Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane urgently needs donations of ‘cuddle hearts’ to give its tiniest patients the best start to life.
The Neonatal Critical Care Unit is looking to restock the cupboards with the fabric hearts, which are two heart-shaped pieces of material (soft cotton or flannelette) sewn together.
Mater Neonatal Critical Care Unit Education Coordinator Julia Maguire is calling on crafty volunteers to turn on their sewing machines and lend a hand.
“One fabric heart is given to the mother and placed on her chest to pick up her scent, with the other heart placed close to the baby for the same reason,” Ms Maguire said.
“The hearts are then swapped so mother and baby are left with each other’s scented heart.
“The little cuddle hearts help a mother’s milk come in when she is apart from her baby, while the scent of the mother also has a calming effect on the baby.”
Sewers in Mackay can donate specially stitched cuddle hearts to help mums with sick and premature babies in Brisbane.
Ms Maguire said while donations are always welcome, for safety reasons it is important to stick to strict sewing instructions (available on the Mater Mothers’ website) when making the cuddle hearts.
Mater Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch said: “Smell is such an important sense and one that has been shown to be critical in developing and strengthening the bond between baby and parents."
Every year almost 1700 sick and premature babies are cared for in the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
Mater Mothers' Hospital Lactation Consultant Kerryn Dadge with mum Melissa McCallum. Photo credit: Annette Dew
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