What to pack in your hospital bag

If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you might need to stay in hospital sometimes. It could be for tests, treatment, surgery, or because your symptoms have become difficult to manage at home.

Staying in hospital can feel a little scary, especially if you don't know how long you'll be there. Packing a bag with the things you need can help you feel more comfortable and make your stay a little easier.

You don't need to pack everything you own! Here are some ideas to help you get ready.

🎒 The essentials

These are the things you'll probably want to pack first.

• Comfortable clothes: Pack loose-fitting tops, trousers, shorts, and underwear. Soft waistbands can be especially helpful if your tummy feels sore or swollen.

• Pyjamas: Bring something comfortable to sleep in.

• Slippers or comfortable footwear: These make walking around your hospital room easier.

• Toiletries: Pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, and any other everyday items you use.

• Glasses or contact lenses: If you need them to see clearly, remember to bring them and their case.

• A phone and charger: Your phone can help you stay connected with family and friends.

• Headphones: These are useful for listening to music, watching videos, or having some quiet time.

If you know how long you'll be staying, you can pack enough clothes and toiletries for that time. If your admission is unexpected, don't worry. Your parent, carer, or another trusted person can often bring extra things later.

🧸 Things to help you feel comfortable

Hospitals can feel unfamiliar, and it's normal to miss the comfort of your own home.

Packing a few familiar things can help make your hospital room feel more like your own space.

Consider bringing:

• Your favourite pillow or a small blanket, if the hospital allows it.

• A soft toy or comfort item, especially if it helps you feel calmer.

• A favourite book or magazine.

• A small photo of your family, friends, or pets.

• Your own cosy socks or a comfortable dressing gown.

• Lip balm and moisturiser, if you like using them.

You don't have to stop bringing comfort items just because you're getting older. If something helps you feel safe and relaxed, it's worth considering.

🎮 Things to keep you entertained

There can be quite a bit of waiting in hospital, especially when you're having tests or waiting for doctors to visit.

Bring a few things to keep you occupied when you're feeling well enough.

• Your phone or tablet: Download games, music, podcasts, or videos before you go in, in case the internet is slow or unavailable.

• Books or comics: Great for when you want a break from screens.

• Colouring books or drawing supplies: Useful if you enjoy being creative.

• A notebook or journal: You could write down your thoughts, draw pictures, or keep track of questions for your doctors.

• Small games or puzzles: These can help pass the time and give you something to do with visitors.

You might not always feel like doing much, particularly if you're tired or unwell. That's completely okay. Resting is important, too.

🩺 Things to bring for your IBD

Because you have IBD, there are a few extra things that may be useful to pack.

• Your medication list: Write down the medicines you take, including doses and how often you take them.

• Your medication details: Bring information about your current treatment and any allergies or previous reactions to medicines.

• Your IBD team's contact details: These may come in handy if your family needs to contact your usual healthcare team.

• Comfortable underwear and extra clothes: These can be helpful if you have diarrhoea, accidents, or unexpected changes in your symptoms.

• Period products: If you have periods, pack the products you normally use.

• A water bottle: Bring one if the hospital allows it and your healthcare team hasn't given you different instructions.

Always check with your hospital about whether you should bring your own medication. Some hospitals prefer to supply and manage your medicines during your stay.

🚽 Things that can help with toilet worries

If you have IBD, you might worry about needing the toilet urgently or having an accident while you're away from home.

Packing a few extra items can help you feel more prepared.

• Extra underwear: Having spare pairs can give you peace of mind.

• Spare trousers or shorts: Useful if you have an accident or spill something.

• Wet wipes or soft toilet paper: These may help if your bottom is sore, but check with your hospital before flushing wipes.

• A small bag for dirty clothes: This can keep used clothing separate from clean items.

• Your usual gentle skin-care products: If you use a barrier cream or another product recommended by your healthcare team, ask whether you should bring it.

You don't need to feel embarrassed about packing these things. Hospital staff understand that bowel symptoms are part of living with IBD, and they are there to help you.

🧴 Toiletries and personal-care items

Having your usual toiletries can help you feel more like yourself while you're in hospital.

You might want to pack:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste.

• Shampoo and conditioner.

• Body wash or soap.

• Hairbrush or comb.

• Deodorant.

• Moisturiser and lip balm.

• Hair ties or clips.

• Sanitary products, if needed.

• Any other personal-care items you use regularly.

Travel-sized products can save space in your bag. If your skin is sensitive, bring products you already know work well for you.

👕 What should you wear to hospital?

Choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off. You may need to change into a hospital gown for certain tests or procedures.

Good options include:

• Loose-fitting T-shirts.

• Soft trousers or shorts.

• Comfortable underwear.

• Slip-on shoes or slippers.

• A warm jumper or dressing gown.

If your tummy is painful or bloated, tight waistbands might feel uncomfortable. Choose clothes that don't press against your abdomen.

It's also helpful to have an outfit ready for going home, so you don't have to think about what to wear when you're ready to leave.

📄 Important things your parent or carer may need

If you're going into hospital with a parent or carer, they may need to organise some practical things, too.

These might include:

• Hospital admission information.

• Medicare details and other relevant documents.

• A list of your medications and allergies.

• Contact details for your family and healthcare team.

• Phone chargers and other essential items.

Your parent or carer can check with the hospital about what paperwork is needed and whether there are any special instructions for your admission.

🚫 What not to pack

You don't need to bring everything from home. Some things are better left behind.

Try to avoid packing:

• Expensive jewellery or valuables.

• Large amounts of cash.

• Too many toys, books, or electronic devices.

• Strongly scented products that might bother other patients.

• Food or drinks that your healthcare team has told you not to have before a test or procedure.

Hospitals may have different rules about electrical devices, food, and personal belongings, so check before you go.

💙 Remember, you don't have to pack alone

Preparing for a hospital stay can feel overwhelming, especially if you're already feeling unwell. You don't need to organise everything yourself.

Ask your parent, carer, or another trusted person to help you make a list and pack your bag. If your admission is unexpected, it's okay if you don't have everything with you. The hospital can help with many basic needs, and someone can often bring extra items later.

The most important things to bring are the essentials, a few comforts, and anything that helps you feel more like yourself. You don't need a perfect hospital bag to get through your stay.