A bounty

Yesterday my wife gave birth to our second child – a son – Elijah. We’re excited to have him. The whole family is all at home and all doing well.

In hospital, in the UK, after you have your baby and are recovering the mother is given a bag of goodies. Or that’s what it might seem to be. With our first child the bag was a little better but this time it was plain rubbish. It contained a load of free samples of washing powder, fabric softener and baby wipes. Apart from the baby wipes it was all stuff you buy anyway. We don’t use fabric softener, this is unlikely to change our mind. 550g of pasta would have been much more useful. The first bag contained some sort of “treat” though I can’t remember what – and some Red Bull for the husband. These bags made up by a company called Bounty are there to plug their wares.

It’s ineffective but that’s their right.

I do take issue with one of the other services associated with their brand. Shortly after you arrive in the maternity ward, after having the baby, they try to take your baby’s picture. The idea is that they take better pictures, which they do, and then sell them to you – right there in the maternity ward! There’s only one place worse for making decisions like this and that the labour ward (i.e. when you are actually pushing the baby out). The mother is shattered, feels awful and looks awful. The child is still in shock, though they look cute. The father is most likely exhausted as well. Despite the fact it’s a happy occasion this is pure opportunism. Nasty behaviour. You should know better and be ashamed of yourselves for suggesting it. Thankfully the increasing quality, and skill, of amateur (or even novice) photography this business can’t make money for long.

Bounty. NO!