What started as a goodhearted project by a group of talented needle magicians in Denmark has now become a global initiative. All over the world, volunteers are crocheting small octopuses to send to neonatal hospital units for premature babies.

Why? Back in 2013, a group called Spruttegruppen began collecting the stuffed, crocheted creatures after a blogger received a request for one from a father whose infant daughter was in ICU. Hospital ambassadors accept the donations on behalf of neonatal units all over the country.

Since then, the project’s purpose has sparked the formation of similar groups in other countries. According to research, the soft, curled tentacles on the animals provide a source of comfort for preemies. Amazingly, the yarn-made limbs remind the little ones of the umbilical cord.

At Poole Hospital in the United Kingdom, they are being gifted to families who have babies staying in the neonatal unit. Sometimes they are placed in the incubators for the babies to cuddle with them, and at other times, an octopus is being cradled along with an infant in her mother’s arms.

A press release on Poole’s website touts how the hospital was inspired to start their own crocheted octopus program after hearing about its benefits to babies in Denmark:

“They promoted better breathing and more regular heartbeats as well as higher levels of oxygen in their blood. They also found that babies cuddling an octopus were less likely to try to pull out their monitors and tubes.”

Parents are loving the sweet gifts and seeing the effect on their babies. Mom Kat Smith told her local newspaper that her premature twin girls were coping with a few conditions but the octos are helpful:

“One of the nurses brought in the octopus and explained about the idea. The girls absolutely love them. When they are asleep they hold onto the tentacles tightly.”

If you’re wondering how the “octos” are collected, crochet crafters can get patterns by contacting their country’s Octopus for Preemies group. Thanks to the blog My Nomad Home, those interested in becoming volunteers can find country listings on their website.

Each country has its own instructions for how the octopuses are to be constructed and mailed so they can distributed to participating hospitals. Before they are given to babies, they are inspected, washed/cleaned, and packaged.

Some hospitals have received such an overwhelming amount of donations and that they have supplies for a year or two. Spruttegruppen has been instrumental in helping to launch groups around the world for people who are interested in creating these cute creatures for a cause.

Nearly 30,000 octos have been delivered to hospitals worldwide since 2013. That means thousands of tiny hands are snuggling these toys for their own well-being. To find out how to make your own adorable versions of these for your country’s Octo for Preemies project, don’t forget to visit My Nomad Home.

What do you think of this wonderful project? Are you interested in volunteering in your country? Do you have a preemie who received an “octo”?

Source:
Daily Echo