I’ve already been getting so much great stuff sent my way. I’m so touched by what you all continue to do. I’ve been taking pictures and I’ll show them off once I finally finish putting up the patterns in the first place.
So now that we’ve covered the outside of the isolette, let’s address what these little guys need on the inside.
For starters, there’s their bedding.
Babies, as I’m sure you’re aware, are both snuggly little things as well as spontaneous poop factories. This bedding serves dual purposes of giving the babies a nice soft little place to lay down, while also being incredibly easy to remove so the isolette can remain sterile even after the poop starts to fly.
They couldn’t be simpler to make. Fleece fabric works best for this since it’s snuggly and a little spongy, so it’s like a blanket and mattress in one. Then it should be cut so that it will measure 24″ x 20″ after a simple hem.
Underneath their little bedding is usually what they call a “snake.”
This is basically just a stuffed tube that they place in a U shape to make a nice cozy little nest for the babies. During their time in the NICU, it’s all about making the babies feel as close to the womb as humanly possible. This little snake shrinks the big plastic box down to whatever size that particular baby needs, and forces the baby to squish up instead of sprawl out. This is better for their joints, their future development, but especially for their stress level. It’s scary for a baby who is used to the fetal position to suddenly be forced into a starfish position because they’re too little to fight against gravity.
The snake can be made out of any easy care fabric. Flannel and cotton work best. To make them you need a piece of fabric measuring 6 1/2″ by either 30″ or 36″. Sew this fabric into a tube, and then close the ends. I cut a circle that roughly measured the diameter of the tube and sewed that on, but you could easily just sew them shut without adding the extra work.
Then stuff them with polyfil. The right consistency is important in the stuffing. You don’t want them so squishy they don’t offer the support babies need, but you don’t want them overstuffed so they can’t hold their U shape. Somewhere in the middle is just right.
Next up: baby clothes!