Blankets for Babies

The Blankets for Babies program provides blankets and quilts for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.  They are used by our NICU babies and taken home as one of their first keepsakes.  The quilts and blankets are made by the creative and generous efforts of our community volunteers. 
 
During this often stressful time, the quilts and blankets offer a taste of home and are cherished by each family.  Having these quilts in babies' cribs and isolettes offers a distraction for parents from the medical equipment surrounding their baby.  The families are so grateful that people take the time to make something special for their babies. 
 
Blankets for Babies originally started with quilts made by the NICU's own sewing committee.  However, there were never enough quilts for every baby.  Volunteers in the community have greatly increased the number of blankets and quilts we are able to give to families and we are grateful for our volunterrs' continued support.  Our goal is to continue to have a blanket or quilt for each of the over 1500 babies that come through the NICU every year. 
 
For quilts, we request pre-washed fabric such as cotton or flannel in colors and patterns of your choice.  Quilters love to use their orphan blocks for quilts or you may choose to use a premade decorative panel which is easy to back with a layer of batting between.  The types of blankets requested are knit or crocheted, using soft yarns, please.  We would like the quilt/blanket sizes to be anywhere between 24 inches square and 36 inches square.  This best covers the needs of all sizes of babies.
 

Our Families Enjoy Blankets for Babies Creations
Tina Minter and her daughter, Amber, share a snuggle under their Blankets for Babies quilt.	NICU baby Tanvi Prem enjoys her blankets.

One of our 7th grade student participants recently summed up our mission beautifully in a letter she wrote to us.  "By making this quilt for you, we are making you part of our karass.  A karass is made up of people who share something with you.  You may never know the people in your karass, but you are impacted in some way by them, or they by you...we sewed this quilt for you and poured in all of our love to make a difference in YOUR life."
 
For further details or questions regarding this program, please contact Kate Teague via email at lpchblanketsforbabies@hotmail.com.  Thank you for your interest in our Blankets for Babies!
 
 
 
Here are just a few of the wonderful blankets and quilts our volunteers have made...