This is probably more for S+TMs, but what kind of stuff from the hospital do you get for free? I know there are mesh undies, bulb suckers, pads, etc....but any "fun" stuff? My hospital told me that when I pack my bag, to leave quite a bit of room for stuff from the hospital.
Also, how many blankets do they give your LO to take home?
Re: What kind of hospital freebies do you get?
DD2 October 2010
DS September 2012
I don't expect a fraction of that from my current hospital.
I agree with PP, it totally depends on where you live and even which hospital. With DS, we got all the standard stuff (open diaps, wipes, two blankets, 6 pre-made formula bottles, mess undies and pads for me, peri bottle, nose sucker, binky, two hats, side snap t-shirt w/ hospital's name on it) but not much else. Just a goodie bag from the formula company with a bottle and some powder formula and a book from the hospital about baby's first year.
My sis who delivered in the same town, but a diff hospital got way more fun stuff like a bath tub and a fancy swaddler - similar to what PP mentioned. Plus the night her son was born they brought a candle light steak dinner in for mom and dad.
This. Except we also got to keep the little hat.
DD 12/20/99, DS 12/14/12, M/C 9/2014, M/C 1/2015
When I had DD1 3.5 years ago here's what I got, things might have changed since then, I don't know:
For me: Nice water bottle with the hospital's name on it, a bag, mesh undies, regular pads, ice pads, slipper socks with grippers at the bottom, a suringe to clean myself with, all sorts of breastfeeding things
For DD1: diapers, wipes, formula, shampoo, nose suction thing, knitted hat that volunteers make, and a receiving blanket (not sure if I was supposed to take the receiving blanket, but I took one home) and a package from one of the formula companies with free samples and a botle bag and ice packs.
I was told if it's not glued down take it because insurance is going to be charged anyway, and they can't use anything they give you for another person, so it just gets thrown out anyway. We also took a container of the hospital antibacterial hand sanitizer they kept outside every door in the hospital - it's moisturized and amazing.
I'd take a couple extra bags, for all the stuff they're going to give you, and the flowers/ballons/gifts, that you may get sent to the hospital.
This.
I grabbed what was left in our room except for the shirt, hat and blankets.