Bereavement Bereavement Crafting Guidelines
Colors for Blankets and other Bereavement Items
- Soft pastels work best. These colors complement the babies in photographs. Acceptable colors would include soft shades of pink, blue, green, yellow, peach, green and variegated yarns.
- White blankets are still needed for Christening/Baptismal purposes as requested by the families
Yarn Selection
- When choosing yarn for bereavement items, soft baby yarn is preferred. A smaller gown is best in a lighter weight yarn or the tiny child will be overwhelmed by the weight of the garment.
- It is preferred that you do not use excessively old yarn for these garments. Even the best baby yarn will become brittle and dry with age.
Sleeper Sacks
We need sleeper sacks of all sizes for bereavement purposes. The nurses have requested these for both boys and girls. Many parents prefer the sleeper sack over a gown. Again, they are best in soft pastels. White sleeper sacks are appropriate for Christening/baptismal packages, especially the tiny sizes.
Gowns
As requested by the nursing staff, we donate gowns and other outfits to be used for bereavement purposes and for Christening/Baptism as requested by the families.
- <1lb and 1-3lb sizes should have at least a partial sleeve and no elastic. Sleeves are not essential for the larger sizes.
- The gown needs to be long enough to cover over the feet. Please refer to our measurement guide for proper neck to foot length for each size.
- If the pattern in the gown is excessively holey, it would be best to line the skirt with a soft fabric.
- Bereavement gowns are best in pale pastels. If you choose to make a bereavement gown in white, include some pastel trim or lining to bring out the color.
- Solid White gowns and outfits are needed in all sizes for christening and baptism. Christening/baptismal gowns should be long enough to flow over the feet and again not have a pattern that is excessively holey. If so, it is best to line the skirt.
New Expanded Bereavement Blanket Sizes
- Small: 25" x 25"
- Medium: 28-30" square
- Large: 38-40" square or larger.
We no longer will be requesting blankets smaller than 25x25". The nurses have experienced that the mother's instinct is to be able to "swaddle" her baby. The 15-20" blankets just are not big enough to do this.
- 2/3 Of our bereavement blankets are used for receiving, holding, and burial. These blankets need to be in soft pastel colors, both solid and variegated yarns
- 1/3 Of our bereavement blankets are used for Christening and/or Baptism. These blankets need to be white. The NICU informed us that often parents wish to Christen/Baptize their babies when they are born in critical condition.
The Preemie Project continues to be non-secular. Yet, The Bereavement Committee wishes to support the needs identified by UIHC.