The things I have in mind for care packages fall into three categories: things for parents, things for babies, and religious support.
Things for parents:
- NICU life accessories. Things like hand sanitizer and lotion. Also small notebooks, pens/pencils, a puzzle book, etc. A lot of these can be had at local department stores on an as needed basis.
- Toiletries. Some hospitals let you stay on site. Some parents are traveling significant distances to see their babies. Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc.
- Food. I've gotten care packages this time around with single-serving snacks, some natural and some decidedly not. I've gotten coffee samples, bags of tea, coupons for discounts on frozen prepared meals, and gift cards to actual restaurants.
- Memory type things. Some care packages we've seen include a disposable camera, hand/footprint kits, NICU journals, etc
- Clothing for the baby. We have access to a place to get preemie & regular newborn sized clothing. We also have an account with one of the specialty shops that does micropreemie clothes, because we've been doing gift bags for our home hospital for over 2 1/2 years.
- Baby accessories. Blankets, hats, small stuffed animals (we've had great luck finding stuffed animals at Ikea), pacifiers, etc. Baby-friendly lotion and diaper rash cream too.
- A symbol of the family's faith. I have a source for tiny silver pentacles. I have a few ankhs. I can get triskele, tree of life, greenman, and Goddess, though they're bigger than I'd like. I've been unable to find a reasonably priced source of Thor's Hammers that are small
- Other ritual items. Battery powered LED tealights (most dollar stores have these), maybe a quartz crystal or other protective or healing stone? (I have sources for stones)
- Once I get it finished, a hard copy of the ebook I'm working on about navigating the NICU experience as a Pagan parent.
I'll start collecting a few things here and there, and when I have a reasonably-sized package, I'll send it on. Probably mostly baby-type things.. my local knitting group is all over making things for charity, and preemies are always a favorite!
ReplyDeleteI am really moved by this effort. My husband and I have a son that was born at 24 weeks. He was only 1lb and 5oz when he was born. One of the problems I encountered was that the hospital he was in was in a different town than where we lived. We drove 40 miles each way to see him every day for 3.5 months. I think it might be a good idea to get some gas cards to help new parents with expenses.
ReplyDeleteI am really moved by this effort. My husband and I have a son that was born at 24 weeks. He was only 1lb and 5oz when he was born. One of the problems I encountered was that the hospital he was in was in a different town than where we lived. We drove 40 miles each way to see him every day for 3.5 months. I think it might be a good idea to get some gas cards to help new parents with expenses.
ReplyDeleteI'll start collecting a few things here and there, and when I have a reasonably-sized package, I'll send it on. Probably mostly baby-type things.. my local knitting group is all over making things for charity, and preemies are always a favorite!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a good thought! We're only 5 miles from our hospital, but even at that, the gas everyday adds up.
ReplyDeleteAs with so many preemies, our baby had to begin nursing with a nipple shield in order to latch. The hospital gave me one, but I bought more because they are so easy to lose. Perhaps we could send some nipple shields for the care packages?
ReplyDeleteGood thought. Do you think it might be better to ask if parents are planning to breastfeed, bottle feed (and whether that's breastmilk or formula), or "other" (on the theory that some kids go home with feeding tubes)
ReplyDeleteI figured out this DISQUS thing, so I have a profile now. ;)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about that -- my NICU was heavy into breast milk, whether using NG, bottle, or direct breast, so I realized I am kind of oriented that way. Yes, we could just include them if people wanted them.
Also, I know of a hospital that sells Ameda breast pumps @ cost, under the table, so to speak. They really want them to be accessible to people. If anyone ever says they might need a personal pump, I would be happy to share that information.
I will ask my Asatru/Heathen friends if they know of a place for small Hammers & let you know if I come up w/anything.
I hope you are all managing ok. I spent the month of March in the NICU w/my 35 week, IUGR baby after pneumothorax, life-flight, the works. Took him home at about 4 pounds, on O2 & desat monitor. He is now about 4 months (-5 weeks gestational) 10 1/2 pounds, O2/monitor-free & just a love.
I think what you have started here is awesome. Thank you. I hope to be able to help. :)
Ah...the difference is in our experiences. :) Our NICU is very pro-breastfeeding too...but I mostly know the micro-preemie side of things, with a 27 weeker and a 28 weeker. The earlier the baby, the more risk that a mother (especially a first-time mom) won't have enough milk to nurse, and the more risk that it will be months of pumping before baby could even attempt it. And...the earlier the baby, the more risk of other complications that lead to either special formulas or permanent feeding tubes.
ReplyDeleteThis time around is, in many ways, easier than the first, but then our first was in NICU for 9 1/2 months, and it was easy for us to just pick up where we left off when we arrived this time.