Baby Shower Gifts for a Lengthy Hospitalization

Ethan was born with a congenital heart defect and needed a heart surgery 3 days after birth. He had complications in the OR and we were in the hospital for 4 months after birth. I was so grateful for amazing friends and family that took care of me and sent me packages throughout Ethan's hospitalization. If you're looking for thoughtful baby shower gifts or things to put in a package for the hospital here's a list to get you started:

- A Wubbanub (binkie with a little animal attached) was a life saver and still is. Ethan loved binkies and we cut up a ton of binkies at the hospital to fit around his breathing tube. After his breathing tube was out we struggled to keep the binkie in his mouth while he was in the hospital bed and the wubbanub with the animal attached helped to keep it on his chest and in his mouth. Ethan still loves them today and he plays with the animal portion too. It was his comfort at the hospital. (https://www.amazon.com/WubbaNub-W32351-Little-Lamb-Pacifier/dp/B003PCYMP4/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1468949076&sr=1-5&keywords=wubbanub)

- Any all-snap outfits without footies. Ethan didn't wear clothes because of all of his lines in the hospital until someone gave us a little outfit that was just snaps. The rompers work great! Sometimes the hospital room is cold so I LOVED the footless pajamas with snaps. It's important for the snaps to go down both legs for better access to the lines (instead of down one side). It's also important for footless because the nurses need to get to the baby's feet to check the pulse and profusion. I really wanted to dress Ethan up in clothes (they really need to make a hospital compatible line of clothing) so the all snap outfits worked great for the hospital. No zippers, no footies and access to all limbs.  The doctors were able to just unsnap his front to see his chest and breathing while keeping his clothes on. I still use all snap outfits when I go to doctor appointments. They're WONDERFUL! (http://www.carters.com/s/Carters/carters-baby-boy-sleep-and-play/888767335869.html?cm_mmc=ip_Carters-_-Google-_-Baby_Boy_0-9_-_-888767335869&cvosrc=cse.google.Baby%20Boy_0-9_Sleepwear&cvo_crid=51653204492&cvo_cid=174079292)

- Books to read to baby. It was so important for me to talk and read to Ethan so he could hear my voice and know I was there for him. 

- Small speaker and music to put by bedside to play music for baby. I loved playing some classical or church music for Ethan and it made the hospital room more home-like. My favorite CD is Primary Worship by Paul Cardall. Paul Cardall was also born with a congenital heart defect just like Ethan  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/primary-worship/id81620665).

- Box of granola bars for the middle of the night when you have to wake up and pump every 3 hours and you're starving! 

- Cute breastfeeding cover for privacy in the hospital while pumping. This is my FAVORITE cover although I don't know where my mom bought it. Here's the brand though. I like it because the neck line pops out a little/holds it's shape and it's long and big so I'm not worried about revealing anything. (http://www.smittenbaby.com/product/nursing-covers/#tab-description)

- Blankets. It was nice to put a blanket over Ethan that wasn't a hospital blanket. It did mean more laundry for me but I got tired of the hospital elephants. :)

- Notebook for taking notes when the doctor came to talk to me.

- Decorations for the hospital room like a bunting banner, tissue paper pom poms, or window and wall stickers. 

- Activities for mom. Books, adult coloring book, colored pencils, crafts, journal, etc.

- Offer to sit with baby at the hospital and read or play during the day so mom can take a shower, go exercise, pump,  eat, or take a nap.