NICU Nurse, Mama Heart. Here for every tiny step.
As a NICU nurse of ten years, I see how overwhelming the NICU can feel for families. Between the monitors, alarms, wires, medical equipment, and emotions, it can be hard to feel like this is the place where you imagined spending your first days with your baby. It is heartbreaking to hear parents say they feel like there is nothing they can do for their baby in the NICU, or that their baby feels more like the “hospital’s” baby than their own.
While nothing completely takes away the stress of a NICU stay, there are small, meaningful things parents can do. I have seen these items bring comfort, familiarity, and a more personal touch to babies, their bedside spaces, and their families.
Many parents find that bringing a few meaningful items from home helps transform the NICU into a “home away from home.” These little comforts can help you feel more connected to your baby, make the environment feel warmer, and can help create special memories during a season that can feel incredibly hard. Some of these items provide developmental comfort for your baby, while others simply help make the space feel more personal and comforting for you as parents.
A Quick Note: Every NICU is different, so always check with your baby’s care team before bringing items in. There is always the possibility of something getting lost, so if an item is especially cherished, I recommend keeping it safely at home until your baby is discharged.
With that said, here are some of my favorite NICU items that can help make your baby’s stay feel a little cozier, more comforting, and more uniquely yours.
1. Crochet Octopus
These tiny crochet octopuses have become incredibly popular in NICUs, and for a good reason. The tentacles resemble the feeling of an umbilical cord, which can be comforting and familiar for babies who were born prematurely. Nurses may position the octopus near your baby so they can gently grasp the tentacles, just as they did with the umbilical cord while in momma’s belly.
For many babies, it provides a small sense of comfort that mimics the cozy environment of the womb. Plus, they are absolutely adorable keepsakes to look back on later!
2. Scent Cloths
Scent cloths are one of the simplest NICU items, but they can have such a powerful impact for both babies and parents.
The idea is simple: you keep one cloth with you while another stays with your baby. When you visit, you swap them. Your baby gets to smell your scent, which is one of the most familiar and comforting things they know. Parents often keep the cloth tucked into their shirt or sleep with it while away from baby.
Another incredible benefit is for pumping and breastfeeding moms. Pumping while holding a cloth that smells like your baby can help stimulate the hormones that support milk production, which may help increase your supply. I highly encourage this for all my pumping mommas.
Scent cloths are not just for moms, though. Dads (or parent) can participate too. It is such a beautiful way to stay connected, even when you cannot physically be with your baby.
Some NICUs will provide you with scent cloths, so don’t buy until you know you need them.
3. Fitted Crib or Isolette Sheets
This is definitely not a necessity because the hospital will provide linens for your baby, but many families love bringing their own fitted sheets to personalize the bedside space.
Whether it is a cute pattern, a personalized design, or simply something that feels more “you,” custom sheets can make the environment feel softer and more comforting. Seeing your own baby items instead of standard hospital bedding can make a surprisingly big emotional difference.
Before purchasing, ask your nurse for the correct mattress dimensions.
For any cloth item mentioned in this list, I highly recommend washing it before bringing it in for your baby to use. Blankets and clothes from stores can be touched by many people (with lots of germs!), and you do not want to bring those to your baby. Additionally, avoid bringing items that have been exposed to smoking environments. Thirdhand smoke can be very harmful to your baby’s developing lungs.
Lastly, I recommend labeling your items with your name to help prevent them from accidentally ending up in the hospital laundry.
4. Your Own Swaddle Blankets
Bringing your own swaddle blankets can be another sweet way to personalize your baby’s care space. Many parents love choosing soft colors or patterns that feel special to them.
If your baby is premature, I usually recommend smaller swaddle blankets rather than oversized ones. Smaller swaddles are often better at providing the appropriate developmental support. For full-term babies, larger swaddles are usually perfectly fine.
Always check with your nurse before bringing blankets in so they can help determine what works best for your baby’s current stage and medical needs.
5. Clothes, Hats + Bows
Most NICUs provide basic, long-sleeve t-shirts for babies, but bringing your own outfits can feel incredibly exciting and normal during a very abnormal season.
Typically, babies will be ready for clothes when they close to moving into an open crib and are without IV lines or drains. Before buying a large amount of preemie clothing, remember that NICU babies often grow quickly and may outgrow sizes faster than expected! So definitely buy a handful of cute outfits, but don’t over do it! Another tip, if you are buying for a premie who is moving into an open crib, consider buying a couple fleece, long-sleeve outfits as these provide the most warmth!
