My Top 5 Medical Mom Must-Haves

One of the most unnecessarily difficult things you face as a medical mom is finding tools that help ease your daily struggles. I compiled a list of my must-have tools for any phase of medical mommin'-- NICU, CICU, PICU, or just being at home and naviagting day-to-day life. This list is in no way limited to just medical moms. So many of these recommendations will ease any walk of motherhood!

What worked for us may not work for you, but might get you headed in the right direction to finding your groove.

Let’s get started!

2. Hatch Sound Machine

Let me start with this- not every family will benefit from a convertible stroller, and that’s okay! When Parker was smaller (and I could lift the Doona out of the car without feeling like I was going to end up with a hernia) the Doona stroller was a God-send. Getting her in and out of the car over and over, getting to appointments at the opposite ends of hospitals, and carrying all of her necessities was so much easier.

The Doona is compact, quiet, and frankly one of the most light-weight options.

Cons: It doesn’t come with adequate storage. Cup holders, bags, everything, is extra. Also, it has a hefty price tag.

Alternatives to the Doona are popping up left and right, and, at lower price points. The Graco GoMax Travel System has a similar convertible blueprint as the Doona. The difference is that the stroller wheels aren’t attached to the base of the car seat, but have a collapsible unit that clicks in once the seat is removed from your vehicle, and has storage underneath the seat when in the stroller form. This seat comes in at $399, which is significantly lower in price than the Doona and still allows the same quick stroller system without removing your baby from the car seat and into a separate stroller.

Similarly, the Evenflo Gold Shyft DualRide has the same drop-down mechanism as the Doona with no additional attachments needed to transition from car seat to stroller. Downfall? No storage, no cup holders, and you’re still spending $419 for something you’ll need to purchase additional accessories for in order to make it functional for any medical equipment. Now, if you’re just looking for a stroller with simplicity and convenience, any of these are perfect. But, if you’re needing space for oxygen, feeding pumps, or monitors, the Graco Modes Pramette 3-in-1 stroller might be the perfect stroller. It allows you to insert the infant carrier, Pramette, and then the toddler seat. This system allows for your child to grow without needing to invest in multiple strollers as they age, has a large storage section at the base, and is only $219. And finally, for larger medical needs, the Phil and Teds Voyager Newborn Bundle is floating on positive reviews from special needs parents. It’s a double stroller, which at first glance may seem unnecessary, but upon researching, many parents take out the second seat in order to allow for more space for oxygen tanks and larger children. This system originally $854 (sheesh), but is 50% off right now, clocking in at $427.

Doona - https://amzn.to/3QXOAwP

Graco GoMax Travel System - https://www.gracobaby.com/shop/travel-systems/compact-lightweight-travel-systems/gomax-travel-system/SAP_2216078.html

Evenflo Shyft - https://amzn.to/4iVZyzd

Graco Modes Pramette Stroller - https://amzn.to/4i0wkOj

Phil & Teds Voyager Newborn Bundle - https://us.philandteds.com/products/voyager-newborn-bundle

I think a sound machine is beneficial for everybody. Children, babies, adults. Everybody. But, I truly believe sound machines in the NICU and in CICU benefitted Parker feeling more comfortable when she wasn’t able to be physically soothed. We take the mini hatch with us to every procedure and overnight stay that Parker has. We have an emergency mini that we keep at home, one that stays in our hospital bag, and a full sized Hatch that stays plugged in at Parker’s bedside.

I love that the Hatch has an app that I can control from my phone without having to go into P’s room to fix the volume or turn it back on if our power goes out. The mini Hatch and the full size have several of the same sound options, so once we were discharged from the NICU, we were able to use the same sounds at home to make the transition a little easier.

Hatch - https://amzn.to/41XYGEd

Mini Hatch - https://amzn.to/4hT97xn

1. Convertible Stroller

This one might sound really out of pocket if you’re not a medical mom, but if you’ve got a complex babe, you know the struggle of never having enough syringes. I don’t know about everyone else, but when I pick up the medication refills, they always give me the tiniest, cheapest, quickest to break syringe. Singular. Just one. When my child takes 10mL of one medication three times a day, plus morning and bedtime medications, one tiny 1 mL syringe is not going to get us through the day. I love the Foosi brand 3 mL syringes for Parker’s smaller doses. They’re smooth, they don’t get stuck, and I rarely pull air bubbles. For our larger doses, the Ryan & Rose are great. They’re a little pricey, but they’re easy to draw for larger syringes, they don’t leak, and they come in pretty colors. Who doesn’t feel a bit happier when they take medicine out of a pretty vessel?

Foosi 3mL - https://amzn.to/43DKzoQ

Ryan & Rose - https://amzn.to/3QZCz9Z

3. Reusable Syringes

4. Tushbaby

I get stopped everywhere we go when I have our Tushbaby on. It saves your back, it saves your arms, and it makes walking around for long periods so much easier. There are options of several attachments that help the tushbaby grow with your baby too!

I love that it's a secure seat for your child to sit on, so your hips and lower back aren't bearing all the weight. I love that the designs are pretty cute, and the numerous pockets and storage on the device itself. It even has a bottle holder on the side! The Tushbaby has become my go-to baby shower gift!

Pros: It makes carrying your child, cards, and phones easier.

Cons: It's bulky and a little expensive.

Tushbaby - https://tushbaby.com/?rstr=alexis

5. Baby Trend Expedition Wagon

I'm sure you've seen parents at the zoo walking around with wagons - they're truly amazing. They're great for more than just going to the zoo. With Parker, we've used it for Halloween, going to the hospital, anything you can think of. They make packing up a million things for a hospital admission and walking from the top of the parking garage to the other end of the hospital so much easier. With Parkers physical disabilities and being an amputee, she is still delayed and unable to walk on her own, even at the age of (almost) 2. Having something larger to hold a bigger toddler and all her equipment and belongings, even for short trips to the zoo, has made a huge impact on our lives.

Pros: large capacity, easy to push and pull, storage for Parents too!

Cons: expensive, takes up a lot of space in the car.

Baby Trend Expedition (on sale!) : https://www.target.com/p/baby-trend-expedition-lte-2-in-1-stroller-wagon/-/A-94087964?preselect=93209406#lnk=sametab

Alternatives:

Jeep Evolve Stroller Wagon (currently $199, reg $249): https://www.target.com/p/jeep-evolve-stroller-wagon-by-delta-children-black/-/A-86918314#lnk=sametab

Wonderfold w4 Luxe ($799, quad seating): https://a.co/d/dFqXvwa

Munchkin Ultra-Lite Stroller Wagon ($224): https://fromrebel.com/products/ultra-lite-stroller-wagon-black-1c0493?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21130615571&utm_content=&utm_term=brand&gadid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21133988530&gbraid=0AAAAAozRJVYAVtcOchi7Qsc60hNul7hA5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqebEBhD9ARIsAFZMbfx9dDD9et-gSDkhY-7gGbp6h5c35iNB56AUrU5xxTVpX8XWUtiwPbgaAtUhEALw_wcB&display=product