Previous Entry
Savvy Stealing: A Primer
Amy Storch of Amalah.com | November 3rd, 2008 - 3:50 PM
There are few things more irresistible to me than hotel toiletries. Those tiny bottles of shampoo and body wash, little bars of soap wrapped up in paper, individually-wrapped Q-Tips…I hoard this stuff like crazy. And I mean crazy, weird, compulsive hoarding. The first thing I do upon checking into a hotel room is survey all the free toiletries…and then shove them all in my suitcase so the maid will give me a full restock of everything the next day. Which I will also shove in my suitcase. I won’t actually USE anything, most likely — I usually opt to pack my own shampoo and conditioner and cleansers, as I am a fussy, annoying, delicate little flower. I don’t remember the last time I actually used a shower cap, but if I ever need one, I have at least eight or nine of them lying around. My sewing skills begin and end with sort of being able to sew a button back on, but the presence of a free hotel sewing kit is like hitting the hoarding jackpot.
I occasionally dip into my stash when I travel — I’ll pluck the best of the shampoos or some bubble bath to take with me to yet another hotel, just in case I don’t like their offerings. (Will still totally  steal them, all right, but I prefer OPTIONS.) Our guest bathroom is also stocked with hotel samples for any overnight guests who may fancy some mouthwash or a two-pack of cotton balls.
Yes, it’s a sickness. But it’s a SAVVY sickness.
It also extends to hospital rooms, I can now definitely report.
See, when you have a baby, your hospital room is stocked with all kinds of medical and practical delights. And they fully expect you to steal ALL OF IT. And that hotel room trick of shoving stuff into your suitcase to ensure a fresh line-up of products is delivered along with the towels? Totally works at the hospital, too.
Yep. Not to brag or anything, but I have a freaking TON of giant foot-long maxi-pads, people.
I have bed pads, I have mesh panties, I have diapers, I have two or three baby nose suckerbulbs and just as many baby hats. I took a plastic basin (fantastic for soaking breast pump and bottle parts in), a dozen tubes of Vaseline and I asked and received twee little tubes of Lansinoh from every single nurse during every single shift. If something was not nailed down or plugged into some life-supporty-looking, it went straight into my suitcase.
The best swipe, by far, was my water cup. “Cup” doesn’t do it justice, actually. It’s more like a jug. Or a stein. It’s a 30-ounce capacity cup with a sturdy handle and a lid and a bendy straw with a cap. I love it. I’ve been looking for a cup like this my whole life.
The problem is that my toddler remembers that the cup came from the hospital. He is very concerned about the cup. He constantly asks when the cup is going back to the hospital. I was concerned that he thought that I really and truly stole the cup from the hospital, when CLEARLY, I only “steal” things that I’m technically entitled to take, because I live my life in dread fear of getting scolded by Imaginary Authority Figures, but I also like to use words like “stealing” because they make my pathetic, boring existence sound much more renegade. Suburban Mom By Day! Jewel Thief By Night! Watch as she daringly leaves red lipstick stains on that plastic bendy straw, toying with the cops who are always one step behind!
But then it finally dawned on me. It isn’t really about the cup going back to the hospital. It’s about the BABY going back to the hospital. We return the cup and SURELY somebody would see the baby and demand that he be returned promptly as well. And so night and day, he bugs me about returning the stupid cup. We gotta to go to da hospital! The cup gotta go back to da hospital!
Who’s the savvy one NOW, I ask you?
Â
Thanks for the great tips!
Amy – you forgot to grab some of those gel packets they give you for the raw nipples. those were the BEST steal from my delivery!
I am so with you Amalah. Great post. If they are going to give me free stuff you can better believe I will take it even if I don’t need it and will never use it. I have enough hotel toiletries to last me for the rest of my life. And I will never ever use them. And that plastic hospital basin? I still have – and use – the pink one they gave me when my son was born in 2004. The nurses encouraged me to take it.
Amy, as long as you don’t continue your slippery slide and go down the route of my grandmother. When restaurant service isn’t quite up to snuff or she things she was overcharged for her chicken piccata, she slides the salt and pepper shakers/sugar bowl/place setting into her purse. And then, miraculously, it ends up in someone’s stocking on christmas. Its a twofer!
