What should we get...

JemmaWRX

Our friends just had a baby at 31 weeks.  He's doing good (woo hoo!).  The parents didn't have their shower yet.  Probably another 4-6 wks before baby comes home.  What can we get (or what can we do) for the new parents and/or the baby to help out?  Anything other parents of preemies wish they had?  Thanks in advance!

katie4253

Here is a link for the preemie blog.  Check under the FAQs

https://www.preemiemomblog.blogspot.com/

Thank you for being such a great friend. 

vsalt31

Hi, Thanks for asking.  Things that were helpful to me were meals that could be reheated & fresh fruit.  During the time when DS was in the NICU, I had a hard time finding time to grocery shop, so we were eating out of vending machines for much of it. 
Also:
Preemie clothes (only snaps, no zippers)- Carters online has a great selection
Gift cards for restaurants next to the hospital
Offering to help with things around the house (raking leaves, washing towels)

And, I'd say to just generally let them know that you're thinking about them.  They're in for a rough few weeks, so any support I'm sure would be appreciated. 
You're such a good friend!

PhillyGal34

Very sweet of you to think to ask here. I am glad they are doing well. 

 

If they have a dog maybe you could let it out

Cleaning the house

Grocery shopping

Laundry

Gc to restaurants near the hospital or the cafeteria there 

Gas cards if they live far away

 

For me the best things were those that gave me more time to be in the nicu. Who wants to spend an hour at the grocery store when you could be with the baby.

 

Also be prepared bc she may not want to see anyone when she comes home. Again, just my experience but I was so scared of germs and wanted to suck up every second with the baby. I was not pleased to come home to a welcome home baby party that I wasn't expecting. So space can be a good gift as well.  

downwardsunshine

PhillyGal34:

Very sweet of you to think to ask here. I am glad they are doing well. 

 

If they have a dog maybe you could let it out

Cleaning the house

Grocery shopping

Laundry

Gc to restaurants near the hospital or the cafeteria there 

Gas cards if they live far away

 

For me the best things were those that gave me more time to be in the nicu. Who wants to spend an hour at the grocery store when you could be with the baby.

 

Also be prepared bc she may not want to see anyone when she comes home. Again, just my experience but I was so scared of germs and wanted to suck up every second with the baby. I was not pleased to come home to a welcome home baby party that I wasn't expecting. So space can be a good gift as well.  

 

I second giving them space. I love my friends and family but they wanted to come given us "support" every day at the hospital nd  it was just too much to juggle. I was constantly stressed about who was coming when and staggering when they could see the baby as only 2 people were allowed in the NICU and one had to be the parent. Another thing I used while in the NICU was  Boppy. I could sit the baby on it to get him higher to feed. 

JemmaWRX

You guys are AWESOME!  Thanks for the great suggestions!!!

MamaKoria

If a friend came over to help clean, I'd be so grateful. During Cam's NICU stay, we didn't have any time to clean, so the house was a mess. Also for parents with other children, offering to babysit would be a great help.