Get Crocheted Octo British Version - Spruttegruppen

What's comforting about these octopi are their soft tentacles, which hospital staff say remind babies of the umbilical cord and their mother's womb. They found that babies cuddling an octopus are less likely to pull out their monitors and tubes.

Octopi in the NICU first appeared in European hospitals 3-4 years ago. A hospital in Denmark found that when premature babies cuddled with the octopi they had more regular heartrates and better oxygenation. The magic is in the tentacles! In utero, babies often 'play' with their umbilical cord.

The babies that cradled their octopus had overall health improvements with their breathing, regular heartbeat, strong oxygen blood levels, and were less bothered by the various monitors and IVs. Overall, the prescence of the tiny crochet toy acted as a great calming effect on the babies.

A hospital in Denmark found that when premature babies cuddled with the octopi they had more regular heartrates and better oxygenation. The magic is in the tentacles! In utero, babies often 'play' with their umbilical cord.

Because I chose Cotton 8, I thought I would go with the smallest hook good for this yarn – 2.25mm in my case. My next question was where to find an “official” pattern. The recommended size of the octopus is around 7-9 cm in length of the head and around 15-17 cm in head circumference.

When a crocheted octopus was placed with the preemie, “some babies in the NICU experienced better breathing and more regular heartbeats, leading to higher levels of oxygen in their blood.” The hospital also noticed that preemies who cuddled their octopuses were less bothered by the various monitors and IVs around them.

This amazing little stuffed toy has been used in Europe and more recently in the US as a comfort toy for premature babies. The crocheted tentacles remind babies of their umbilical cords and being inside their mother's womb, which in turn helps them feel safe. These octopi make them feel grounded and safe.

Story highlights. Cuddly crocheted ocotpi are used as a form of therapy to help comfort premature babies. Hospital staff say tentacles remind babies of the umbilical cord and their mother's womb.