Hi all- My sister in law/brother recently had their 5th child. He was almost 10 pounds and not breathing/pottying on his own. He is in NICU and expected to be there a couple of weeks. His prognosis is good, thank goodness. Anyways, he is the 5th child, the 4th boy. Any ideas on baby gifts? Do I wait until he goes home to send it or right away? My first thoughts are money and clothes. We are already making food and babysitting the other kids while they are in NICU with the new baby. Thanks for any ideas or thoughts for people with a similar situation.
I like the gift card idea or parking validation. I woudn't send anything that the parents would need to pack up and take home after.
As a mom to a baby who was in NICU (although only for a few days so i am sure some other moms will have better advice) gift card to the resturants near the hospital were wonderful. Also anything personalized with baby's name were favorites and we still have all those items 4 and 5 years later.
We had our 4th a few months ago & the best gift we got was a gift card for a photography place. Gift cards for meals is a great idea, also.
I always love personal items. Memory boxes, things with their name on it, dream catchers, a special statue to decorate the nursery.
You can also go for practical, diapers and wipes and other things you go through fast in those early days, so they don't have to keep running to the store to pick up more in the beginning while they are all settling in.
I would ask them what they need help with. Helping Mom and Dad can be the best gift right now. Watching the older kids so the parents can go to the NICU may be invaluable. You might also consider something personalized, like a onesie with his name on it. Ask them if he is wearing clothing or not.
Bless your heart! You are already doing so many wonderful things. I know when I was in the hospital (due to early labor) I would have loved home-cooked meals and people to watch my older ones. Great job, mom.
I would focus on their comfort right now, and then worry about an actual gift for baby once he is home. I love the idea of a restaurant gift card and home cooked meals. Have someone clean (or you clean) their home so they come home to no work! When baby comes home, DIAPERS AND WIPES! One of each size! That is still, after 3 babies, my favorite gift! =)
ETA: And I just read your recent posts and you just had your own baby! Bless your heart twice!! You are really sweet.
Cleaning service for the parents. That is what I gave a friend when they had their 5th. Great that you are already helping with food and the other children. I would buy a special outfit for the baby once he is home. I also like to bring small wrapped gifts for the older children. Those can be very simple, like a coloring book and crayons. I find that the older kids get so excited to be made special when most people are bringing presents for the new baby only.
Baby gift wait until he comes home. Any help with cleaning, chauffeuring kids, etc. would be great. Meals that could be frozen so when they come home, that is one less thing to worry about.
Something personalized?
Sleep sacks in his size?
Wait t they come home--less to lug home.
Cleaning service and meals.
I do like the cleaning service idea. Since the parents are either at the hospital or taking care of the other children (or both), it would be a great idea for them not to have to worry about the house.
One of my granddaughters spent the first several weeks of her life in NICU. She was born with a heart problem. Finally they performed a valve transplant when she was six weeks - which was thought incredibly young at the time, but there was no other alternative. That was ten years ago. (She is fine and healthy and just started fifth grade.) People came to see her, or to take her big sister to their house to play, or to bring anything that was needed at the hospital - but the housecleaning was a super-great gift.
Anything that can help out at home. Cleaning, making meals, childcare, the works. Once the little guy comes home from the hospital and all is well, then you can get the baby a personal gift just for him. Right now, with four other kids and a newborn in the NICU, these parents are going nuts! Any help at home from anyone is a blessing to them. And you are a saint for being there for them!
I am so happy to hear his prognosis is good. How scary for your family!
I like the idea of a photo session. What about matching/similar big sister, big brother, big brother, big brother, little brother shirts? Or the Dr. Seuss ones with Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, etc.
It sounds like you are doing everything you need to do right now. I would wait until he is home for a gift. Clothing would depend on the season and gender of the last child. Unless they didn't save anything. Or just see what has not made it through the others. Maybe a swing, baby carrier (like a baby bjorn) or an exersaucer.
Money or a gift certificate for a cleaning service.
Newborn clothes won't be any good so you might consider getting him something later when the winter season's items come out.
You're doing a lot to help them already. Get her some flowers and a balloon. If needed they can be artificial.
