NICU Baby: A Guide to Premature Baby Gifts for Newborns, Parents, and Nurses
If you know a parent of a preemie, you may be wondering what to get them as their newborn receives extra care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This guide explores some of the best gifts for premature babies, their moms and dads, and the extraordinary nurses who oversee the little ones.
Preemie baby gifts
Not sure what to buy for a preemie baby? Consider gifts that will provide comfort, promote baby-parent bonding, and create a more homelike environment.
Board books
Whether you select a classic children’s tale, a funny book, or an inspirational story written specifically for early babies, a book is a special gift. Reading aloud to a baby allows the child to hear the parent’s voice and promotes bonding and connection between the two. For sanitary reasons, choose board books over soft-covers since they can be wiped down.
Preemie clothes
The sweet baby may not be able to wear non-NICU-issued clothes just yet, but in time, mom and dad will be able to dress their little one. Help them prepare for the big day with gifts of adorable preemie-sized hats, diaper covers, onesies, and sleepers.
Gifts for parents of NICU babies
Preemie parents go through a lot as they wait for their baby’s exciting homecoming day. Here are some of our favorite, practical gifts for NICU moms and dads that will make their lives a little easier.
Gift cards and parking passes
Preemie parents spend a lot of time at the NICU and traveling back and forth between home and the hospital. Parking passes and gift cards for gas, the hospital cafeteria, meal delivery services, or restaurants around the hospital can help ease some stress.
A helping hand
Do the parents have other children? Offer to babysit. Help them take care of their pets, lawn, or household chores by hiring a dog walker, gardening service, or house cleaner. The less they have to worry about at home, the more time they can spend with their baby in the NICU.
Best gifts for NICU nurses
Nurses are the heart of the NICU and are there days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Here are some gift ideas that can help you thank the NICU nurses who work tirelessly caring for those precious babies. Whichever gift you choose, consider accompanying it with a handwritten note telling the nurse how their care helped the baby.
Spa gift cards
A gift card to a spa or for a massage allows the nurses to indulge in a little “me-time.”
Tray of food
Treat the NICU team to fresh sandwiches, coffee and donuts, snacks, fruit, or other foods and beverages. Check with the hospital for delivery guidelines.
Celebrate special moments, big & small, by giving the gift of Enfamil.
There’s a good chance that the parents of a preemie are using baby formula. Enfamil makes formula specifically formulated for preemies, making an Enfamil gift card a thoughtful gift. Even after the baby comes home, an Enfamil gift card is great for holidays and birthdays, and it lets mom and dad select from our range of formulas, vitamins, and supplements. Enfamil is the #1 trusted brand for brain-building nutrition and immune support and the #1 infant formula brand recommended by pediatricians. Order an Enfamil gift card online today.
