A Cold Room at the Children's Hospital
Recently, our youngest son was hospitalized at Texas Children's Hospital - The Woodlands. He was admitted for severe gastrointestinal problems that stem from complications cause by chemotherapy treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and while we did expect to stay at least one night, we were not anticipating 4 days, 3 nights, and a surgery. Our son is a trooper, and no stranger to the hospital environment, but he has some extreme anxiety when it comes to doctors/medical settings nevertheless. This visit in particular was hard because he was in pain and had to be constantly touched, moved, checked, and had an NG tube with laxative, a central line, and no control over his physical boundaries. His level of stress was through the roof, even when we brought some home comforts like his XBox and a blanket from his bed to help him relax.
On the second day, he was having trouble sleeping because the NG tube kept slipping out and had to be re-taped which is a very uncomfortable process. His dad went down to the gift shop to find some batteries for the Xbox remote, and came back with a little stuffed lion. Our son is 10, so stuffed animals aren't really his jam, but this one was a little different.
His dad went to the family room and, per the instructions, placed the stuffed lion in the microwave for 90 seconds. When he came back, the soothing scent of lavender filled the room. He laid the soft, warm, scented toy next to our son. Immediately, our boy pulled it to himself, snuggled up, and was fast asleep within minutes. He kept it with him throughout the entire experience, even taking it with him into the pre-op room before surgery and requesting it when he woke up.
Warm Hugs
Somehow the warmth and the scent of lavender, combined with the softness of the toy itself, really soothed him and calmed him down. Once we got home, I decided to look into these Warmies and find out what else they have to offer. I found not only the MOST ADORABLE plush animals in a variety of sizes and colors, but wellness and comfort items as well.
WHAT ARE WARMIES?
Warmies is a brand of microwavable, aromatic products that provide soothing warmth and comfort. All products are Here are some of the products they sell:
- Warmies Stuffed Animals - These come in a variety of sizes and adorable variations. Farm animals, puppies, kittens, and zoo animals are all on the list. But they also have unique additions like pink llamas, rainbow dinosaurs, owls, unicorns, and dragons.
- Warmies Wellness Line - A more "grown up" version of their stuffed animals that offers relaxation and stress-relief.
- Warmies Boots
- Warmies Slippers
- Warmies Neck Wraps
- Warmies Eye Masks
- Warmies Hot-Pak
- Warmies Heating Pad
- They're weighted to provide soothing sensory relief for stress and anxiety
- Warmies are lightly scented with lavender, which has been known to aid with sleep and relaxation
- Once warmed, they provide comfort for over an hour
How They Work
To activate the soothing aromatherapy and heat, place your Warmie in a microwave (800 kW) for 90 seconds. Warmies contain a mix of lavender and millet seeds. The millet holds the heat and releases it gradually while the lavender scent has a calming and relaxing effect. This effect can last for over an hour.
The best part is, Warmies can even be used as a cooling device to help reduce fever or to place on bruises. Simply place the Warmie in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer for at least an hour.
Our son's lion Warmie made his horrific hospital stay a little more cozy, and for that we are grateful. If you're looking for a great gift that anyone in the family will not only use, but cherish, Warmies are the warm and fuzzy way to say, "I love you."
**This is not a paid advertisement. All opinions expressed in this article are from me, the consumer.**
