NICU Mammas, Can I please have your advice re: NICU Friend?

Edmondmum · February 2012

My co-worker had her baby about 3 weeks ago at 34.5 weeks weighing 2lb, 5 oz. He's in the NICU and recently had some rough patches. The office is chipping in together to get her something and I would like your opinion on what to get her...

I had some thoughts, but please weigh in:

Gift basket bath goodies and such

Mani pedi/massage at hospital/hotel so she doesn't have to go anywhere as she is staying by the hospital

Professional photo session for her and baby (I like this the best, but I'm not a NICU mom)

Any other thoughts? I should mention she had her baby an hour and a half away from where she lives, so she isn't staying at home.

Thanks in advance ladies!

kck329 · February 2012

I really like the photographer idea, I think any mom would love that.

My only other suggestion is that it would be great to pay for parking or gas for her. My church collected money to help cover parking for us and it was a much needed gift.

There is also a page on our board's blog (link in siggy) called "How Can I Help?" with a long list of ideas for how friends can support NICU families.

haziedaze · February 2012

In the blog suggestions is the gift card idea. I would suggest gift card for restaurants/gas and then a basket of goodies (snacks, water bottle, packit bag for milk, nice hand lotions, purrell, etc). If her baby is having ups and downs it may not be the right timing for a photo session (may be stressful to coordinate, she may not feel ready) or mani/pedi. Just a thought... you're sweet to think this through so carefully and I'm sure she'll appreciate whatever you can do!

CTbride79 · February 2012

I am in similar shoes to your friend's...my son was born 11 days ago at 32 weeks, weighing 2 lbs. 9 oz. and will be in the NICU for around 6 weeks at least.

I like the idea of a professional photo shoot or a pedicure...I wouldn't really want a manicure though since you have to wash your hands a thousand times a day in the NICU and it would ruin the manicure pretty quickly. I had planned on doing newborn pictures right after my son was born (which we didn't think would be until April) but my photographer has actually offered to do some in the NICU prior to the 'planned' session at no charge, which is pretty awesome. I think any mom would be happy to have some nice pics of this stage in their child's life.

vsalt31 · February 2012

Today is day 18 for me in the nicu. The things that I would find most helpful would be $ for parking (it's $8/day!!), fresh groceries (we haven't been in weeks & a coworker gave me a fruit basket- it was like gold), a cleaning service (my house is a hotmess), and a tray of pasta or something that can be easily reheated.

SRK128 · February 2012

We are on day 49 with one home and one still in the NICU. Gift cards are like gold as well as paying for parking at 9 dollars a day that is crazy. Gift baskets are a great idea! She is so lucky to have you as a friend!

cutcopypaste · February 2012

I like the mani/pedi idea. I wish someone had done this for me when DD was in the NICU because I didn't take care of my self at all and it made me feel even worse mentally. But gift basket with snacks and magazines and other goodies is great too.

I agree with PP that the photographer idea may be too soon if the baby is having ups and downs. I wouldn't have been ready for it while we were in the NICU.

GeauxTigers82 · February 2012

vsalt31:
Today is day 18 for me in the nicu. The things that I would find most helpful would be $ for parking (it's $8/day!!), fresh groceries (we haven't been in weeks & a coworker gave me a fruit basket- it was like gold), a cleaning service (my house is a hotmess), and a tray of pasta or something that can be easily reheated.

Not sure if you tried this or not, but our hospital gave us a parking voucher for free parking. I think the social worker is the one that set it up, so I'd look into it (you should have a social worker or someone assigned to your baby).

spain116 · February 2012

First of all, you are so great for doing this. Gift cards would be my vote. Gas cards or cards for restaurants that are close to the hospital. Especially if there is something with healthy options. I think NICU moms eat a lot of fast food or ending up not eating at all.

I wouldn't be able to use the mani/pedi while LO was in the NICU. I would be too concerned with spending all my free time in the hosptital (and your nails would be ruined by the washing, as PP said). The photo session would stress me out at this point.

Gift basket with healthy snacks, good lotion, hand sanitizer, etc. would be great, too.

vsalt31 · February 2012

Hi, yep we certainly looks into it. Unless you are on some type of government aid, parking is $8/day until you reach 30 consecutive days. After 30, it's free.

Jen0204 · February 2012

Not sure if you're still checking this, but our hospital had a photographer come and do pictures. They offer it to all non-NICU moms automatically, but since we were in the NICU I had to ask for it. We did it on the last day so there weren't wires and stuff in the pictures. If her hospital offers this, a gift card to the photographer (if they offer that) might be nice. I'm really glad that we didn't buy a photography session ahead of time like I had planned on because I have no idea how we would have gone somewhere with them early on. If you go the photography route just make sure you get one who would be willing to go to their house.

This is so considerate of you guys!

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NICU Mammas, Can I please have your advice re: NICU Friend?

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