After much reflection and conversations with other NICU mommies, I'm pretty sure I would've survived with just these few items.
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter: I cannot stress enough about how drying hospital air is. They purposely keep it that way as to avoid bacterial growth in the air, but it does a number on your skin. And if that doesn't do your skin in, washing your hands and using hospital grade hand sanitizers every ten seconds will! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff. It's super thick and creamy and smells SO yummy! Other favorites are the strawberry and mango scents.
Lansinoh Lanolin Cream: If you didn't already know, I'm a first-time mom. I didn't really have an opinion on breastfeeding until I gave birth to a preemie and the nurses explained that my milk was her medicine. Because she was so tiny, I found myself permanently attached to a breast pump until she was strong enough to try latching. Luckily, I had a wonderful lactation consultant in the hospital that forewarned me about cracked nipples...otherwise I would've been pumping away with no concern for my poor nipples whatsoever! This stuff is amazing. I used it after each time I pumped and have never, ever had a problem!
American Eagle Button Down Shirt: I was so thrilled to finally kangaroo with my little princess, but after changing out of my clothes and into a crinkly, uncomfortable surgical gown for the umpteenth time, I knew there had to be a better way! Thankfully, one of her wonderful nurses suggested wearing a button down shirt to make it easier and more comfortable. I would usually leave this in her isolette drawer, because her dad and I would take turns doing kangaroo care with her, so I didn't always need it. It also came in handy for when I would try breastfeeding!
Boppy Pillow: This was amazing for when I tried breastfeeding! (Layla still drinks breastmilk, we were just never able to latch because she prefers the bottle.) Although the staff tried to give me some hospital pillows, they never worked as well as the Boppy and always slipped around. This was so great to leave up at the hospital to use whenever I needed it.
Medela Symphony Double Breastpump Kit: My hospital had Medela Symphony pumps in their NICU, but it may differ with your hospital. They were also able to provide me with multiple kits, so I never had to come out of my own pocket for these...which I cannot tell you how great that was. It was one less thing to worry about! If you can afford a Symphony, I STRONGLY suggest investing in one! It is by far and away the best pump I've ever used (I've tried a few that have sucked in comparison)! I also kept these at Layla's bedside, so that they were there when I needed them and I never forgot them.
Naked Juice Smoothies: As a health-conscious, breatfeeding mom, I tried so hard to live by the "what you eat, baby eats" rule. When you're traveling to and from home every day, going to school full-time, and trying to take care of the house, it's next to impossible. I can't tell you how many times I'd lay in bed at night and think, "Shit, I forgot to eat!" You get so caught up in your day and your pumping schedule that you just forget. It happens. These things saved my life! They're loaded with fruits and veggies and they're all natural! Win win win! When you don't have time to fix a meal, these come in so handy when you're trying to eat and
Bumble Bar: Okay, so I know that everyone loves a good meal replacement/granola/protein bar. The problem is, they're full of shit and usually taste like it, too. {And the sugar content is disgustingly high.) These babies are INSANELY GOOD! They're organic, LOW in sugar, and taste AWESOME! They're not high in protein (around 5g/bar), so I usually boil a dozen eggs and eat one along side it. So great to throw in your bag and munch on when you're on-the-go and trying to avoid another Biggby brownie for dinner (Can you believe they're not selling these anymore?! I almost cried in their drive thru when they told me!).
iPhone 5: If you're anything like me, you live on your phone. This is obviously essential for staying in touch with family, friends, and NICU nurses everyday. Also, it helped keep me entertained when baby was sleeping and I was able to take hundreds of pictures and babyspam Facebook and Instagram feeds to my heart's content. IMPORTANT: Don't forget your charger!
Yoga Pants: You're already in an awful, uncomfortable hospital day in and day out. To top it all off, you just had a baby. You deserve to wear yoga pants. Everyday. I'm a stay-at-home-mommy and I own more yoga pants than jeans. I cannot tell a lie. I seriously love them. Best thing about them is that you don't have to spend a fortune on them. They're all the same to me! Comfy, stretchy, and wonderful!
Slippers: I pretty much feel the same way about these as I do the yoga pants. You're in a NICU, getting dressed up in unnecessary. Your situation is uncomfortable enough, YOU might as well be comfortable.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: When all of your time is taken up with baby and pumping and hospitals and driving and everything else...low maintenance is obviously key. This product is great for that. It's got great coverage, it's moisturizing, and has SPF protection all in one. If you only wear ONE product, this is it. Even just throwing some of this on real quick before I ran out the door helped me to feel more human!
Burt's Bees Lip Balm: I'm obsessed with lip balms. I have a sickening amount in every bag I own. No matter how much or what brand I buy, I always come back to Burt's. The hospital chapped my lips so bad that they would bleed. This stuff was awesome. And I have no idea why I'm so satisfied by the dull sting every time I put it on. haha
There you have it! I hope this helps to make your NICU stay less difficult, because let's face it...it's never easy. Let me know if there is anything that you considered a MUST HAVE during your NICU stay!
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