Hospital "gift" for mom?

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I am part of our hospital's patient satisfaction committee. My hospital is attempting to find ways to make our new mom's happier. To make them feel even more special and to show them how happy we are that they chose to deliver at our hospital.

The hospital across town gives new mom's a robe (to wear after delivery and also take home from the hospital). We have a list of some items and some other ways to make these women happy but I thought why not ask here. What do you do to make your patients happy? Other then good care?

Did your hospital give anything after delivery (Robe, Socks, Outfit for baby, Special soaps (not just hospital brand))

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Specializes in med/surg, ER, camp nursing.

I remember going home with a bag full of goodies and a "first night's meal", a pan of lasagna. Since we didn't have any family staying with us to help out, that first meal was really helpful.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

Instead of a tiny cruddy formula "diaper bag" the hospital gave us a full sized backpack...filled with all sorts of goodies. Lotions, soaps, a book for the baby...like a real book. Babies first toothbrush, and a bunch more.

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We give them a robe, infant car seat, diaper bag and a gift bag that contains, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, lip gloss, deodorant, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen, paper, comb and a bath net sponge. Baby also gets a handmade crochet cap.

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Specializes in Acute Hemodialysis, Cardiac, ICU, OR.

Dang, I delivered in the wrong hospital!

My daughter was delivered in a military hospital... we got a "baby seabag" -- a tiny duffel made by volunteers. I still have the bag (it IS cute), but don't remember what was in it. Only donation-type stuff... nothing from the actual hospital. Though she did get a really nice birth certificate from there.

My son was born in a university hospital where my husband worked at the time. Since it was July 5, he got a red/white/blue knit cap, but that was it except for the standard formula bag, which I never touched since he was such a voracious nurser. Can't complain, though -- the employee insurance was so great there that we didn't pay a single cent for the delivery or prenatal care -- it was all written off! THAT's the best gift EVER!!! (even at the military hospital, I had to pay $9 LOL -- I still have the canceled check!)

I remember my sister delivered in another state and she received a corificeat, a coupon for a free steak dinner, a bottle of sparkling apple cider, and some other stuff. I was so jealous!

I would worry about giving anything that had to do with size (like the robe) simply due to stocking issues... someone's bound to get their feelings hurt when there isn't one available in their size one day. But a nice smells-good bag for Mom (soap/lotion/shampoo & conditioner), a free meal or giftcard to a local store, and a package of diapers and hospital logo T-shirt for baby (hey, why NOT advertise?) are all GREAT ideas. Or a coupon for a family portrait.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

When I had my 1st baby--almost 18 years ago, I had to pay to use the TV in my room...can you believe it???

My sister delivered 2 years ago and they had a full time masseuse on staff to give all the new moms full body massages. She said it was better than the ones she pays 60.00 for. Used hot rocks and everything.

I love the robe idea and the food idea. We give out Pizza Hut coupons. 2 Large one toppings.

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I'm amazed! We don't do nuttin'. As a university hospital our moms come to us because they have to because 1) they're too poor to go anywhere else; 2) they're too sick or high risk to go anywhere else.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

We're a teaching hospital too but our moms get in their admission packs a small container each of nice lotion/shampoo/conditioner/lip gloss. We give them gift packs which contain a onesie for baby, a window shade for the car, a lullaby CD (it really IS relaxing), and some other stuff that I can't remember right now.

When I had my son (different hospital), we got a steak dinner w/ sparkling cider. Also a diaper bag w/ a changing pad, a tshirt that he never wore, a rectal thermometer, and one of those tube thingies that you use to measure whether a toy small enough to be a choking hazard.

I think the first meal thing is a great idea, esp for people without family in the area.

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Specializes in L&D!.

I second the massage suggestion - my sister delivered last year at a very nice, small local hospital. She got a great massage the day after delivery and they also got a free coupon for dinner for anyplace that would deliver to the hospital.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Golly - I didn't get nothin" either. Would suggest car seat and someone trained to install it??? I work pre-hospital and picking kids up after they go thru the window or windshield because the car seat isn't installed properly is a real drag!!

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All of our nurses are trained in the infant safety seats. It was a 3 day work shop. Ugh! Anyway, we give the car seats and teach the parents on correct installation.

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Specializes in LTC.

Hospitals actually give stuff out to new moms? Wow.

How about giving them a baby?

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