CUDDLE COT: Whakatane Hospital’s maternity ward is fundraising for a cuddle cot so when a baby dies its parents can have it at home for longer before burial.
Photo supplied
EASTERN Bay Z Energy service stations are supporting Whakatane Hospital’s maternity ward to fundraise for a cuddle cot.
A cuddle cot incorporates a discrete, quiet cooling system making it possible for deceased babies to remain with families for longer periods.
The device pumps cool water through pipes in a mat under a blanket in a cot that keeps the baby’s body consistently cool, reducing stress for parents wanting to take their child home for a few days.
Fundraising begins today and will continue until Wednesday next week. The aim is to raise $5000 to purchase the device.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board midwifery leader Margret Norris said a cuddle cot at Whakatane would be a nice service to offer parents.
“Dealing with the death of a baby is clearly an incredibly difficult event for parents and bereaved parents should be given the option of spending time with their baby,” she said.
Health board spokesman James Fuller said there had been five stillbirths at Whakatane Hospital so far during 2016.
According to One More Cuddle, a website run by parents who have previously lost babies, there are seven cuddle cots in New Zealand – at Rotorua, Tauranga, Waikato, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Greymouth hospitals.
The volunteer-based website aims to raise awareness of cuddle cot availability in New Zealand, as well as form a central hub where fundraising progress can be shared, contacts can be made and fund-raising tips swapped among the cuddle cot community.
Eastern Bay Z Energy customers can head to either Whakatane, Kawerau, Awakeri or Opotiki stations to donate.