He is 1 pound, 2 ounces. 12 inches long. Right now they are just taking it day by day. They are going to run some tests on him tomorrow. My friend is ALWAYS there for me in an instant and I really want to do something for her. I'm just not sure what. She might be coming home tonight. I was suppose to be throwing her a baby shower in FEB. I'm at a loss on what to do, please anyone that has been there, give me some ideas.

By Melanie on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 04:00 pm:

Many prayers for your friend and her baby!

I have a friend who delivered a baby at 29 weeks (much further along, obviously, than your friend, but still in need of a lot of support). A mass email was sent to all the moms in the area asking for help with meals. The sign-up was for every other day, with a request for one meal, plus extra to freeze for later. The baby will be coming home in February and the plan is to continue helping in this way as long as needed.

I would suggest organizing meals on a large scale like this, as well as whatever other things they will need: volunteers to help clean the house, shop, provide childcare for siblings, etc. Rally the troops and get as many people to pitch in as possible. Find out what they need and then organize the people to do it.

(((HUGS)))

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 04:41 pm:

{{{HUGS}}} Will keep baby and family in my prayers.

By Emily7 on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 04:47 pm:

Melanie's suggestion is a good one.
My son was born at 36 weeks with a major birth defect. I spent every second with him that I could while he was in the NICU.
While Joseph was in the NICU I saw so many miracles, it is amazing how much they can do for little babies born that early.
Thoughts & prayers for your friends baby.
Some thing that helped us was that we asked for a primary nurse, in fact he had 2. When they worked, they were his nurses & it helped because they were a great liaison between the Dr's and us. For some reason we just got, in my opinion better care & answers, when we had the primary nurses.

By Kaye on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 05:03 pm:

As for immediate needs, buy or make her one of those tiny drawstring backpacks. Fill it with some carmex, some hand lotion, a readers digest, maybe a sudoku book. Include a pen, a pad of paper, maybe even a throwaway camera. And honestly I would try to include something about congrats on being a new mommy. She will be spending a lot of time there, there are just some essentials that are nice to have.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 05:03 pm:

Wow, that is awful... the outlook is so grim at that point. I hope the baby pulls through. I agree that meals would be the best thing you could do right now.

By Colette on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 05:34 pm:

Meals, and if she has other children, try and do something fun with them.

By Conni on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 09:43 pm:

My nephew was premature...My sister was constantly at the hospital, then home to shower, then back to hospital, then to grab a bite to eat, then back to hospital, etc...She basically let her house go because she wasn't home. She wanted to be at the hospital with her son. One of her best friends completely cleaned her house for her one day while she was at the hospital. She was very appreciative.

I'll keep them in my prayers. I am amazed at how strong babies can be.

By Shellyg on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 12:57 am:

Oh you guys are amazing, such great, great ideas. The meals will be great. I think I have enough people to pull off a few meals. The bag with essentials, the cleaning the house, really wonderful ideas.
Little Cole Joshua is doing well. Hes a fighter!

By Mom2three1968 on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 07:36 am:

Prayers and (((hugs))) for the little fella!

By Tunnia on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 08:53 am:

More prayers for Cole Joshua and his family!

By Mlee on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 10:28 pm:

(((Hugs to Cole Joshua, his mom, his dad and family)))

So many good ideas. I can't add much.
Do they have other children? Rides to soccer practice, whatever.

Laundry help -- I'm thinking of some simple way of setting out a basket of dirty laundry and having it come back clean.

I like the handcream idea. My skin and lips always get dried out at the hospital.