STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

mikacat · Coach

need bed rest ideas??

luckylily · Gucci

We recently gave a friend on bedrest knitting needles, yarn, and a knitting how to book. She loved it! Of course, she already had an interest in learning to knit.

cc · Marc Jacobs

10 weeks?! yikes!
I think knitting or something similar (crocheting, needlepoint) is a good idea if she doesn't do that already and has an interest. Maybe you could look for a simple project that she could make for the babies like a sampler or blanket.

My mom had surgery last year and was supposed to be on bedrest for a while and she got some language cd's to brush up on her Italian. I think she did some basic Spanish as well.

If you know what sorts of things your friend likes to read maybe you can get a bunch of books on the same topic or by the same author. My mother was on a big Indian lit kick so her friend gave her a few books by Indian authors that she hadn't yet read.

-- Edited by cc at 12:50, 2005-05-20

Elle · Hermes

I would say reading material of every sort - A nice stack of magazines on varying topics, books about varying topics, and some baby books. Some books that come highly-recommended from a few of my mama-friends are:

'Rediscovering Birth' by Sheila Kitzinger

'Operating Instructions' by Anne Lamott

'1000 questions about your pregnancy'

'The Anxious Parent's Guide to Pregnancy'

'Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn' by Penny Simkin

'Birthing from Within' by Pam England, Rob Horowitz

'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' by Ina May Gaskin

'The Nursing Mother's Companion' by Kathleen Huggins

'The Mother of All Baby Books: The Ultimate Guide to Your Baby's First Year' by Ann Douglas

'The Happiest Baby on the Block : The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer' by Harvey Karp

'Baby Catcher' by Peggy Vincent

Also, she might appreciate a nice robe & some cashmere socks for the looong stay.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

oh, language books/tapes are a great idea!

coloring books and crayons. I swear it sounds weird, but it's so much fun and doesn't take lots of enery or concentration if she's feeling crappy. And when do you think the last time she colored was?

laken1 · Hermes

I love the knitting idea, but I do have an interest in doing that too, so maybe that's why I think it's genius. I just ordered this too:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009A2OEG/qid=1116610523/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl14/104-8432361-5520732?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

I figure with all the embroidery out right now, I can do that!!! And she has some really cool patterns as opposed to ducks, bows, and teddy bears. Although your friend may like that since she is having a baby, but I myself am more into the pinup girls & chinese take out boxes! This is a great price too, I almost paid $22 for it.

I also enjoy fill it in puzzles & crossword puzzles, so does she like any of those things? Also, when my MIL was in the hospital for a surgery I brought her Bath & Body lotion, Linen spray, etc & she loved it.

-- Edited by laken1 at 13:40, 2005-05-20

JMR · Dooney & Bourke

OMG poor thing. I recently learned how to knit simply for this reason!(As a just in case I am stuck on bed rest).

How about scrapbook stuff to make a little book for her kids? Or the book what to expect in the first year - I hear its a lifesaver.

I would also bring her lotion - I know that sounds silly - but something that smells pretty - its bad enough to be in the hospital - its dry and yucky and their lotion sucks.

Drew · Gucci

My friends and me went through a phase where we would color (I was about 19 at the time) and we loved it. We even got competetive to see who could do the best coloring.

It is therepeutic; I may just go out this evenening and get the biggest box of Crayola's I can find and a good coloring book.

Also, go to the local craft store, like Micheal's, and just browse the isles for fun looking projects. Whenever I am in there I always see some really cool stuff that could be easily done if you only have the time to do it.

laken1 · Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: ILoveChoo
"
coloring books and crayons. I swear it sounds weird, but it's so much fun and doesn't take lots of enery or concentration if she's feeling crappy. And when do you think the last time she colored was?
"

I second this - it probably does sound stupid, but after my nieces forced me (ok, asked me, but i'd do anything they wanted) to color with them, i bought myself 2 coloring books & colors so I could do this at home - I love to have something (else) mindless to do while watching tv, so I color sometimes. FUN!!! And she would never do that by herself

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

this goes with drew's idea. when my mom had to be on bed rest after a surgery, some friends of hers got her a latch-hook rug kit/project from a craft store. it was fun and kind of random, so there was no pressure to do it well or anything, just something new to learn and pass the time with.

blink · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: LMonet
'The Happiest Baby on the Block : The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer' by Harvey Karp

I am glad you listed this one LMonet, this is a wonderful book, written with so much common sense and compassion. Dr. Karp is the pediatrician for quite a few L.A. celebrities too. I received it the day my son was born and it was such a big help for me in those first few months when babies are hard to understand! It would have been even better if I had received it before giving birth so I would have been prepared.

My second favorite baby book is The Baby Book by William Sears, M.D.

Another great gift is the Cozy Chic Robe, totally luxurious and gets softer with every wash, I think you can buy it at www.goclothing.com.

Flowers!

If it were me, I would be craving some gourmet snacks or a healthy fresh lunch. Hospital menu items get really boring after just a few days!

Karina · Chanel

i was on bedrest for 18 weeks with my son. i did a lot of research on the internet about breastfeeding, watched a lot of TLC, chatted online w/ other mommies, did a lot of crafts and scrapbooking

Lilykind · Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: Drew
"My friends and me went through a phase where we would color (I was about 19 at the time) and we loved it. We even got competetive to see who could do the best coloring. It is therepeutic; I may just go out this evenening and get the biggest box of Crayola's I can find and a good coloring book. "

I agree with this wholeheartedly!

I'm 19 now and I work at a children's talent agency so we have coloring books in the reception room and in my downtime I color. A few years back, freshman year of college, all my friends and I went through a phase where we were coloring like insane...it's so much fun!