Gift for a life-limited baby

[Hippee]

Friends have just had a baby that has been diagnosed with a life-limiting condition (they have been told that it could be months at most). I would like to send a gift, but don't know what to choose. I don't want to send anything that would be really upsetting to open if the baby died before it arrived (like clothes or toys), but want to celebrate the birth of their lovely baby. All that I can think of at the moment is a photo frame. Any ideas or advice would be gratefully received.

How about one of those cast sets where you can have a footprint set? Also I think you can get kits to have finger prints jewellery? Otherwise the photo frame idea is a good one I think, can't go wrong with that.

what about a nice blanket or something? that would be useful now but also could be kept as a keepsake?

i haven't been in the sitation myself but a close friend has and I think she found it hard that people didn't treat her baby like they would with any other baby, so it's possible that your friend actually would LIKE a little outfit for baby rather than think that no-one is buying stuff because they know her baby will die. does that make sense?

i may be way off the mark though.
i think a photo frame would be a lovely gift too thouhg

I think thisisyesterday might be right re the blanket. I was thinking blanket or quilt too as they would be able to snuggle into it and smell happy memories.

Whatever you do, I am sure they will appreciate it, it is the silence or the people too embarassed to do anything that are difficult to accept.

How about a photo album, or a baby memory box?

A mobile, musical box or china figure (we were given a beautiful Betrix Potter one )
Soft toy
I would not send a memory box personally, but might like one later

Wow - thanks for replying so quickly!

thisisyesterday - I know - I want to be as normal as possible. If I was going to see them, I would definitely buy something like that - it's the posting that makes it more difficult - that couple of days delay. Like the blanket idea, though.

Would a flowering tree be appropiate?

My DSIL bought me one for each baby - I was very appreciative.

chaos - that's a gorgeous idea.

I will get something for the baby - like a cot mobile or blanket. I think I will also get a photo frame - I looked at albums, but thought that they and memory boxes might be a bit too overwhelming at the moment. I love the tree idea, but am going to leave it for now - they will be spending most of their time at the hospital and may not have the time to do gardening, but maybe in the summer, depending on how things are going.

An outfit and any of the other suggestions.If baby is able to wear own clothes and isn't in a unit wearing just a nappy.

I think something as normal as possible - things like a memory tree or a photo frame are a nice idea but maybe they want to try to forget as much possible that their baby will only have a short life? And to be honest, a lot of people might be thinking the same and buying them memorial type stuff.

I personally think that a few practical things (wipes, baby bath stuff etc) are the best present. Along with a little outfit.

How sad for your friend :(

I think what you need is something like this:

www.notonthehighstreet.com/thealphabetgiftshop/product/personalised-glass-christmas-decorations?

Hippee, I was in your friends position when DS was born and people just gave us the normal sort of baby gifts. We were glad to have them as he was in and out of hospital so I couldn't shop easily. I think the only one that was a bit different was that a friend of my Dad's sent us a mass card (which I had heard of but never seen as we are not RC).

But a photo frame would be lovely as we took lots of pictures of DS and nice to have something to put them in. If the baby is in special care and your friend can't stay at the hospital, the sort of folding frame she can carry round or a little album would be a nice thought.

starfish - thank you for the advice - so sorry you have been through this.

I have finally gone for a frame, some cute vests and a little rattle. Choice in the local shops was not huge, but wanted to send something now rather than wait a couple of weeks to get to bigger shops.

Thanks everyone.