This week I learned about premature babies. My new niece has arrived 8 weeks early, but she is healthy and bigger than expected (not in a humidicrib). Being in a different city from my sister, there is nothing I can do to help (which is immensely frustrating for a control freak like me!) but she has asked me to get out my needles and knit for her. That I can do!
So I am posting today about knitting for premature babies, tips and patterns.

Tips for humidicribs

  • Knit with cotton- premature babies are very sensitive. Although I have read that very soft 100% baby wool is ok. There was a recent discussion on Melbourne SnB yahoo group on alternative yarns for babies with sensitive skin, suggestions included bamboo or corn derived yarns.
  • Here are some tips from Maureen, a nurse with 20 years experience.
  • No metal fasteners or ribbons. Velcro is no good because hospitals tend to use industrial washing machines and dryer.
  • Plain stocking stitch is best. Lace stitches can get caught in little fingers.

Free patterns for premature babies

In my searches, I could only find one Australian charity looking for donations of knitting for premature babies, Miracle Babies. Perhaps it is a lack of internet information for Australian charities but if you know of any other Australian charities, please let me know.

Edit: Other Australian charities