‘Sleep in’ before discharge - what to pack ( must haves and donts

[Mumof2tobe]

Looking for those who have experienced the sleep ins before discharge must haves and don’t bothers. We’ve been told baby will be coming home in a few weeks! Incredibly excited and at same time very nervous so attempting to be completely prepped so to make sure we survive as best we can :) anyone has advice on what to and what not to pack for sleep ins. I’m sure I’m over thinking it but after posts of lists of hospital bags you’d think there would be some for leaving special care too

thank you

How exciting!
We spent just under a week sleeping in in transitional care.
For you- clothes, toiletries, eye mask, dressing gown are the main things that occur to me.
I'd suggest perhaps your own towel. The NHS ones are quite small and seemed to be delivered very infrequently to neonatal unit. Plenty of snacks- mealtimes in our hospital were 9am, 12pm and 5pm and I can't go that long overnight without eating!
Have everything well organised in your bag or case as there's not a lot of room to unpack. If you or partner will be going home at times and can get things then don't bring the whole week's clothes at once as there's just such limited storage space.
Something to do like a book or game to play. When baby's asleep and you're there all the time it can get surprisingly boring!

Agree 100% with PP. Would only add that a sleeping mask might be helpful if you're like me and need total darkness for sleeping. When I roomed in there was an annoying ceiling light that gave the whole room an eerie green glow. Great for getting up in the night and not needing to turn on any lights to find the door but not great for falling asleep! Ok that note, consider a nightlight in case you do get a totally dark room and then want to avoid bright lights in the early hours.
Snacks for between meals is really important - make sure to bring some fruit too. And if there's a fridge and microwave, maybe stock with a ready meal or two in case you just fancy a break from hospital food or timings for lunch/dinner don't work out.
When rooming in don't feel like you have to be in there 24/7 either. Make sure you take breaks to get some fresh air, pop to the shop etc., even though it's probably way down in your priorities.

It depends on the facilities really. My local hospital NICU have a room you can stay in, but that's it. No food provided as you're not a patient there... 🙄

Comfy clothes, pyjamas, dressing gown, towel, snacks, books / stuff to keep you entertained, eye mask AND ear plugs. Also a really good hand cream. The hospital hand wash / hand gel really dries your hands out. Flip flops to wear in the bathroom / shower.
I found having a “routine” helpful - I’d always get up and out of bed after breakfast, shower, get dressed, small bit of make up, go for a walk.
The staff encouraged those of us waiting for baby to drink lots of water and get up and move around to avoid becoming constipated.