See How These Snuggle Buddies Are Giving Preemie Babies A Major Boost

It's a snuggle buddy with a difference. But these eight-legged creatures are more than just cute toys. The material octopus is helping tiny babies grow in their incubators. The comforters have helped increase regular heartbeats, raise oxygen in babies blood and even improve breathing patterns. Why? Well, the idea began as part of a programme in Denmark called The Octo Project. Volunteers donated Octo's to families with premature babies in 16 neonatal departments across the country with great success. They realised that it reminded babies of playing with the umbilical cord so they feel grounded and safe. In the UK, Poole Hospital has embraced the crochet octopi trend. Speaking to the Bournemouth Daily Echo, Daniel Lockyer, the neonatal services matron at the unit believes they do help:

"When we heard about the difference a cuddly octopus can make to our tiny babies we were impressed and, after research, eager to introduce them to our little patients."

Since the start of The Octo Project, the organisation has been bombarded with requests from around the world but not everybody is so keen. In Sweden, there is a ban on taking in octopi donations because of the possible health risks.  Neonatal units there raised concerns that knitted toys could collect bacteria and encourage infections. Like to get involved? Here is some information about the project and if you want to knit your own Octo you can try this easy pattern. Would you like to see this programme introduced into Irish hospitals?