Gift Ideas for NICU Parents and NICU Babies

I've been working on two separate pages with gift suggestions for NICU Parents and also for NICU babies.

I realized that many friends and family may be unsure what to do about getting a gift for parents whose baby is in the NICU. In retrospect I realized that we'd had a lot of family and friends waiting to see what was going to happen instead of sending a gift.

Unfortunately, not sending a gift to NICU parents may be sending the wrong message to the parents.

I have to agree with the advise of former NICU Mother, Kelby Carr

Don't let the fact that a baby is premature or in the NICU stop you from buying a gift, either for the baby of a gift for the mom of a NICU baby. No matter how perilous the situation is, the parents and baby will appreciate a gift. It could be the sliver of joyfulness they really badly need.

My advise would be to send a gift to the NICU Parent or NICU baby, to show your love and support.

Gift Ideas for NICU Parents and NICU Babies
The Gifts for NICU Parents page provides a list of suggestions with ideas for NICU parents from the practical to actual presents. Some cost money, other are just a gift of your time.

The Gifts for NICU Babies page provides a list of suggestions with ideas for useful gifts for NICU babies. It also includes a list with ideas for putting together a NICU Basket of gifts.

I'll be working on featuring many of the wonderful resources that I found which would make gifts for NICU babies and their parents.

Image: Adapted from Chobi Capeta's Heart Bag. Royalty Free Use.

Creatively Coping: Knit a Heart Pin or Pins

I discovered a very cute and easy pattern available online for knitting little hearts.

I realize that knitting little hearts would be a great way making quick thank you gifts for NICU nurses.

The hearts could be turned into pins, used as decorations on packages or even a mobile for your NICU baby. Keeping idle hands busy and knitting is one of the ways that a NICU parent (or grandparent) can TAKE CARE to get through the NICU adventure.

This pattern is a really easy way to use up yarn leftovers as can be seen in this blog post on closely knit, love letter in yarn.

The Heart Pin pattern is available from Hannah Fettig of knitbot. It is one of the patterns available in her book, Closely Knit: Handmade Gifts For The Ones You Love, her beautiful collection of handmade gifts for your loved ones.

Pattern: Hannah Fetting. Heart Pin Pattern From Closely Knit. Knitbot.

Image: Adapted from Marieke Kuijjer. Knitted Heart. Creative Commons License.

Bloggers Unite to Fight for Preemies on Nov. 17th

On November 17, 2009 you can help raise awareness about premature births by blogging about the March of Dimes Fight for Preemies.

Join Bloggers Unite and the March of Dimes in November for Prematurity Awareness Month® to spread the word and raise awareness about their fight against premature births.

Before November 17th
Before the November 17th "Blog-in" you can help spread the word in several ways.

• Send email messages to your family and friends.
• Tweet about the March of Dimes (@marchofdimes) on Twitter.
• Follow the March of Dimes on Facebook and post messages.
  
• Put a March of Dimes badge and/or a banner on your blog or website.
• Put a Bloggers Unite badge on your website.
• Sign up for the Bloggers Unite, Fight for Preemies event.

Plan to Blog on November 17th
November 17 is the day that was chosen The March of Dimes to encourage bloggers to fight for preemies. On November 17th, bloggers are asked to post a blog on November 17th for "a baby you love and to help others."

More on Bloggers Unite
Bloggers Unite is an attempt to harness the power of the blogosphere to make the world a better place.

It is their hope that by asking bloggers to write about a particular subject on 1 day of the month, a single voice can be joined with thousands to help make a difference; from raising awareness for cancer, to an effort to better education systems or supporting 3rd world countries.

More Articles on the March of Dimes

Dyer KA. 2009. NICU Family Support from the March of Dimes. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer KA. 2009. Coming This November...Prematurity Awareness Month for the March of Dimes. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer KA. 2009. March of Dimes Supporting NICU Families with NICU Family Support. Type-A Mom.