Ah, the freebies from hotels and hospitals… yes. I love them. But my mother in law likes to collect them, too and then gives me HER stuff. And you know what? Stuff from hotels you haven’t visited doesn’t hold the same allure…
When my 3rd child was born, they wouldn’t let me keep the onesie she was in. WHAT?!?! I was mortified to have to take it out of my suitcase and return it as the nurse stood all prison-matronlike over my bed, inspecting my bag for stolen goodies…
Amy, I got one of those cups from the hospital too. I refuse to let it go. It became my savior and kind of my lovie when I was in the hospital. I haven’t used it in a while, but now reading this makes me want to take it out again!
Props to Leigh for having her 2004 model of the pink basin, that must make my 1996 one the vintage model. I would be lost with out.
( I also still have the cheesy little brush they used on her head full-o-hair that day *gasp* almost 13 years ago. She had too much hair for it then, God only knows why we still have it today).
Heck, you pay out the nose for that hospital crap. I would take it out of the patients room next door if I thought I could get away with it.
When I had my son, they gave me one (1) pair of mesh panties. I asked for another pair, because, you know, and the nurse said “you were supposed to bring panties from home!” I told her the mesh ones were more comfortable for me so she told me to wash them out (!!!!!). Not only did I take everything in that room that was nailed down, I gave her a nasty evaluation.
Also, day shelters LOVE little bottles of shampoo etc. for clients that come in for a shower. Think of your hotel room stealing as a Robin Hood thing.
That is the greatest water bottle ever! Of course you should steal it – I mean, you need to rehydrate while breastfeeding, right?
hysterical! When I delivered my son, the nurses TOLD me take everything!
I know those cups totally rock. Besides the baby those things are my favorite reason for going to the hospital. And I use one of those huge cold pack maxi pads for my boys when the bang their heads on something!
Wahaha! Me too! Love hotel toiletries & the 1st thing I do upon arrival is sweep out the bathroom – followed by looking for the teeny-weeny sewing kit. Note that I have never, ever used these toiletries (but they look soo cute), although I think that I may have at some point sewn on a button with one of those kits.
I didn’t steal nearly enough stuff when I had my 1st daughter. Now, equipped with your list, I get the opportunity (again) to pillage Labor and Delivery in March…can’t wait!
i can mail you some foot long maxi pads… i have ridiculous hospital swag.
I LOVE FREE STUFF! We took everything out of our hospital room that wasn’t nailed down.
I love my water cup, too. Didn’t my insurance technically pay for it?
I’m so glad a friend of mine told me about “stealing” from the hospital because I never would have thought about it! So all PG women out there, steal from the hospital! I also stole some steak knives from TGI Fridays before. They won’t miss them.
Thanks Amalah!
My parents have huge bags of hotel toiletries. They NEVER EVER use them. My Dad travels for work 2 weeks out of every month, so you can only imagine their supply. They have recently started giving them to the neighbors kids to take to swimming lessons. I bet some of those bottles are 15 + years old.
Wonderful insight! BTW – I am at work and drinking from my hospital mug from my first child. My mug from my second child is at home. I think I may have had two kids so I could have a mug in both places!
Does anyone ever WEAR those shower caps who is under 50 years old? Wait. I mean 60. Yeah, 60. Man, 60 is approaching WAY TOO FAST.
I did have a point here.
I saw a tip on a blog recently where she suggested using those shower caps to put over your shoes when you pack so they won’t get your clothes dirty. Genius!
I gave birth twice in the UK and then once in the US. I can’t believe nobody told me how it all works here *before* I went in. Because of my ignorance I totally missed out.
On my last day of 4 my OB happened to mention that the nurses were all talking about me, because I never rang my bell so they could give me the baby at night. I was all “What??? You mean I could have stayed in bed and they would just hand me the baby?” And he was all “Well, you *did* just have a c-section, dear”.
And then a nurse came in and started packing all the hospital goodies into my bag and when I asked her what she was doing she said “Most women use 4 times this much. Have you been rationing them?”
Umm… yes.
You tell him the hosptial gave it to you. Seriously! I was under the impression you’re SUPPOSED to take the cup–it’s how they make sure you’re drinking enough water. And the diapers, we were TOLD to take an open pacakge, they can’t reuse them–one hospital visit they actually opened up a new bag the day we were leaving so we’d have extra to take with us! I do think with many of the items there are issues of they just trash them, they don’t reuse them. So you’re helping them not be wasteful. (Now three of the bulb things might be a bit excessive, but if they keep giving them to you…)
The big giant cup – I loved it!! Next time I’m in the hospital in the baby section (you know, after I get pregnant and give birth…), I am so taking the cup. And the mesh underwear – oh the sex appeal factor. Love your sense of humour!
