Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

top and tail bowl...

104 replies

starlover · 27/01/2005 11:52

Do I need one?????
The hospital booklet I have says that I should bring one with me when I have the baby... but they're SO big! I mean, how much water do I really need for cleaning my little person?

I know they aren't particularly expensive or anything, so it isn't really that big a deal if I never use it... but i'd rather cut down on the unnecessary clutter if I can!

OP posts:
nailpolish · 27/01/2005 11:54

nah, you can use a wee bowl. you only need a inch of water and a few cotton buds for a top and tail, IMO

Mothernature · 27/01/2005 11:54

Just use two small plastic containers and mark them top'n'tail...

nailpolish · 27/01/2005 11:54

cotton BALLS i mean

bundle · 27/01/2005 11:55

i used one of those cleaned out summer pudding bowls

EnlightenedFlum · 27/01/2005 11:55

No you don't need one. You can just use one of those kidney bowls the hospitals have. Or just a cup of water and some cotton wool.

Have only ever used ours for storing bath toys in.

Washed baby in sink for first few months. V. practical and non-back breaking.

suzywong · 27/01/2005 11:55

use a tupperware sandwich box or something
That's a bit much asking you to get one specially, as if you didn't have enough to get

Hello NP

nailpolish · 27/01/2005 11:55

why do you need 2? just use 1 and start washing at the top and finish at the tail. as long as you wash the bowl properly, surely?

Pamina3 · 27/01/2005 11:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nailpolish · 27/01/2005 11:56

hi suzy.

LIZS · 27/01/2005 11:57

Take a couple of empty margarine tubs or similar. I think I had a couple of disposable bowls provided with ds - cutbacks I suppose !!

Original poster
starlover · 27/01/2005 11:58

excellent! just what I thought!
My mum has a vast array of tupperware so I shall be sneaking round later to pinch a couple of little bowls!

OP posts:
Poshpaws · 27/01/2005 11:59

Like the others, i had one of those. used it about twice.

No need to buy one, i say.

colditzmum · 27/01/2005 11:59

What a load of crap, can't believe they expekt you to buy a special bowl. We used cups! And that was only 21 months ago!

scotlou · 27/01/2005 12:04

I can't believe you've got to take in bowls to wash them! When I had my kids in Stirling they provided nappies, gowns for the baby, cotton wool and a basin to bath the baby and 2 small bowls to top and tail! When my son was born he had really dry skin and a large tube of cream was immediately given to me which I could take him - lasted ages! Basically, we were told to take nothing for the baby and just take our own stuff. I did take in sleepsuits for my son as he was so cold and they didn't have many - buit for my dd just used the hospital gowns (she was born late August so it was really hot!) Great as it meant there was no dirty washing to take home!

iota · 27/01/2005 12:05

mine came in a set with the baby bath - leaving gift from work.

I did use it a lot - used to carry it into baby's room - it was a lot more stable than a bowl. Agree with the others, that a tupperware box would be as good though

Original poster
starlover · 27/01/2005 12:07

ooh scotlou.. maybe I should travel up to scotland ready for the birth!

I am supposed to take clothes, cotton wool, nappies, wipes and the bowl.
I actually have 2 bags now, one for me and one for baby!

Having said that, they do provide cotton bottoms nappies for you to use, but if you want disposables you have to bring your own.

OP posts:
Bozza · 27/01/2005 12:11

When I had DS the hospital actually gave me one in the newborn set - along with one nappy, five cotton wool balls, some of that cord stump powder and a small tube of vaseline equivalent. It wasn't like the ones you see for sale in Mothercare though. It was a clear single bowl. Because DD was born at home I didn't get any of this stuff but re-used the one from DS for doing her.

I certainly wouldn't take any sort of a bowl into hospital - you need enough stuff. My sister was due last Tuesday and she showed me her hospital bags (4 of them) and the stuff she has got! Mind you I did suggest she take her hair straighteners out.

Kelly1978 · 27/01/2005 12:16

I had one of those top and tail bowls and it was very handy - I used one side for water and the other for the cotton wool, toiletries etc. The soap tray I used for putting the dirty cotton wool balls on!
I agree, there is no need for two lots of water as long as you start at the top.

charlie01 · 27/01/2005 12:17

I took my hair straightners! Funnily enough didn't use them...

iota · 27/01/2005 12:17

Kelly- that's exactly how I used mine

nailpolish · 27/01/2005 12:18

lol charlie

vict17 · 27/01/2005 12:25

I can't believe they're asking you to bring that in either! When in hospital (for only 2 nights anyway) ds was only bathed once, and that was in the sink and because a midwife was at a loose end so offered to show me how to bath the baby. When they are that small they don't need much washing, just wiping.

vict17 · 27/01/2005 12:25

charlie - I took in eyeliner, mascara etc and of course never used them!!

Original poster
starlover · 27/01/2005 12:28

hmmm... well taking a slightly different tack...
what was the one thing you packed that you were most glad of?
or, what do you wish you had taken that you didn't?

OP posts:
vict17 · 27/01/2005 12:31

I wish I hadn't bought disponsable knickers as I never wore them. The hospital provided really huge sanitary towels which was just what I needed but definitely take some of your own as you will need them. I wish I'd taken a magazine as I got very bored. The person in the bed next to mine was very noisy so which i'd had ear plugs but then again would i have been able to hear the baby crying?!! Also wish I'd taken chocolate raisins (very high in iron) or an iron supplement with me because I lost loads of blood and was really anaemic (and low because of it) afterwards.