Care Package Ideas for Family w/ Infant in NICU

[Wendy31]

Hi!

We have a family friend who just had a baby about a week ago. The baby will need surgery soon & will be in the NICU until the surgery & during the recovery process. So, the family (the new mom especially) is preparing for a lengthy NICU stay.

They have two other small children, but, thankfully, both sets of grandparents are local.

So my question... I'm preparing a care package to take to the hospital, & I'm needing some good ideas for things to include.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Bottles of Water
Snacks
Napkins & Paper Plates
Wipes & Antibacterial Gel
Mints
Magazine(s)
Funny Book
Gift Cards for local restaurants - but this is slightly problematic because there really aren't a lot of good restaurants in this particular part of town. I'd thought too about seeing if I could get some kind of prepaid card to the hospital's cafeteria, but I don't know if this hospital does anything like that.

I was going to put everything in one of those zip picnic basket type containers, so it's all easily contained.

There is also a zoo that is probably within 5-10 minutes of the hospital, & I thought about including a gift card to the zoo so either they (the parents) or the grandparents can take the 2 siblings to the zoo for a break. Is this a good idea?

Is there anything that I'm not including that I should? What else would be appreciated/needed?

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I work in a hospital. The full size iPad is one of the most versatile things patients can have, IMO. If they don't have one, maybe people can pitch in. They can look up info, watch movies, play games, surf mindlessly, do updates on social media, etc. and it's much easier to carry than a laptop.

Cash would also be good - for meals and parking.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I am so sorry your friend is going through this and it's nice of you to put something together for them.

A gift card for gas would probably be helpful since there's sure to be a lot of running around. If they have a tablet, maybe a netflix subscription?

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Maybe some blank, pretty note cards/envelopes, pens and stamps? I bet with all that time sitting and waiting she will want to do something productive. She would be able to catch up on thank you notes or just send thinking of you type notes. It might help distract her.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I know you said restaurants are hard to come by there but what about Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks? Gas cards for driving back and fourth?

 

[Chime]

When my daughter was born in 2010 she spent half a year in the NICU. I think it's wonderful you're doing so,etching for this family.

I think the zoo gift card for the older kids is great.

Gift cards for gas, restaurants, grocery store or meal delivery, house keeping services are all wonderful.

If you know what electronics they have and can do a gift card (iTunes, etc.) they can use that for movies or apps.
Crossword puzzles, magazines...anything like that.
Snacks will be appreciated.

Maybe something for the baby? When my daughter was born a lot of people kind of avoided acknowledging her. They didn't want to upset us I suppose since her outcome was so uncertain.
A friend of mine gave her a little pink teddy bear and a bow for her hair. I still have those things, they meant so much to me at the time.

 

[indygirl99]

Hi!

We have a family friend who just had a baby about a week ago. The baby will need surgery soon & will be in the NICU until the surgery & during the recovery process. So, the family (the new mom especially) is preparing for a lengthy NICU stay.

They have two other small children, but, thankfully, both sets of grandparents are local.

So my question... I'm preparing a care package to take to the hospital, & I'm needing some good ideas for things to include.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Bottles of Water
Snacks
Napkins & Paper Plates
Wipes & Antibacterial Gel
Mints
Magazine(s)
Funny Book
Gift Cards for local restaurants - but this is slightly problematic because there really aren't a lot of good restaurants in this particular part of town. I'd thought too about seeing if I could get some kind of prepaid card to the hospital's cafeteria, but I don't know if this hospital does anything like that.

I was going to put everything in one of those zip picnic basket type containers, so it's all easily contained.

There is also a zoo that is probably within 5-10 minutes of the hospital, & I thought about including a gift card to the zoo so either they (the parents) or the grandparents can take the 2 siblings to the zoo for a break. Is this a good idea?

Is there anything that I'm not including that I should? What else would be appreciated/needed?

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

Many NICU's do not allow food in the unit so the snacks, paper plates and napkins would not be useful unless she is staying off site.

The hospital will have antibacterial gel or foam EVERYWHERE and if you mean wipes for baby the NICU provides what they want parents to use while infant is in the NICU.

I second the IPAD suggestions with gift cards for tunes or movies. Gas gift cards are very helpful.

If they live close to you offers of pet sitting, housecleaning, laundry, meal service are also helpful.

I work in a NICU and can tell you the most heard worry of my moms after the baby is having to take time away from their baby to wash clothes, do housecleaning and letting the dog out.

Also don't be afraid of asking her what she needs. Tell her you want to do something for her and the family and want to do what she needs most. No point in her having 20 bottles of antibacterial gel because that is what everyone thought she needed when in reality she is dying for her favorite pair of jeans but can't get home to wash them.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We also provide paper plates and utensils, and things like water, drinks and some snacks. (And yes, hand sanitizer is everywhere!)

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

When my son was in the NICU, the snacks and bottled water would have been a God send.

No, we couldn't eat bedside. But we had to eat. Everyone eats. And every time it meant trucking to the nasty cafeteria and back. There weren't vending machines on the way so even if we just wanted a drink, it was all the way up and all of the way back. We ended up bringing stuff from home. And keeping it in the waiting room.

I also like the magazines and note cards. Again, we weren't allowed to stay at his bedside all day and all night. They enforced "visiting times." It allowed him to sleep, undisturbed. When I wasn't there, I read books, did puzzles books and wrote thank you notes.

