https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 18 May 2026 03:55:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2509077 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 07:36:20 +0000 Ash 2509077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: great ideas!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508146 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 11:22:13 +0000 PinkElephant 2508146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, babies need to wear certain kinds of clothes to allow access to monitors (usually on their chests and big toes). </p> <p>For a young infant what worked well was either button up sleepers (so cords had a place to come out -zippers don't allow this) or a kimono too and footless pants. Clothes that work around the equipment will perhaps lend a sense of normalcy to the situation - the baby looks less hospitalized, if that makes sense. So perhaps a few hospital-friendly outfits? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508135 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 11:09:19 +0000 BSB 2508135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, ok. Going off of @PinkElephant: I would bring a longer extension cord or surge protectors to plug in phones and ipads. We were able to use the outlets at our NICU and it was great being able to charge my phone and not have to reach or stretch to get my phone. </p> <p>When I was in the nicu, I got a nicu journal. Though, I'm not sure if I would want to write in journal during this particular situation. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508130 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:59:41 +0000 JenGirl 2508130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with PP to check about hospital policy. Then some things to consider: good coffee, gum/mints, healthy/easy snacks (it's easy to eat tons of junk in the hospital) like applesauce/dehydrated fruits/veggies/edible bouquet (you can make these yourself fairly easily!), word puzzles/adult coloring books </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508112 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:49:09 +0000 PinkElephant 2508112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A portable charger for phones/devices that you plug directly into (like a lipstick charger, but larger/more powerful). We did a short NICU stay with DD and weren't allowed to plug into any outlets in the room.</p> <p>ETA: also, if the parents are open to it, perhaps volunteer to bring them a meal at the hospital and spend a little time eating with them (obviously not expecting to see the child, just the parents, in the cafeteria or a common area of the hospital). This was one of the things I appreciate most - a chance for a short mental escape and an adult who wasn't so stressed to talk to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508103 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:45:26 +0000 gingerbebe 2508103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hand cream - you are washing hands a lot.</p> <p>Dollar bills or rolls of quarters for vending machines.</p> <p>Coffee mugs or thermoses that lock - it's nice to be able to carry a hot drink around the hospital.</p> <p>Water bottles that lock/seal.</p> <p>Chapstick, hair ties, gum/mints</p> <p>A laminated personalized sign of the baby's name, maybe some photos of the parents, to hang on the bed. </p> <p>Maybe a small diary to note changes or things that happened that day. The Littlest Peanut is a popular NICU baby journal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508092 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:32:36 +0000 Ash 2508092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LAZB: @bluestriped bee: snacks are allowed in the picu. And there is a RM House. </p> <p>@regberadaisy: horrible. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508077 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:20:57 +0000 BSB 2508077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>:( Aww, a brain tumor. I'm so so sorry for your friend. :crying: </p> <p>I would call the nicu of the hospital if you know it and ask for their rules. We weren't allowed to have foods, but could have drinks as long as they had lids or was covered. My hospital supplied different juices, coffee, jello, hot chocolate, different milks.</p> <p>Do you know if there are pull out couches in the room? We had them but they weren't very comfortable and it was just a single. Do they live close to the hospital? Or have a Ronald McDonald house? If I was 30 minutes or more from the hospital and there was a super close hotel, I would probably love to be go to a hotel room which is private to take a shower or take a nap in a comfy bed... and if they wanted to one of them could sleep the night there.</p> <p>My thoughts and prayers are with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508072 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:16:28 +0000 snowjewelz 2508072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is so horrible :sad: </p> <p>I know it's a small item but gum or mints... So they can have fresh breath after eating even if they can't brush their teeth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508065 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:13:57 +0000 LAZB 2508065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make sure they can have snacks, when we were in the nicu, there was no food allowed. I think the food gift cards are great (make sure they are for around the hospital), and also maybe some magazines, puzzle books, adult coloring books. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508058 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:11:32 +0000 regberadaisy 2508058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Omgosh how horrible. I can't even imagine. :(</p> <p>I'm thinking granola bars, trail mix, case of bottled water, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/care-package-for-parents-of-nicupicu-baby#post-2508050 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 10:06:17 +0000 Ash 2508050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A bunch of us are going in on a care package for parents of a baby just diagnosed with a brain tumor. We're doing gas and food cards and snacks. Any specific snacks that come to mind? Or anything else you can think to add? </p>