Mum's of preemies

[KatnissMellark]

What do you wish someone had said/done/given you? Looking to support a code friend who's just had twins at 24 weeks.

Provided food that I could just heat up for when I was at home. I had no time to cook it shop but I really wanted healthy and filling food. Instead I had to live in take outs and sandwiches which cost a lot of money too

I can't offer advice I'm afraid but thank you for being a great friend I'm sure she will be so so greatfull x

I had mine at 33 weeks as emergency Csection.

I would have loved domestic, practical help.

*Shopping
*Laundry/Ironing
*Vacuum/mop floors
*Lasagne/Shepherds Pie/casserole for the freezer.
That would be been the best help and would have saved me hours of time which I could have used with my babies (or sleeping!)
I lost two stone in under three weeks as I was like a Duracell Bunny. It was not a happy time 😢

Food that they can eat without any prep at home. Doing laundry for them. Taking care of their pets if they have any. Being available to listen if they need a shoulder to cry on. A congratulations on your babies.

I had a preemie, 27weeks. In hospital for 13weeks.

I would say, once a month maybe offer a coffee date somewhere, Scbu becomes your 2nd hone with a premmie and sometimes its nice to get out a d do something"normal" ( Unless mum has to sheild at the monent due to the babies i scbu)
Cold refreshing drinks were always nice, I remember being given homemade lemonade as a gift, it was very needed fot the hot days in summer but also, as scbu wards tend to be warm in general, I was also given a few magazines and books to read which was lovely and some treats such as chocolate and fruit. One favorite was also vaseline aloe vera moistuiser and lip balm- really really refreshing , again as scbu is so warm and dries out skin.

Hope your friend and her babies keep strong x

I spent ten weeks in hospital with my preemie and I would have appreciated some nice hand cream. You have to wash your hands so often they end up really dry, cracked and sore. Meals to just heat through are a great idea. She will probably be encouraged to express 8 times a day and through the night as well so some nice handy snacks and a decent refillable bottle are a good idea.

I had a 25 weeker.

Easy things to provide:
Hand cream (for the constant washing)
Snacks, healthy ones for hospital eg graze packs
Meals, in tubs that don’t need to be returned!
Set of cards for premature milestones (lots online)
Suggest the Facebook page “Parents of preemies support U.K.”, loads of great advice.

Depending on situation:
Care for older kids/pets
Lifts to/from hospital if needed
Expressing bra if needed
Rent of hospital grade breast pump if hospital don’t provide one for home
Knitted hats if allowed on ward
Prem baby octopus toy if allowed on ward
Offer to print photos for them if they send to you, helps with expressing too.

If you know them very well:
Offer to co-ordinate help, be a gatekeeper. I had one friend who kept on top of everything when I couldn’t. If anyone offered meals, help etc I referred them to her and she co-ordinated timing. Such a massive help.

Nice small cool bag for carrying expressed milk to hospital

I had premature twins and was in hospital with them for 12 weeks. I started keeping a journal 3 weeks In. I really wish I’d done it from the beginning. I’d have loved someone to get me a nice journal.

What everyone said above. Also send texts asking how she is. Not just the twins. A friend texted me all the time and it was nice to know people cared. Wishing your friend all the best!