Need ideas from bedrest mommas

jessicaheath13

My best friend is on bedrest at 25 weeks with twins.  My other friend and I are going to give her a gift bag full of inexpensive items that are individually wrapped.  Then she can unwrap one each day and have something small to look forward to each day, and obviously use some of the items during bedrest or after the baby is born.  Can any of you ladies give me some ideas of some things you need or have been using that were very helpful?  Here are some of my ideas so far: manicure set, nail polish, socks, note cards, journal, IOUs for babysitting or lunch. 

TIA!

Legally Nads

I'm not a bedrest momma, but here are my ideas:  nice hand lotions, lip balms, lumbar pillow, scrapbooking stuff if she's into that (stickers, papers, etc..), magazines, books (fiction, about babycare, etc).

dulcinea03

The things I've really used/appreciated during my 2 months of bedrest:

- Books. The days I get into a good book are the days that go by the fastest for me. You don't even need to buy them if she's local- my library allows me to reserve books online using my card so DH just has to take in my card and grab the books I put on hold.

- microwavable rice pack- has been awesome for helping me soothe some of the kinks from being down so much, particularly in my back and neck.

- If she's crafty and doesn't have cats (I do), maybe some knitting or beading projects. I tried knitting and spent more time fighting with the cats than actually working on something.

- fuzzy/fun socks

- fun/gourmet snacks or munchies she wouldn't buy herself. 

- most of all- keep in touch. My experience with bedrest is it is very isolating. I have been pretty disappointed in how many of my 'friends' have dropped off the face of the earth since Thanksgiving. I can't go out and hang out, but even a text or call a few times a week means so much for me.  Only 2 of my girlfriends have really kept in touch, so loneliness has been much more pronounced than I thought it would be. 

Mouseygail

what a sweet idea!!  i love it!!  you  have a good start!  what about those little books in the magazine section that have different kinds of puzzles in them, thank you note cards (and maybe stamps) so that she can get thank you cards done as she needs to, a bow of straws or a fun, curly one (its hard to drink and keep hydrated while laying down!), fun snacks and drinks that she can keep by her bed/couch, if she doesn't have netflix, they have gift memberships wher eyou could get her a month or two worth.  um...if one of you sews, maybe a really cute/cheery pillow case, deck of cards and a printout of a bunch of solitare games...that's all i have for  now!

KYmama9286

I agree w/ all the pp ideas: esp netflix! That has been a staple for me in remaining sane while on strict hospital bedrest. I have also enjoyed getting some crossword/ word search/sudoku puzzle books, tasty snacks like trailmix, candy, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, etc.

As for the knitting stuff, if she doesnt know how to knit I highly recommend getting the Knifty Knitter--sounds cheesy I know but it is basically a loom kind of thing that you can knit on if you dont know how to use needles...my DH actually used it to knit LO a hat haha I think it is like $20 but hey-its worth it if it will give her hours of entertainment!