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Need Help! Preemie baby related
Okay, I know it's been a looonnnggg time since I have posted, but I am still around the boards. Congrats to all the mommies and babies, and all the new babies on their way!
I recently reconnected with my best friend from 3rd-10th grade. We met up last June, and then again in March and we talk a little bit on FB and such. Well she just had her baby girl on Thursday, 2 months early (!) she was due June 21st. Apparently she had a couple seizures and eclampsia and well, baby L is here! I feel so awful for her, she must have been scared out of her mind and now baby L has to stay in the hospital for at least a month.
My question is, what in the world do I get her? Her registry is slim pickin's for things that seem practical right now under $50. My usual baby gift is a canvas tote with 3-4 outfits in varying sizes/seasons and something else like a blanket. I want to get her something that will be useful and thoughtful, but I don't want to just mail her a gift card if you know what I mean. They just moved in to their house, she hasn't even had a baby shower yet (I don't think I would have been invited just because we have been distant for so long) I also live an hour away so I can't just pop over, but if I do have a day off from work after school is over next week, I would like to ask her if I could see her. Either way, I want to get her something that will be useful for her little girl that wanted into our world so early.
You all are always so helpful, and I know its the weekend and it's going to be slow, but maybe someone else will be on today or tomorrow :-) Thanks in advance!
Re: Need Help! Preemie baby related
Hi sshove! Nice to see you back!
First, T&Ps for your friend and her beautiful baby.
She will likely have her hands full spending most of her time at the hospital over the next little while, so I'd suggest focusing on things to make her life easier. Food, a gas card to ease the cost of all the driving around she'll need to do, care package for her time at the hospital (books, snacks etc.). If you have time, maybe you could offer to help her with a few things around the house, or sit with her at the hospital for a while so she has some company.
For the LO, maybe some preemie clothes or diapers? I'm not really sure what they do in terms of providing for LO in NICU. Maybe snoopy will know, she had her baby about a month early.
I can't take credit for these ideas... most of them came from my BMB
BTW we revived our Facebook group and chat there... would you like back in?
Baby #2: Surprise BFP 9.19.12, EDD 5.24.13, natural m/c 10.19.13 at 9w
Thanks ring_pop! Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I was at work all day then was at the in-laws for dinner.
Those sound like great ideas. I could still do a canvas tote with some clothes, just vary it up a bit. Add some magazines and preemie stuff. I would love to spend time with her, but being that she is in another city, due to my school schedule/work schedule I may not be able to get there soon, and even so it would only be for a day. At least my classes are ending soon so my schedule opens up a bit. I think baby L is completely taken care of in the NICU, they are in a great city with awesome medical care, she will be there for about a month from what my friend has posted.
And yes! please add me back in. I might post more as I am on FB a lot more, I actually almost forgot my email/password to post here....
Check your PM, lady!
Baby #2: Surprise BFP 9.19.12, EDD 5.24.13, natural m/c 10.19.13 at 9w
Hey! Sorry, I don't check in here often anymore. I can FB from my phone, and I can't goof off at work like I used to.
The best thing for a mom that has to go to the NICU is definitely what Ringy said. Snacks to eat while she's there, like granola bars and grab and go type things. Gas cards are always great, maybe even grocery store gift cards. We got diapers, bottles, nipples for them, and even lots of clothes and blankets. They had a program where people donated crocheted and homemade stuff to the NICU all the time. We ended up having plenty of those supplies. They really send you home with quite the goodie bag.
I would do your normal canvas bag, because she'll have a big baby before she knows it. NICU babies usually thrive really well really fast after they get home. We zoomed through sizes and I was so grateful to my friends that thought ahead to the 3 and 6 month sizes for us. Standard t-shirt onesies are great, because they can be worn at any time of year.
If she had eclampsia, she's going to be exhausted, so any little things that will help her day to day would be great. I literally couldn't move for 2 weeks. I just wanted to curl up and sleep it all away.