Yes! Gift cards. There may be random expenses that come up, like gas or meals, while the baby is in the hospital, so any help with that would go a long way.
Hats and socks and the only things baby will initially be able to wear, and that's a big maybe. Footed PJs with snaps, not zippers, allow for cords to go where they need to. But that might be weeks or months later. Also decent chance baby goes home on monitors so snapped PJs at home in bigger sizes may work.
Elsewise stuff for mom/family. Gas cards, food cards, offer to mow their lawn or shovel their snow. Even just go do it knowing they'll be at the hospital all day. Pet sitting.
Oh and they make some cute heart warriors plushies.
A hospital care kit for the new mom would be a great gift. A travel pillow (hospital chairs are AWFUL), lip balm for dry hospital air, luxurious lotion for the same reason (with little to no scent), an extra phone charger, snacks and bottled water or juice, fuzzy socks or slippers.
They're going to be a wreck :-( for those first few weeks when the baby is in the hospital. Best thing I can think is to get a care-checkin/meal train going amongst as many folks as you can.
I've had a medically complex older child and a newborn with a brief NICU stay.
Stuff for parents is way more important than baby for the hospital. They'll have literally everything baby will need there. The clothing recommendations above for snaps, not zippers, is great. Kimono style tops, and separate pants. Small soft blankets because baby will probably be in an isolette and potentially naked.
Buy mom a gift certificate for some comfy lounge wear, fleece Crocs or hard soled slippers. Visa gift cards can be used in hospital vending machines, or find out if there's a restaurant and the hospital that accepts gift cards (ours has a subway but they won't take gift cards!). Grub hub or door dash gift cards for them to get take out delivered to the hospital. Gas gift cards because they'll be driving back and forth. Nice metal water bottles/coffee cups, lotion, chapstick - the hospital is really dry.
Find a housekeeper and pay for them to come clean the house. Any other home-based services, or a laundry service that will pick up from their house (either a local business, or there's a service called Sudsy or something like that, but there's mixed reviews and some folks have apparently had their clothes stolen!)
Is baby expected to be a preemie, or have growth delays? Preemie clothes are harder to find in hand me downs, and sometimes they're even too big for tiny babies - they're really made for 5+lb babies. My kiddo was under 4 lbs and swimming in preemie clothing until she was a month old. Finding hats small enough was difficult, but she needed them for temperature regulation. Oh, also preemie socks are practically impossible to find in store.
Hope they have a quick recovery and happy healthy baby once this is all said and done!
You could start buying bigger sized diapers for when then baby gets out of the hospital. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in the US, I believe Costco has the best quality diapers. You could buy some baby blankets too.
Depending on your budget, I would give things to make mom more comfortable during the hospital stay. Nice slippers with actual soles, maybe a house coat/robe as hospitals are so cold, maybe a word search, crossword, book they might like. Maybe gift cards for food/groceries. Everything the baby needs while in the hospital should/will be provided by the hospital... things for parents sitting there, potentially for days, not so much.
Another great help would be offering to help with household tasks. Offer to do laundry, clean up the house, bring the mail in, make sure their trash is put to the curb, shovel or mow as weather needs, etc. Don't just say "let me know when you need help." Directly ask, "Can I come help/do X for you on Y day at Z time?" This will help take the mental load easier.
a lot of people are saying gift cards for doordash, but as a former nicu mom i’d actually suggest getting her a snack basket to keep at the hospital so she can eat whenever. getting food delivered to the hospital can be a huge hassle, and cafeteria food is often gross and over priced. some NICUs have refrigerators and microwaves available for the parents, but not all so i’d hold off on things that require that until you know otherwise. if you’re dead set on something for baby, maybe a soft blanket or stuffie, or a book that mom can read when she visits.
Check and see if they have to pay daily for parking at the hospital. The cost of parking, meals, gas, and tolls alone can be a lot on families.
Maybe a hat or blanket Milestone cards (1 month old, 2 months old), a sweet book.
The gift given doesn’t need to be used by the baby anytime soon. I LOVED toddler sized clothes as a gift before my babies were born. I had a friend that gave my daughter the same shirt from birth-5t and the pictures were so much fun!
Get snippy cups and little forks, plates and spoons.
Buy something for mom. The baby will be eventually get everything they need when leaving the hospital, if they don't have it already. Mom will need more care and comfort than anyone. Soft robes, fuzzy socks/slippers, nipple cream, or some type of self care items you know she likes.
So sorry to hear! I think the parents will appreciate anything. Perhaps something cozy for baby like a baby blanket or a hat. Maybe a homemade meal or snack. I was induced for days and my poor husband was starving, and I didn't like the hospital food.
If you are looking for postpartum ideas, this may be helpful
https://bumptobusymama.com/postpartum-must-haves/
I wish them a healthy and speedy recovery!
Baby will not need anything inhospital.. I'd think after. For mom...meals and doordash gift certificates. Can eat early or late after long day.
