Gift for a friend with a preemie

[bocaburger]

Hi, I hope it's ok that I'm posting here.  My best friend gave birth today at 34 weeks.  Her baby is in the NICU (and likely to be there for about three weeks) but he is thankfully doing well.  My friend is also doing well but seems pretty shell-shocked.

I want to get her and the baby a nice gift, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate to get her a onesie or something for the baby now while he's in the NICU, or if it will make her sad since he can't come home right now.  I think she is struggling with that a bit.

I would love any ideas or feedback from any of you about gifts you received and whether getting gifts for your babies while they were in the NICU was difficult/upsetting for you.

[wicked22]

Not sure how that hospital NICU is but they allowed us to dress babies after a certain point so a cute preemie onesie would be a good gift. Also you can go the route of a coffee gift card to a place she might like that is on the way to the hospital from where she is staying. You can't have drinks in the NICU but a pick me up before or after is always appreciated.

[motownthrowdown]

I would have loved preemie sized clothes. And coffee!!!

On behalf of your friend, thank you. Like pp said, most people are too nervous or scared about baby to think of this.

[bocaburger]

Thanks so much everyone! I feel much better now, I wanted to get her something nice but I was so nervous to do the wrong thing and trigger her emotionally. I feel better now hearing from your experiences. I will get a cute preemie outfit!

[meladorie]

My nicu didn't let us bring our own clothes and DS was out of preemie clothes by the time he came home. So he didn't get to wear any of the preemie outfits we were gifted.

I'd say lotion, comfy pajamas (especially button tips to make skin to skin easier), and gift/gas cards.

[runningmommy519]

Do not buy clothing that is bigger than newborn. So many people bought me 3 month, 6 month and 12 month clothing while we were still in the NICU and it was a painful reminder of how small he was and how he wouldn't be in that clothing for a long time. This happened with DS2 as well but it didn't bother me as much.

When DS1 was in the NICU someone brought me homemade food. It was so nice. We were at the Ronald McDonald House. For DS2 someone brought me the fixing to make a crockpot meal. These meals were super thoughtful.

Gift cards to area restaurants or coffee are nice.