Gift baskets for L&D Nurses

Mamamonzo · November 2013

A couple of my new mama friends told me they went to Bath and Body works and bought a bunch of the mini lotions and spa stuff, and made a huge gift basket for the L&D nurses to pick through. They said they dropped it off at the desk when the checked in. They also said this seemed to really butter up the nurses and it seemed that they were willing to go that extra mile for them. I LOVE LOVE LOVE giving gifts, and had planned to do something like this anyway as a thank you for dealing with my FTM stupidness (when DH and I go to the Doctor we always laugh at ourselves and say...you can totally tell we're first timers) Did any of your STM's do something like this, and if you did what kinds of goodies did you put in the basket!?

rlmanning · November 2013

Nope I sure didnt. But this time around I would like to maybe have my mom bring some cookies or something for them while I am in labor. Maybe even a box of Starbucks. More as a thank you. I think the nurses do so much while we are in labor and deserve a little something nice

fireflygirl12 · November 2013

karissamonzo said:

A couple of my new mama friends told me they went to Bath and Body works and bought a bunch of the mini lotions and spa stuff, and made a huge gift basket for the L&D nurses to pick through. They said they dropped it off at the desk when the checked in. They also said this seemed to really butter up the nurses and it seemed that they were willing to go that extra mile for them. I LOVE LOVE LOVE giving gifts, and had planned to do something like this anyway as a thank you for dealing with my FTM stupidness (when DH and I go to the Doctor we always laugh at ourselves and say...you can totally tell we're first timers) Did any of your STM's do something like this, and if you did what kinds of goodies did you put in the basket!?

I like gift giving too, but I probably never would have thought of this. Aren't people supposed to bring you stuff when you have a baby?

Andplusalso, my nurses were still super awesome without the buttering up.

Sarahjess06 · November 2013

I think that's a nice gesture. I'm a CNA and I was always apologizing for putting my call light on... Even though I know it's their job.

I might have to do this!

Katiecave · November 2013

That sounds lovely! They work so hard I think it would be a nice gesture

Mamamonzo · November 2013

Sarahjess06 said:

I think that's a nice gesture. I'm a CNA and I was always apologizing for putting my call light on... Even though I know it's their job. I might have to do this!

So what are some things you would like? Would you prefer spa type stuff or snack type things?

rlmanning · November 2013

I know its their job, but its always nice to be rewarded by a customer/client. I dont look at it as buttering up, but I do look at it as a nice gesture just in case I get a little cray cray during the labor... LOL Maybe more of an early apology. LMBO

Sarahjess06 · November 2013

karissamonzo said:

Sarahjess06 said:

I think that's a nice gesture. I'm a CNA and I was always apologizing for putting my call light on... Even though I know it's their job.

I might have to do this!

So what are some things you would like? Would you prefer spa type stuff or snack type things?

Hand sanitizer for sure. Yeah the hospitals provide this, but who doesn't love mini ones to shove in your pocket that smell good?
Lotion
Candy/mints
And pens! A nurses best friend!

KatieGummow · November 2013

This is my first. DH and I are buying the ladies at my OB's office lunch at my next appointment (dipping into Christmas gifting)

I am super excited. They've been so wonderful, kind, and understanding with us whether it was helping us digest news of twins, talking me down because I was sure I would have vanishing twin syndrome, or a book's worth of insurance questions. But I love the basket idea for the L&D team! I may have to copy you!

KatieGummow · November 2013

ImnAtari, Thank you for this!

snowbound · November 2013

I've considered doing something like this. Assuming I have the time and energy. I imagine their job is rough considering the circumstances. I also assume not every patient is pleasant and they might need a little "pick me up" during their shift.

patunia7321 · November 2013

I was thinking about doing a thank you type thing. Super cheesy Hershey Huggs and Kisses in a big jar- You know... Thank you! Higgs and Kisses from -- family. I know, I know cheese city. But I actually didn't get the idea from Pinterest lol.

baylorlinda · November 2013

I think I'm going to get a lot of baked goods or candy for all the people working on the L&D floor to share. I think it's a nice gesture to show them that I appreciate all that they do for all the women and babies under their care.

sishamarie · November 2013

A word of advice from a nurse: It's really nice when patients and families show gratitude

However, we don't eat home baked goods... it's a paranoia thing (don't know whats in them) so ANYTHING you get give to the staff in a safety sealed bottle or package.

horae4me · November 2013

We did a cookie tray from a nice bakery in town. Food is always a fav and make sure it's prepackaged. I'm a teacher and I rarely eat anything homemade unless I know the family well.

