What Should I Have in the NICU?

MrsAMR

I will be having my babies on Friday at almost 33 weeks. What should I bring for them for their stay in the NICU? Clothing? Hats? My own breast pump? Blankets?

I'm at a total loss and quite overwhelmed so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks ladies!

ESM354

For me, I brought clothes even though the nicu had some I wanted to use the preemie clothes that I had bought as well.  I also brought a special blanket or two.  They had plenty of blankets available though- I just used a special one from home when he and I snuggled.  They also had hats and socks and everything like that.  There was also a breast pump there that I used.  It was nice to not have to bring things back and forth to the nicu everyday.  I also brought a book so we could read to him.  Other than that I brought a zip up hoodie as I got chilly when I pumped in there and that was easy to slip on while pumping.  Good luck with everything.

jessysono

Most hospitals have their own pumps at the NICU and the you would just need your pumping kit, which at least in the hospital I delivered I got free the first set.  Some pleces do pump rentals of these pumps that are commercial which is great if your able to find the same pump you would be using in the hospital.  I heard the commercial brand is better than the ones they sell for home use, and maybe once your home you can use whatever other pump you may have.  They need receiving blankets, lots of those, hats and onsies if theyre over 1700 grams. Youll spend most of your day in the hospital so hopefully you live nearby that helps.  Youll be able to interact with them around theyre "touch time", when theyre being changed and feed, youll get to do those things later, and when theyre big enough, if you have a lactation consultant you can try to intrduce the breast to them which is the best thing you can do being in the hospital.  If youre planning on breastfeeding, youll have to organize youre schedule to pump every 3 hrs to keep producing BM, and itll be hard in the hospital but drink tons of water.  If that doesnt work its ok but at least try it while theyre in the hospital or for a month if you can.  Theyll be cleared and discharged once theyre at least 4 pounds, stable and have passed the car seat test. Take pictures, not so much for you but more then anything for them when theyre older, that was my one regret, I only took pictures of her good days and not her not so good day, but my little one was born at 30 wks and weighed 3 pounds so Im sure thats not you, 3 wks for them inside make a huge difference. I was a first time mom so the good thing from all of this was that the nurses taught me to take care of her and I got to know her, what she liked and what she needed.  Nobody knows youre baby like you do, remember that, youll be the one spending most of the day with them, not the doctors or nurses, so dont doubt yourself.  Good luck with everything.

Kate621

Our NICU supplied all the clothes, socks, hats and blankets. If you had a special outfit you wanted them to wear you could always bring that in. I would make sure to have button down shirts for kangaroo care and a boppy if you plan to BF. We also put a family picture inside Jack's isolette so that he could "see" us even when we weren't there.

I'll be sending lots of t&p's for a quick and safe delivery of your LO's. GL!

lexismom1008

I loved having my boppy.  I used it when DS tried to nurse and also just to hold him in general. The first few days, DS didn't have any clothes on. After he was more stable and off of the bili lights and IV fluids, I took several onsies and gowns for him to wear. The gowns are nice because LOs wires can come out the bottom.  Make sure you always have your camera. GL to you and your babies!

Deutscher

We brought a few outfits so we could take them home for our dogs, blankets for kangarooing, snacks, microwavable meals, computer, blanket for yourself. I brought my pump because the pump at the hospital was TORCHER! Make sure they provide you with containers to store the milk in or you will need bags.

iristony

Definitely use the hospital grade pump- they will give you a set up.  It will really help you in establishing your supply.  I second the boppy.  You will not really need another thing.  I guess if you want to take any special photos you could bring an outfit, hat or blanket.  I just used what the NICU had and towards the end of our stay I brought in hats and clothing for photos.

mulrooney

Our NICU suggested we leave a disposable camera at her isolette so they could snap pictures when we weren't there. I used the hospital pump but I did like bringing in our own clothes, hats, and a big blanket to cover her isolette. We also brought in some stuffed animals to make it homey. 

 

Don't worry though - you don't have to have it all right away. Ask to speak to someone in the NICU if you haven't already so they can explain the procedures & equipment. The March of Dimes is a fabulous resource as well. Best of luck. 

brighteyes888

I had no time to plan for my delivery and wish I had stuff.  Basically, what I wanted:  breathable blankets (aden anais), warm hats (sometimes they provide at the hospital-they did for my LO), small onesie from Gerber with the hand cuffs (the ones that over the hands) because the ones at the hospitals were too big for my LO, you can rent the breast pump at the hospital, they are amazing! I actually took one home for a period of time because it was so good. I can't think of anything else...oh yeah camera and ipod!