https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:38:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-critically-ill-nicu-patient#post-2543430 Fri, 06 May 2016 19:22:44 +0000 PinkElephant 2543430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a short PICU stay with our daughter at two months - I most appreciated people who were willing to bring food and sit and talk with us, and the portable device charger that didn't need to be plugged into a wall to charge our phones, computers, kindles, etc. Perhaps an Amazon gift card would let them make quick orders of any random items they need, or allow them to get reading materials/videos/music for all the time they'll just be sitting and waiting?</p> <p>Since you can't be there in person, with whatever you send, I urge you to offer to "be there" virtually for them via quick texts or emails, in which, as @Ms.Badger: says, you tell them they don't have to respond, but also invite them to call/text you whenever they might need to talk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-critically-ill-nicu-patient#post-2543424 Fri, 06 May 2016 19:18:35 +0000 gingerbebe 2543424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah I would google restaurants and stores next to the hospital and send gift cards for those places and maybe rolls of quarters for vending. Perhaps a nice name sign for the isolette with a picture of mom and dad on it if you think it's going to be an extended stay. Extra long iPhone charger cord (if you know they own one) can also be useful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-critically-ill-nicu-patient#post-2543422 Fri, 06 May 2016 19:16:18 +0000 Madison43 2543422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Badger: thank you. I've been so worried about doing/saying the wrong thing, that I haven't been saying much of anything. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-critically-ill-nicu-patient#post-2543398 Fri, 06 May 2016 18:35:10 +0000 Ms.Badger 2543398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trust me, there is nothing that you can do that will make them feel better because all they want is their child to be better. They will feel loved and supported through any loving gesture you perform. I urge you to do something, anything, and include a note, short or long, that explains that you love them and are there for them. It is seriously the most important thing you can do. You can also send texts every once and a while and not expect anything back. Whether they want to talk or not can be very personal and very moment to moment.</p> <p>On the trivial but useful side, gift cards for food within walking distance can be helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-critically-ill-nicu-patient#post-2543393 Fri, 06 May 2016 18:13:33 +0000 Madison43 2543393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey all - a close friends baby was born full term with some very serious medical issues, the gravity of which were not fully understood until birth. I don't want to get into specifics, but things took a bad turn recently and this little one is fighting for his life. There a few states away and I wanted to send my friend and his wife a care package of some sort. I spent a month in the NICU with Lo2 so I understand the things that would have been helpful to me (snacks, wrap sweater, water bottle, magazines) but they all seem so trivial given the seriousness of their situation. I don't know, I'm just at a loss. Anyone have any ideas? </p>