Heeb918 · November 2013

I read on some Pinterest list somewhere that freezing cookies to have them ready and throw them in the bag when you leave was a good idea, but the pre-packaged thing makes more sense to me. I do agree that snacks can go a long way for nurses.

irisheyez7 · November 2013

sishamarie said:

A word of advice from a nurse: It's really nice when patients and families show gratitude However, we don't eat home baked goods... it's a paranoia thing (don't know whats in them) so ANYTHING you get give to the staff in a safety sealed bottle or package.

Really? Never would have thought about that...

Luckie519 · November 2013

I did not take anything before with DS, but I did send a thank you card and a huge box of chocolate after we checked out, because my nurses were AWESOME!

I wanted to do something nice for my OBGYN and nurse because they have amazing, especially when it comes to my PGAL brain. Would you do the same thing (the basket) for them? If not, any ideas?

lcr23 · November 2013

rlmanning said:
Nope I sure didnt. But this time around I would like to maybe have my mom bring some cookies or something for them while I am in labor. Maybe even a box of Starbucks. More as a thank you. I think the nurses do so much while we are in labor and deserve a little something nice

I never thought about this either. I agree with having mom take care of this! I think it'll be the last thing on my mind then.

patunia7321 · November 2013

I am a teacher and second the prepackaged food! We never eat the homemade stuff. I thought another good idea was a basket of granola bars and fruit (bananas/oranges/apples) grab and go kind of stuff.

Edit: Spelling

patunia7321 · November 2013

@lucky519 I am planning to send mine an arrangement from "Edible Arrangements" for Christmas. They get a lot baked goods/candy so the fruit arrangement is usually a big hit, and my OB is a pretty big on healthy eating so I know he'll enjoy it. They're an awesome group of peeps.

Flm0819 · November 2013

I'm an L&D nurse and I second the food idea...it doesn't have to be anything crazy!!! A box of donuts or cookies will suffice...it's the thought that counts!!

deidremaria · November 2013

Im going to give them the gift when we are leaving. I'll purchase the gift ahead of time and when we are leaving they'll get it. I feel like it'll be more of a "I really appreciate how well you guys took care of baby and I" gift. I think giving it to them while checking IN is a bit bribey but when checking out its more of a thank you

Stace0616 · November 2013

I was thinking of making a big Easter basket since we are due on Easter Sunday. Extra bonus if baby is a day or two late and I can get the candy on clearance

abbeylanecb · November 2013

I'm planning on it this time. The hospital birth center where I deliver has a very small nursing staff and last time they were amazing. I will probably put together a basket of fruit/granola bars and other quick snacks.

abbeylanecb · November 2013

AprilMay9 said:
I will have enough to worry about. I know we have a lot of nurses on here and I mean no disrespect to them, but this is their job and what they are paid to do.

This kind of makes me sad. My mom and best friend and nurse and they go way above and beyond what they are paid for.

Kriztyn · November 2013

I'm def doing this!! Might get a large box of Dunkin Donuts Munchkins... since it'll be easy for nurses to eat on the go.

Side note: My FIL just had surgery and he wanted us to buy his nurses 2 XL Pizzas for dinner one night and they all LOVED it... so I agree, food is the way to go!!!

cstory316 · November 2013

I like this idea. One of my friends made a gift basket for her doctor making a poem out of the candy she gave him. It was very cute. I like the idea of the Bath and body works stuff. This could easily be done now before our minds completely go around giving birth time.

Mamamonzo · November 2013

If it was appropriate to tip with money I probably would!! These people will be helping me through the single most important day of my life and caring for me and my baby. Yes it's their job to make sure I get what's needed and my baby is delivered, but from what I've heard of the nurses at my hospital they go so far beyond that why not give them a little treat? There are plenty of professions that aren't typically tip appropriate jobs but people still send their tokens of appreciation! That's all it is.

AcaAwkward · November 2013

DD was born on Fat Tuesday (scheduled c/s). I made peanut clusters and packaged them with green, purple, and yellow ribbon. They were in a big basket in our room and we offered them to all hospital staff, the NICU staff who cared for DD, and to guests who came to visit. I never thought about staff being skeeved out by homemade things... definitely something to consider this go 'round. However the majority of the nurses that took them came back to tell us how delicious they were so it didn't seem to be an issue in our hospital!

