Tote Bags-need suggestions!

[Corin Nava]

My MIL and I have decided to put together tote bags for expectant CDH parents and parents in the NICUs in our area. We have an idea of what we would like to include in the bags, but are looking for suggestions. This is what we have come up with so far.

1. Journal (with the CDH Awareness ribbon on the front)
2. Quilt/blanket (we are getting the awareness ribbon and CHERUBS website printed on a small piece of fabric to put on the back of the quilts)
3. Eye Cover
4. Lotion
5. Lip Balm
6. Disposable camera (to leave with the nurses when the parents can't be there)
7. CHERUBS brochure and PRG

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Think back to the NICU days and what you would have liked to have had.

[Elaine Moats]

All of these look great, the only thing I might add is some kleenex.

[LynneB]

sounds great! How about gum or hard candy? It was so dry in the NICU,that I had coughing fits when I would visit.

[karahess]

A pen!! I never seemed to be able to find a pen in NICU. Can you get pens made with CHERUBS logo on it?

Puzzle book. I went through a lot of puzzles during my 12 hour days bedside.

[Corin Nava]

Elaine, Lynne, and Kara-Thanks for the great suggestions! Keep them coming!

[karahess]

In our hospital pack that we were given were vouchers for the cafeteria. One for a free coffee; one for a free snack bag of chips/pretzels and one worth $5.00 for anything in the cafeteria. Those came in really handy! See if your local hospitals have anything like that to put in your bags.

What about a waterbottle. I went through a ton of water while sitting in NICU.

[JeanneNava]

Great ideas gals...most of these should be easy to come by. Maybe I can get the guy who is going to do the blanket labels to do a couple of other things for me, although I don't want to get too pushy. I know I've received catalogs where you can have pens/pencils, water bottles and other objects imprinted for a reasonable price. Hmmm, I'll have to keep my eyes open for something like that. I wish I could remember who it was. I also wanted to add cloth booties to the bag ideas. We'll have to check with the hospitals first. Maybe hats too? Does anyone know if they use them?
Jeanne

[StephanieOlivarez]

A list of local hotels that have the hospital discount.
Local list of not expensive places to eat. Hospital food is expensive.
Local churches list (is the hospital does not have one)
Small inspiration books to read (dollar stores normally have these)
Coupons for stores locally. Stores will give these for hospitals.

I think all these suggestions are GREAT!!!

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Branders.com is a good place for items with the logo. Also (believe it or not!) EBAY is wonderful for this too and usually cheaper!

You all have such wonderful ideas!! The only other thing that I could think of was a nice comfy pair of slippers/footies for mom......do u all remember the feet swelling?!?!

My suggestions may be out of th price range but I know when my mother was in hospital for 8+ months having several major surgeries and when she was dying these things would of helped us out a lot and taken off some pressure of having to organise them.

* a home delivered main meal for a month - like Lite n Easy home delivery - cuts out having to shop prepare and clean up eqauling more time able to be spent at the hospital or they could take the meal with them.
* a voucher for house cleaning for a month - once a week or even a fortnight - bathrooms, floors and vacuuming makes a massive difference
* a six pack of water bottles - 6 x 600ml - always nice to have one on hand rather than fizzy rubbish - also handy if you need headache tablets
* maybe a little frame that the parents can put a family photo in to leave with the baby when they have to go home