Free stuff from hospital

MrsKatieK

What kinds of things can you get for free from the hospital? I keep hearing that it's great to stock up on all the free stuff, but I'm wondering what I should be on the look out for. Like, what's going to be in the cupboards that is OK to raid and take home with me.

LDQAM516

For baby...our hospital provides lotion, a hat, these awkward snap cotton tops, one bag of pampers, paci, blanket, small thing of wipes, bath wash, brush.  For mom...the diaper like pads, the numbing and cleaning spray for down there, squirt bottle to use after you go to the bathroom and don't want to wipe, sample of formula...I think that is it.  

PrestonMk

Ours said we could take anything for the baby that wasn't the linens... so not the blankets, onesie shirts, etc.

We got diapers, sample bath products, they had the head of a baby brush that I think they used to clean her hair when she was born. (I used it every time I shampood DD and she never had even a hint of craddle cap), and a hat that the old lady volunteers knit for all the babies. I could have gotten formula, but I was EBFing. Plus the pads and mash underwear thing, squirt bottle, tucks, etc for me.

MrsT624

At my hospital, all the supplies for the baby were kept in the bassinet.  Diapers, formula (if needed), wipes, booger sucker thing, pacifier, and newborn hat.  I also took home my ice pack, big water cup, and stocked up on the pads and mesh panties from the bathroom.  They encourage you to take everything when you go, so we did!

EveryNameIWantIsTaken

Basically, anything that was in a package that had to be opened for us was what we brought home.  If it has been opened, like wipes or diapers or whatever, they won't give them to someone else.

Julia_JJ

It's going to completely vary by hospital, I'm guessing. I'm not sure what all we'll get yet, but the things I *do* know about, just from them coming up in various birthing classes:

- nasal aspirator
- formula (if we want it)
- newborn diapers
- squirt bottle (for "peri care" - have to rinse every time you go to the bathroom for a while)
- the baby's cap and matching receiving blanket
- a Halo sleepsack with the hospital's logo on it
- pictures of the baby
- a little keepsake certificate with the baby's footprints
- a bucket we can use as a bathtub
- a little comb/sponge combo for baths
- pacifiers
- a little diaper bag
- lots of samples - lotions, wipes, etc.

Temp401037375003448

I think every hospital is different, do you have any friends who delivered at yours that you can ask? At my last hospital every time they brought back the bassinet it was stocked and we would just take it and shove it in a bag, then they would restock it again. The things we got were diapers, cotton balls/gauze, little disposable cloth changing pads, etc. Then before we left they gave us a little kit with nail clippers,Snot sucker, comb, baby shampoo etc. They also asked if we were planning on bf, bottle or both, if you said bottle or both they sent you home w a case of formula. They supplied me with ginormous pads, mesh underwear, a nipple shield (from lactation consultant) and lanolin nipple cream. Oh and I forgot...the cup! The insulated cup that they filled with ice water. We took that, it's our favorite cup, my husband and I fight over it. I am plotting out a plan on how to get more this time.

JNicMTek

MrsT624:

At my hospital, all the supplies for the baby were kept in the bassinet.  Diapers, formula (if needed), wipes, booger sucker thing, pacifier, and newborn hat.  I also took home my ice pack, big water cup, and stocked up on the pads and mesh panties from the bathroom.  They encourage you to take everything when you go, so we did!

All of this for us too. Even though Alex wasn't there, the nurses still tried to get me to take everything when I left.

DarthNBJenni

My girls came home with so much stuff - diapers, wipes, nasal aspirators, pacifiers, bottles, formula samples, thermometers, plastic bath tub, blankets - plus knit hats, preemie clothes & a quilt since they were in the NICU. After they grew out of their preemie gear, I donated it back to the hospital. Also - they can usually give you pump tubing if you need it.

jordanmd89

I have heard from some moms at my church to not leave without the nasal aspirator. They said you will never find a better one anywhere.

MrsT624

jordanmd89:

I have heard from some moms at my church to not leave without the nasal aspirator. They said you will never find a better one anywhere.

This is completely true!  Ours broke and I was so sad!  But, I do have to say the battery operated one is also a life saver.

Kelly1109

We got a ton of stuff - diapers, wipes, diaper cream, bath stuff, bath tub (DD was a preemie so she was in there 15 days), 2 Halo sleep sacks, pacifiers, thermometer, onesies, blankets, nasal aspirator, and I'm sure I'm missing things.  You can also use the hospital grade pumps while you're there which they'll give you all the tubing and pieces that you need.  While I was there I ended up with 2 sets.

Oh and because I was pumping while she was in the NICU - I got a TON of bottles, nipples, etc to store my milk.  I used them later for freezing milk at home. 

2gr8pits

I was told that if you are planning on breastfeeding, you should tell them that you are also going to supplement with formula. Some do not like the idea and some are open to it. But they will then give you the enfamil or similac nursette bottles. And when baby is real fussy in the beginning before the milk comes then you can use them. I totally intend to do this, from what I have heard it decreases a lot of crying and frustration from new moms and the baby will still latch. My friend gave these for a week (while also trying to bf) and her baby latched perfectly fine after the week, but she was happy she did....but that is all a personal choice and I know some are against it, I will not make any final decisions before baby gets here and I am open to the idea!