What to Give For Premie Baby Gift?

[scoutsmom99]

My cousin started to have problems with her pregnancy this week and was put in the hospital. Last night she left only to return a few hours later because she was bleeding. She had an emergency C-section last night and we found out she had a 3lb baby boy. She was originally due on July 10th and they have not really bought anything for the baby yet as she has not had any showers yet (was supposed to come for one this weekend).

She lives in Milwaukee and my mother, sister, and I want to send some stuff out to her and her DH. Are there any recomendations that people can give for things to look for? Should we stick with clothes or maybe buy some other baby items? We would like to send the package on Monday so they can have it by the middle of the week. I should note that our family lives here so there is not many people down there other than friends and a few people from his family.

Thanks

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I would pack a USPS flat rate box* with diapers (take em out of the package), an outfit or two and some smaller items as well as some gift cards to local restaurants that they enjoy (so they don't have to worry about cooking) and gift cards to Target or Wal-Mart so they can pick up diapers and other larger items that they'll need.

*I'm suggesting the flat rate box because you can stuff it full and it will cost the same. It's so easy to pack a $50 box full of stuff.

 

[wvrevy]

In one word: CLOTHES When DD was born at a whopping 3.5 pounds (almost two months early), we were caught completely unprepared for a baby that small. Both DW and I were big babies, so we kind of anticipated a bigger baby, and certainly didn't have anything suitable for a premie (honest-to-god, she could have fit in the standard baby-doll clothes they sell in stores, she was that tiny). I can pretty much guarantee that the one thing your cousin will need more than anything are clothes for that tiny little bundle of joy.

 

[maleficent1959]

My friend had a 3 pound baby in February. He had to stay in the hospital for a while, but I got her Huggies preemie diapers, a preemie outfit with a hat and socks, and a soft little blanket. She wasn't ready for this one, and had nothing so it at least gave her a start. She also needed a preemie insert for her car seat to keep his little head supported but she just rolled up towels in the newborn size since she couldn't find one. Can't think of anything else preemie-specific off the top of my head. My son was 5 pounds, but other than the diapers and clothes I don't think we got anything else for him.

Gymboree and Baby Gap both sell nice, soft preemie stuff. Carters does too if you can find it.

 

[wvrevy]

She also needed a preemie insert for her car seat to keep his little head supported

This is another really good suggestion, and may not be something they've thought of.

Gymboree and Baby Gap both sell nice, soft preemie stuff. Carters does too if you can find it.

Yeah...and they just started selling all of it in the last 5 years. You have no idea how hard of a time we had trying to track down premie outfits when DD was born. 'Course, maybe that's 'cause it was me doin' the shopping, but I don't think that's the answer.

 

[clh2]

What hospital are they at? There are some great ones around Milwaukee!

I would second the premie clothes. Your cousin has enough going on right now to worry about that. Plus those baby clothes are just so darn cute that they are fun to shop for!

If you need ideas for local restaurants (if you want to go the GS route) I may be able to offer some assistance with ideas.

 

[wvrevy]

Just mentioned this thread to DW, and her first response was "diapers", since they probably won't have any small enough (and let's face it, you can never really have "enough" diapers ). But then she came up with a better one. As the parents of a premie, they'll probably be even more paranoid than normal parents are (and yes, that's saying something . The thing that helped us the most (and really helped DW) was a simple monitor. They are called "Angel Care" monitors, and they come with a pad that goes underneath the crib mattress. The pad is a motion detector that is sensitive enough to actually pick up the movement caused by the baby's breathing, and it will alert you if it does not detect motion for a period of time (15 seconds or something like that).

I have to warn you, they run around $100, but it was absolutely the best $100 we spent on any kind of "baby stuff". You can find them at Toys-R-Us or just about any store that sells quality baby merchandise.

 

[mickeyboat]

A third vote for clothes. I know the baby will probably be in the hospital for a little while, but it will still be nice to see the baby in real clothes. I was surprised that the hospital ICN had no premie sized clothes when Hannah (my 34 weeker) was there. After she had been there for about a week, the nurses dressed her, and she absolutely swam in the hospital's clothes. My friends threw me a shower because I went to the hospital on the night of my shower. One person made a special trip to the Carter's outlet to get some premie outfits. It was amazing how much better I felt when Hannah wasn't swimming in her clothes. She wore those clothes, and 0-3 month size for a long time.

Also, if you can find premie sized diapers, that would help a lot. They are tough to find.

Congrats on the new addition.

I had another thought. Have you seen those inserts that go into a grocery cart that cover up the seat and the handle? I would have loved one of those when my babies were small.

Denae

 

[Kimberle]

I had a preemie. My dd was 1#15.5 oz.

