Association Les P'tits Doudous

Les P’tits Doudous is a nonprofit association founded in 2011 by nurse anesthetist Nolwenn Febvre to improve the experience of children undergoing surgery, support their parents, and enhance caregivers’ working lives. It has grown into a network of 183 local associations in France, Belgium, and Canada, bringing together more than 2,500 healthcare professionals and supporting over 250,000 children each year.

The association’s initiatives aim to reduce children’s anxiety before surgery, make their hospital experience more reassuring, and support a smoother return home. By helping children feel less afraid, the program also seeks to ease parents’ concerns and encourage more positive interactions between families and care teams. Les P’tits Doudous also promotes recycling, decontamination, and recovery of hospital waste, helping fund its work while reducing environmental impact.

Individuals can support the association through donations or purchases from its solidarity shop. Businesses, foundations, and institutions can become partners. The organization also raises awareness through a sailing project, with its IMOCA boat carrying the association’s name in offshore races.