This post almost makes me want to have a baby. Almost. I love free stuff!
We followed this advice when we had our baby and the ginormous panties and stolen plastic bin were both very helpful post-birth. Great ideas!
So true! I have so many hotel freebies and I have all kinds of hospital stuff that I really had no need for but you can’t just leave free stuff lying around….
Too bad there’s not a place to steal miracle blankets from.
I’m with you, there is nothing like the teeny tiny bottles of shampoo, lotions and everything else in between. When we have guests, they think I’m the bees knees with all this great gear.
Hilarious! And yeah, the pads. Big score. Because they don’t sell the hospital grade kind at the store and I’m sorry but if you tear… only the hospital pads will do. I’m bringing an extra suitcase next time..
I just wish there was more bubble bath offered in hotels!
Ahhhh. Noah is so precious. You are hysterical. I totally thought you were joking when you said this was your tip of the week. HA!
I LOVE hotel freebies! I have a stash of them under my sink at home. When I was in the hospital after giving birth to my daughter last year I instructed my husband to always pack the supplies from the hospital bassinette so they would keep refilling them (and we can keep taking them) – I figure my insurance is paying for them anyway right?
Ooh, my boyfriend brought home all this Bliss stuff from his hotel for me and he was beyond amused with how excited I got!
Great ideas!
Hilarious! Great tips!!
I would love to see a photo of this cup, or one like it. Am intrigued.
I loved the emesis basin i got from the hospital. I used it to bathe the baby for…. well, actually 5 and a half years as I still use it to this day!
Almost two years later, I still regret not taking that hospital cup. I’m getting two when we have the next one, no matter what mean nurse tries to stand in my way.
I vote yes of packing the freebies. I believe they charge it to you anyway, so help yourself.
I don’t have any kids, but I ended up with the big cup after a hospital stay to remove my appendix. I completely agree that it is the best. I haven’t used it a lot in a while, but it was wonderful during the first week post-surgery when I was supposed to be drinking a lot to get things moving again in my system.
Some really good tips Amy!
As always, so funny! I had my daughter in 2003 and I took everything I could get my hands on! I also instruct everyone I know who is having a baby to take everything that isn’t nailed down and then polietly ask for more! Ha ha!
It’s not even really stealing b/c your insurance pays for all the stuff anyway. So, steal away!
Love the tips! When we travel, we always toss the hotel toiletries in our carry on bags since they’re the allowed size. That way, in the event that our regular stuff gets separated, we always have a temporary supply.
Yes, yes your child, he is savvy. His forte will be consumer returns, and together you will make a fortune. OR at least be able to return stuff without tags.
With both kids I stole the bed pads and used them as changing pads. I don’t think I used my changing table once! Just the pads – laid out on my bed. Now that my toddler is potty training, I’m using them as sheet protectors. Best steal ever!
The best tips! Thanks Amy.
I only have a little over a month before I head to the hospital to have this boy… I hope I remember to take everything.. more importantly I hope my husband doesnt get all preachy and tell me I shouldnt take it!
I have a bunch of those shoe polishers and have never used them.
EXCELLENT advice!!! Thanks!!
I just read this out loud to my partner to prove to her that it was okay for us to steal all that stuff (and ask for more!) when we were at the hospital last week (gave birth on Mon 10/27, we left Sat 11/1).
We managed to score two giant cups, because when I was discharged on Wednesday and we all moved to the pediatrics floor to room-in with Peeper for a few more days.
(She’s 4 weeks early, and < 5 lbs, but doing great, considering that.)
I was even able to get more pads on peds. That was a pleasant surprise, but I guess they have lots of post-partum moms there with their newborns.
Our biggest “get” was what will forever be referred to as “the outfit we stole from the hospital – twice.”
It was a preemie outfit that they put on her in the maternity ward. When we were leaving, we asked if she could wear it for her official hospital photo, because we had absolutely nothing at home that fit.
Three days later, I pulled the same scam for her to wear it home!
