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LIMomma
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/12 523 total posts
Name:
Momma
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Moms of NICU babies
A friend of mine just had (a LONG awaited) little girl. She was rushed right to the NICU with several very serious issues. It's going to be a long road for the baby (and of course mom and dad). I'd like to get my friend things and make a basket of items that will help with the prolonged stay in the NICU (drop it off so that she knows we are thinking of them but not intrude in case shes not ready to talk). I know the baby can't have anything but I was thinking magainzes, lotion, chapstick --- things that will help with being there all the time. I know her and she will NOT leave this baby for a second, I just wanted to make it a bit easier.
I need suggestions for what to put into the basket....any ideas would be great.
THANK YOU
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Posted 6/30/14 2:14 PM  |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
I'm really sorry  
I don't have experience with a baby in the NICU, but my DD was in the hospital for a week when she was 16 months and I too wouldn't leave her side, so hopefully I can help a little.
If the prolonged stay is unexpected, get her toiletries - I had nothing and had to run out to but a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. and didn't even want to leave for those few minutes.
Comfy, clean clothes were also a luxury, so maybe a nice comfy pair of sweats and nursing tank if she is pumping.
Gift cards for seamless or local places that deliver to the hospital - I don't know the policy at her hospital, but when DD was in the hospital they only fed the patient, so I was on my own for food, and it got very expensive.
Some magazines might also help to pass the time when the baby is sleeping.
I will keep your friends and their baby in my prayers. HTH.
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| Posted 6/30/14 2:22 PM |
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
magazines would be good.
chocolate.
blanket.
toothbrush/toothpaste or like a mini bottle of mouthwash and floss
hand sanitizer!!!
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| Posted 6/30/14 2:34 PM |
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BabyFever
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 1050 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXXX
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
My DD was in the NICU and premade food was the best for me. i would spend all day there go home eat and go back after dinner, so the less i had to cook the longer I could stay there. maybe a fruit bouquet to snack on.
As she got older they encouraged me to dress her in gowns (not onsies because gowns are easier with teh wires) and caps. Only issue i had was I had no time to go to the store and get them since i was at the hospital all the time.
I wasn't in the mood to read magazines or books but that was me of course she could be different. Any gift you give will be appreciated, she knows you are there if she needs anything.
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| Posted 6/30/14 2:43 PM |
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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
Name:
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Moms of NICU babies
gift cards for local food places, coffee places...
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| Posted 6/30/14 2:45 PM |
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ShhhTTCin11
3 under 3?!
Member since 5/11 2229 total posts
Name:
Coleen
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Moms of NICU babies
Gift cards for food places, snacks she can eat on the go, a journal, and I'd say to make some food and drop it off at her house.
All 3 of my kids were in the NICU but with DS it was unexpected and traumatic - if it wasn't for people feeding me, I would have forgotten to eat.
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| Posted 6/30/14 3:01 PM |
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Hopefulmama
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1014 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
I second pp. I had triplets in the nicu and I only ever got as far away as the au Bon pain at north shore :) a gift card there would have been great. Prepared meals and offers to babysit any older children are great too.
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| Posted 6/30/14 3:03 PM |
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BabyFever
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 1050 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXXX
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
Posted by ShhhTTCin11
Gift cards for food places, snacks she can eat on the go, a journal, and I'd say to make some food and drop it off at her house.
All 3 of my kids were in the NICU but with DS it was unexpected and traumatic - if it wasn't for people feeding me, I would have forgotten to eat.
A journal is a great idea
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| Posted 6/30/14 3:53 PM |
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bbwishes10
LIF Infant
Member since 6/10 69 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Moms of NICU babies
If she's at Cohen's, I'd say a gift card for Au Bon Pain. I've been at Cohen's with my son a few times and that is as far as I got too. Prepared meals are good too.
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| Posted 6/30/14 4:04 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
SNACKS! chocolates, granola bars, anything easy to eat.
