blankets

[aggiernwannabe]

Do many of you recieve donated blankets or incubator covers in your NICU? If so what sizes and dimensions do you recomend people donate? Are there also any certain types or materials of yarn or flannel you allow? Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated!!Thanks.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

We don't recommend sizes. We get them in all sizes. I guess the people making them have different skills and can only make one so big? Some go in cribs, big ones over isolettes, little ones we use for memory boxes....

Quilts and knit blankets are made of acrylic matereials.

[melissah]

We use all sizes of covers. Materials have ranged from flannels to cottons. We do not use any materials that have loose fibers directly on the infant (flannel blankets or crib covers). The volunteers have done a great job. The community support from quilting circles, church groups and families of employees is amazing! The only request that we made was dark backing instead of light colors. Of course the light colors were pretty, but the darker better for the baby .

[prmenrs, RN]

Always needed: small, lightwweight 'swaddling' cloths for the really small babies. A regular blanket makes them too hot, esp as they get older. I've had Brownie troops make them for their "community" project--they get their sewing badge, too.

Use cotton calico, 44-45" wide, cut to 22-23", then cut in half, you'll get 2 out of one piece; hem all the edges and iron. Perfect size for the under 1200gm crowd.

Take a picture or 2 of the cloths in use for the group that donated it--they like that.

[kitty29]

We recieve donations from so many...and some of the nicest are the quilts that a church group makes. About the only suggestions I believe I've ever made is with regard to bereavement gowns & hats...as far as sizes and patterns.

[Jellibum]

i (and others) want to donate little hats and blankets but how would be the best way to deliver them? through the unit itself, through the hospital (who would i speak too?) i have no idea.

~jelli

[prmenrs, RN]

At our hospital, those donations came through Volunteer Services, usually, but you could also call the unit directly and ask.

It's very kind and always welcome when we get donations. It's even better when some attention is paid to colors in knit goods. Bright colors are not good for the babies; but might be good for a retirement home, or afghans on a med-surg unit. In any case, we're always grateful that someone thinks of us.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Jellibum, call the NICUs in your area and speak to the Nurse Manager.

[yhano]

hi evryone, im new here ind still a student nurse. irealy hope this site can help me....

gud luck to you all, keep smilin:>