Sarahjess06 · November 2013

karissamonzo said:
If it was appropriate to tip with money I probably would!! These people will be helping me through the single most important day of my life and caring for me and my baby. Yes it's their job to make sure I get what's needed and my baby is delivered, but from what I've heard of the nurses at my hospital they go so far beyond that why not give them a little treat? There are plenty of professions that aren't typically tip appropriate jobs but people still send their tokens of appreciation! That's all it is.

This!

I had an amazing experience with our nurses last time. I wish I would have thought of this! Just because they are paid doesn't mean a special thank you is inappropriate.

Edit bc in suck haha

baylorlinda · November 2013

abbeylanecb said:

I will have enough to worry about. I know we have a lot of nurses on here and I mean no disrespect to them, but this is their job and what they are paid to do.
This kind of makes me sad. My mom and best friend and nurse and they go way above and beyond what they are paid for.

Some of the responses also make me sad because I know a lot of L&D nurses who do more than what they are paid to do. They don't get paid extra to hold your hand when you are in pain or scared. It's not part of their job description to encourage you for a vaginal delivery when you feel like giving up and want a cesarean section. Some of them do so much more than what is required and I really appreciate them.

Holljade · November 2013

This sounds really bad, but this just reminded me that I wanted to do this last time... and I completely forgot.

Maybe this time around I will remember? I hope?

My forgetfulness is so obnoxious.

megs3084 · November 2013

sishamarie said:
A word of advice from a nurse: It's really nice when patients and families show gratitude However, we don't eat home baked goods... it's a paranoia thing (don't know whats in them) so ANYTHING you get give to the staff in a safety sealed bottle or package.

I'm glad you said this cause I was going to! I'm a nicu nurse & we go nuts over treats but are always hesitant of things that didn't come from a store/bakery.

Bluebird2318 · November 2013

On the last week that DD was in NICU I brought the nurses a card and 5 or 6 large bags of individually wrapped candy bars, Twizzlers, etc. for their break room. I would like to bring a gift basket of some sort for the L&D nurses this time also. (For the moment I'm operating under the hope that I won't need the services of the amazing NICU nurses this time...

)

Bluebird2318 · November 2013

AprilMay9 said:

Oh and I will totally be sending some sort of thank you to my obs office after the birth because they are awesome. But to analogize how odd would it come across to show up at your first appointment with a box of treats??!!

That would be strange! Though your relationship with L&D nurses is much, much shorter, so I think it's somewhat less odd for that reason maybe? Personally, I would like to do it ahead of time so that I don't have to worry about it when I'm tired and focused on my new baby (and likely guests)!

adored18 · November 2013

Thanks for this! I didn't do anything last time mainly because it hadn't even occurred to me but my hospital experience was stellar and I'm definitely going to do something nice for my L&D nurses and also my regular nurses this time. Although I only spent about an hour in L&D my nurses were super helpful and supportive and my regular nurse staff was just as great. They were always making sure I was comfortable, had enough to eat (one night I didn't like what I ordered and they gave me a "lunchbox"), ect.. They also loaded me up with a bunch of samples and free stuff before we left. It was definitely above and beyond what I expected and they absolutely deserve a treat!

amhah09 · November 2013

I think a gift basket at the beginning is odd but having one ready for when you leave or having DH bring one in when you're discharged is a nice thank you gesture, assuming you had good experiences. I agree with the food - love food/snacks/sweets but I never eat anything that isn't pre-packaged, ick! - and mini hand sanitizers and lotions. If anything, send a thank you card back if you truly appreciated certain nurses, those are always appreciated. Yes, they're doing their jobs and they don't expect gifts so it's really NBD if you don't do anything but nurses are definitely overworked and under appreciated so simple thank you gestures mean a lot.

korycir · November 2013

Yes, us nurses are paid to do our job, but you would be surprised how often we have to deal with really mean and unappreciative patients and/or families. Prepackaged treats are a good way to make us fel a little more appreciated....or lift our spirits when we have a really bad night.

britt33 · November 2013

My SIL just had her second baby and said she makes goody bags for the nurses. She puts things like chap stick, lotion and snacks. It's a nice gesture for someone working hard for you for 12+ hrs. I know it's their job, but it's nice.

*sparky* · November 2013

I never thought to do this when I had DS but when he was 4 he had to spend 2 days in a pediatric hospital. The nurses there were so amazing that I ordered a huge goody basket for them, with fruit and all sorts of snacks, and they absolutely loved it. If my L&D nurses are good to me I will likely do something similar.