Clothes are nice, but I really wouldn't buy to many preemie sizes. She wasn't allowed to wear clothes until just a few days before she came home from the hospital. I really liked the layett gowns. I started with the small size. You can just roll up the sleeves. Diaper changing is easy as you just push it out of the way. Undershirts, socks, and HATS are also very useful. You've got to keep a preemies head covered (most people don't realize this) so they don't loose body heat from thier head. Stocking type or knitt ones (thinish yarn) are best. They need to be able to stay on their head when they are in bed.

A baby bouncer was also important. I could move her from room to room while she was comfortable. It may be hard to ship, but I also had a lot of use out of a bassent. The crib was so big, this fit her much better. Preemies like more of a "confined" space.

Receiving blankets (no frindge) are also nice. We used them a lot.

 

[LindaG4458]

If you are a knitter there are two books by Sirdar called Early Arrivals and Early Arrivals 2 that have patterns for sizes from a 10" circumference chest (really tiny) to 0-3 months. My knitting group was making little caps for the hospital nursery. It only took an evening to make a cap and matching booties from the thin baby yarn.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

one of those teddy bears that sounds like the womb. We had one for DD and she loved it!! It has a heartbeat sound and a "Swooshing" sound. We also had the Angel care monitor and it made us feel safer. It was the best $$ we spent.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Thank-you for all the wonderful ideas. So far we got some onsies in premie and new-born sizes. We also purchased 5 outfits and some little hats. Are premie diapers available at Traget or should we check babies or us for that?

 

[chris1gill]

I was also going to say CLOTHES It is hard to find preemie clothing

 

[adisneylife4me]

Here's an odd one. . . with the price of gas these days, maybe a gas card??? I know it's not warm and fuzzy, but it might be helpful! When my son was born, he was in the NICU for 1 month. We were not allowed to stay over night, so it was a 55 mile (to the children's hospital) commute every day. If they are not allowed to stay, this might be a big help! Congrats on the new addition!

 

[maleficent1959]

Thank-you for all the wonderful ideas. So far we got some onsies in premie and new-born sizes. We also purchased 5 outfits and some little hats. Are premie diapers available at Traget or should we check babies or us for that?

I bought some at Walmart recently. They're probably at Target too.

And the gas card is a GREAT idea. She'll probably be going back and forth to the hospital for a good while.

 

[WDWfor5]

As another mom of a preemie (2 lbs 8oz), it's great that you're doing this. One of the hardest things is when you have a preemie no one knows whether to celebrate or not. Definitely celebrate the new baby

My only thought is that she won't need diapers until he comes home from the hospital and by then he could be close to "regular baby" weight. Clothes with buttons in preemie sizes are great - no zippers though as you can't put IV lines and such through a zipper. Some places that were great" Baby GAP, Gymboree and Sears. Stuffed animals depend on the hospital - my son's NICU didn't like stuffed animals for fear of germs and made me take out the bear with the heartbeat.

The other thing to do and it costs almost nothing is call her often - not just this week but until he's home and doing well. Especially since she doesn't have a lot of family close by, she'll need a shoulder to lean on and vent to.

Best wishes for your cousin's baby boy

 

[flminivanmama]

preemie size socks and preemie sized kimono style undershirts were great...

 

[D L and K's Mom]

When DD came home from the hospital she wore some Build a Bear clothing. Really she did. They have some adorable outfits and they fit. She had some regular tee shirts and jeans but she also had a tinker belle outfit! Some of them are rough cloth but you can find some nice soft things and the fit well.

 

[milkabum]

You could always go with the cute little blanket, teddy bear, and towel sets. Throw in some adorable sleepers and outfits, some gift cards and you're done If you want to go fancy, try a monogramed necklace/ chain. Baby booties might work too The cutest suggestion would be making a Build-A-Bear for the little guy. You make a wish in it's own satin heart, birth certificate, and pick out an outfit. See http://www.buildabear.ca/shop/browsecategory.aspx?Category=New+Baby for more.

 

[milkabum]

When DD came home from the hospital she wore some Build a Bear clothing. Really she did. They have some adorable outfits and they fit. She had some regular tee shirts and jeans but she also had a tinker belle outfit! Some of them are rough cloth but you can find some nice soft things and the fit well.

If only I had read your post first They have:
Disney stuff:
http://www.buildabear.ca/shop/browsecategory.aspx?Category=Disney

Pajamas:
http://www.buildabear.ca/shop/browsecategory.aspx?CallingPage=BrowseCategory&Category=Pajamas

And more cute outfits like these:
http://www.buildabear.ca/shop/produ...9536&Category=Sets&CallingPage=ProductSummary

http://www.buildabear.ca/shop/produ...4669&Category=Tops&CallingPage=ProductSummary

http://www.buildabear.ca/shop/produ...8&Category=Bottoms&CallingPage=ProductSummary