Since we launched our appeal for bonding squares, Millie’s Knit, in 2020, an army of volunteers has taken up their needles and wool to help heart families.
Millie’s Knit, named in memory of Millie Hope Chandler who tragically passed away from a heart defect in November 2020, has captured the imagination of hundreds of knitters who have produced thousands of bonding squares.
While in intensive care, Millie’s family received bonding squares from fellow heart mum, Helen, and her mum, Diane. Through discussions with Sam, Helen and Diane, the idea of adding bond squares to our family support packs, so all heart families could benefit from them, was born.
Diane, a keen knitter, provided us with a pattern (incorporating the Tiny Tickers heart icon) and, as soon as we started promoting the appeal, kitted squares made their way to Tiny Tickers HQ from all over the UK!
Bonding squares are small knitted squares designed to help parents and babies bond through sense of smell, especially when physical contact is limited in the intensive care unit. These squares have been part of our family support packs since 2020 and play a vital role in the bonding process for babies with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their parents.
Heart mum, Annie, said, “Thank you so much to the amazing knitters that spend their time creating these squares. Our wee one (pictured below) was in hospital for four months and it was such an important part of my day, making sure I was changing the squares every time I left her bed space. It’s also a nice way to protect their sensitive skin from the ventilators, drains and wires.”
Another heart mum said, “The knitted squares were a godsend to us when we spent five to six months in hospital! Your amazing knitters should be so proud of themselves for the comfort they bring to both parents and babies!”
Knitters from across the land answered the call to help heart families in hospital. The Knit & Chat group (pictured below) are just some of the incredible humans who sent in bonding squares.
Kayleigh, heart mum to Hudson (pictured below), says, “The knitted squares were so useful. I started wearing my square in my bra two weeks before Hudson went for surgery and I kept his in his cot. The morning of his surgery we swapped and he took my scent down to theatre with him. It gave me such reassurance.”
It’s clear these little squares mean the world to the families that receive them. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has generously donated their time to knit squares of support for heart families.
Heart families can order a free family support pack, which includes information and advice about CHD, as well as a pair of bonding squares, here.
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