We also loved little personalized touches to put around the NICU like a handmade blanket/quilt, hat, etc. You can print out pictures of her & her husband that she can hang up near the baby or even make a personalized name sign (my best friend made one for my twins from construction paper and we hung it by their beds).
Gift cards for starbucks or local coffee place. You can even see if there's a gift shop that you can get a gift card to or the hospital cafeteria so she can just grab/order some food if she has a chance.
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| Posted 6/30/14 4:08 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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Moms of NICU babies
Food, snacks, water, coffee cup, nursing tops to make pumping/feeding easier. A tote to carry things back and forth. When DD was in the nicu eating was the most stressful part and it did get very expensive
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| Posted 6/30/14 5:40 PM |
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
Do they have to pay for parking? If so maybe you could pre-pay parking for them. But gift certificates for local eateries and small toiletries they can keep on them would be great.
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| Posted 6/30/14 5:41 PM |
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Melis2700
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/09 508 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
My dd just got out of nicu and my day is on day 102!!! Pre-made food as the others noted was a god send! Also gift cert to lunch/dinner places is nice bc hospital food gets old quick! If they are in winthrop let me know and I can give you some suggestions!!! Good luck to your friend and her baby!!!
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| Posted 6/30/14 6:24 PM |
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reneemarie2
LIF Infant
Member since 7/08 269 total posts
Name:
Renee
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
My DS did a 3 month stay last year. The things that I really appreciated were gas cards for traveling back and forth to the hospital, gift cards for food, meals for home were great, and one friend would meet me at the hospital and bring lunch from "the outside", since I was always eating cafeteria food. Really anything that would ease up on the typical day to day responsibilities were great.
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| Posted 6/30/14 7:46 PM |
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Kissy331
My two miracles!
Member since 5/06 17826 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
My youngest was in the NICU for 4 weeks. I do agree they the premade good is great bc I would pack a lunch & also had dinner when we got home around 9. You can't stay in the NICU overnight so things for at home are great too
Good things for at the hospital
Reading material
Unscented hand cream
Snacks but try to get allergy free stuff
Cooler bag
Travel pillow
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| Posted 6/30/14 7:50 PM |
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MK2010
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/10 401 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
When my DD was born and in the NICU - it was like everything else in life was on hold. It was right around the holidays. I think the things I most appreciated were people helping out with stuff I wasn't able to get done. How about paying for lawn/gardening service for that week, or a cleaning service to come take care of the house - if you are very close - maybe helping out with laundry or grocery shopping. I had a family member come over and put up Christmas lights for us - it was the nicest thing to see them on after super long days at the hospital.
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| Posted 6/30/14 9:49 PM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name:
K
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Moms of NICU babies
When DS was born he spent 7 weeks in the nicu. I was bale to bring blankets from home for his bed but hadn't had my baby shower yet so I had none. Finally 1 day I went to babies r us and bought a million blankets for him. It was such a small thing but it was all I could do for him. Also hats.
As for me and DH we were there as much as we could be. DH worked and came to the hospital at night. I was there in the morning went home for a break at lunch and back after dinner. For me I had other things going on that I could not be there all the time. Snacks and water bottles were great. I wouldn't read magazines or such because the entire time I was there I held him.
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| Posted 7/1/14 8:34 AM |
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lulugrrl
My 3 Blessings
Member since 3/06 6551 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Moms of NICU babies
I agree with all of the above. I stayed at the Ronald McDonald house when my son was in NICU because I wanted to be by his side at all times. Food was the biggest thing. RM has dinner for us every night, but you need food while at the hospital. I did not eat unless someone brought something, it wasn't even on my mind.
Also, the most wonderful thing was someone sending a congratulations cookie basket thing. My son was born in such an emergent way, and was in serious condition, there was no traditional congrats you had a baby...
It was actually some LIF girls that sent a congrats on your baby boy cookie basket, and it was so special, because I did have a baby, I was a mom, and it was nice to have that acknowledged. A bit of normalcy in all of the chaos of having a sick child.
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| Posted 7/1/14 11:58 AM |
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