Use of blankets from home in the NICU

[lmasta03]

Does anyone have any information/research on the use of blankets/clothing from home? We are trying to come up with a new policy and would love to know if there is any research out there.

[staycalm]

I'm a nurse in a level III NICU. I'm not sure about evidence based research for home blanket use in the NICU (though we have TONS of committees that research and are constantly updating policies that are evidence based). I'll gladly share our policy. Our unit has private patient rooms (mostly). Families CAN bring in blankets from home, as well as baby clothes (though the clothes really aren't used much until closer to discharge). Everything must be washed prior to use. We do not wash any personal blankets or clothes. If there is a question of cleanliness, we won't use them. Many of our families have a special blanket they bring to use for when they hold the baby. It provides great comfort for the mother especially- I see them snuggling with the blanket while in the room lovingly gazing at the baby asleep in the isolette. Or, they will have the blanket in their lap while they pump. Time is spent discussing with the family how to bring in a "home" item, when to wash, to be very away of where blanket is placed (not on foot rests, etc).

We do not allow any stuffed animals. Parents can bring in hard items (example an angel statue, rubber ducky, etc). The level 4 NICU that is 1hr away does allow stuffed animal though- and is an open unit.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We had a huge debate with our ID people about this. We do allow them to bring blankets and clothes from home. But they have to be clean and smoke free. If they aren't then we politely tell them why we can't use them and educate them.

We do not allow stuffed animals, from families or donations. Anything to be places in the bed has to be able to be wiped down.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

There is an article Medscape about the stuffed animals.

[milkglass]

We allow blankets, clothing, mitts, socks, hats, and pacifiers from home. We warn that if the pacifier gets dropped on the floor it may get thrown away or given to them to boil/sterilize. As the others said, the clothes are suppose to be washed first (but we're totally guilty of just ripping the tags off and using it bc we can't resist making a nice bed ). We try to educate parents about clothing/blankets that smell like smoke, but it's usually to no avail.

We also don't allow stuff animals in the cribs, sometimes we'll just place them on the counter. Once we had a family bring in a 3 foot stuffed dog, uhh yeah.. that one had to go back home, lol.

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

Blankets, clothes, mobiles, stuffed animals, you name it we've got it - level 3c nicu

[NBmomto2]

We do not allow any stuffies from home, unless placed in a bag at the bedside. Any blankets or clothing from home has to be washed in the unit before allowing it to be with the babies. This is because of our infection control policies.