Here are some items that were so helpful in the hospital. When I was packing it was hard to know what to pack I just over packed. I brought everything I thought we would possibly use. I wanted to but a few posts together to help others going through cranio surgery. This will help you to know the top items we used and the links to purchase them.
My biggest tip would be to hold your baby right away. I was encouraged by my doctor to do this. When MJ got fussy or was crying we got him out and held him. This helps because in our case his eyes were swollen shut and then he could feel, smell, and hear us. He calmed down so much when we would hold him. It is also good o he can move around and not just be in one or two positions.
1. I-Pad Mini - We used our iPad so much we had music playing non-stop since he woke up from surgery. He has always listened to these CD's so we created a playlist just for him to listen to on repeat. It was a mixture of instrumental music and christian lullabies that we had since he was born. The music calmed him so much. Also make sure you bring your charger we just left ours plugged into the wall. Once he opened his eyes on the 4th day in the hospital he watched Mickey mouse clubhouse which he has always liked. Also make sure you know how to work the guided access mode this is so amazing it locks the iPad so MJ can hold it and he can touch the screen.
2. Hidden in My Heart: A Lullaby Journey Through Scripture by Jay Stocker - This album is amazing it sings the bible. MJ has loved this since he was born. It calmed him so much when he was in the hospital.
3. Cloud B Sleep Sheep Sound Machine - MJ has also used this since birth when we were traveling it helped put him to sleep. He loves the ocean sound on this sound machine. I was given this lil sheep as a shower gift and I have used it so much. In the hospital I had the music on and I had this sound machine on his bed playing. When he would fuss we would turn the sound machine back on and he would calm right down.
4. MAM Anti-Colic 9oz Bottle - Make sure to bring your own bottles to the hospital. When MJ was ready to drink liquids he started on pedialyte. The nurse brought in the bottles he wouldn't take it. I was so happy that I brought his from home he took it right away. Why make him more confused after the surgery give him a bottle/nipple that he knows.
5. MAM BPA-Free Pacifier - This is a life saver the sucking was so soothing to him right after surgery. It took us a while when he was born to find the right pacifier. He would gag with most of them when we tried MAM he it was natural to him. Make sure to have a few in case they hit the floor.
6. Burts Bees Baby Essential Kimono - In the hospital MJ went from hot to cold to hot a lot it was the pain meds that made him like that. He also hated the hospital gown he would pull it off. I wouldn't like it either it was itchy and so awkward to wear. We used this Kimono top it was nice because it doesn't go over their head. Also we didn't put pants on him so we could change his diaper easier we just put a blanket over him. Make sure to have a lot of tops. MJ would throw up when we tried to get him to drink formula. So my mom washed our laundry every night because we went through all of our clothes everyday.
7. Pedialyte - MJ went through a lot of this. Its all he would drink for the first 4 days. We had to ease him into the formula/ baby food. He would throw up every time we fed him for a bit. The hospital did supply the pedialyte but once we got home we needed a lot of it still.
8. Similac: Sensitive - MJ has used this formula since he was a baby he only breast fed for a month.
(thats a whole other story lol) He only likes this formula I have tried to change but he loves this one. I brought it to the hospital just in case and good thing that I did they didn't have this formula. So make sure you bring your formula just in case the hospital you go to doesn't have it.
9. aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blanket - These blankets were soooo helpful to have. The blankets in the hospital are so rough and thick. MJ was hot most of the time. These blankets are so nice and soft and thin they are perfect to have just a light cover over him. I had the shirt on him and covered the lower half of him with the blanket.
**Another useful tip is after surgery in the hospital MJ had to be elevated. He kept sliding down the bed and every time we had to push him up to readjust him he would cry and moan in so much pain from being moved. We had an amazing nurse that showed us a trick to keep him cozy and up on his gel pillow the doctor wanted him to use so he wouldn't get a flat spot on the back of his head. She took a large hospital blanket and rolled it up and wrapped it in a U shape around him. We would rotate him from his back to his side in this U shape blanket. He really relaxed in this compared to just laying in the bed and sliding down. Such a good trick.
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