Thread: Stingy Hospitals

Originally Posted by evrita

Ypu know maybe I should just stay out of this thread because it is about leaving 3 free diaper bags I left the hospital not just once but 2xs without just a diaper bag but a baby. There are so much more important things in life I guess everyone has a diff point of view on what is the most important.

There ARE lots more important things than free diaper bags, but right now, this is irritating to her. Petty or not, thats why we have V/W. Although, if I posted everything that irritated me, I wouldnt have time to work.........or breathe.

OK I got it 3 free diaper bags is bugging her may the whole hospital get shut down for not giving them to her. WTG on getting them and getting it off your chest congrats on your healthy child BTW love him and hold him and remember they are like libaray book only on loan until they have done on this earth what they were put here to do.

Originally Posted by jedmatters

OK, I work in the NICU at a hospital: and we do get the bags from formula reps...
BUT... we are required by hospital policy, to give ONLY the brand of bag that the infant is currently feeding, and that formula is written in the orders by the Pediatrician. Our reps know our policy, and know that we will not give the bags to moms that request the bag, but are not using the formula. The reps must adhere to our hospital rules, or their formula will not be used here.
Moms can not request a formula from the hospital: they must ask their pedi to order the formula. Our policy is to give the bag: and 2 days worth of extra formula to the mom: to help her settle. Our reps sign a contract with us, and that is boldly printed on the contract.
You can present all the certificates you wish, but our policy holds, and writting to the board, to the formula reps, companies or my RNC will not change that rule. People have tried, but we have to do what is best for the infant, and one formula is best.

I kind of thought that this may have been the reason why she just got one. When our son was born many moons ago, we didn't get anything except a box with some formula in it and maybe a couple of diapers. The pediatrician had him on Similax and that is what we got. I think there was only a couple of different formulas at that time, the Similax and Enfamil.

What I can't get over is the hospital did charge us for the package, it was listed right on my itemized bill.

Get this. At the time our son was born, formula was only 25 cents a can. Yep, that was what it cost almost 38 years ago.

When I left with each of my kids, I was given several bags, each from a different company. The bags came in handy as I kept one at home, one in Ex-H's car and one at a friends house in case of emergency. I only had a coupon for one, given to me by my OB/GYN, and I gave away most of the formula to the shelters, but the bags and the coupons contained within were great. They are promotional items, they are gifts for the new mom and baby, and if she had a coupon for each one, the hospital should have honored it. It is no different than any other coupon you get.

I breast fed all three kids, for the most part, but occasionally formula was used, and all three of my kids used a different kind, it was nice to have a sample of each to know which kind the baby tolerated best. Formula is not inexpensive, and buying it and not being able to use it would have been a strain.

As far as I'm concerned, if the company sent her a certificate for a gift bag then she should be able to use it. Apparently the company has no problem with her receiving bags from each one, since they are mailing it to her. If three different companies send me a free coupon for a similar product from the store, is it being greedy if I redeem them all? I don't know if anyone else has experienced it, but sometimes people have a tendency to react to free coupons and certificates like it's coming out of their own pockets, and must therefore find some way to deny giving it to you or make you feel bad for wanting it. That the nurse "grudgingly" allowed her to choose which bag she wanted speaks volumes.

Originally Posted by Pepsi4me

As stated before some hospials may have a policy of only giving out one bag.

I know when I had my kids I think/if I remember correctly I got my bag right from my OBGYN office right before I had the baby. It was the green similac small one with one can of formulas & a couple of diapers.

Yea thats the same kind of diaper bag I got with my 2 boys,and they were 2 years apart.I left the coupons and stuff for someone else to have because I was nursing my babies. With my daughter,they offered one but I didn't need one because I had bought one already. I bought a bakpack instead. And yes she has every right to vent and whine,but to bother hospital admin about something like that,it is small potatoes compared to other things,but that is my opinion. Also like someone stated,maybe it is hospital policy. Either way,I am happy she has a happy healthy baby.