Gift ideas for a NICU baby and mom

[fireshifter]

I posted about my new nephew a few days ago, see link:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=375937

He got through his surgery okay and is doing really well.

Now, DH and I would really like to throw them a long-distance 'mini-shower' basically put together a box with things that might make stuff a little easier to get through the NICU-times and welcome baby Noah home... They live in Phoenix and we are in Nebraska. SIL didn't get a shower at all b/c she just moved there and most friends/family are here.

If you've had a kiddo in the hospital (especially a NICU-baby) what would be of help to you? I want to also make some things that will let mom pamper herself a little as well as some things that would support dad a bit. SIL says she doesn't feel like a mommy right now because she can't even hold her baby yet. Is there anything you would recommend? I make cards and thought about sending her a stack of homemade 'thank-you' cards (to thank others for gifts) and also, if I could figure out how to sew, I will make her a sling. Any other ideas that would make things special for them?

Thanks in advance.... :help

[zjandosmom]

What a great idea. As a mom of a NICU grad I can say the 2 things I needed most were food and sleep. It was very expensive for us as we had to drive back and forth changing shifts as it were. Meals were difficult. I lost all my preg weight within the week! When I was home I didn't want to cook- you know between pumping and sleeping, and at the hospital food is pretty expensive. I would have loved anything that would have helped me eat....prepared meals, gits cards for hospital cafeteria, etc. I too felt like I wasn't a mom. That is hard. I don't think there's anything you can do to help with that one. Maybe send an outfit or shirt that allows the wires through. We could eventually put a a gown on ds1 because the wires could come out the bottom. Sleep was huge and honestly I drove home many times when I should not have. Someone was def looking out for me. Maybe a hotel voucher for a night or two right next to the hospital (with meals of course). That's all I can think of off the top of my head. My son was no where near as serious as your nephew so I can only imagine how scared they must be. You are sweet to want to help. We felt very alone and overwhelmed (no family around). Too bad you are not close enough to visit. I felt so guilty going home to sleep when my baby was still there. I wanted someone with him 24/7...not possible.

good luck,
kathy

[Brinda]

Even though I couldn't hold my son, I was still allowed to change his diapers and stroke him while he was in the isolette. My fave things to do when I couldn't hold him was to dress him in a cord-friendly shirt. It just made me feel better than seeing him laying there naked. I know tie shirts were really friendly for all of the cords/iv's for his monitors. If funds allow I really agree with gift cards for hotels/food. If not, maybe some healthy snacks that mom and dad can take with them, like some good energy bars, or smart water. Did they say how long they expect recovery to take from surgery?

ETA about the pumping issue, does she have everything she needs? Maybe you could make her some nice nursing pads. I was overwhelmed with how much I had to store, so bottles or storage bags could help a lot.

[MamaTaraX]

I have a friend who had baby in NICU for 13 weeks. I brought her blankets and clothes for the baby so he didn't have to wear hospital issue garb and that's what she wanted. I also brought her food and kept her company, which she needed. I could only go visit her a couple of times whilehe was in there. I mailed her letters and words of encouragement. I got her a sling, but I don't think it was everused. I sent her a CD that she or she and baby could listen to (he had a little mini CD player thing in his bassinette there) too.

ETA: I hope he continues to do well. It really is awesome how far we've come medically for things like this. :)

Namaste, Tara