I am wondering and am sure someone on here knows, how big to make a baby quilt to fit over an incubator? I want to make a couple of them as our new little grandson is living in his swanky little room right now until he gets a little bigger. Right now he is only 2lbs and about 5 oz. He gained a little bit yesterday. He was born a week ago this Thurs. So he is almost a week old. They had to take him 2 1/2 mos. early. He is a tough little guy! But sooooo little!

I googled it and one site says 36 x 36 for over the incubator. Perhaps you could check with the NICU where your little darling is staying. I am sure the nurses could help with cluing you in to their exact needs.

What does the hospital say about it and how much would it get in their way?

Could always ask them if someone (mom or dad who are allowed in) could measure what ever the top is and the side/end drop, then make it similar to making a cover for anything rectangle- ie, toaster oven, except one end wouldn't drop down, so it fits over the top and drops down on likely three sides (sides and end).

Do you intend it to help keep heat in or just for a comfort/grandma loves you item so it doesn't look so hospital sterile. If it's the latter I would just do one layer with serged seams so it can be easily washed.

Thank you. That is a great idea or I will have my son or DDIL to find out for me. I just want to do at least a couple of little quilts to take to them.

[quote=quiltlady]What does the hospital say about it and how much would it get in their way?

Could always ask them if someone (mom or dad who are allowed in) could measure what ever the top is and the side/end drop, then make it similar to making a cover for anything rectangle- ie, toaster oven, except one end wouldn't drop down, so it fits over the top and drops down on likely three sides (sides and end).

Do you intend it to help keep heat in or just for a comfort/grandma loves you item so it doesn't look so hospital sterile. If it's the latter I would just do one layer with serged seams so it can be easily washed.[/quote

The quilts are requested by staff to make it dark to simulate night and to keep some of the noise down. Babies who have been in the NICU sometimes have trouble sleeping at home because it is too quiet and too dark.

They use them to cover the incubators to keep the light out so they sleep more. Not sure if they just use a regular quilt or if it needs to be made like a toaster cover or close. I should just call the hospital and ask. But my son and DDIL can find that out for me. I think if they ask they could bring it home but I will be making the baby a couple of quilts anyway so if they don't send them home with him it is ok. Heaven knows I have plenty of fabric and may as well use it up for something like this!

I suggested the more precise fit as it seems it would likely keep it from just sliding down and ending up on the floor. Do they cover up the entire unit or just one end?
Sounds like a great thing for guild members to make- we make quilts now for pediatrics ward at Swedish, never thought about NICU. My brain is designing something that would just flip up any side they needed to and the others would stay in place. HMMMMM may have to call a hospital nurse friend.

Let me know all the particulars and I could make one or some too if they could use them in the hospitals for your little guy and others.

Thanks,
Sherryl
Candlequilter

I am glad that you are going to ask because I think they want them smaller than 36" at our hospital.

The guild I attend make these for the local hospital, one of the requests is that the backing is a dark fabric to block out the light from the cribs, as it is very bright in the room 24/7, apparently it helps the babies sleep better. Not sure how big they need to be as I am a newie to quilting who is not confident enough to think my work is good enough to donate.

What if you made a quilt to the dimensions of the incubator, but sewed into the seams at 4 blocks some "ribbon ties" or 2" fabric folded like binding? THEN, when it's placed over the incubator it cups the top so it won't slide, but then it can be used as a "regular" quilt when the babe comes home? Kinda like those fabric box/baskets turned upside down?

I don't know anything about NICU quilts but prayers are on the way for this little guy.

I make isolet quilts for a local NICU and I make them 40 x 40. The standard sizes are anywhere from
37” to 42” wide
40” to 46” long

Hope this helps.

Best to check with the hospital ... each may have their own specs as to what they like and don't like.

Bonus ... there may be a local guild who have adopted that hospital as a project and can give you a pattern with all the tips, tricks, sizes and requirements.

Sure would be nice for your DGS to have your lovingly made quilt, than a generic one supplied by the hospital

Good Luck!!
And continued growth and health for your LO!!

I do quilts for the Quilts for Kids organization.

On their website (http://quiltsforkids.org/) they have a slideshow that runs, and on one of the slides it shows how the quilt is draped over an incubator.

They suggest quilts be approx 38"- 40" x 45"- 46".

I have an article from a woman who made an incubator quilt. She said the nurses told her it should be at least 50" x 70" so no light could enter. It should also be backed with a solid dark lining because patterns stimulate the brain which is not good for infants. I hope that this helps.

Yes, they ask for a dark backing here too. I am going to find out today how big and if they need the quilt to be made to fit like on a toaster or something. I did see a pattern for one like that on the web but don't remember the site right now.