Friend w/ premature son and wanting to show support

HisChamaoleGirl

My best friend who lives out of state just had her son at 31w5d and he is in the NICU. I am not able to physically go to the hospital and see her or LO, but I want to show my support. I've never had a friend in this situation and I am not sure if sending something to the hospital would be appropriate or not. So far he is doing well for being early and his breathing is being monitored. This is all that I know. I also know that she has nothing for him since her babyshower was for this weekend. For moms who had their baby premature, was there anything in particular that made your stay easier? TIA

AlejandraN2

All of what the PPs said. I had my baby at 36 weeks but we ended up spending 3 weeks at the hospital and what really made a difference was all the outpour of support, love and thoughts and prayers that everyone kept throwing my way. Also, food is such an afterthought when you're there, so gift cards for restaurants, or even telling them that you've ordered lunch for them one day and it's getting delivered are all amazing gestures. And i did have a friend bring me a whole slew of premie clothes which i had never planned for and it was the sweetest thing ever. Oh and the NICU nurses are just incredible, so you could send some cookies or cupcakes their way on behalf of your friend. 

VitaLuna

I agree with restaurant gift cards to places that are very close and/or will deliver to the hospital, or whatever coffee shop is close. It's something easy to put in an envelope and send, and some places you can email a gift card.

amief

There are some great suggestions above.  My sister had her babies early and a few things we were able to help with: 

• B/c she had the babies so early she wasn't really prepared.  We hired someone to come clean her house while she was out so she came home to a clean house.  
• premie clothes and diapers she didn't expect to need
• some post-partum clothes for her as she had nothing to fit and didn't have time to shop (we sent some comfy lounge wear type stuff )
• if she's trying to breastfeed... all of the breastfeeding stuff like nursing pads, cream, etc.
• food she could eat at the hospital and/or keep in her car (if she lives in an area with a grocery delivery type service a gift card there might be good)
• If there is someone you could ask you could try to find out if there are registry needs that she hadn't gotten around to purchasing yet.  maybe even just looking at the registry.

redfallon

HisChamaoleGirl I don't have any additional suggestions to those listed above, but I just wanted to say that it's so wonderful and thoughtful of you to think of your friend and her needs right now. I hope that she, her baby, and the rest of her family are doing well.

HisChamaoleGirl

redfallon said:

HisChamaoleGirl I don't have any additional suggestions to those listed above, but I just wanted to say that it's so wonderful and thoughtful of you to think of your friend and her needs right now. I hope that she, her baby, and the rest of her family are doing well.

Thank you! She means a lot to me and has been there for me throughout the years. And she's the only friend who stuck it out after I had my baby even though I have other friends with kids who disappeared. She also is the only one to have sent me care packages and letters while I was in Iraq for three years. The least I can do is send her a package.

Last night she realized she doesn't have any of the monthly milestone stickers she wanted so I went online and ordered them. Today I sent a coffee gift card and a gas gift card because she will be traveling to see him. I am still working on another package but I wanted those to get there ASAP.