Preemies and Knitted/Crocheted Hats

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There are a lot of charities out there that donate knitted and crocheted caps, blankets, "angel :saint: outfits" and other things to hospitals for preemies and sick children. Are these items really used? How big a need is there for them?

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

They sure are! And very much appreciated, too.

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Specializes in NICU.

At my hospital most of this stuff is used for bereavement care and unfortunately, there is a need for it.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Yes. And, a big need.

We use them for our preemies, for our kiddos with no family that visits, and for our fetal losses. My grandma, before she died, crocheted blankets and caps for our fetal demise babies....I always told her, there's no such thing as too big or too small. We use them all. :(

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Specializes in NICU.

We have a lot of babies who don't make it home and we really appreciate the beautiful blankets that we can use for the babies and send home with mom. I imagine it's pretty meaningful to parents, too.

We also go through a ton of flannel blankets for the babies. Having a cute bed really helps normalize the situation--as much as it can be "normal" :rolleyes: for parents. And NICU nurses are particularly um, concerned [obsessed?] with keeping a nice clean cute bed. If anyone is interested, the blankets with cute patterns on one side and plain or gingham colors on the other are especially useful.

We love and appreciate the people who give their time and money to donate these things.

If you're one of them, thanks :).

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at our hospital ALL babies get one of these caps. I even have one for each one of my kids. We have church ladies or shut-ins who just love to make these hats for us. And we greatly appreciate it!

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You know, I wondered the same thing! There's a bunch of little ol' ladies who knit caps and blankets for the maternity unit, and sometimes I wonder if they churn out more than is needed...? Guess I'd have to ask at my own facility to find out.

Thanks to those who do it!

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Specializes in Government.

I'm a knitting nut and you can usually get patterns for making these at your local hospital. FYI: in general they will not take items made out of wool. I've been rejected more than once for wool content. Stick with acrylic or cotton.

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I'm a knitting nut and you can usually get patterns for making these at your local hospital. FYI: in general they will not take items made out of wool. I've been rejected more than once for wool content. Stick with acrylic or cotton.

why dont they want wool?

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

If anyone's looking for patterns, or wanting their hospital to be a recipient, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/All_Crafts_4_Charity/ is a group I've sent things to for years, long before I became a nurse...

And FYI, I was doing charity knitting/crochet when I was in my 20's, so it's not just for little old ladies...*smile*

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
FYI, I was doing charity knitting/crochet when I was in my 20's, so it's not just for little old ladies...*smile*

Me too. :D

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why dont they want wool?

Possible alergic reactions and general itchiness/irritation on sensitive skin.

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