anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,778 
|
Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 15, 2024 16:54:54 GMT
My niece's preemie baby is in the NICU and likely there for a few more weeks. Their family of four (baby has 2 big brothers) is staying at a Ronald McDonald house, so lots of basic needs are wonderfully covered.
Wondering if there's anything I could send that might help or brighten their day? They are not local for me to do anything in person.
|
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Nov 15, 2024 17:03:45 GMT
Gift cards for nearby restaurants. Small toys or game for the older kids.
|
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 15, 2024 17:06:20 GMT
Also a contribution to Ronald McDonald House in their name.
|
|
anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,778
|
Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 15, 2024 17:31:00 GMT
Also a contribution to Ronald McDonald House in their name. This is an excellent idea. I'm so very impressed with the care and services they are receiving. I had no idea how many local organizations and businesses partner to provide meals for families there. |
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Nov 15, 2024 17:44:50 GMT
Is the Ronald McDonald House close enough to the hospital that they can walk? If not, then they're probably paying for parking which can add up. A parking pass, if the hospital offers those, would help a lot. Or ask the hospital how you can pay ahead of time for their parking.
|
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on Nov 15, 2024 17:53:42 GMT
Is the Ronald McDonald House close enough to the hospital that they can walk? If not, then they're probably paying for parking which can add up. A parking pass, if the hospital offers those, would help a lot. Or ask the hospital how you can pay ahead of time for their parking.  We have been dealing with DH in hospital since June 26 and this is what I recommend to everyone now. The parking fees are high and really add up. We can afford it but it is a burden for so many |
|
anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,778
|
Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 15, 2024 18:28:55 GMT
I think they are driving to the hospital, so I will look into the parking pass fees. Thanks so much for that insight.
|
|
Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,234
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
|
Post by Gravity on Nov 15, 2024 19:06:11 GMT
Check with the parents to make sure they have to pay for parking. I’m a NICU RN and my hospital gives NICU parents free parking.
|
|
|
|
Post by gar on Nov 15, 2024 19:29:39 GMT
My DD had 2 prem babies (one was 29 weeks) and thiese are her suggestions -
Snacks, you dont want to leave to get food.
Things to do, for when you cant be cuddling baby - crossword, colouring,
Pillow to make the chairs comfier,
Diary or a journal…
Super comfy clothes - joggers, button/zip tops for easy access if expressing.
Phone charger so you can take many photos/videos
|
|
anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,778
|
Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 15, 2024 21:41:16 GMT
gar She is very sentimental, so a journal might be a perfect fit. Could track milestones or write her feelings.
|
|
|
|
Post by mom on Nov 15, 2024 21:46:20 GMT
gar She is very sentimental, so a journal might be a perfect fit. Could track milestones or write her feelings. I am a NICU mom, and this is a really good idea. I would also include something for her hands to do....there is a lot of waiting and keeping your mind and hands busy keeps you from obsessing over things you have no control over. |
|
samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,183
|
Post by samantha25 on Nov 15, 2024 22:44:52 GMT
A big comfy blanket at their home when they return, over their couch.
|
|
|
|
Post by gar on Nov 15, 2024 22:49:35 GMT
DD added hand cream to her list of suggestions because obviously they’ll be using a lot of hand sanitiser 😊
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapmaven on Nov 16, 2024 16:12:58 GMT
I'm a 2 time NICU mom w/preemies. Things to occupy the time while sitting at baby's isolette are a great idea. This is a really stressful and scary time for mom and dad. Food gift cards are really helpful. W/our first we lived on easy, but healthier takeout. We'd bring snacks for the nurses, too. Gift card to the grocery store. You can cook your own meals at Ronald McDonald House. Coloring for the entire family would be a good distraction for the kids. A new board game for the kids could be fun for them. Word puzzle books. I love the idea of a journal for the parents. Gravity, thank you for being a NICU nurse. You're one of my heroes. |
|
|
|
Post by stormycat on Nov 16, 2024 20:28:02 GMT
While my long hospital stay wasn’t the Nicu, I’ll chime in from as a mom with a kid who is on the hospital a lot, in fact I’m here now,.
Our longest stay was 7 weeks. I really didn’t beee. Any things so to speak, just more for me to move around and do on.
For us, food was such a huge cost which I hadn’t really thought of. I could get a parent tray for 5.00 but it was awful. So to go to the cafeteria was $10-15 a meal, x 2 meals (I skipped a meal just to save money). One day another mom and I ordered pizza because I wanted real food. There was no fridge for us to use so I had to buy everything.
So my suggestion is restaurant gc, it would have been very much welcomed and appreciated in my situation.
|
|
anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,778
|
Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 16, 2024 21:12:12 GMT
stormycat Thanks for sharing. I hope your little one is headed home soon. Hugs to you.
|
|
We have been dealing with DH in hospital since June 26 and this is what I recommend to everyone now. The parking fees are high and really add up. We can afford it but it is a burden for so many 
