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Darne Creations

Ollie The Calming Octopus

Ollie The Calming Octopus

Regular price $74.97 AUD
Regular price Sale price $74.97 AUD
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Colour

Benefits for Babies

  • Helps reduce heart rate and respiratory rate for NICU babies.
  • Encourages bonding through its soft, textured design.
  • Handmade with love by a heart mum and midwife.
  • Crafted using safe, hospital-approved materials.
  • A unique keepsake for families of medical babies.

Hand Made to Order

Every Ollie the Octopus is lovingly handmade to order just for you. We don’t mass produce — each one is carefully crocheted with comfort and care in mind. Please allow 4-6 business days for us to make and pack your order before it ships. Thank you for supporting small, meaningful craftsmanship.

Sizing

Mini Ollie: 17cm long

Ollie: 24cm long

Flat Rate Shipping

  • Enjoy $8.97 Flat Rate Shipping on all orders.
  • Usual turn around time 4-6 business days. Plus Shipping
  • Please keep in mind every Octopus is handmade to order.
  • See Policy Here

Free Returns & Money Back Guarantee

  • Free Returns on eligible products within 15 days of delivery.
  • No questions asked.
  • See Policy Here

Wash & Care

Care for Hand Crocheted Items

  • Gentle Warm Machine Wash
  • Always use a Wash Bag
  • Dry Flat (no pegs as it will mark)
  • Do Not Bleach or Iron

Specially designed for NICU babies and now loved by families both at NICU and at home around the world. Ollie is handmade by a midwife and heart mama, and offers a lifeline of connection, security, and love for the tiniest fighters and their families.

Why families love Ollie:

  • Promotes calm and relaxation: Mimics the feel of the umbilical cord, helping to reduce heart rate and respiratory rate.
  • Encourages bonding: Provides a way for parents to connect with their babies during medical journeys, and at home. 
  • Thoughtfully handmade: Each Ollie is crafted with care for ultimate comfort and quality.
  • NICU-friendly design: Perfectly sized for tiny hands, using soft, baby-safe materials.
  • A gift with meaning: Loved by families and backed by real stories of hope and healing.

Ollie isn’t just a comfort item—it’s a heartfelt gift that makes a difference in the lives of babies and their families.

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Why choose Ollie?

Proven By Research

Research shows NICU octopuses help calm babies by mimicking the feel of the umbilical cord, reducing heart and respiratory rates and promoting a sense of safety.

Research shows NICU octopuses help calm babies by mimicking the feel of the umbilical cord, reducing heart and respiratory rates and promoting a sense of safety.

Promotes Bonding

Ollie helps parents bond with their baby during those tough NICU moments, providing comfort and connection when it’s needed most.

Ollie helps parents bond with their baby during those tough NICU moments, providing comfort and connection when it’s needed most.

Handmade in Adelaide

Each octopus takes about 2 hours to crochet, embroider, and package with care and love by a heart mum and ex-midwife.

Each octopus takes about 2 hours to crochet, embroider, and package with care and love by a heart mum and ex-midwife.

How it works

Keep Ollie close to your heart before placing it with your baby, so they can feel your love and be soothed by your familiar scent.

Each tentacle is thoughtfully designed to mimic the feel of the umbilical cord. When your baby grasps it, they experience a soothing sense of calm, reminiscent of the safe, warm, and nurturing environment of the womb.

Keep Ollie close to your heart before placing it with your baby, so they can feel your love and be soothed by your familiar scent.

Each tentacle is thoughtfully designed to mimic the feel of the umbilical cord. When your baby grasps it, they experience a soothing sense of calm, reminiscent of the safe, warm, and nurturing environment of the womb.

Hospital-Grade Cleanliness

Made with durable, high-quality materials, Ollie the Octopus can be safely washed at 100°C, ensuring it's clean and hygienic for even the most delicate NICU babies.

Made with durable, high-quality materials, Ollie the Octopus can be safely washed at 100°C, ensuring it's clean and hygienic for even the most delicate NICU babies.

Thoughtful Gifting Made Easy

Whether for a NICU family or a special keepsake, Ollie is the perfect gift to show love and support during life’s most tender moments.

Whether for a NICU family or a special keepsake, Ollie is the perfect gift to show love and support during life’s most tender moments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I purchase Ollie the Octopus if my baby is not in the NICU?

Absolutely! Ollie’s calming features and comforting design are perfect for all babies, whether in the NICU or at home. 😊

Over 50% of our customers use their Ollie's for their little loved ones at home.

Perfect for helping with settling, sleeping, prams, car trips, tummy time and more. Especially when you can't hold them all the time!

Ollie smells like mama, and the tentacles keep your little one calm.

And we all know a calm baby means a calm and happy Mama.

What are the benefits of a NICU Octopus?

  • Mimics the umbilical cord, providing familiarity and comfort.
  • Prevents accidental removal of medical equipment, reducing trauma.
  • Helps stabilize heart rate and increase oxygenation.
  • Doubles as a gentle support for intubation tubing.
  • Grows with your baby, becoming a cherished companion and a super cute way to track growth milestones.

Do all hospitals allow NICU Octopuses?

While some hospitals have strict rules, many parents find Ollie becomes a cherished keepsake beyond the NICU journey.

Hospital policies regarding toys vary, and we cannot be held responsible if Ollie isn't permitted in your NICU.

What are they made of?

Our octopuses are handmade using the softest yarn available. It has passed the highest standard, suitable for direct contact with the most sensitive skin, even babies and small children.
Material: 100% Polyester

Can I return it if the hospital doesn't allow them?

Worry-Free Purchase: Concerned about hospital regulations? Our hassle-free returns policy ensures you can shop with confidence. If your NICU doesn't allow Ollie, simply return him for a full refund—no questions asked. While some hospitals have strict rules, many parents find Ollie becomes a cherished keepsake beyond the NICU journey.

Do they actually work to calm babies?

Proven through anecdotal medical research from countries around the world.
Study excerpt: "Parental impressions of the project were overwhelmingly positive as assessed by a postal survey. 100% of parents surveyed reported that they liked the project. All parents surveyed felt that the programme was beneficial to their babies and 100% reported that the programme helped improve their involvement in their babies care."

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Your Little Warriors

Who Love Ollie & Mini Ollie The NICU Octopus.

Ollie The Octopus vs Other Comforters

Ollie The NICU Ocotopus

Other Comforters

Designed for NICU & Medical Babies

Extra-Long Tentacles for Gripping (Mimics the Umbilical Cord)

Handmade with Love & Care

Machine Washable & Durable

Supports a Small Business That Gives Back

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LIMITED EDITION MINI OLLIE

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Customer Reviews

Based on 48 reviews
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C
Christine Garlick
10/10

I ordered my great nephew a sage green one as he had heart surgery when he was 7 days old Sharne was so incredibly amazing she made it within 24 hours and had it posted to the hospital straight away. I cannot thank her enough for her kindness she showed to me. It arrived today and he loves it thank you so much I will be buying again xx

S
Shannon MacRae
Gift to my God Daughter

I bought a sage Ollie Octopus for my niece and her partner. She is pregnant with her first baby. They thought it was gorgeous and said it was the first NEW gift they had received as they had only hand me downs so far.
Happy to support small businesses that produce amazing products ☺️

J
Jane H.
Perfect

Just right for little fingers and hands.

K
Katrina
Gorgeous!

Goodness me what beautiful creations. My grandchildren will love them!

J
Jessie M
Great Quality

With a number of different companies advertising a similar product online, I was so happy that I chose Darne Creations. I was extremely impressed that the quality of the product was just as beautiful in person as it was in the images online! Would recommend.