Knitting for the NICU

Why We Can't Knit Lace for the NICU

You may have seen this post going around Facebook :

         

                           

Bailey's toe with a 24 hour difference. I don't post pics that are grotesque; however, I think this is appropriate to share with other parents of young ones. Al...ways check footies, booties, and baby socks. I had adorable bear booties on her for almost 6 hours before taking them off and discovering a string/thread had managed to wrap (with the help of little wiggling toes) around her toe, cutting circulation off. If it wasn't for her "hurt" cries while I was rubbing her foot I would of never bothered to check until I dressed her for bed late in the evening. Please, always turn those booties, socks and onsies inside out to check for loose strings.....I know i will from this point forward. 3 kiddos and this is the first time this has happened. — with Valerie Moreillon and 2 others.

This is the perfect illustration for why we cannot knit lacy fabrics for the NICU, no matter how lovely they are.  Think of how small the fingers and toes of term babies are.  Now imagine the diameters of those digits as half, or even smaller than that. The capillary beds in the fingers and toes of premature babies are so delicate that getting a digit caught in a bit of lace or with a lace string wrapped round would so easily cut off blood flow that the baby could lose that finger or toe. 

 

 That's why I don't allow any lacy crocheted knitted items in our NICU.

10 things I Wish Everyone Knew About Preterm Labor and Prematurity

From fellow knitter and Preemie Mom, Lisa Wilburn:

10 things I wish everyone knew about preterm labor and prematurity before I went into preterm labor:

1)  Preterm labor is hard to explain. There is no rhyme or reason. In many pregnancies, it just happens.

2)  Counting 6 or more contractions an hour is not a normal sign.  Call your doctor; it is not normal Braxton Hicks.

3)  Preterm labor is serious.  If someone is told they need to be on bed rest they are...

not lazy and really it is not fun.

4)  Magnesium Sulfate will make you sick.  It is used for preterm labor. It will suck.  Some studies have shown it can prevent or limit the severity of cerebral palsy. Please educate yourself about the local options for NICUs and about preterm labor treatment. (Mag sulfate, steroid shots and the P17 shot if you have been in preterm labor before.)

5)  Please do not tell someone that her labor was easier because her baby was smaller.

6)  A wise person once said “no matter how hard it is having baby with colic is not comparable to having a child on a feeding tube.” Try not compare kids, especially premature infants just out of the NICU, to full term infants.

7)  When a baby is in the NICU please call their parents or send cards.  Often, parents of NICU babies are cheated of the experience of well wishes.

8)  Do not blame a mother for her preterm labor or premature child. She needs support.  She is likely blaming herself.

9)  If you are throwing a baby shower and a person is experiencing preterm labor or has a baby in the NICU, please ask her how she feels about having the baby shower. This is a difficult time and you might want to postpone it or change the location.

10)  Premature babies are more fragile even out of the NICU.  Be respectful and do not see them or take your kids to see them when you are sick.  RSV puts babies back in the  hospital and it can kill babies.

How Does a Fetus Breathe: Fetal Circulation Rap

Fetal Circulation Rap by iraislabonga on YouTube:

Paige and Iris created this as a project for their Biology class.  Love it!