The best thing of all are those icepack maxipads…HEAVEN!!!!I am expecting number two this winter, and I’ll be stashing all the swag I can get my greedy little fingers on.
The nurse that was helping me pack up when I was discharged from the hospital after having my daughter actually brought EXTRA stuff for me and was helping me pack my bags!! Diapers, those teeny newborn bottles of formula (don’t ask about the breastfeeding, K?), anything that wasn’t nailed down, we took! Great tip, Amalah – a lot of women don’t know to take the stuff. The hospital expects you to use it/take it, and heck, insurance is paying, so load up!
The things I learn from you daily Amy! I did not know this was a rite of passage when you have a baby but now that I do there’s just SO much more to look forward to! I LOVE FREE STUFF!
nice. we swiped chucks pads, but that was about it.
I am planning to stock up before I leave the hospital once this baby is born! I restocked my first-aid kit with gauze and tape after I had surgery last year- the nurse aide said that my insurance already paid for it, so I might as well take it all.
Talking about vintage stuff, I also still have the tiny ER scissors from, oh, 1990 or so. The doc was removing stitches from a cut on my hand and Mom asked him what they were going to do with the scissors that were in the sterile package with the suture remover thing. He said they were just going to have to toss them, so she took them home and I’ve now got them in my travel knitting kit!
That’s the most adorable big-brother story ever.
I have a huge collection of individually-wrapped-in-plastic, hotel chain logo’d plastic cups stacked neatly in the cabinet in the kids’ bathroom right now!! I blame my mother.
My wife collects hotel toiletries too. Realizing she was never going to use them she donated all of them to a women’s shelter.
And then started collecting again.
I totally pulled that trick with three nurses and the spray they give you that numbs you. OH YES IT WILL BE MINE. And? Breast pump parts. Oh, and the guest bathroom has all of the hotel stuff….it’s a sickness I tell you, but it comes in so handy!
I’m going to forward this to my Designated Hospital-Supply Thief. I’m way too much of a wimp to do it myself!
I took an entire extra collapsible bag to the hospital just for this purpose. Since I made 3 visits before actually delivering, I really lucked out. Everything from baby shampoo to an extra breast pump kit. La la la.
The cup? Totally a free gift that comes with your 500+ dollar room. I know, cause I work at a hospital.
The cup from the hospital is the Best. Thing. Ever.
Those hotel toiletries also make for a great donation item to a homeless shelter and that totally gets rid of the guilt.
I gave birth in Toronto, Canada. Yes they had a swag bag and CHARGED US $20 for it. There was NOTHING free. NOTHING. I had to BEG for more advil for the pain. Finally, my hubby went to the car and brought some up for me. So, the Canadian Medical System has pluses AND minuses.
I’m with you on the cup. I have drank out of my cup EVERY. SINGLE. DAY since my son was born and he’s almost two. I may have to have another kid so I can get another one of those cups.
Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll pack an extra tote when I go to the hospital. I’m due with our first at the end of February, I had no idea I could swipe all that swag.
awww noah…
i am fascinated by this ‘cup’ phenomenon. now if only i could get pregnant!
You would totally love all of the free toiletries I get through the mail. Everyone sends those things out. Free is so addictive.
I’m feeling a bit bummed though, because I didn’t get my cup when I had my daughter. Now I want it!
Great tips lol. Thanks!
I totally thought you were joking about this being your topic! BWAHAHA! I love me some Amalah, baby!
Ice packs – loved them! (Great tips from all your readers.)
When you start pouring the little bottles into bigger bottles at home, then you know you have a problem.
The alcohol swabbing pads for the belly button were my favorite steal.
Re the cup – If they didn’t intend for you to take it home, they wouldn’t put their logo on it.
It’s a gift for you and free advertisement for them!
Okay- the pink bin (?) Don’t know what it is actually medically for, but it makes an excellent bin for soaking the mustard-colored poopy out of the onesies. The blue bulb syringe- priceless and the best that can be had. The swaddling blankets- not at all hip, but totally radly supersized for top notched swaddle… can I go on?
But the sitz bath? I haven’t found a good use for that one yet- and uh, yeah? How does that work again?
There should totally be a flikr group or something where we can all post a pic of the best adaptive long term use of a stolen postpartum hospital product!
Amy, I totally think
I am due any day now, and have instructed the husband to grab anything and everything in sight.
