Premature babies born in some Australian hospitals are now being given their own 'octopuses' after they arrive, all thanks to the efforts of some very special volunteers.

The eight-legged creatures come with some incredible health benefits too because they are specially created to calm and comfort early new-borns.

The colourful sea critters have been designed with 'tentacles' that resemble the umbilical cord, and they're being used all over the world to help babies everywhere.

Premature babies are now being given their own 'octopuses' after they arrive, all thanks to the efforts of some very special volunteers (pictured is baby Harrison with his)

The colourful sea critters have been designed with 'tentacles' that resemble the umbilical cord, and they're being used all over the world to help babies everywhere

Katie Nobles, mother to premature baby Harrison, told the ABC her child was given one of the toys after he'd been put into a humidicrib.

'Not being able to hold and barely touch our little man, the octopus was provided for something Harrison to grab onto,' she said.

The concept of giving premature babies a crocheted octopus originated in a Danish hospital in 2013.

The Octo Project, as it is known, is a volunteer service that creates the cuddly cuties for hospitalised premature babies.

'Not being able to hold and barely touch our little man, the octopus was provided for something Harrison to grab onto,' the mum of baby Harrison (pictured) said.

The concept of giving premature babies a crocheted octopus originated in a Danish hospital in 2013

Since its inception, the project has been flooded with requests from others around the world wanting to start similar groups to support babies who needed the comforting critters.

With hospitals all over Australia embracing the trend, volunteer groups have sprung up to help meet the demand.

One Australian group, Octopus for a Preemie Tasmania, began after a nurse reached out to co-founder Bianca Green to create a prototype she could take to a hospital for a trial.

Not long after, the Tasmanian-based social activist met the group's other co-founder Andrea Carey – a mum to two premature babies herself – and the pair started creating the creatures in together in their spare time.

One Australian group, Octopus for a Preemie Tasmania, began after a nurse reached out to co-founder Bianca Green to create a prototype she could take to a hospital for a trial

With hospitals all over Australia embracing the trend, volunteer groups have sprung up to help meet the demand

The octopuses - which not only ease stress on newborns and their families - have proved so popular, she said, they can barely keep up with demand.

'Up to the start of this month we were delivering 20 to 25 octopuses to the Royal Hobart Hospital, now this has gone up to 80.'

Ms Green said the group took to Facebook to 'put out the call' to ask for help from those in the community who might be interested in becoming involved.

They were overwhelmed with support, with the post being seen by more than 100,000 people within 36 hours.

1000 responses later now mean the women now have a pool of people they can draw on to meet the hospital's needs.

Creating the toys is an exacting process, Ms Green explained, because they're therapeutic, all are required to meet a specific design criteria.

Each octopus is created from 100 per cent cotton, which absorbs smell. Mothers 'scent' the toys before putting them into the humidicrib, which helps babies connect

As well, the mother of two teens said, the 'toys' also play a special part in helping mothers to bond with their babies, she said.

Each octopus is created from 100 per cent cotton, which absorbs smell. Mothers 'scent' the toys before putting them into the humidicrib, which helps babies connect.

'Babies can 'smell' their mothers through the octopuses, which helps with the bonding process, she said.

Each octopus is created from 100 per cent cotton, which absorbs smell, and are them put into the humidicrib

The 'toys' play a special part in helping mothers to bond with their babies as they are 'scented' in advance

Each toy that is created by the team comes wrapped in plastic with a special small note attached which reads: 'Just to let you know someone else is wishing you the best for you and your child.'

Families who are given the loved-filled gifts are often overwhelmed, the hardworking volunteer said.

While the gesture may seem small, it fills a large place in the hearts of many.

'All babies have soft toys,' the modest mum said. 'We're just bringing a little bit of normal to an abnormal situation.'