Preemie moms come in!

MHeming

I have a friend whose daughter was born at 26 weeks. She is a little fighter and she hopefully will be coming home very soon. Is there anything in particular that really helped you at home when your LO came home? I wasn't able to go to her baby shower and want to get them something that will be helpful in their transition from the hospital. Thanks!

jenrox2173

granted my son was born at 31 weeks, i dont know if i can help much. just all the normal baby stuff, i wouldnt get to many preemie cloths though or diapers my son grew right out of them in a week of leaving the nicu. i would recommend maybe getting her some stuff for her nicu stay though, like a journal so she can write down progress that happens everyday. i know for me and my husband the little things were great to hear from the nicu doctors. a nursing shirt if she plans on breast-feeding, blanket (our hospital had private rooms, with recliners), water bottle etc. 

Ceci131

In my experience, having people help over at the house was great since we were at the hospital so much (mow lawn, check on dog). The biggest thing was when people offered specific help, not just 'let me know if you need anything', because I just wasn't thinking about anything but LO.

Also, preemie clothes and diapers! Where I live, they were REALLY hard to find.

 Hope that helps! 

Natalie_may

First of all, congratulations to your friend! If the baby is still "new" then there were a few things we really appreciated, receiving blankets (we were allowed to bring our own for the isolettes), a nice blanket for the top of the isolette, gas gift cards, gift cards to restaurants near the hospital, a cleaning service, go over and do her laundry. If she is nearer to transitioning home she won't need much other then full term moms. Call her and ask about diaper size (as pp said preemie can be hard to find but I had one baby come home in newborn and the other in 1s), and clothes (mine we out of preemie before coming home). A cleaning service would be a huge help as would be any formula checks you still have (special care can get expensive) if she is ff or supplementing. Sorry about format, Im on my phone. Hth!

Eszcz1228

For me it was food! I had a few friends bring lasagna, taco bake, and Boston Market. That was the best to not worry about dinner and not have to eat fast food. My LO was a little bit more high maintenance because he was 8 weeks early and had some cardiac issues so not having to worry about dinner was like winning the lotto when friends brought food over!

hollerjeepgirl

MrsSzcz070707:

For me it was food! I had a few friends bring lasagna, taco bake, and Boston Market. That was the best to not worry about dinner and not have to eat fast food. My LO was a little bit more high maintenance because he was 8 weeks early and had some cardiac issues so not having to worry about dinner was like winning the lotto when friends brought food over!

This! We didn't have someone bring us food but looking back, and looking at where we are now, I'm way too tired to worry about food. 

MHeming

Thanks everyone! Food is a good idea. I know it was helpful to us to have the meals I made ahead of time in the freezer for a quick microwave meal and the food that visitors brought was helpful, too. Her LO is closer to coming home than she is new, so I guess I wasn't thinking about all the stuff that was helpful to us when we brought DS home. Just didn't know if there was something I was missing for a preemie. I'm not aware of any major health issues yet. She's doing a great job of getting bigger and stronger so he can come home!

rgtsmom01

Having my friends and family help with the house work!

AggieBeth06

Food and housework. Plus a few mommy-pick me ups (yummy soap, cuddly pj's, etc)!

AggieBeth06

Also, I read Dr. Sears' Premature Baby Book. I wish I would have read it while he was still in the NICU. I recommend it a lot! It helped me to grow in confidence.

Soon2BMrsBoylon

Hi there!  My daughter was born six weeks premature and the one item that has given me peace of mind since bringing her home is her Angelcare monitor.  It has a sensor that goes under the mattress in her crib that alarms if she stops breathing.  Also, a previous poster said gift cards, that's a great idea.  That way she can get any last minute items she needs or can get a couple preemie sized outfits or diapers if she needs to.  Congrats to your friend and hoping her baby can come home soon, healthy and happy!