ZENZIN
Welcome to ZENZIN, a space where I share items that truly helped us during our journey with Imani’s toys that supported her development, tools that made pumping and feeding easier, and self-care essentials that helped me stay grounded as a mama. By exploring these recommendations, you’re helping us continue to share hope and encouragement with other families. Thank you for being here.
Imani’s Favorite Toys & Developmental Helpers
These are toys that Imani loved and that supported her development during hospital days and at home.
LEADSTAR Tummy Time Mirror Toys
This tummy time mirror helped Imani strengthen her neck and core muscles while encouraging her to lift her head and explore her reflection, building her visual focus and self-awareness.
Tip: Place the mirror in front of your baby during tummy time, adding a colorful toy nearby to encourage reaching, rolling, and curiosity.
Fisher-Price Color Ring Pyramid
This colorful ring stacker helped Imani develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as she practiced grasping, stacking, and removing the rings independently.
Tip: Say the color names while your baby plays to support early language and color recognition during play.
TBWBEC & KUANGO Contrast Cards
These black-and-white contrast cards supported Imani’s visual tracking skills and helped strengthen her focus, which is essential for cognitive development and early shape and letter recognition.
Tip: Hold the cards about 20–30 cm from your baby’s face, slowly moving them side to side to encourage visual tracking and attention.
Twist & Giggle Giraffe
The giraffe and ball popper toys helped Imani learn cause-and-effect while encouraging movement and engagement, supporting her cognitive development and active play.
Tip: Encourage your child to place the ball in the toy themselves to develop independence and fine motor skills while enjoying the fun music and motion.
The Comfort of Her Stuffed Animals
These are the stuffed animals that brought Imani comfort during her toughest moments after surgery. Even today, she still finds warmth and safety with them by her side.
ZAZU Robin the Raccoon – Soothing Duvet
This ultra-soft and large baby blanket from ZAZU comes with built-in soothing sounds like white noise, heartbeat, and lullabies. It helped Imani feel comforted during tough nights, offering calm, warmth, and a cozy sense of security.
Tip: Use the cry sensor feature to activate calming sounds automatically when your baby starts to fuss.
Moonie Humming Bear – Heartbeat & Cry Sensor
This soft and smart bear helped bring peace to our bedtime routine. With its gentle light and soothing heartbeat or white noise sounds, it gave Imani extra comfort — especially during hospital nights and early recovery at home.
Tip: Use the remote control to activate the bear without waking your baby. The cry sensor is a lifesaver on restless nights.
Fisher-Price Sensory Goose Toy
This cuddly goose quickly became a favorite. Its soft body, sensory wings, and gentle rattle sounds made it comforting and fun — especially for calming down after overstimulation in the NICU or on the go.
Tip: Bring it along to hospital visits or tuck it in your diaper bag. It’s washable and perfect for building sensory and motor skills from birth onward.
Pumping & Feeding Essentials
These tools made it easier and more comfortable for me to continue giving Imani breastmilk, even when direct feeding wasn’t possible.
Momcozy M5
During those long NICU days, providing milk for Imani became one way I could still care for her when everything else felt out of control. Pumping wasn’t always easy, but using a hands-free pump like the Momcozy M5 allowed me to express milk while sitting next to her incubator, without being tied to wires or the wall.
Oternal Pregnancy Pillow
This supportive pillow helped me sleep better during pregnancy and postpartum. It eases pressure on your hips, back, and belly — and it’s adjustable, so it truly grows with you.
Tip: Also great during breastfeeding or pumping as side support behind your back or arm!
Silicone Nipple Shield – Baby Bottle Teat Shape
This nipple shield mimics the feel of a bottle teat, making breastfeeding easier for babies who struggle to latch. Especially helpful for NICU or surgical babies learning to feed again.
Tip: Great for oral aversion or bottle-to-breast transitions.
Self-Care Favorites for Parents
Taking care of yourself while caring for your baby is not selfish — it’s essential.
Lavender Essential Oil Roller
This calming scent helped me breathe and ground myself during stressful hospital days.
OFUN Bath Bombs & Candle Gift Set
Includes 5 bath bombs and 4 scented candles — the perfect combo for a quiet self-care evening.
Tip: Use after baby sleeps. Even 15 minutes can help you reset.
“You Are Loved” Self-Care Gift Box
Includes cozy socks, candle, jade roller and more — ideal for quick weekly self-care moments.
ZOVHYYA Essential Oil Diffuser
This diffuser with soft LED light helps set the mood for rest with calming scents like lavender or rose.
Tip: Add oil before bed, dim lights, take 5 deep breaths — your mini ritual for calm.
Amzeeniu Scented Candle Gift Set
This set includes 9 soy wax candles with scents like lavender, rose, vanilla and jasmine. Perfect for journaling or bedtime rituals.
Thank you for supporting our journey. By purchasing through these links, you help us continue to share hope and resources with families navigating NICU and special needs journeys, at no extra cost to you.