The NICU experience can be overwhelming, there are a few things that can help make your NICU journey a bit more bearable. My son’s NICU stay wasn’t a total surprise, as I had been on hospital bed rest for over two months before he was born. I prayed that his time there would be relatively short, but as the days and weeks wore on, I developed and discovered coping mechanisms to help get me through the journey.
Here are a few items that helped me get through my time at the hospital as my son progressed through his time in the NICU.
Journal
The evidence about the benefits of journaling is well-documented. It helped me to write down my feelings, the names of helpful nurses and the joy I felt every time my baby progressed in the NICU. I’m an office supply junkie, so I was pleased to find this highly recommended journal on Amazon.
Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Medium Dotted Journal
Moisturizer
My hands were extremely dry and chapped from the constant hand-washing and hand sanitizing in the NICU. The only thing that brought them back to normal was O’Keefe’s.
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream
Milestone Journal
I jotted notes in my journal but wanted a more formal journal for my baby to have. There aren’t many out there specific to NICU milestones, but I was able to find this good one:
Our NICU Journey: A NICU Journal for tracking Daily NICU Activities for your baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Canvas Tote
I initially used a free tote given to me by the hospital, but needed something larger for my pump parts, books, water bottles and everything else. I used this for my “everything bag”.
Riavika Canvas Weekend Tote Bag
Nursing Cover
Although the NICU had curtains to pull around my son’s isolette area, I always saw gaps between the closures. I used this nursing cover for when I pumped at my baby’s bedside:
Bebe au Lait Premium Cotton Nursing Cover, Belize
Reusable Coffee Tumbler
We ordered tasteless, weak coffee many, many times from the hospital cafeteria or coffee stand. Eventually I began bringing my own coffee (and water). The NICU only required it to have a lid.
Spill Proof Coffee Mugs with Anti-Leak Locking Lid
Books
I always brought reading material – one book to read to my baby and one for me. This was helpful for when my son was having procedures that required a sterile environment and we had to wait in the family waiting area.
An uplifting book really helped during those times. This was one of my great finds:
Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living
I love speaking positive words and encouragement to my baby. This book was a good start to begin our reading relationship together.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Boppy
The Boppy brand has become synonymous with nursing pillow, and for good reason. The huge boppies They had in the NICU were perfect for cradling tiny preemie bodies for nursing, or propping them up for skin-to-skin sessions. But bring your own if possible!
There were only a few circulating in the NICU and a couple of them always had stains on them (ewww!). I purchased a couple and began bringing them for my own peace of mind.
Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner
Throw Blanket
I like to get cozy and comfy while pumping. While the NICU pumping room was very nice, I brought my own blanket to drape around me as I pumped. I found this good one at a reasonable price:
Forestfish Fleece Throw Blanket Cozy Soft Portable Travel Blanket
