Bout to pop with baby #2 any day now, and we’re starting to pack up all the goods for our visit to the hospital. As a nurse and a mother, I understand the immense value of the dedicated healthcare professionals who support us during the exhilarating journey of childbirth. Our labor and delivery (L&D) and postpartum nurses work tirelessly to ensure our comfort and well-being, often going above and beyond their call of duty. In this blog post, I want to share a heartfelt way to express gratitude by creating a nurse snack basket for these incredible individuals. Let’s dive into the joy of crafting a thoughtful token of appreciation!
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Choosing the Perfect Nurse Snack Basket
To create a memorable snack basket, start by selecting a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing basket or container. A basket with handles makes it easy for your support partner to carry in while you’re in labor. Remember, the basket should be large enough to accommodate an assortment of treats while remaining easily transportable. Consider selecting a basket in the color of your baby’s gender! For baby Graham, we chose a royal blue basket. In 2021, with Stella, we didn’t know the gender – so we chose black wire baskets that were neutral.
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Delicious Snack Selection
When assembling snacks, consider a balance of indulgent salty/sweet and crunchy/chewy options to cater to different preferences. I’m in the camp that junk food is comfort food, so I really didn’t select any healthy options for our nurse snack basket. When I’m on shift, and have 2 seconds to rush back to the break room, I’m usually looking for a treat (because I know the healthy stuff is in my own personal lunch box haha).
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Also take into consideration that these items will most likely be out on a shared table in the break room, so opt for non-perishable items. Additionally, nurses usually don’t have much time to sit and eat, so a quick, small snack they can toss back quickly is ideal! We also chose to stick with the ‘Blue for Boy’ theme, so all our snacks are in blue packaging. This could easily be switched to pink for a girl, or neutral colors for a mystery gender. Here are some ideas!
Pop Chips | Pretzels | M&Ms | Jolly Ranchers | Oreos | Sparkling Water | Gold Fish | Nerds Gummy Clusters
Other items that would make great additions to a nurse basket: granola bars, trail mix, instant coffee packets, tea bags, crackers, energy drinks, hand lotion, hand soap for the staff bathroom, note pads, pens, hair elastics, chewing gum, stress balls, chapstick
Presentation and Delivery for your Nurse Snack Basket
Arrange the snacks in an organized and visually appealing manner within the basket. You can use tissue paper, colorful ribbons, or even a personalized note attached to each item to enhance the presentation. Once prepared, deliver the basket to the L&D or postpartum unit with a sincere thank you.
As we’re naming our son Graham, you know I had to throw in some personalized snack items like the ‘Baby’ and ‘Graham’ goldfish. I just couldn’t pass up that pun! I doubt the staff will pick up on that subtlety, but I know its there 🙂
With Stella’s delivery in 2021, her labor was so long that we used both our baskets for L&D staff – one for night shift, one for day shift. I later felt so bad that we didn’t have a gift for our Postpartum team, where we spent 48 hours! This time around, I plan on allocating one basket for L&D, and the second basket for Postpartum.
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Final Thoughts on Nurse Snack Baskets
Crafting a snack basket for L&D and postpartum nurses is a meaningful way to show appreciation for their exceptional care and dedication. By providing a variety of nourishing snacks and comfort items, you are not only expressing gratitude but also acknowledging the physical and emotional demands of their roles. Your thoughtful gesture will undoubtedly brighten their day and leave a lasting impression. Remember, a little kindness goes a long way in nurturing the bonds between healthcare professionals and the families they serve.
Mom’s – Did you bring nurse snack baskets when you had your babies? If not, was there another gift of gratitude you shared with your care team?
L&D and Postpartum Nurse readers – what gifts have you received for patients that were memorable or much appreciated?
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