The NICU is a Level III facility, featuring 25 Intensive care beds,two isolation nurseries, and a nine bed transitional nursery. The unit is usually full. They do not dress the babies, (1-3 lbs), in the NICU except for diapers, as they are on warming beds or under heat lamps. In the NICU transitional nursery the babies wear hats and diaper shirts or gowns. Patterns for these item approved for hospital use can be found here. They are marked in red.
Holiday hats, (about 4 pounds through full term, with 4 - 6 lbs the most needed), and blankets (isolette & receiving), are most welcome! They like to deck the babies out on holidays!!
Most of our gifts of clothing are given for when the babies go home.
Bright, cheerful colors and prints are welcome, as are the softer pastels. Hats and blankets of all sizes are always badly needed.
NEEDS:
Items may be sewn, knit, crocheted, or store bought
For use in the hospital :
- Hats - from 4 lb size through newborn (10" - 12" is good)
- Blankets: isolette (20" x 20"), receiving (30" x 30" and larger)
- Shirts - see below
- Gowns - see below
- Booties: 2 1/2" - 3", 3 1/2 - 4", 3 1/4" - 3 3/4".
Anything smaller is NOT used in this unit.
- Bibs for full term babies
-*Isolette covers - They can use the blanket style.
Dark fabric for the underside, thin batting in the
middle and a colorful layer of fabric for the top.
Sewing an X from corner to corner is fine. Nothing
fancy" as theses do NOT go home.
*NOTE FROM HOSPITAL:
"The isolette covers are 71 in by 53 in. They can be of any type of material.
Generally, we send our nursery laundry out to a special launderer so as they
will be a little easy on them. The more durable the material the better."
*Please tag them as isolette covers
*Hospital approved shirts & gowns:
- NICU Kimono 3-5 lbs - in sewing files on AC4C & Caring for Cooper
- Sew Young Sew Fun Gown pattern - increase width of sleeves to 3" - in
sewing files on AC4C & Caring for Cooper
- Overlap Preemie Gown - in sewing files on AC4C & Caring for Cooper - edges
can be serged instead of using the stretchy binding - less costly, faster!
- Newborn gown pattern - "Bundles of Love" pattern ($)
- LDS Layette Gown - check sewing links
*Commercial patterns that are like those below
*Closures (if needed) - rounded Velcro only
NICU Kimono "Bundles of Love" Sew Young Sew Overlap preemie
3 - 5 lbs type gown Fun Gown gown *Photos used with permission
For going home-
Sizes: 5 lbs. through 11 lbs (5 - 7 lbs needed the most)
Hats.........................................................................Booties/socks
Crib sized blankets/quilts.......................................... Receiving blankets 30" x 30" +
Going home outfits....................................................Sweater/jacket sets
Onesies....................................................................Sleepers/gowns
Rompers...................................................................Buntings
Kimonos ...................................................................Diaper shirts
Bibs
*Just about any type of baby clothing from 5 lbs - newborn!
*See pattern links for suggestions: Sewing, Crochet, Knitting , Machine Knitting
NOT needed:
Burial items are not needed at this time.
IV caps - they have a commercial source for them
Baby care items - they have a commercial source for these items
Positioning devices - a volunteer regularly donates them
Diaper bags - given the NICU babies by the formula company
Soft toys
