Gift Guide for Mamas in the NICU and New Mamas at Home
Mother’s Day 2020 is going to be different for many Mamas. With the global pandemic, typical plans of Sunday brunch and family gatherings may not take place. And for Mamas with a baby in the NICU, it can feel hard and isolated. Waking up on Mother’s Day without your baby at home, knowing you may not get to hold your baby that day, is harder than most of us can imagine.
Here is my list of items that Mamas in the NICU (and even some gifts for Mamas who are not in the NICU) will love. I have ZERO financial relationships with any of these recommendations, and do not profit from any recommendations I make.
New Mama Care basket
A new Mama care package can be just what any new mom needs. Put in it a woven basket or wooden box with a receiving blanket or outfit for baby and some Mama essentials for her. Here are a few things you can include:
Dry Shampoo
Face wipes
Chapstick
Lotion (mild or no scent)
Mama’s favorite snacks and drinks
Gum and/or mints
A journal with a nice pen
A favorite book for Mama to read
Gift card to a coffee shop
Book collection to Read to Baby
Here is a list of my absolute favorite books to read to little ones! They can be read in the NICU and at home.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
I Love You Through and Through by B. Shustak
The North Star by Peter Reynolds
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Goodnight Mood by Margaret Wise Brown
Time For Bead by Mem Fox
Package of gift cards
New parenting is stressful and expensive. All moms can use some gift cards for the everyday things. Takeout, groceries, coffee, kindle books, amazon. You can put them in a nice card or in a fun basket.
Self-Care Indulgences
A manicure, pedicure, massage can do wonders for a stressed out new mom. But in the current time where people are staying home more, don’t underestimate the power of a nice hot long shower. Volunteer to watch her baby or kids, so mom can enjoy a shower without interruption. One of my favorite indulgences is a picnic lunch - that someone else plans, shops for, prepares, packs, and cleans up! Enjoy a fun lunch outside with your littles.
NICU Crib art
For Mamas in the NICU, there is crib art and milestone markers available to NICU Mamas. There are many people on Etsy that provide crib art and NICU Milestone cards. Just search for “NICU milestone cards” and “NICU Crib Art” and peruse the plethora of options available. Miracle Mumma has darling products (www.miraclemumma.com.au) and so does Every Tiny Thing (www.everytinything.com).
A Nice Bag or tote
A mom in the NICU needs a nice bag to pack her stuff in for the day. The book she is reading, her phone, her snacks and lunch, her journal for keeping track of baby milestones and/or questions for the doctors. Sometimes you have handsfree pumping bras and covers for pumping or breastfeeding. A cool pack for breast milk can be helpful. Choose a cheerful pattern to give her something to smile at every time she is packing up to go to the hospital.
Beb Organic - Perfectly Preemie Bath Time Set
BEB Organic’s Perfectly Preemie Bath Time Set includes a one-of-a-kind guide that teaches parents new and empowering ways to engage with their preemie babies from bath time to skin-to-skin and even feeding, diapering and massage. Their products are preemie and NICU safe. Click here to be taken to their site.
A handwritten Letter
Don’t underestimate the power of a heartfelt letter, handwritten for the Mamas in your life. Be honest. Be loving. Be hopeful. Tell moms what an awesome job they are doing caring for their newborns and for themselves, and why you appreciate their roll in your life.
Photography Session
A photography session can be a wonderful gift for a new mom. Whether it is in the hospital, or after you go home, this is an over the top gift that every new mom would love for Mother’s Day.
I hope this gives you some ideas for what to give the new Mamas in your life this year.