OB "Freebies"

[malone2192]

Does anyone give out extra freebies to new parents? Our hospital provides the usual Enfamil/Similac diaper bag, knit cap, small classic book and a baby spoon from the volunteers. Just looking for ideas to maybe change it up a bit.

[babyNP., APRN]

I wouldn't give Enfamil to breastfeeding moms...

[miss81, BSN, RN]

Our hospital gives out a magazine, I think it is called "Parenting" or "Todays Parent" something like that and we have bibs that say "I'm a born non-smoker". Along with the stuff you listed above. The package with the magazine has small pkg of baby wipes, a diaper, baby shampoo and a few other things. I'm not sure where we get it but I could find out if you are interested.

[Luv2BAnurse]

That bib idea is great!

[mykidzmom]

the formula freebies are almost unethical, but i'll stay off that soap box. if the APA recommends breast feeding then why not throw in a tube of lanolin or breast shields. those are great for the sometimes severe pain that comes with mom and baby learning to nurse. also, i heard the formula makes excellent pancakes. bibs are a great idea. maybe some A&D or butt paste. good question you asked. i hope you get lots of creative responses.

[miss81, BSN, RN]

We do have the butt paste but for some reason we only give it to ppl that ask. We also have tubes of Lanolin for the breastfeeders and formula for the bottlefeeders. How is formula unethical? Who are we to judge a mom because she chooses to bottle feed. I inform them of all the options and they make an informed decision. I hate when nurses are judgmental and the poor pt feels guilty for their decision. We are not in their shoes! Also, nipple shields are expensive and actually are discouraged by our lactation consultant unless it is a last resort. They affect breast emptying and can cause problems with milk supply.

[rn/writer, RN]

Before we go too far afield, this is a friendly reminder to please stay on the topic of what OB freebies your hospital gives to moms when they go home, not the rightness or wrongness of those items.

Some great ideas, so far.

[mykidzmom]

didn't mean to give the idea that i am negatively judging moms who choose to bottle feed. i think there are plenty of reasons why a woman would choose either or both methods. it's not the bottle feeding i object to, it is the freebie formula (it's an advertising/brand recognition issue, which is why i didn't want to "go there" on the post). i didn't mean to touch a nerve with anyone. your question reminded me of when i was a post partum patient, so i wrote about what i was grateful to get (nipple shields) and what i wish i got (lanolin) and what new mom's might not think to get until they needed it (butt paste). and in my short stint as a post partum nurse, everyone got the freebie formula in the diaper bag regardless of preferred feeding method, which seemed strange to me. but i offer my apologies to the poster, and anyone i might have inadvertently offended.

[dreamingofbeing]

I'm not an OB nurse but I did just have a baby on Monday so I thought I'd add what I got from my hospital, which I also work at. I formula feed and I chose to use Similac so I received the diaper bag from that specific brand, I got a bag of things donated by local companies and businesses and from our ladies auxiliary which included a cute little onesie and a silver baby spoon with the hospital name engraved on it (I also got this 6 years ago when I had my son) that I have the option to mail in and have my baby's name and birth info engraved on it for a small fee, a $10 gift certificate to a local pizza place (this I used today and is a great thing for a new and tired Mom), parenting magazines, and sample size bottles of various items from butt creams to the breast pads for leaks.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

Breast is best. We don't give away any formula products. We give out breastfeeding bags. Not that it couldn't double as a bottle bag.

[tewdles, RN]

I worked in OB years ago but we had little knit caps or booties that were made and donated by elderly volunteers and given to each newborn. There were specific beautiful little quilts that were also hand made and wrapped around the stillbirths and then sent home with the parent(s). Our handouts were differentiated between breast and bottle moms. The lactation consultant was instrumental in putting together that kit and it included the contact number for those folks who could help if the mom was having trouble in the home.

[foralltherightreason]

I breastfed my kids, and they had different bags depending on bottle or breast. Mine had a hand pump, breast pads, diaper/wipe convenience packs with a coupon, and a nursing gown. I don't know what the formula ones had.