I usually recommend:
- One-piece outfits
- Two-way zippers
- Snap pajamas
- Soft, stretchy fabrics
…and honestly, not pants. I mean, babies can wear pants, so please buy them if you can’t resist how cute the outfit is! They just tend to be more of a hassle with frequent diaper changes and monitoring equipment. Most nurses prefer the outfit options above, but of course, do what makes you happy!
These options make it easier for cords and monitoring leads to come through without putting pressure on your baby. I’ve provided several links for good options on Amazon for you, and there’s even more on my page “My Favorites.” But thankfully, a lot of stores sell preemie items now too! (Walmart, Target, etc.)
Hats and bows can be adorable additions for babies who are older as long as they do not interfere with any medical equipment. Keep in mind that hats and bows are intended for babies who need extra thermoregulation support or who are being supervised by an alert adult. They are not considered safe sleep items, so they should not be used once babies are getting closer to going home.
6. Large Quilts or Isolette Covers
An important goal in the NICU is to mimic the womb environment as much as possible for your baby. Premature babies often need isolettes (incubators) to help regulate their temperature. It is important to keep the isolette covered so bright overhead lights do not overstimulate your baby’s eyes.
In the womb, babies are not exposed to bright lights, so covering the isolette with a thick quilt can help reduce stimulation, mimic the in-utero environment, and support development.
Hospitals usually provide some type of isolette cover, but bringing your own can add warmth and a personalized touch to the space.
A meaningful quilt from home can also become a beautiful keepsake connected to your baby’s NICU journey.
7. NICU Milestone Cards
One of the hardest parts of a NICU stay is realizing that milestones look different than they do for most newborns. But that does not make them any less worth celebrating!
NICU milestone cards are such a fun way to celebrate both the small and huge victories along the way:
- First bottle
- First outfit
- Open crib day
- Off oxygen
- First kangaroo care
- Going home!
- so much more
There are so many beautiful NICU-specific milestone sets now that truly recognize and honor the unique journey these babies go through. Since every NICU journey looks different, take time to find a set that celebrates your baby’s story best.
8. Pictures From Home
If your baby has a private room or space near the bedside, bringing family pictures can make the room feel significantly more personal and comforting.
Photos of siblings, parents, pets, or family moments you’ve shared together in the NICU can help create a warmer atmosphere. One of my favorite things is when siblings draw pictures or write cards for their new baby brother or sister. It helps them feel involved and gives them a special way to support their sibling until they can finally come home.
While your baby may not be able to fully see or appreciate the pictures yet, they can bring emotional comfort to you while sitting bedside.
Sometimes the smallest touches make the biggest difference in making the NICU feel less sterile and more like your own little space!
9. A Special Discharge Outfit
Discharge day is one of the most emotional and exciting days of the entire NICU journey. After weeks or months of ups and downs, finally getting to take your baby home is something worth celebrating!
Many families love bringing:
- A special going-home outfit
- A personalized swaddle
- A personalized “going home” sign
- A cap and gown for “NICU graduation”
These little details make discharge photos even more meaningful and create memories you will treasure forever.
10. Books
Reading to your baby in the NICU is one of the sweetest and most beneficial things you can do. Research has shown that reading helps support their brain development and babies benefit greatly from hearing their parents’ voices.
Your voice is calming, familiar, and comforting to your baby. Reading can also help parents feel more connected and involved in their baby’s care during a time that can sometimes feel helpless.
Plus, books become something that grows with your child long after the NICU stay ends.
11. A NICU Journal
A NICU journal can be such a healthy emotional outlet during your baby’s journey. Some days will feel exciting and hopeful, while others may feel exhausting or scary. Writing things down can help process all of those emotions.
Many parents use journals to:
- Track daily progress
- Record weights and milestones
- Write letters to their baby
- Document hard days
- Celebrate victories
One day, looking back through those pages can serve as a reminder of just how strong and resilient your little miracle truly was — and how strong you were, too.
12. Decor and Religious Items
Depending on your NICU’s policies, you may be allowed to bring small decor or meaningful religious items to place near your baby’s bedside.
Some families bring:
- Small crosses or rosaries
- Prayer cards
- Nursery name signs
- Inspirational quotes
- Seasonal decor
These personal touches can bring comfort, hope, and familiarity during an emotional season. Always check with your nurses first to make sure items are safe and appropriate for the space.
Final Thoughts
The NICU is never where parents expect to spend their first days or weeks or even months with their baby. It can feel unfamiliar, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting. But adding little personal touches can help transform the space into something warmer and more comforting for your family.
At the end of the day, your presence, your voice, your love, and your touch are the most important things your baby could ever have. These items are simply little extras that can help make the journey feel a bit softer and more personal while you walk through it together.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission- at no extra cost to you- if you choose to make a purchase through them. I only recommend products and services I genuinely use or believe may be helpful.