DH's BF's wife just delivered a preemie. Need gift suggestion

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with the OP's (and her husband's) instincts not to assume the Mom is pumping and give her a related gift. If she's opted not to breastfeed, that could be a really painful thing to receive.

When our son was in the NICU, a friend sent a set of her son's favorite board books and I still remember sitting next to his isolette reading them to him.

Receiving blankets are esp. good for preemies, because they have trouble regulating their body temperature.

I think preemie clothes could still be a great gift, because even if she can't wear them now, she will need them eventually. The NICU will supply diapers, so that's not something they likely need.

Otherwise, a Visa card or gift card to Amazon or Diapers.com may be your best bet.

No matter what you send, a thoughtful note both celebrating her birth and recognizing what a tough time this is would be great. I still keep and treasure all the cards we received and particularly remember a couple of very thoughtful emails people sent when our son was in the NICU. (Like a PP's child, he is now a healthy soon-to-be kindergartener!)

[Anonymous]

Mom of preemie twins here. By the time my kids got out of the NICU, they were too tall for preemie clothes so while I received some as gifts, we never used them. We used only the hospital's clothes in the nicu.

The babies wore newborn clothes for almost 3 months though.

[Anonymous]

Another mom of preemie twins. Preemie clothes and diapers are NOT a good idea since the baby will probably not need them once he/she is home. I actually dreaded the "baby gifts" I received while my twins were in the NICU. I LOVED the nonbaby gifts, though. Gift cards are a great idea or just a check with a nice note attached to it. I would recommend sending something nonbaby related while in the NICU, then once the baby comes home, send something to welcome the baby home. It is really nice of you to think about them during this very stressful time.

[Anonymous]

A photo session with a hospital approved photographer - my sister had a tiny preemie (30 weeks, 2lbs 8 oz) and they treasure the photos of the first days and weeks of her life (she's five now and a wonderful, smart little girl)

[Anonymous]

OP here... thanks for the thoughtful suggestions. We finally decided we're visiting them instead. Once we're there I'll pick something depending on their mood...

I love the idea of a check with a note. We might leave it there with flowers on our way out... (mom loves flowers)

[Anonymous]

anais and aden burp cloth/bibs --

[Anonymous]

at this time all they really need is a supportive understanding friend! the nicu is a marathon...and a rollercoaster! hand sanitzier, lotion and maybe a little notebook to jot things down to stay organized would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm...thought I posted this earlier, but it seems to be gone (it wasn't offensive, so I don't think it was removed). Since you've decided to visit, I would recommend getting digital photo key chains, and while you're visiting taking photos of the the baby and each parent with the baby and then loading them on the key chains, one for each parent. This way, when they are not at the hospital, they have photos to show people and also to comfort them until they can bring the baby home.

[Anonymous]

I think an Amazon gift card would be great. They might not be getting out much to shop and they can order all sorts of baby items from Amazon.

[Anonymous]

You could get a gift certificate to someplace like www.perfectlypreemie.com and the should could pick out whatever she may want.