Getting Crafty at the NICU
September is NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Awareness Month, dedicated to honoring the families, volunteers, and healthcare professionals who dedicate their time to infants and mothers in need. This week, we’ll be looking into March of Dimes, a nonprofit working to end preventable maternal and infant health risks and deaths. Most infants who are admitted to a hospital’s NICU are either born prematurely, or with complications. No parent should have to face this daunting and uncertain time without support, and that’s where we can come in.
March of Dimes operates chapters in all 50 U.S. states, including one right here in St. Cloud, MN. MOD is always looking for monetary donations because they can be used to most effectively help infants and mothers, but it goes without saying that a handmade gift such as a crocheted or knitted blanket, or even heartfelt words of encouragement, go a long way too.
First up: Layette Items.
Wait… what the heck does layette even mean? A layette is a collection of items for newborns; at their most basic they contain an outfit, hat, and blanket. Each chapter has different needs that change month-to-month, so its best to reach out individually if you want to provide the best support for little ones and their caregivers. That being said, a soft blanket made with love is always appreciated.
Image Credit: Seji Reborns
Although when we think NICU we think small, often parents are left scrambling and unable to gather up the items they will need when baby finally comes home, so crib-size blankets will best serve them. The most simple patterns for beginner crochet artists are going to be similar to this one from Easy Crochet. Choosing a thick yarn will help your project work up quickly, and you have an opportunity to get creative with colors and borders if you’re feeling adventurous! The same goes for knitting, which tends to work up even faster than crochet projects.
Second, and not to be taken for granted: Notes of Hope.
Notes of Hope can be submitted as an individual, or with a group. These notes should contain messages of encouragement, love, hope, and personal stories you may have to share about parenthood. MOD also works with families who have lost pregnancies, and kind words of empathy and encouragement are deeply needed during the period of grieving following a loss. This guide is a good place to start if you would like to send wishes.
Donations and letters can be mailed or hand-delivered to any chapter, but it is best to call the chapter you plan to visit beforehand to make sure they are open and staff are availible.
I am grateful to live in a state where maternal and infant healthcare is valued and taken seriously, but we still face economic and racial equity gaps when it comes to quality of care across the board. My own mother felt the strain when I was born with complications and admitted into the NICU; She lacked financial support and felt that her questions were overlooked. I hope that myself and my children will not have to go through the same struggle she and thousands of other mothers do. For other ways to help infants in the NICU as well as their families and staff who care for them, visit MOD’s volunteer and advocacy page to learn more.
Stay Crafty,
Brianna 🫶