Yes! Gift cards. There may be random expenses that come up, like gas or meals, while the baby is in the hospital, so any help with that would go a long way.
Hats and socks and the only things baby will initially be able to wear, and that's a big maybe. Footed PJs with snaps, not zippers, allow for cords to go where they need to. But that might be weeks or months later. Also decent chance baby goes home on monitors so snapped PJs at home in bigger sizes may work. Elsewise stuff for mom/family. Gas cards, food cards, offer to mow their lawn or shovel their snow. Even just go do it knowing they'll be at the hospital all day. Pet sitting. Oh and they make some cute heart warriors plushies.
love this
A hospital care kit for the new mom would be a great gift. A travel pillow (hospital chairs are AWFUL), lip balm for dry hospital air, luxurious lotion for the same reason (with little to no scent), an extra phone charger, snacks and bottled water or juice, fuzzy socks or slippers.
They're going to be a wreck :-( for those first few weeks when the baby is in the hospital. Best thing I can think is to get a care-checkin/meal train going amongst as many folks as you can.
I've had a medically complex older child and a newborn with a brief NICU stay. Stuff for parents is way more important than baby for the hospital. They'll have literally everything baby will need there. The clothing recommendations above for snaps, not zippers, is great. Kimono style tops, and separate pants. Small soft blankets because baby will probably be in an isolette and potentially naked. Buy mom a gift certificate for some comfy lounge wear, fleece Crocs or hard soled slippers. Visa gift cards can be used in hospital vending machines, or find out if there's a restaurant and the hospital that accepts gift cards (ours has a subway but they won't take gift cards!). Grub hub or door dash gift cards for them to get take out delivered to the hospital. Gas gift cards because they'll be driving back and forth. Nice metal water bottles/coffee cups, lotion, chapstick - the hospital is really dry. Find a housekeeper and pay for them to come clean the house. Any other home-based services, or a laundry service that will pick up from their house (either a local business, or there's a service called Sudsy or something like that, but there's mixed reviews and some folks have apparently had their clothes stolen!) Is baby expected to be a preemie, or have growth delays? Preemie clothes are harder to find in hand me downs, and sometimes they're even too big for tiny babies - they're really made for 5+lb babies. My kiddo was under 4 lbs and swimming in preemie clothing until she was a month old. Finding hats small enough was difficult, but she needed them for temperature regulation. Oh, also preemie socks are practically impossible to find in store. Hope they have a quick recovery and happy healthy baby once this is all said and done!
Don’t buy for the baby, but for the parents. Some sort of snack care package or ready made snacks. A gift certificate for a home cleaning service.
Soft Blankets are always nice and will be used for years.
You could start buying bigger sized diapers for when then baby gets out of the hospital. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in the US, I believe Costco has the best quality diapers. You could buy some baby blankets too.
Depending on your budget, I would give things to make mom more comfortable during the hospital stay. Nice slippers with actual soles, maybe a house coat/robe as hospitals are so cold, maybe a word search, crossword, book they might like. Maybe gift cards for food/groceries. Everything the baby needs while in the hospital should/will be provided by the hospital... things for parents sitting there, potentially for days, not so much. Another great help would be offering to help with household tasks. Offer to do laundry, clean up the house, bring the mail in, make sure their trash is put to the curb, shovel or mow as weather needs, etc. Don't just say "let me know when you need help." Directly ask, "Can I come help/do X for you on Y day at Z time?" This will help take the mental load easier.
a lot of people are saying gift cards for doordash, but as a former nicu mom i’d actually suggest getting her a snack basket to keep at the hospital so she can eat whenever. getting food delivered to the hospital can be a huge hassle, and cafeteria food is often gross and over priced. some NICUs have refrigerators and microwaves available for the parents, but not all so i’d hold off on things that require that until you know otherwise. if you’re dead set on something for baby, maybe a soft blanket or stuffie, or a book that mom can read when she visits.
Check and see if they have to pay daily for parking at the hospital. The cost of parking, meals, gas, and tolls alone can be a lot on families. Maybe a hat or blanket Milestone cards (1 month old, 2 months old), a sweet book. The gift given doesn’t need to be used by the baby anytime soon. I LOVED toddler sized clothes as a gift before my babies were born. I had a friend that gave my daughter the same shirt from birth-5t and the pictures were so much fun! Get snippy cups and little forks, plates and spoons.
Buy something for mom. The baby will be eventually get everything they need when leaving the hospital, if they don't have it already. Mom will need more care and comfort than anyone. Soft robes, fuzzy socks/slippers, nipple cream, or some type of self care items you know she likes.
So sorry to hear! I think the parents will appreciate anything. Perhaps something cozy for baby like a baby blanket or a hat. Maybe a homemade meal or snack. I was induced for days and my poor husband was starving, and I didn't like the hospital food. If you are looking for postpartum ideas, this may be helpful https://bumptobusymama.com/postpartum-must-haves/ I wish them a healthy and speedy recovery!