I always brought an extra big bag to the hospital, I wish I could have brought home that adjustable bed.
Preach it sister. There is nothing wrong with going a little Jane’s Addiction on sample sized offerings.
I think we now meet the definition of “kindred souls” – my fixation on “free” stuff also includes anything miniaturized at restaurants, small bottles of ketchup, little, teeny jars of syrup… And yes, I have the bag of hospital swag, lovely pink basin and cup included. (The biggest secret is that if you have a baby that goes to the NICU, they load you up there too, whole packages of the nice Pampers, formula, baby wipes, and lots of vaseline-covered gauze pads for the boy’s newly-cut parts..It’s double-dipping on the largest scale!
Keep up the great work!
D
Great tips!
My favorite bit of swag are the bed pads I made off with, cloth-ish on one side, rubberised(?) on the other. They are delightful changing pads/floor play mats for spit-uppy babies/mattress protectors.
Did you by chance swipe any extra hospital pacifiers? If so, could you send them my way? The 6 I took 7 months ago have disappeared.
Sounds like you made out like a bandit.;)
Love the free stuff too! Great post Amy. I also loved the quick-use ice packs for your, uh, region. And the Plastic reusable ice bag that works with the hospital ice dispenser are fabulous too!
We did not have those cups. Boo! Now I MUST have one (but refuse to push out another baby to achieve cuppy goodness).
I came home with the bestest most softest perfectly-sized receiving blanket from the hospital. When I had my second less than two years later, one of the things I looked forward to the most (you know, aside from Herself) was snatching another blanket. Alas; they no longer had the same kind!
I love the hospital goodies also and unfortunately due to severe postpartum I got rid of not one but two cups (one from first daughter) and now I am cupless and sad. I think I will try to rebuy back from goodwill.
What about the free hospital squeezy water bottles and the sitz bath? And that spray they give you to heal your sutures? That stuff is amazing.
Thanks for the ideas!
I didn’t get a cup!!! Mine was a stupid plastic-that-you-throw-away cup. Dang, I was robbed!
You forgot the kleenex.
Thanks for the tips, Amy!!
I worked for several years at a hospital, specifically on the Women’s and Children’s floors. Something to remember is that even if the hospital charges you for things (like the awesome gel pads for sore nipples) insurance pays for a large part of it! After you go home and take a trip to your favorite Medela stocked store, insurance doesn’t pay!
My best “steal” from the hospital was…don’t kick me…my breast pump. We got it from the lactation consultant, but it never showed up on our bill. And we never called to make the correction. I think she felt bad for me–more than one nurse told me I was “having trouble breastfeeding because I had small nipples”.
If the hospital people took Noah back I would not blame them at all. They would be all, “Look, you gestised this thing, but we did all the *real* work. And we want him back. Immediately. He is ridiculously cute and we are planning on nomming both his cheeks. Yes, both of them. On the face and the other bit.”
Etc etc…The boy has a right to be worried.
I’m expecting twins in May and this is definitely going to help with the stocking of the nursery.
ME 2!!! The nurses reminded me about a million times what items I was not allowed to take home…but I didn’t listen.
Bravo! Never can have enough toiletries! : )
I totally wish I had taken more of the mesh panties, I thought they were the most comfortable thing ever… My husband on the other hand was happy to see them go : )
LOVE hospital cups!!! I still have both of mine!!!
Bravo.
In an effort of supporting your shopping habits (because surely the good karma will come back to me?)– I have to say we are the same. I hoard free toiltries and w/baby #2 I also discovered the same pleasure, especially the SWADDLERS. TAKE THE SWADDLERS, I was even encouraged to by the nurse. And those handy dandy packets of juice.
Amy, thank you for the tips! I stole some pads from the hospital when I gave birth to my son 4 weeks ago. I wish I had read this post before I went into the hospital! The giant cup with bendy straw is exactly what I need while breast feeding!
You didn’t mention blankets! Also, our hospital put a cheap stethoscope in each isolette (I guess this is to prevent staph infections) and they gave us that too – perfect for our toddler’s dress up box.
I totally do the hotel thing also. The only thing that foils my efforts is that my husband actually uses some of it when we travel together and I don’t want it if it’s not full, ya know? However, last time I stayed at a Sheraton, they included a small shower pouf and I oput that in my bag hoping they’d supply another but they did now;( I’ll keep the hospital gear in mind in a few months when I make the trip. Thanks!
