Cuddly octopus comforts premature babies at UAE hospital

Fujairah - The hospital has procured the soft crocheted creatures from Reham Elenany, a local visual artist and concept provider.

In a one of its 'cute' initiative, a hospital in Fujairah has taken up a unique technique to keep its littlest patients happy and healthy.
Thumbay Hospital Fujairah has placed crocheted octopus next to premature babies (preemies) after a research suggested that snuggling crocheted tentacled sea creatures might make preemies feel safer and fare better.
The cuddly crochet octopus is placed with the preemies in their incubator to which the baby clings and feels he is still in a womb, leading to regular and improved heartbeats, better breathing, and higher levels of oxygen in their blood.
Dr Nasreen Wahidi, consultant neonatologist at the Thumbay Hospital Fujairah, said: "The babies are nurtured in a developmentally appropriate environment, caring for their physical and emotional needs. One of the measures is to provide positive touch experience by providing something safe for babies to hold on to such as the crochet octopus."
The hospital has procured the soft crocheted creatures from Reham Elenany, a local visual artist and concept provider.
Talking about why only crocheted octopus, Dr Wahidi said: "Preemies at the Neonatal Intensive Care facility reach out for something to hold on. They tend to grab on to wires, tubes, etc. at times dislodging them. The shape of the crocheted tentacled sea creatures make the babies feel more secure as the tentacles remind them of their mother's umbilical cord. Also, this has helped doctors wean off the babies off their intensive support faster and grow better.
"Also objects/toys should be soft and safe and should be able to withstand sterilisation and be washable. These crocheted octopus qualify the criteria," she added.
Mohammad Ali, father of a 33-week baby girl in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Thumbay Hospital Fujairah, said: "Honestly, we were not aware of this concept until the doctor introduced it to us. As worried parents of our baby, we would like to take every step towards betterment of our baby's health. After being introduced to the crochet octopus last week, our baby seems to have become calmer and is responding well. I am thankful to the doctors and staff for this initiative."
Speaking about introducing the concept, Akbar Moideen Thumbay, vice-president of the healthcare division of Thumbay Group, said: "We plan to extend this concept to all Thumbay Hospitals, as it is in line with our policy of 'minimal handling of the newborn' with regard to prematurely delivered babies, meaning minimal intervention in case the baby is born healthy."
saman@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Fujairah