"We bring hope to NICU parents!"

When Kristin Moen’s twin girls were born four months premature, she placed a Mrs. Potato Head in each incubator. The toys brought her so much comfort, she now sends the same toy and hope to thousands of other preemie parents

- Kellie B. Gormly

Rushed to the ER in excruciating abdominal and back pain, Kristin Moan wept as the doctor told her what needed to be done. “We have to get the babies out right away,” he said.

No, it’s too soon! Kristin panicked.

The Nowthen, Minnesota, mom-to-be was only 23 weeks and six days pregnant with her twin girls. But she was suffering a placental abruption—her placenta was separating from the wall of the uterus—leaving her babies unable to receive enough oxygen and nutrients.

Kristin underwent an emergency C-section. Four months premature, Dylan and Hayden—weighing just 1 pound, 3 ounces, and 1 pound, 7 ounces, respectively—were immediately whisked away to a hospital with a level 4 NICU.

The minute she was released the next day, Kristin raced to be with her babies.

Gazing at her tiny daughters, Kristin’s breath caught. They could sit in her hand—if she’ been allowed to hold them. 

Nurses acknowledged how scary this was and, along with words of comfort, suggested the new parents bring plush toys from home to put in the incubators. They would not only bring a sense of normalcy but would help track the girls’ growth.

Kristin and Eric liked the idea but, worried that stuffed animals could get germy, they decided to get plastic toys that could be wiped clean. Eric rushed to a store and bought two Mrs. Potato Head toys.