Next baby: I will be taking more mesh panties as I had to send my husband out for “granny panties” when we got home because my underwear all hurt my incision. I still – 19 months later – use the cup from our “family birth center” and LOVE it, as does my daughter. My husband went a bit crazy, taking my (hideous) hospital gown and a few of the (impossibly small) towels, too. The hospital gown I think ended up at Goodwill, the towels are used for dusty and cleaning up spills… We still use the pink bin, too.
Next time, I’m totally going to stash the diapers so that they’ll bring me more since it’s true: once the package is open, they have to get rid of it.
Great tips. I cleaned up at the hospital when I had my boys, too… Mostly diapers, but still. Good stuff.
You crack me up. Mesh panties. I’m dying here!
Not that I hope that you need to go to the ER anytime soon – but if they leave you in that little room too long… raid the place. I scored lots of Lion King band-aids once. And yes – you will find some reason to use the tongue depressors and uber-long q-tips.
The mesh panties! Now that is the real secret. I grabbed my last minute, but so glad I did.
Love those samples, I take them to the gym…
My big cup was a ghastly mauve color, but I loved it! The nurse told me it was mine to keep. I guess they figure 75% of people will take it anyway! Too funny.
On a slightly different note, I had a college roommate who decided to steal a few cheap ashtrays from a fast food place. I totally convinced her that if she tried to take stuff like that out of the restaurant an alarm would go off at the door. She believed me! It was quite funny. I eventually admitted I was lying.
I LOVE my hospital cup, the mesh panties, the pads, the free packages of diapers, the vaseline, gauze pads, the snot sucker, AND the pink tub. What? Its not like they were going to give them to someone else after we had used them:)
Great tip! I have so much good hospital stuff. My husband was kind of a pansy the first time and didn’t want me to take too much — in case we would get billed for it later. He was totally into it the second time around, though. (I love my big plastic cup, too!!)
I am only commenting so Amy will be able to afford some miracle blankets, for I am a lurker – not a commenter.
Ummm…have about 20 hospital baby blankets that aren’t big enough to swaddle my shoe, let alone my child. Oh, and the little white t-shirt they dressed the baby in? I have 3.
Oh, and I always make them bring me a pump in the hospital so they’ll give you the pump kit. Always need some extra tubing and parts in case you forgot to wash yours at home.
And I question the $2000/night bill for the hospital stay?
You paid for that cup! Trust me
I actually use the shower caps and sewing kits from hotels … I also realized that the hospital swaddling blankets were the best (this was before the miracle blanket) so my husband took TONS of those — and even though the kids are too old I don’t want to throw them away. I didn’t know that you could take the cup though … and those little kidney shaped tubs (well, I threw up in those, so perhaps not a good idea)….and we always forgot the babies’ going away clothes also, so we need to use the onsies from the hospital.
Great tips! And I LOVE those hospital cups!
Yeah Luvs – those were the best diapers when my kids wore diapers! Totally worth every penny I saved. All those items showed up on my bill – as “New Baby Supplies” my nurse helped me pack and SHE threw in everything, absolutely everything she could – “you’re paying for this you might as well take it.”
You MORE than paid for all of the stuff you stole, so don’t feel too bad!
Totally have my hospital cup too!
Very funny post!
I loved those mesh panties….my nurse called them my Fredrick’s of Kwajalein lingerie (that’s the little island where I birthed my babies).
My last one had surgery in Boston when she was a month old, and when we were packing to leave the housekeeping-type person was in the room. She picked up a plastic bag full of wash cloths (I’m talking 25 or so) and said, “You ARE taking these, right?” She assured me that I was expected to take them. I have a great stash of cleaning rags now. Yippee for free stuff!
I got TWO magic hospital cups!
We scored extra blankets because our twin daughters were on the small side, and when we were being discharged, the nurses used rolled-up blankets in their carseats to keep them from slumping to the side. Four extra blankets for swaddling! Plus, my husband got an extra cup because he asked for one when he was thirsty at some point. So I took home two and use them every day to drink water. My twins are now 3, and the cups are starting to look a little beat up.
Shoot, I took everthing else but I didn’t know you could take the cup!
Don’t put the magic hospital cups in the dishwasher-they eventually change shape from the heat in my experience.
