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.”
She said the cuddle hearts link mum and baby and fill a gap when the two can’t be together.
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.
For Carina mum Melissa McCallum, giving birth to her baby boy Riley McCallum eight weeks early on 8 January came as a “shock”.
“I had issues with my placenta and Riley basically evicted himself,” she smiled.
Mrs McCallum said while giving her fragile newborn son a soothing cuddle was not always possible, having the cuddle hearts was a source of comfort when she could not be by his side.
“Having a premature baby in hospital can be a roller coaster of emotions, but these cuddles hearts are so special,” she said.
“Something so simple can really help a family stay connected.”
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”.
Dr Birch urged anyone with some spare time and a sewing machine to help out.
Every year almost 1700 sick and premature babies are care for in the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
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