Maybe you read yesterday’s post and you’re wondering, “What can I do for this family?”  I’m certainly no expert, but here are a few ideas.

• Pray.  I know it sounds like a cliche (and you don’t want to pray and then choose to do nothing else), but it is important.
• Be fastidious about cleanliness. This is one of the most basic, most essential things you can do for a preemie – while he’s in the NICU and for the first year after he comes home.  Premature babies’  immune systems are generally not as strong as those of full-term babies.  And their lungs are often weak.  Even what just seems like a mild cold to you could be RSV that can kill a preemie.  Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and definitely don’t spend time around the baby or his family members if you’re sick.  (If family members get sick, they probably won’t be allowed in the NICU to see their own baby, for the sake of the other babies.)
• Take care of day-in, day-out, practical needs.  The parents of a NICU baby will probably be spending a lot of time at the hospital, and will probably be physically and emotionally exhausted.  You can make sure they have food, help care for their children, clean their house – do any of the routine things that keep things running so they can focus on the baby.
• If you’re a very close friend, you might be able to run interference for them with other well-meaning friends and acquaintances, and/or stand up for them to hospital policies they have issue with but not the strength to fight on their own.  (This suggestion is definitely not for just anyone!  But for the right person, it could be a huge help.)
• If there are older siblings, spend time with them.  These siblings are probably frightened for their baby sister/brother, not getting as much attention as they usually do, and almost certainly disrupted from their normal routine.  Help older children with schoolwork, shuttle them back and forth to the hospital (if this is appropriate), take younger ones small gifts like crayons or coloring books to make them feel special.
• Make special gifts for the baby.  Many NICU babies are very tiny and won’t fit in regular clothing, but they get cold easily because they haven’t laid down their baby fat yet.  Tiny blankets and hats are usually welcomed gifts.  Keep in mind that they should be very soft for sensitive skin, and able to stand up to regular washing to minimize germs.
• Do something to pamper mama.  She is almost certainly tired, working hard to take care of her baby, and not getting a lot of time to rest at home.  Remembering that she is spending a lot of time at the hospital and around sensitive babies, do something special for her.  Perhaps an all-natural, unscented hand lotion to help keep her hands soft for her baby despite all the hand-washing.  (All-natural and unscented will help prevent any irritation to baby’s skin or lungs.)  Or something to make her feel pretty – a comfy-but-pretty top, a pretty accessory to keep her hair away from her face, etc.
• Think small.  Coins for the vending machine or a gift card for the cafeteria might be welcome little surprises.
• One of the most wonderful ideas I ever heard was to send a gift – a fruit basket, for instance – to the nurses.  NICU nurses spend a lot of time and pour a lot of emotional energy into these little ones and appreciating them is one way of letting the family know you care.

What if you don’t know anyone with a baby in the NICU, but you still want to help?  You can probably still make hats and/or blankets and donate them to your local hospital.  Call them to find out.  Or you can help with the NICU survival kits that Jen at 4tunate.net is putting together.