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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

cotton wool for hospital.

25 replies

qazxc · 14/03/2014 21:34

Have been gathering things and getting ready to pack my hospital bags. They put on the baby's list cotton wool (presumably for cleaning up when changing). What type should I take? the one that are like one big piece that you tear off a chunk, the pads, the balls? How much of it would you need?
Sorry if this sounds a bit dense but it has me stumped, I was just planning to use water wipes or a flannel.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

WoodBurnerBabe · 14/03/2014 21:36

I just took baby wipes. Comments from the MW's elicited a raised eyebrow and an offer to let them clean up the meconium at 2am with cotton wool and water. They left me alone after that.

littlebluedog12 · 14/03/2014 21:37

I took baby wipes. They did provide cotton wool balls though, for those who wanted them.

HandragsNGladbags · 14/03/2014 21:38

Agree with wood. I took cotton wool and ineffectually dabbed at the meconium first time round.

I like Huggies Pure I think they are called? Really thick - that stuff is like tar to get off.

ImAThrillseekerHoney · 14/03/2014 21:39

Balls. Large ones, from Boots/Superdrug or where-ever. Get loads and loads in stock because 100 will only last you a couple of days at newborn stage. Superdrug used to do bags of 300 which is a step in the right direction. Once you're in the swing of things rolls/pleats are cheaper, but in the earlier days balls are much easier.

Steben · 14/03/2014 21:40

Take wipes! For the love of god wipes

Haribolover · 14/03/2014 21:42

Pads are much better than balls. But agree wipes are the way forward.

GeordieJellybean · 14/03/2014 21:42

I used water wipes and still do, they're gentle enough for new born skin and easier than cotton wool.

Needadvice5 · 14/03/2014 21:43

I remember using cotton wool for my two and now wonder why on earth I didn't "stand up" to the midwives and use baby wipes! !

andadietcoke · 14/03/2014 21:46

Wipes. The Pampers extra sensitive ones, as they have a high water content. I was in hospital for 6 days and I hid them from the MWs for about the first 4 until one of them was helping me (I had twins) and asked me to get the wipes out

PretzelPrincess · 14/03/2014 21:46

Pads!

Beanymonster · 14/03/2014 21:47

We took huggies pure, 99% of the mws were thankful (couldn't change her myself due to medical problems) one turned her nose up and opted for cotton wool, it took her about 10000years..... and dd was still poo-ey when the next mw changed her!

ImAThrillseekerHoney · 14/03/2014 21:50

On these threads I'm always apparently the only person in the entire world who used cotton wool and water. I got the most look in the world from a mate when I revealed that I was still using it for my 2 year old - I just never felt the need to change to wipes, although I used them out and about, I wasn't ideologically opposed.

MummyKnight · 14/03/2014 21:50

I took cotton wool and was the only one on my ward that did, everyone else had baby wipes and the midwives didn't bat an eyelid! I will definitely be taking wipes next time.

nickdrakeslovechild · 14/03/2014 21:51

oh god yes take wipes, I did exactly what WoodBurnerBabe did when the midwife made a comment about it. I don't know anyone in RL who used cotton wool, huggies pure are good for little bums, but any of the ones that say for newborns are fine. Good luck.

greentshirt · 14/03/2014 21:52

I read somewhere that cotton wool balls are good to have aside from being used for changing as you can put one in baby's nappy so you know they have had a wet one (which I think is one of the criteria for being able to go home?)

CrispyFB · 14/03/2014 22:23

You take cotton wool for your first baby. You find out about the joy of scraping tar off with cotton wool.

You take wipes (sensitive/newborn type) for subsequent ones when you realise their skin does not drop off when you use them and they are sooooo much easier!

melliebobs · 14/03/2014 22:25

Wipes would be fine.....but slather babies bum with Vaseline in advance. Makes that first meconium tar poo so much easier to wipe off at 3am in the morning in the dark

LastOneDancing · 14/03/2014 23:16

Someone at our NCT group swore by a bit of olive oil on your newborns bum to help stop the meconium sticking. We've shoved a tiny bottle in the babies bag - whether we'll remember to slather it on is another matter!!

mousmous · 14/03/2014 23:23

cotton pads.
the largest you can find. and some oil (sunflower will do) for your dh/dp to clean off the meconium.

CharleyFarnsbarns · 14/03/2014 23:30

The big roll/pleat of cotton wool was good. I used tons of it and you could get a big piece that way.

RubyGoat · 14/03/2014 23:38

We took a big pleat of cotton wool. DH absolutely hates the stuff, can barely touch it, even now! I wasn't able to change DD for the first few days, DH did it during the day & the midwives did it at night. I think we switched to wipes at about 4 months. Still keep cotton wool though, it's miles better if nappy rash flares up.

If you want to use it long term, Boots do a big roll for a couple of pounds, really good value. You do have to tear it off or cut it up in advance though...

moonblues · 14/03/2014 23:55

I found cotton wool pads were so much easier than balls or pleats. Also if you have a little boy you can strategically place one over his penis, so he doesn't pee on you whilst your perfecting your nappy changing technique! I agree with mellie layer of Vaseline definitely makes the meconium easier get off.

JustDanni · 15/03/2014 04:25

I think large pads would be best. Then you just have to wet and wipe. no loose bits. But wipes are fine if you are comfortable using them.
If they question it, tell them straight. They are there to deliver baby, not help you raise him/her.

Hellymummy · 15/03/2014 07:52

Wipes all the way!!!!!

Mumof3xx · 15/03/2014 07:56

I took wipes with all three

Faces were pulled with dc1 so I did It on the sly

With dc2&3 no one batted an eyelid but I found this with most things in my hospital. If it's dc1 they lecture you and tell you the right way. Otherwise they leave you alone thank god

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