Detroit Mother Creates Crocheted Octopi to Comfort Premature Babies in NICU

A Detroit mother whose son was born prematurely at 24 weeks has crocheted dozens of colorful octopi to comfort babies in the NICU. The handmade toys help keep tiny hands busy and prevent infants from pulling on life-saving medical tubes and equipment.

DETROIT — When Joelle Haley’s labor began on Christmas Day, she delivered her son Kieran just two days later at only 24 weeks into her pregnancy. As her premature newborn lay in the dimly lit room at Detroit’s hospital, both mother and baby needed something extra for comfort. That something turned out to be vibrant, soft octopi that Haley would craft from yarn.

At the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within DMC Hutzel Women’s Hospital, these adorable donated octopi serve a dual purpose for premature infants — they provide comfort while keeping tiny fingers occupied so babies don’t pull on critical medical tubing and equipment.

“Leaving my son at the hospital was incredibly difficult, even though I trusted the staff completely, because I worried ‘what happens if he becomes distressed and has nothing to soothe him at that moment?'” Haley explained Thursday. “Knowing he has something close by that can comfort him makes me feel better, which allows me to care for myself too.”

These octopi follow the Japanese craft tradition known as Amigurumi, which involves creating small stuffed creatures from yarn, and they’re made in an array of bright colors.

After hearing a nurse mention that such items would benefit the NICU, Haley decided to put her crocheting skills to work. The 30-year-old, who has been crocheting since elementary school, has personally created approximately 20 of these creatures and has enlisted help through social media platforms.

“When I last tallied them up, we had received 175 donations, with more still coming in. Contributors sent them from across Michigan,” she noted while bringing a fresh batch to the hospital, where staff placed them in infant bassinets.

Many babies in the unit need respiratory assistance, explained Dr. Jorge Lua, who serves as medical director for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at DMC Hutzel Women’s Hospital.

“Keeping those tubes secure is crucial. Infants sometimes grasp them and inadvertently remove them,” Dr. Lua stated. “When a breathing tube gets displaced, the infant experiences respiratory distress. They cannot breathe properly. Their oxygen levels drop. This can extend the time needed to get them stable again.”

Haley frequently observed her baby boy pulling at the tubes that connected him to NICU machines.

“Knowing I could assist other babies gives me a sense of comfort,” Haley shared. “Watching my son with his octopus reassures me that he’ll feel secure and comforted during my absence. I hope it provides that same peace of mind to other families.”

According to Haley, each octopus requires roughly 30 minutes to complete.

“My mother introduced me to crocheting as a way to manage anxiety,” she said about the craft. “The rhythmic movements give me something to concentrate on and help me feel more relaxed.”