The product I couldn't get through NICU without...

urbanflowerpot

is the Pack-it Cooler (https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Cooler-compactly-directly-freezer/dp/B003TT6KGW/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305090798&sr=1-1-fkmr0). I have the one with robots on it, but I'm sure the others work just as well

I've heard there are infomercials for them, but I don't have a television.

These hold an entire day/nights worth of those medela bottles they give me to pump into - and I can even stop at a doctor's appointment while they chill on the rocks. No other ice packs, just what's in the bag. Then it folds up.

Recommend! makes life a little less complicated so wanted to share with all of you.

Anything you can't live without?

ayram

A netbook - for internet, and also had movies/TV shows on it - helped greatly with keeping in touch with family, and also for killing time during pumping, waiting, etc.

Sudoku

Mindless "chick-lit" books like Shopaholic.  It was great to read something that wasn't deep and thought-provoking.  I just needed to escape!

 

SushiNoMore

Booze.  :-)

I also second the Kindle.  I think I read like 18 books during our son's 71 days in the NICU. 

snoopymom09

I second the booze comment! LOL!

Thanks for the cooler recommendation -- and the others.  Sure is a long road in the NICU....

SurpriseMama

My Nook and my netbook. Hours get pretty long in the NICU

My Udder Cover and hands-free pumping bra. I didn't have to cut visits short with friends/family, and I didn't ever have to mess up my pumping schedule. It was great being able to pump anytime.  

urbanflowerpot

Drat! I should have started this sooner! These are great ideas. I never thought of getting a nursing cover up the whole time we were there - in fact, I just ordered one. Because they have the screen at NICU and my brain is mush, I couldn't think outside the box

I bought a book on different shapes to crochet - chose one - and have been making that same pretty circle in all different colors. I think I'll turn it into a blanket one day