The only thing I would add would be gas cards. That is, if they drive a bit to get there. We had a 45 minute drive, each way. And we weren't allowed to spend the night. So we had that drive every day.

 

[kjpotter]

Could you tell us where they are? For instance if they are in St. Louis I might have a few other suggestions.

 

[Kimberle]

My dd spent 8.5 weeks in NICU. If they live local, the best think you (or anyone) could do is prepare meals that can be frozen. Especially, individual portions. They will have no energy to shop and/or cook. Eating out becomes a drag. They will probably eat at the hospital café when there. Maybe coordinate with the grandparents.

 

[jdb in AZ]

How about a baby quilt? It probably can't be placed on the baby right away, but it can be used to cover the isolette, which blocks some of the light and noise. If the back of the quilt is plain fabric (not a wild print), the doctors and nurses can sign it. Include a fabric pen so the ink won't smear/run when the quilt is washed.

 

[bsblady01]

I would do some freezer meals for at home for the family. I would also do something like a gift card for a date night for mom and dad so they have a night away from the hospital.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi!

We have a family friend who just had a baby about a week ago. The baby will need surgery soon & will be in the NICU until the surgery & during the recovery process. So, the family (the new mom especially) is preparing for a lengthy NICU stay.

They have two other small children, but, thankfully, both sets of grandparents are local.

So my question... I'm preparing a care package to take to the hospital, & I'm needing some good ideas for things to include.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Bottles of Water
Snacks
Napkins & Paper Plates
Wipes & Antibacterial Gel
Mints
Magazine(s)
Funny Book
Gift Cards for local restaurants - but this is slightly problematic because there really aren't a lot of good restaurants in this particular part of town. I'd thought too about seeing if I could get some kind of prepaid card to the hospital's cafeteria, but I don't know if this hospital does anything like that.

I was going to put everything in one of those zip picnic basket type containers, so it's all easily contained.

There is also a zoo that is probably within 5-10 minutes of the hospital, & I thought about including a gift card to the zoo so either they (the parents) or the grandparents can take the 2 siblings to the zoo for a break. Is this a good idea?

Is there anything that I'm not including that I should? What else would be appreciated/needed?

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

I love the zoo idea!!

I know someone whose child spent a lot of time in the NICU and PICU...money to pay for parking at the hospital was one of the things she mentioned as being a great gift.

 

[Skippy918]

Gift cards especially for gas. Can you set up a care calendar that way the local friends can sign up to help deliver meals or take the older kids to their sports or activities?

 

[SMD]

When my family member was in ICU for 2+ weeks there was sanitizer provided whenever went in and out. I'm not sure we would have been allowed to use our own. Wipes are a good idea, though. The waiting areas were not well tended. There were people who weren't local who basically lived there, sleeping on the floor and eating all meals there and leaving their trash around. Think of things you'd want on a long plane flight, since that's what sitting in a hospital with a patient can be like. What about a neck pillow, snacks (though the hospital also provided this), gift cards to the hospital gift shop if they sell them. Also, I'd ask the hospital if there are any places that deliver. There may not be restaurants near the hospital, but there might be delivery services that pick up from multiple places and deliver.

 

[TxAnn]

Lots of good ideas. One thing to add- money for parking. My ds was only in NICU for 10 days but I remember parking being ridiculously expensive.

 

[kimblebee]

Lots of good ideas. One thing to add- money for parking. My ds was only in NICU for 10 days but I remember parking being ridiculously expensive.

Just what I was coming here to say..great minds lol

 

[wenrob]

I work in a hospital. The full size iPad is one of the most versatile things patients can have, IMO. If they don't have one, maybe people can pitch in. They can look up info, watch movies, play games, surf mindlessly, do updates on social media, etc. and it's much easier to carry than a laptop.

Cash would also be good - for meals and parking.

I couldn't agree more. My Dad spent a lot of time in the hospital (almost a full year in and out) and that's when I bought my iPad because I was sitting with him for hours. Then my stepmother and I bought him one, he loves it and doesn't feel so cut off from the world when he's in the hospital.

I have a friend who got put on hospital bed rest who already had an iPad so we collected funds for iTunes cards so she could buy/rent movies, books, music etc. She ended up having the baby very early and they spent almost 9 mos with him in the NICU so after that we collected money for gas cards for her DH since the baby had to be transferred to another state for care.

 

[King Schultz]

Hi!

We have a family friend who just had a baby about a week ago. The baby will need surgery soon & will be in the NICU until the surgery & during the recovery process. So, the family (the new mom especially) is preparing for a lengthy NICU stay.

They have two other small children, but, thankfully, both sets of grandparents are local.

So my question... I'm preparing a care package to take to the hospital, & I'm needing some good ideas for things to include.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Bottles of Water
Snacks
Napkins & Paper Plates
Wipes & Antibacterial Gel
Mints
Magazine(s)
Funny Book
Gift Cards for local restaurants - but this is slightly problematic because there really aren't a lot of good restaurants in this particular part of town. I'd thought too about seeing if I could get some kind of prepaid card to the hospital's cafeteria, but I don't know if this hospital does anything like that.

I was going to put everything in one of those zip picnic basket type containers, so it's all easily contained.

There is also a zoo that is probably within 5-10 minutes of the hospital, & I thought about including a gift card to the zoo so either they (the parents) or the grandparents can take the 2 siblings to the zoo for a break. Is this a good idea?

Is there anything that I'm not including that I should? What else would be appreciated/needed?

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

No suggestions to add, but wanted to say how kind of you to do this for the family.