Give Back

Have you received a Patient Swag Bag and are curious about it?

Each patient family admitted more than a few days at Piedmont Newnan and Piedmont Fayette NICU's should receive a bag. If you have not received yours, ask a nurse or contact us via email, message, text or call.
Bag contents vary throughout the year but each one will contain amazing items donated by our talented and generous community of partners. Most will include some helpful paperwork, a welcome to NICU Parent Club letter, goodies for parents and baby, handmade blankets, hats, Octopus, Scent Squares/Bonding Hearts and more. These are to be used at your own discretion. Please check the items for details on the labels. See below for the purpose of these unique gifts. As always, reach out to us for more information, with questions or if you'd like to give back!

Handmade crocheted, knitted and sewn blankets
These are accepted in various colors, patterns or sizes. For a reference, the 30 x 30 blanket size are perfect for sending home as a heartfelt gift. Please keep away from smoke or pets. Call, message, text or email NPC to arrange for pickup. Do not drop at the hospitals as they do not have the storage space. We will package for the hospitals and families.

Isolette Cover Blankets

Approximately 60 x 60 in size
Very easy to make! Great for church groups, school groups, scouts, etc!
Ideally, one solid dark side of fabric and one baby friendly print side
These are beneficial for emotional support for families to see something personalized and more like home. They also serve as a sound and light barrier to help the sensitive baby grow and progress as if it were still in the womb.
Can be sewn or tie knot side (Be sure to knot your ties). You can use the larger pre-made kits from stores like Jo-Ann's. (Pro tips: Look for major sales or coupons. Don't forget to check the apps!)
Call, message, or email for NPC to pick up items. No need to prepare or wash. They will be prepared for hospitals. Keep away from smoke or pets. DO NOT DROP AT HOSPITALS PLEASE!

Crocheted/ Knitted Octopus
These are beneficial for the baby's emotional & physical well-being. Research has proven the tentacles of a crocheted octopus remind babies of the umbilical cord and being in their mother's womb, making them feel safe. The Octopus can serve as their first toy! Please email us to request a pattern.
Check out the following videos for info.
https://youtu.be/zeT3p3Z2 https://youtu.be/8rhYKbo1Y_A
Call, message or email for pick up. Do not drop at the hospitals please! Keep away from smoke or pets.

Emerson's Octopus was her first best friend
and never left her side no matter how scary things got!
-J. Sweeney

Crocheted/Knitted Hats
NPC welcomes a variety of color, size and style handmade hats. Please refrain from attached trinkets as they can be problematic. Holiday themed hats are LOVED by the families! They uplift them during a tough time in the NICU. Most babies will not be able to wear these hats below approximately 3 lbs. so the extra tiny ones are not necessary. Do not drop at hospitals. Please call, message or email for pickup. Babies are fragile so we ask for smoke and pet free areas. Laundering and packaging are unnecessary as we will handle that.

Scent Squares & Bonding Hearts
Bonding Hearts or Scent Squares are the baby's first lovie! They are sewn 2 sided with soft fabric, knitted or crocheted with cotton yarn. They are, ideally, 3x3- 4x4 in size. After you arrange for pickup by NPC, these are donated to each family. The families wash, put one each against the family and the baby and swap out every few days to aid in the baby/family bond and to sense one another while they are away. Many different examples can be found online, pinterest, and etsy.
How to Make Bonding Hearts (Lovies) for NICU Families: 9 Steps (wikihow.com)

"The scent squares gave me more comfort and a feeling of being with Oie when I had to leave the hospital without her. Knowing that she had one I kept inside my bra all day and that I had one that she slept with was such a blessing!" -L. Dyson

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT SOMETIMES MEAN THE MOST!
See what some of our families have to say about your generous donations.

"To be honest these items were what got me through my little one being in the NICU.
I received all of these items and am still so in love with them and am very sentimental about them.
My little one was in the nicu during Christmas time and was in the nicu for a little over a month.
I had to bring home the fleece tie blanket to wash once and I never brought it back.
I slept with it and cried with it and cuddled it I basically carried his giraffe tie blanket everywhere with me
because I didn't have him. We have his octopus in his room
as a reminder from his stay and we used the scent pads.
Which helped me so much knowing he could have my scent next to him.
I was so worried he would forget who I was.
I cannot thank the donors who do this for us."
-Megan G.

"My grandtwins were born at 23 weeks and the
precious octopuses gave them something soft and cuddly to grasp."
- A. Whatley

"I was so happy to give my baby one and she loved it!
So thankful that you even went out of your way
to drop it off to my house Ashley Smith Crabtree"
-Alexis P.

"These items meant hope." -Brandi S.

"We actually utilize our blankets from the NICU all the time.
Even though it’s been 8 years for us, I'm not forgetful for everything
the NICU did for my babies. I will give them to the kids when they get older."
- Vanessa C.

"Elizabeth uses her blanket every night for bed.
It has been almost 4 years! The scent hearts were huge for both me
and my husband especially during the
first few weeks when we couldn’t hold her." - T. Graham

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Newnan High School SGA