover · 07/01/2013 22:41

I found cotton wool and water fine! I think the trick is to use cotton wool pads (the kind you would use to take your make-up off) and to get them really wet so the fibres don't stick. I always used to dry their bottom off with a little towel or a muslin then put a barrier cream on - I used sudocrem (found if I didn't they would get red bums). When I got out of hospital I moved on to washable wipes (you could make your own with tupperware tubs and flannels but someone bought me a set of cheeky wipes so I used them - they worked brilliantly even with disposable nappies, and then I moved on to reusables anyway.

mrsmellow · 08/01/2013 07:00

Disclaimer - pregnant with pfb, but have worked on maternity wards - use olive oil and cotton wool, more effective than water for meconium nappy
Talc blocks the pores on modern nappies making them less effective at soaking up liquid...

mrsmellow · 08/01/2013 07:01

oh and, have no personal experience of washable wipes but my best friend has just been using them and I'm so impressed!

RobinSparkles · 08/01/2013 07:08

I would take wipes instead of cotton wool, tbh.

I took cotton wool for my first baby and one of the MWs looked most put out when I asked if I could have some water to change DD1's nappy. I had had an epidural so wasn't on my feet very well.

They also told me not to use cream at every nappy change, just when they're looking a bit red and not to use too much as it affects the absorbency of the nappy.

NAR4 · 08/01/2013 10:50

Our hospital doesn't provide anything other than the sheet and blankets for the baby bed and yours. Had to take everything down to own wash bowl for baby and towels for us both.

NAR4 · 08/01/2013 10:55

Tip for cleaning the meconium off easily is to put vaseline on babys bum when they are born, then it doesn't stick. Put a thin layer on at every nappy change until meconium is all gone.

Years ago (when I had my teenagers) the hospitals used to tell mums to bring vaseline in with them, for this purpose. Had to request midwife did it when putting on babys first nappy, when I had my Dd nearly two years ago.

Doesn't really matter that it makes the nappies less absorbant as baby really doesn't wet that heavily during the first few days, anyway.

bitbot · 08/01/2013 11:46

I would pop a pack of wipes in...I intended to use cotton wool and water and only took that....and when I was wired up in recovery post emcs the midwife looked at me horrified when I said I hadn't brought any wipes as was planning on using cotton wool and water....think she mumbled something like "why are you making things so difficult"

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