When expecting parents prepare for their hospital stay, one of the most delightful moments is selecting the outfit for their baby’s homecoming. However, for those with premature infants, the focus can shift from clothing choices to the uncertainty of when—or if—their baby will come home.
Meet Lisa Thompson, a mother who intimately understands the challenges of having a baby too tiny for standard newborn clothes. Her son, affectionately called Z, was born as a micropreemie at just 25 weeks and four days gestation, weighing only one pound and twelve ounces. After spending 112 days in the NICU, Z is now a vibrant three-year-old. However, Lisa recalls the heartache of searching for clothes that would fit her fragile son. “It’s something you don’t realize is so crucial until you find nothing that fits,” she shared with us. “Dressing your baby should be a joyful experience.”
In response to this need, Lisa took action. She enlisted her mother’s help to learn sewing and founded the organization Tiny Threads to create clothing for NICU babies. “My mom taught me to sew specifically for this initiative,” Lisa explained. “I had never sewn before!” The mission of Tiny Threads is to infuse a sense of normalcy into the lives of NICU families during a challenging time.
Their website states: “At Tiny Threads, we empower parents to choose styles and materials that reflect their family’s identity. Whether it’s playful butterflies or adventurous trucks, you get to decide what your little one wears—just as it should be.” The garments are designed to fit even the tiniest of babies, with special features like bottomless designs and Velcro attachments that allow medical staff to quickly remove them for treatment. Best of all, these outfits are provided at no cost to families.
Currently, Tiny Threads has volunteers from every state, as well as contributors from Ireland, Brazil, and Australia. Lisa continues to seek more volunteers and donations to expand her project. “It’s thrilling but also overwhelming,” she admitted. “I had a grand vision for this project, and now that it’s becoming a reality, I need financial support. Shipping each shirt costs nearly $7, and I send out 3-4 shirts daily using priority mail to ensure families receive them quickly.”
As a twin mom whose children were born at 33 weeks and 2 days, I can relate to Lisa’s experience. The newborn onesies I had prepared were far too large for my boys. I was fortunate to have my mother pick up some preemie outfits, but they came with a hefty price tag. Additionally, we had to modify the clothes with holes to accommodate the various monitors and wires. On days when my boys needed extra care, nurses would gently recommend keeping them in just their diapers for easy access to medical interventions. Like Lisa, I’m grateful that my children are now healthy toddlers. However, having specially designed shirts like those from Tiny Threads would have made the long days in the NICU feel a bit brighter.
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In summary, Lisa Thompson’s initiative, Tiny Threads, provides much-needed clothing for premature infants in the NICU, helping families navigate a challenging time with a touch of normalcy and comfort.