Doctor makes crochet octopuses for babies admitted to the ICU in JF Between incubators, shifts and emergencies, pediatrician Fabiana Nogueres relearned the crochet technique and started making "octopuses" for newborns admitted to the neonatal ICU at Hospital Albert Sabin, in Juiz de Fora. Since she started, the doctor has delivered more than 100 pieces by hand. Each octopus accompanies the baby throughout the hospitalization period and, after discharge, becomes a keepsake for the family. ? Click here to follow the g1 Zona da Mata channel on WhatsApp Pediatrician Fabiana Nogueres relearned crochet to make octopuses for newborns admitted to the neonatal ICU Elton Moreira/TV Integração How it all started The initiative arrived at Sabin Hospital around seven years ago, when the neonatal ICU adopted the Octo Project, created in Denmark. In the beginning, the dolls came from donations from volunteers. Fabiana's decision to learn the technique came about in the ICU itself, when she observed a mother who spent her son's hospital stay crocheting octopuses for other babies. "She had her son hospitalized and, even at that difficult time, she dedicated her time to producing octopuses to donate. That really impacted me", recalled the pediatrician. Although she hadn't crocheted since childhood, when she learned her first loops with her grandmother, the doctor quickly resumed the practice: "It was like riding a bicycle", she joked. The pediatrician has already made more than 100 octopuses for patients admitted to the neonatal ICU. Social Networks A companion in the incubator To stay with the patients, the doctor emphasizes that the octopus meets strict hospital safety criteria. The pieces use 100% cotton thread, follow standardized measurements and undergo sterilization before entering the incubators to avoid infections. For the pediatrician, the project also offers direct emotional support to parents. "Families feel welcomed when they realize that the team goes beyond physical treatment. They know that the baby is not alone in the incubator and that he has an octopus friend", explains Fabiana. At the beginning of the project, Fabiana took around three days to complete a doll. With practice, you can produce up to two per day during your rest periods. "Caring for a baby also means embracing the story that begins there and the family that welcomes them. Seeing a child overcome a difficult phase and giving hope to their parents is the greatest reward", concludes the pediatrician. Doctor relearns crochet to guarantee 'octopuses' that welcome babies in the neonatal ICU in Juiz de Fora Personal Archive Reception in practice Administrator Roberta Maira da Silva Muniz Gaspar is well aware of the seizure of a neonatal ICU. Daughter Maria Luísa, currently 4 years old, was born extremely premature at 36 weeks of gestation, weighing just 1.1 kg. The girl spent 45 days in the ICU due to serious respiratory and intestinal complications. During this period, the toy brought comfort. "We called him the 'little octopus of love'. Knowing that she had that company gave me security. Doctor Fabiana made all the difference with her humanized perspective", said Roberta. Even after hospitalization, Maria Luísa still has her octopus friend. Doctor relearns crochet to guarantee 'octopuses' that welcome babies in the neonatal ICU in Juiz de Fora Social Networks Another baby who received an octopus was Benjamin Lins Brandão, almost 2 years old. He was born 33 weeks premature after an unexpected natural pregnancy and spent 28 days in the ICU. The mother, administrator Iale de Andrade Lins, highlights the feeling of familiarity of the object. "The ICU environment is very aggressive. The octopus' tentacles are reminiscent of the umbilical cord and calm. Benjamin is a miracle, and his little octopus is still kept with great care in the room." The Octo Project Created in 2013 in Denmark, the Octo Project focuses on the humanization of the hospital environment. The shape of the toy simulates the mother's uterus: touching the tentacles soothes newborns and prevents them from pulling on probes, catheters and other essential access points. As use is based on each hospital's internal protocols, guidelines vary. g1 contacted the Ministry of Health to check if there is an official recommendation on the use of the pieces in public ICUs, but there was no response until the last update of this report. Doctor relearns crochet to guarantee 'octopuses' that welcome babies in the neonatal ICU in Juiz de Fora Personal Archive VIDEOS: see everything about Zona da Mata and Campos das Vertentes