NICU Care Basket

beachinjune

I am not a preemie mom (although I may join you as I'm preg with high risk twins) but my friend is having a baby with heart issues. The baby will be in the PICU (I think???) for about 6 weeks after birth in a hospital about 4 hours away. We were wanting to make a NICU/PICU Care basket for the mom. We've ordered a bag she really wanted and we've been filling it with novels, stamps, change for vending machines, a journal, gum and candy and magazines. What else would you recommend that we can put in the basket? We want it to be helpful and encouraging since we will be so far away during this time. Thanks!

KellyMichelle

That is very nice of you to think of her.  Your ideas sound great.  The only things I would add are - a disposable camera to leave at the bedside, a reusable water bottle, maybe some inspirational notes to encourage her, and lotion (your hands get very dry with all the washing/sanitizing that you do).

Good luck with your pregnancy as well and I hope that you don't need to join us!

gizmo909

Lotion.  The kind for extra dry hands.  They'll be washing their hands constantly and lotion is a lifesaver that they probably won't think of.

Gift cards for gas or restaurants around the hospital.  They'll be spending a lot of time/money on driving to/from the hospital and food.  Even a low value gift card to McDonalds is nice so that they have one less meal to worry about.

FutureMrsDenman

ditto KellyMichelles' resoinse.  Sounds like you are off to a great start and her additions are perfect.

franciscaz

I agree with Gizmo about the gift cards.  I ate at Panda Express, McDonalds, Taco Bell, and WhatABurger twice a day.  The cost adds up.  I also would stuff energy bars into the bag b/c sometimes I forgot to eat while I was there.

AFwife1106

Everyone else took all my ideas.. but we got a $250 gas card from DH's work.  That was a huge help.  We would have really used a reuseable water bottle.  DH read a lot when we were in the NICU but I didnt.  We kept really weird hours, so we watched a lot of movies at night since there wasn't anything on tv.  We used our netflix account a LOT.  I don't know if she has a photo sharing site already, but maybe you could get her a gift card to buy some prints online.  I wish someone had thought to do that for us.  Just the thought would have been enough to probably make me cry.  I'm sure she will appricate whatever you do. 

Afton3

I always appreciated fresh fruit because it was way expensive in the cafeteria and not worth getting at the fast food places.  Also, I always wanted 100% juice.  Yum.

 She is gong to appreciate your care basket so much.  Thank you.

beachinjune

Thanks so much for the suggestions! Its so hard that she's going to be 4 hours away but at least we know beforehand and can prepare a little bit. I appreciate the help!