We ended up with EIGHT of the freebie diaper bags from the hospital. Shifts kept bringing them before we moved to the NICU-and then the NICU continued it and then the Special Care Nursery as well. I protested, but since they were already touched by human hands or something, they couldn’t take them back. I pillaged the things we could use (diapers, Enfamil, cold bags) and sent the rest to the Pregnancy Crisis Center.
We have a good dozen of the pink basins from surgeries and ER visits. Currently, one is serving as a poop soaked onsie bucket, another is being used to hold dirty bottles. The best thing I used them for? The unending “all day sickness” from week four to 39! I even started keeping one in the car, after some unfortunate accidents.
I can’t believe I didn’t take the cup. All those ridiculous pads I’ll NEVER use and I didn’t take the CUP!?! Man!
We had an AWESOME NICU nurse/lactation consultant who took a liking to our son and gave us a TON of stuff when we left the hospital. I still haven’t had to buy diaper rash cream and he’s ten months old. I have 4 pairs of mesh panties still in the wrapper. Cuz you never know when you might need them…
I have never heard of these “magic hospital cups” before! Next time I’m sending back the regular old plastic cup and telling them to bring me the MAGIC one.
Just wanted to reiterate what Jenny said above — homeless shelters or shelters for abused women will happily take donations of those mini-toiletries, and you can clear them out of your closet to make room for the next stash!
The hospital near the nursing home i used to work at seemed to have totally caught on to you and decided to one up you: a few months ago they started sending patients with literally everything they possible went near. Including their own personal rolls of toilet paper. Every single patient came with one. I kept wondering what the insurance was billed for THAT (and if they thought the nursing home didn’t provide it!)
Hilarious, but true. My grandparents do this continuously. I did too.
Just got home from having baby #2 on Thursday. I took anything that wasn’t nailed down. I figure they won’t be able to reuse it so I might as well take it. Even got a couple of receiving blankets and one of those cute little kimono shirts that the nursery put the baby in.
Great article, I am totally the same way at hotels, I steal it all and I use about 2% of it…
thanks amalah!
Don’t forget that each toiletry you take gets replaced for the next occupant. Each one of those puny sized items has to be manufactured, transported and eventually disposed of. I’m not an angry environmentalist, but I do think our society pays little attention to the amount of packaged crap we consume and throw out without consideration for the impact it has on the world we leave for our children.
[...] Savvy Stealing: A Primer | The MomSpeak Heh heh. Amalah writes it as only she can. [...]
i have six of those cups. count them, SIX. (two babies to show for them). i also have an entire drawer full of hospital swaddling blankets. no lie, i use them for EVERYTHING.
ok, and i have three pairs of mesh panties. heh.
I still have a staple supply from when I left an employer. In 1997.
I am laughing because I have my own hospital cup sitting about two inches from my face at this very second. Except mine didn’t come with that cool straw, so I hoard bendy straws from restaurants anytime we come across them (not like I can’t actually BUY some).
I love the mesh underwear, too. If it wasn’t so dang sexy, I’d wear them every day.
I thought I did pretty well with the hospital goodies but only ended up with one Lansinoh tube and am kicking myself for it, 2 months later. The size is perfect for carrying around in your pocket and they only sell the huge tubes at the store.
The only thing my nurse told me not to take was the receiving blanket. I was bummed out because I was told that they are the perfect size for swaddling, unlike the typical receiving blanket you can buy, and she hesitated for a second, then said, “I’m walking away and will pretend I never said anything.” So I scored two receiving blankets (which my daughter still uses) with her tacit blessing. YESSSSS!
I’m a secretary in L&D. Take all the stuff you can (diapers, wipes, lansinoh, basins, pads, cute panties and huge cups) because we do throw away a ton of stuff that people don’t bring home! However, PLEASE leave the clothes and blankets. Come on, didn’t you get baby clothes & blankets from showers and relatives? Those items do affect the cost of health care. That said, I LOVE the hotel “freebies” which we all probably end up paying for…
When your cabinet gets too full of goodies, or you are cleaning out your drawers, you can give the extras to the local veterans’ hospital. The patients are sorely in need of them! Or, you can donat them to your local food pantry, too – they never have enough personal toiletries. Whenever I stay at a hotel, I hoarde the items, too, then give them to my mom who takes them to the hospital or pantry.