Gift for baby in hospital

[tiggerlover]

A brand new baby was born last week and had surgery today, she will be in the hospital for a long while. I want to recognize her birth with a gift, however, I am not sure what is appropriate given the circumstances. Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm no expert...but I have been watching he Duggar's show with Josie.

For a long while, she could not wear clothes. But they put "headband" bows on her. All sorts of different colors. These are mAde to be worn by babies..the headband part is soft and stretchy.

Another thing...a journal so mom/dad can document their baby's hospital stay.

Blankets...

That is a I can think of for direct useful gifts for baby.

 

[Chime]

My daughter was in the hospital for almost five months because she was born very premature.
Anything you would give a baby under normal circumstances would be okay.

I really like the headband/bow idea. Our other favourite gifts were books. We could read them to her in the hospital and helped us feel like we were doing something special with her.
I wouldn't recommend buying clothes unless you know they need them.

If the baby's going to be spending a lot of time in the hospital don't forget mom and dad. Snacks/crosswords/toiletries (if they're not close to home)/gift cards to restaurants can be lifesavers.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

I would suggest a beautiful baby photo album or frame.

Blankets

Also maybe if they live far from the hospital, include a gas gift card with baby gift. When our baby was in the NICU, it was a 4 hour drive round trip, driving it daily can get expensive, sometimes making the trip twice in 1 day if things get scary.

 

[MsLeFever]

Both of my kids spent a month or better in the hospital after they were born. Some of the things we really loved:

A little animal that said a prayer when you pressed it's paw
Silver cup engraved
CDs to play for them
Gift cards for us to eat near the hospital when we got a break

As well as things to have ready and waiting when we finally got to bring them home!

 

[jlima]

My daughter was in the hospital for almost five months because she was born very premature.
Anything you would give a baby under normal circumstances would be okay.

ITA. DS16 was premature and spent 10 weeks in a hospital before he came home.

Maybe a Toys R Us gift card that is also good at Babies R Us? Then the new parents can pick whatever they want.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

A gift Card to a Baby Store, Personalized Blanket, Clothes, Books, Dinner Gift Card for the Parents, etc.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I think I might be more apt to get a gift for the parents in this circumstance. Perhaps a nice meal that they can step out of the NICU and sit in the cafeteria to eat. Or maybe a massage or pedicure for mom when she feels it is OK to leave the hospital for a bit.

 

[Nennie]

I really like the willowtree figurines! The have ones with a new baby, etc, and I have several that represent different milestones in our life.

I would get something like that, and then like a PP suggested, a meal, restaurant GC, or something like that for the parents.

 

[MerMom60_94]

When DD was 2 months old she had surgery. We used to play classical music for her to soothe her. Perhaps a disc of lullabyes or soothing music?

 

[BEloveDisney]

I agree with music, gift cards, etc. The headband/hair bow might be a problem. My baby had an IV in his head and so that wouldn't have been possible. (And he was a boy!) A small stuffed animal to put in his little bed was nice. Several agencies donated those and blankets. We left the blankets there, but took the stuffed animals with us when he passed away. Hopefully, that won't happen with the baby you're talking about, but they continue to provide us with comfort as they did him.

 

[minkydog]

I have 3 little silver baby cups that belong to each of my children. There is something "permanent" about engraving a child's name on his own silver cup, something that said(to me) this child is precious and important. I don't know how to describe the feeling. I especially felt this way after Christian was born and was so sick & failure to thrive. There was a real chance that he would die before the age of 1. I set his silver cup in the kitchen window where I could look at it and feel a sense of peace.

My other suggestion would be beautiful picture frames. New parents never get enough of looking at their baby's picture.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

A heartfelt card and something like a picture frame since the baby won't be at home. I would give a giftcard as I would assume that the parents might have to buy stuff they never budgeted for such as a breastpump.

What about making some frozen meals so mom + dad don't have to think about cooking. How about a lawn care service for a month so they one less chore to do at the house.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. There are some great ideas here.