10 Gift Ideas NICU Parents Will Actually Really Appreciate

Every year, between 10 and 15 percent of babies have to go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before going home. I'm a mom of three, and two of my babies had NICU stays. One of my sons was born with a genetic condition and a heart defect; the other was born with posterior urethral valves, and the days inside the NICU were some of the longest of my life.

NICU staff members are incredible, and if there's a silver lining to being a NICU parent, it's that you're witnessing miracles happen every single day. However, days inside the NICU can be emotional, scary, stressful, and boring. Not to mention, the NICU can be an incredibly uncomfortable place to be. Families are normally assigned one chair in a cramped space where beeping alarms are part of an ever-present soundtrack. Friends and family want to help, but often don't know how. With two NICU stays under my parenting belt, here are the gifts my husband and I appreciated the most.

01
Uber Gift Cards
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Uber Gift Cards

By far, the most helpful gift we received during our most recent NICU stay was an Uber gift card. Parking at children's hospitals can be expensive and sometimes they don't have a re-entry option. Uber gift cards allowed us to leave the hospital for short periods without the added expense. We also used the gift cards for food delivery with Uber Eats. Sometimes there's only so much hospital food you can take! The flexibility of being able to use an Uber gift card for transportation or a good meal you can get delivered makes this a winning gift for NICU parents.

Buy an Uber gift card here.

02
Cute, Comfy Clothes
Pexels | Daria Shevtsova

Cute, Comfy Clothes

One of the most treasured gifts a friend gave me during our second NICU stay was a pair of cute leggings with a matching shirt. As previously mentioned, the NICU can be an uncomfortable place to be, so I craved comfort, but I also needed clothes I felt confident in when advocating for our son's care. Same goes for dads! A nice looking yet comfortable sweater will be used and appreciated.

03
Closable Coffee Mugs and Water Bottles
Target

Closable Coffee Mugs and Water Bottles

We ended up drinking a lot of coffee while in the NICU. It's comforting and gives the right amount of boost while spending days inside the hospital. However, if purchasing for a friend, keep in mind that travel mugs have to be able to close all the way in order to be taken inside the NICU. Bonus points if you find a travel mug or water bottle that has an adorable design or is stamped with an inspiring message to lift the parent's spirits each time they take a sip. This Contigo Twistseal Travel Mug ($16) is perfect.

04
Wireless Phone Chargers and Headphones
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Wireless Phone Chargers and Headphones

Again, NICU spaces are often cramped and noisy. Sometimes, finding a place to plug in your phone can be challenging. Allow your loved one to go outlet-free when charging their phone with a wireless phone charger. You can also help them escape the beeping machines for a bit with a pair of wireless headphones or a set they can easily plug into their phone. This wireless phone charger ($15) is a great gift option.

05
Personal Care Kit
Target

Personal Care Kit

NICU parents often stay at the hospital for large chunks of time when visiting their baby, so a personal care kit goes a long way. Stuff it with things like ibuprofen, lip balm, travel deodorant, roll-on perfume, hair ties, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, gum, travel-size mouthwash, a small brush, and travel-size dry shampoo. This travel kit ($50) is great for holding everything they need.

06
Gift Cards to the Hospital Cafeteria or Nearby Restaurants
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Gift Cards to the Hospital Cafeteria or Nearby Restaurants

Although the hospital cafeteria can get old (even if it is a really good one!), your friend or family member will likely eat most of their meals there. Contact the hospital to see if their cafeteria has a gift card option. You can also buy gift cards to nearby restaurants within walking distance.

07
Books, Magazines, and Journals
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Books, Magazines, and Journals

Getting lost in a book or magazine for a bit can make a day inside the NICU a bit more enjoyable. Also, having a journal with pens and highlighters not only serves as a way for parents to write down their thoughts, but it can help your friend keep a daily log of medical notes.

08
Large Tote or Backpack
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Large Tote or Backpack

Oftentimes, once parents arrive at the hospital, they want to stay for a while. A large tote or a backpack that can fit a variety of items (possibly clunky breast pump parts) helps make the day go more smoothly. Here are some large tote options via Amazon.

09
Daily Devotional or Meditation Guide
Paper Source

Daily Devotional or Meditation Guide

Your loved one may crave some daily inspiration to get through the day. Consider gifting them a faith-based devotional if they're religious or a daily meditation book. This mindfulness journal ($13) is a great option.

10
Activity Books
Barnes & Noble

Activity Books

Some days inside the NICU can really crawl by. Get your loved one some boredom busters with activity books like sudoku, crosswords, or adult coloring books. This adult coloring book ($14, originally $17) is great for a little distraction.