When a friend or family member is going through a hard time, it’s natural to want to help them in any way that you can. When it comes to their kids, however, it can sometimes leave you clueless about what you can do to help. It’s one of those situations no one ever imagines being in until they are, which leaves some gift-givers on pause. As a prior NICU mom, I can tell you first hand that there are several things you can do to help out. Here are the top 10 BEST gifts for NICU parents!
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The Top 10 Best Gifts for NICU Parents
Gift Cards
As a prior NICU mom, I can tell you that NICU parents can go through it. Living out of a suitcase, shelling out money to survive on-the-go, and having a child in the hospital is a lot to juggle. The number one struggle for most of them is finances. Depending on your stay duration, you can rack up some serious expenses between gas, lodging, food, coffee, and miscellaneous items to help save your sanity. Gift cards are one of the best gifts you can give NICU parents!
Money
Like I indicated above, finances can be so tight when you’re practically living out of your suitcase. Money is another invaluable asset that helps NICU parents tremendously. Perhaps even more than gift cards, as money is universal, and has the ability to help in all areas. I know giving money can feel a little uncomfortable and/or even “tacky”, but I assure you it will help lighten their load.
Home Cooked Meals & Snacks
One of the things I missed the most was having a hot, homecooked meal on the table, as well as the option to make a smoothie or eat something healthier. At least, without paying an arm and a leg for it. It’s just a fact that you have more control over your diet from home than anywhere else.
Making casseroles or homecooked meals that your loved ones can heat up and eat will be a welcomed surprise! Even a tray of homemade granola bars or a bag of protein bites, too. Anything that will make eating healthy one less thing they have to worry about.
Pack Their Home Freezer or Clean Their House
I realize this is a lot of time and potentially money, but coming home to a even just a few premade meals would be a godsend for any NICU parent! When they finally get released, or when they come home to visit, they’ll have their choice at what to make without having to actually make it. There are a lot of resources online for doing multiple meals for less, especially on Pinterest. Slow cooker and Instant Pot “dump” meals you can typically find with grocery lists and instructions to make several at once.
Furthermore, coming home to a clean house it another great way to bless them! In certain circumstances, you have to leave for the hospital immediately. Our house was a mess when we left, no doubt. If the parents you’re researching for had a similar experience, coming home to the dishes done, laundry folded, and everything in it’s place would be a big sigh of relief.
I realize both of these require having a connection for a spare key, or at least passing food and things along, but it will truly make their week.
Preemie Clothing & Accessories
I felt like this went without saying, but I went ahead and added it anyway. Preemie clothes, swaddles, or accessories can be a help. They don’t make sheets (that I could find) for the Giraffe™ Incubators or OmniBeds, but swaddles fold under and tuck just fine; it’s what the nurses in our NICU used. You can, however, find custom Incubator options on Etsy for an added special touch!
As far as accessories go, the hospital we stayed at used Philips Advent pacifiers exclusively, but even the preemie versions were a little large for our 4-pound boy. I eventually bought him some smaller options that he was able to hold in his mouth easier without dropping. The Philips Advent are great pacifiers, but can be top heavy for tiny mouths!
In terms of brand recommendations, our daughter was full term when she was born, but was very petite. She used both Frigg & Bibs when she was a newborn and they are both wonderful lightweight options!
Tote Bag Filled with Self-Care Items
One of the things I really liked about the Ronald McDonald House partnership with our hospital is they had small self-care bags for parents in the NICU dining room. Our son was in the NICU in the winter, so I needed lotion and ChapStick on the reg, but it wasn’t something I was thinking about. They also included simple things like tissues and a granola bar, both of which were great to have on hand. Little things that you don’t realize you need, yet can make you much more comfortable, really come in handy.
When we first checked in at the Ronald McDonald house, they had a tote bag filled with stuff for the baby and for parents: a homemade quilt, a storybook, water bottle, etc. That tote bag was spacious enough that it became my go-to for carrying all of my stuff to the hospital each day! Filling a tote bag full of little comforts is a great idea for NICU parents! It gives them a bag to carry their stuff in, as well as things that will make them more at ease during their stay.
“Cool Moms Club” Stainless Water Bottle
Mama Tote Bag
Burt’s Bees Self Care Gift Kit
Child History or NICU Journal
This was something I was so glad that I had with me to fill in the finer details as they happened. Since my daughter was born, I’ve been using Promptly Journals to notate fun memories and things I don’t want to forget. Without it, there were many memories I would have forgotten!
Having it in the NICU allowed me to fill in his weight, percentile, what’s happening during the day, and little things that happened. I was also working on an online baby book for print with funny stories and daily happenings. Even a notebook and pen can give your friend a creative outlet to express their feelings, thoughts, or document history.
Keepsake Craft Kits & Materials
Scrapbooking supplies, keepsake kits, a gift card for photos, etc. Whatever it is, giving the parents something to do while they sit in the hospital can be a lifesaver! I was constantly looking for things to do. Some nurses do NICU footprint crafts in their spare time, which can add an adorable custom touch to your room. It inspired me to do some of my own! It kept both my mind and hands busy, which was a huge help.
Coffee & Tea Travel Accessories
Our NICU staff was so wishy-washy about drinks being allowed in. Food was off limits, which makes sense, but they eventually allowed us to bring coffee and water in. There’s usually a designated eating room for parents to go when they get lunch, or have it delivered from the cafeteria, but ours only had a water station. If you wanted Starbucks, you had to go downstairs, which involved waiting to be let out of NICU and checking back in later on. Or, you had to leave the hospital grounds to get something else entirely.
Point being, caffeine is such an invaluable blessing to NICU parents because many are already sleep deprived. If they aren’t staying at the hospital during the night, the first thing they want to do is caffeinate up and head to morning rounds. If they have to go above and beyond to get good fuel, they risk missing their child’s status for the day. Filling that need so that they can head straight to their child’s side is a great gift to give.
Caffeine on-the-Go Ideas
AeroPress: Great for coffee lovers. The AeroPress can brew “American-style” coffee, concentrated espresso-like shots, and cold brew all in one.
Herbalife: One of my favorites. Herbalife Liftoff tablets sustain me unlike anything else! Just plop them in water, mix, and you’re good to go. There are about 85g of caffeine in each and they’re great for travel.
Matcha Travel Set: Matcha tea is another option, and is great for people with a sensitivity to coffee. I think in order to use a matcha set you have to be pretty into tea, but I wanted to include it incase. Some people are pickier about their drinks than others.
Note: There are a lot of travel baby products that can double as an aid for making coffee or tea on the go, which can make for a two-in-one gift idea! Portable bottle warmers, for example.
Appreciation Gifts for Nurses
I know it has become a trend online to bring your labor and delivery nurses a special thank you basket or individual treat bags to show appreciation. Since finances are already tight for most NICU parents, another gift idea is to put together some small goodie bags for your friend or family member to give as they see fit!
Not all nurses are alike; in fact, I’ve had some be downright rude to me. However, there are some that will truly cater to your child more than others. Sometimes, even the kindness just means a lot when you’re in the NICU. There are a few that stood out to us specifically and we really appreciated their attentiveness and decorum.
In closing, one of the best gifts for NICU parents isn’t a gift at all. It’s the reminder that they aren’t alone in this turbulent season. During a time that’s uncertain, it communicates that you’re thinking about them, which is ultimately what means the most.
What’s one of the best gifts for NICU parents you’ve given or received?
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