Crafting Comfort and Joy: NICU Nurses Make Stuffed Animals for Fragile Newborns

Radhika Kannan, RNC-NIC, a NICU bedside nurse and Jessica Nagra, RNC-NIC, a neonatal clinical nurse specialist

In the soothing rhythm of crochet hooks, where every stitch tells a story, two Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford embarked on a heartwarming initiative, transforming their passion for crochet into a beacon of hope and love for tiny patients and their families.

Jessica Nagra, RNC-NIC, a neonatal clinical nurse specialist, along with Radhika Kannan, RNC-NIC, NICU bedside nurse, embraced crocheting as a means to alleviate the stress of working through the COVID-19 pandemic and as a calming diversion from their demanding roles.

“During quarantine, I learned to crochet by watching online tutorials, and it became a great way to decompress from the stresses of work,” said Kannan. The satisfaction of creating not only offered solace but also fostered stronger connections. “Crocheting became a therapeutic escape from the pressures of a high-stress environment, and it evolved into an opportunity to support our families and patients.”

Nagra and Kannan crocheted nearly 50 stuffed animals, ranging from ducks and octopuses to bears and dinosaurs. Depending on the animal, each one took anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours to create, a task they did on their free time.

“My favorite ones to make are turtles,” said Kannan. “They are super-cute, and you can really decorate the shell to match your theme—whether it’s a birthday cake, a sunflower, a succulent, or even a bowl of cereal!”

Adriel Nino Patino with his crocheted yellow duck

Gonzalez Centcho with his new handmade blue turtle

For families, these thoughtfully crafted creations symbolize care and recovery, reassuring them that their infants are not alone in the Johnson Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Services Intensive Care Unit. “Families face immense stress, juggling being at the bedside and managing life at home, including other children. Offering stuffed animals is our way to personalize their experience and show our compassion beyond nursing tasks,” said Nagra. “It honors the difficult journey the parents are on and helps us connect with them on a deeper level.”

Among the many family members touched by their caring gesture is Diana Kinard, a mother whose twins have been at Packard Children’s since birth. Each twin received a crocheted dinosaur—one blue and one white—and these handcrafted treasures have brought unexpected comfort to their challenging medical journey.

“It shows a whole different level of care,” Kinard said. “It’s one thing for a nurse to be at the bedside, but it’s another to take time out of your regular life to make things for the babies you care for.”

Diana and Maximus Kinard with NICU nurse Jessica Nagra

“It’s heartwarming to see the parents place the stuffed animals atop their babies’ isolettes [incubators], serving as unique identifiers in a room filled with similar setups. While the infants may not comprehend the significance now, I hope that someday they’ll realize the depth of care and love they received in the NICU,” said Kannan.

Kinard underscores the profound impact these small gestures of kindness can have, illustrating the transformative power of care and creativity, and the enduring bond they create with families in the NICU: “These handmade dinosaurs will be a positive symbol for me and the boys.” Although the medical journey has been challenging, she said, “now we have something beautiful that has come from it.”

Nagra and Kannan’s story is not just about yarn and patterns; it’s about connection, healing, and the small yet powerful acts that remind hospital staff and families of their humanity and resilience. Nagra and Kannan hope their efforts will have a growing effect, making crocheting an accessible and enjoyable activity for others throughout the health care system and invigorating the spirit of giving and community care at Packard Children’s. They are creating a community within the hospital to teach others how to create these soothing and colorful creations with the goal of giving stuffed animals to the entire Neonatal region by next year. “This project has really opened my eyes to the different ways we can enhance the family-centered care model Packard Children’s strives to achieve,” said Kannan. “I’m here not just for the safety and well-being of my NICU patients but also for their families.”

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