The day is finally here – you get to take your little one home. If you’re anything like me, you’re worried about having everything you’ll need to ensure the comfort and safety of your new addition.
These items helped me on my journey as a new mom to a preemie. A few were recommended by hospital staff and others I found through trial and error.
You’ll need a car seat that meets the weight requirement for your baby. In most instances the car seat will have to support very tiny babies that weigh at least 4lbs. The Chicco KeyFit 30 was recommended by staff at our son’s hospital. We were pleased with this purchase and we miss using it now that our son has outgrown it.
Pampers Swaddlers Size Preemie
These are the diapers used in the NICU where my son was admitted. We tried other brands but always went back to these. The others we tried left cotton residue on our son and never really fit him right.
Dr. Brown’s Original Preemie Bottle
These were recommended to us in the NICU and we’ve stuck with Dr. Brown products ever since.
Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Baby Bottle Warmer
Heats to a perfect temperature without bubbling over. We bought two warmers from another company and were disappointed and frustrated when they began “boiling over”, even though we followed the directions exactly.
BoogieBulb Baby Nasal Aspirator for Smaller Newborns and Preemies
The giant hospital grade nasal aspirator that they give you in the NICU seemed too big for our little one’s nose. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was afraid it would stretch out our son’s tiny nostrils. I found the BoogieBulb online and it fit snugly and comfortably while getting rid of the annoying snot.
4moms mamaRoo 4 Bluetooth-Enabled High-Tech Baby Swing
As a mom to a baby with reflux you’ll try anything to get them to keep their food down. We were surprised to come into the NICU one day and see our son gently swaying in this contraption. The mamaRoo keeps our son upright after meals and also gently rocks him to sleep. It has several modes, so depending on your baby’s mood you can set it for different “sway patterns” and speeds. The mamaRoo also has Bluetooth capabilities so you can play your own tunes as your baby sleeps or plays.
Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard Snuggle Suite LX
The Graco Pack and Play has been and still is a central part of our baby’s play time. We used the napper when our son first came home because it allowed him to feel bundled and secure. The changing pad was used up until our baby was too big for the napper. We have removed both and now use the top level as his permanent sleeping area until he graduates to his crib.
BLACK+DECKER BCRK17W Compact Refrigerator
Our baby was on a strict 3-hour feeding schedule in the NICU (3,6,9,12 etc.). Late night feedings were so much easier with this fridge. We keep it in our bedroom and it keeps everything chilled including his reflux medicine and a few bottled waters for late night pumping sessions.
Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘n Seat Tub
My son has loved bath time since his first bath in the NICU! The nurses were always excited to tell us how much he enjoyed bath time. After he graduated from the plastic NICU tubs, we bought this Fisher Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘n Seat Tub. The newborn sling was super helpful, but as soon as we felt safe submerging his body we did! Now at 7-months he still kicks, coos and plays in his tub with room for a toy or two.
Cocoon Cam Plus – Baby Monitor with Breathing Monitoring
The Cocoon Cam Plus is hands down my favorite baby product of all time! See my review here. It has saved us from so much worry! And it allows me to be the helicopter parent I always wanted to be! Set-up is simple and the price is very reasonable. If you find yourself obsessively checking your baby’s breathing, this camera will save you the trouble.
The NICU nurses told us our baby “ran hot”, in that his body temperature naturally felt on the warm side and he could get hot really fast. They advised us to switch out the traditional Kuddle-Up blankets with muslin swaddles. Muslin material is cooler and lighter. I found these and they kept my baby feeling secure and comfortable all night. I also didn’t worry as much about the material accidentally covering his face (it never did) because the material is so light.
I supplement my baby’s breastmilk with formula. After following a lengthy formula-making routine every night, I did some research to see what would make my job a bit easier. Enter the Baby Brezza Formula Pro. This little beauty not only mixes the formula but will warm the mixture to a perfect temperature for your baby. The Brezza accommodates your baby’s growing appetite and can prepare both 4oz and 8oz bottles.
Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Visible Cool Mist Humidifier
Our baby had really bad nasal congestion, common for many preemies. One of the top recommendations from our pediatrician was a cool mist humidifier. We picked up the Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier and noticed a marked improvement in our son’s symptoms. We were warned by our son’s ENT doc, however, to only use it if needed as it can exacerbate symptoms if used too often.
You can’t go wrong with onesies! Towards the end of our son’s hospital stay we were able to bring in clothing for him. Onesies were the top recommendation by his nurses. We were instructed to keep our son inside for the first year so the plain white ones suited us perfectly.
