snoedels

CREATION AND CARE OF THE SNOEDEL

The very first was created by a Dutch woman inspired by the birth of a friend ’s premature infant. The Dutch word “snoedel” means “snuggle”. The body is 100% cotton flannel, the head is stuffed with pure clean and carded sheeps wool; Snoedels can be safely machine washed and dried. After being washed, a Snoedel should be re-infused with the parent’s scent.

HOW SNOEDELS WORK

Recent research suggests that just an hour after birth a newborn can locate his mother’s nipple by sense of smell. In addition to bringing comfort and reassurance, the sense of smell is one of the first things that bond a baby to its parents.

Snoedels bring comfort as “aromatherapy of the very best kind - the scent of a mom”. They are designed specifically to absorb and retain a mother’s (or father’s) scent. Then when held or placed near a newborn or infant the scent is slowly released to comfort the baby, thus improving sleep, aiding in bonding, and soothing a baby’s crying or distress. A parent (preferably the mother) should sleep with the soft Snoedel for a couple of nights prior to giving the Snoedel to the baby. Snoedels can be “infused” this way before the baby is born, especially if a premature birth is anticipated, so that the baby can be given the Snoedel soon after birth when taken from mom and placed in an incubator.

SNOEDELS FACILITATING ADOPTIONS

Snoedel's can be used during the adoption process to begin the bonding between baby and parent, while waiting for delivery of the child. This can be especially helpful in international adoptions, when waiting periods are longer and language and cultural differences may add additional barriers between the baby and its adopting parents.

SNOEDELS ARE INTRODUCED INTO HOSPITALS

In 1996 was introduced to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) when the first Snoedel was made especially for a premature baby (preemie) born at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital of Orlando, FL. Preemies are usually separated from their parents and kept on ventilators, heart monitors, and other medical equipment. Instead of being totally isolated from the touch of his parents, this baby in NICU had the comfort and scent of his mother near him, slowly being released through the accompanying Snoedel, to ease the separation and continue the parent-to-baby bonding process. Impressed by the Snoedel with this one baby, the hospital was soon providing Snoedels to every infant in its NICU.

In addition, the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, after using Snoedels for only a month, admitted that “babies…feel more comforted and secure, especially as medical procedures are done,” from the unique smell of Mom or Dad captured in the soft cloth of the Snoedel.

A preemie ”is out in the world before he or she should be, and this causes tremendous stress. Using the scent of mom or dad is one step to counteract that stress, by creating a comfortable environment that gives them a sense of who they are.” - Broward General Medical Center Spokeswomen