A CuddleCot in the Reina Sofía helps parents extend the farewell of their baby

SPAIN. Natalie Claytor and Laura Segura, whose children died in childbirth, donated the CuddleCot to the centre, which has led to parents being able to spend time with their child.

A CuddleCot in the Reina Sofía helps parents extend the farewell of their baby
Part of the medical team that has updated the protocol of deceased babies next to the CuddleCot

Society does not train, or at least bring women and men closer to face perinatal loss. Society does not want to see, hear or know about death, especially that of a baby.

For this reason, the Reina Sofía Hospital has updated the action protocols so that parents can spend longer with their babies in the event of their death. The CuddleCot has contributed to this: families can say goodbye to their baby, thus helping them in the grieving process.

A blue butterfly in the hallway warns of the loss of a baby in that room

This change has been possible thanks to the impetus given by Andrea Jiménez, head of the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology block, and the involvement of all workers, especially the supervisors of the Birth and Maternity area and those responsible for the Mental Health Unit. A whole team has worked for a year on a model change with the sole purpose of offering better service and care to the mother who faces such a hard loss.

It all started when Jiménez was still in Primary Care. In this first contact with public health, this midwife has treated mothers who have suffered a process of perinatal grief. “I realised that I didn’t have many tools to help because this type of grief is very abandoned in the province.” Therefore, after arriving at the head of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the hospital, he wanted to start tackling the problem.

The first turning point has been the donation to the hospital of a CuddleCot by Natalie Claytor and Laura Segura, whose children died in childbirth. With donations and also support from the Matrioskas Gestational, Perinatal and Neonatal Duel Support Association, these two women have raised funds for the CuddleCot at the Reina Sofía. Until the arrival of the CuddleCot, parents could barely spend minutes with their deceased baby. Now, parents can hug and kiss their child or accompany him if they decide to introduce him to the CuddleCot.

Delivery of the CuddleCot to the Reina Sofía Hospital.

One issue that this highlights is how parents are 100% grateful for having a memory or having had contact with their baby after his death. It gives them peace of mind knowing that they have them and that in the future they will be able to see them.

A blue butterfly is now placed on the door of the room where the parents are with their baby who has died. All health personnel who cross the threshold of that door should know, as soon as they see that butterfly, what situation they will find in that room and what their language should be. As Escaños points out, “having memories of your baby helps to overcome grief in a less traumatic way.”

Read the full article here.

Posted in

Teeside couple donate a CuddleCot to hospital in memory of their baby boy

A couple from Teesside donated a CuddleCot to North Tees hospital after losing their baby son was born sleeping. Helen and Chris Snow, from Thornaby, unexpectedly lost their son, Teddie, in May 2021 in James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. Born at 37 weeks the couple discovered Teddie sadly did not have a heartbeat. Thanks to a CuddleCot…

Mother honours lost baby with 5 years of support for grieving families

CANADA. Katie Pereira-Prebble and Zach Prebble’s first son, Lincoln, died just before he was born in 2018. Since then, Lincoln’s parents have grieved, and also dedicated themselves to supporting other families affected by infant and pregnancy loss. This year, the day after Lincoln’s fifth birthday, they will be raising awareness around infant and pregnancy loss at…

Grieving couple donate CuddleCot to hospital in memory of their baby son to mark 2nd anniversary of his death

A grieving couple have donated a cuddle cot in their baby son’s memory to mark the second anniversary of his death and provide some comfort to families experiencing similar heartbreak. Emma Hughes and Dwayne Webley’s son Jaziah Webley was stillborn at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital on August 22, 2021. The couple were told that Jaziah…

Thornaby mum donates CuddleCot after ‘perfect’ baby girl died from rare condition

A mum who lost her baby girl to a rare condition has donated a CuddleCot to the hospital that cared for her daughter. Nancy Jo Anne Rogers defied doctors’ expectations time and time again and lived a “perfect” yet heartbreakingly short life. Lisa Rogers had to say goodbye to her nine-month-old daughter after she was…

Bereavement Consultant, Steph Wild, features on the MOHA Network podcast

Mothers of Held Angels (MOHA), based in the USA, is on a mission to create a voice for grieving mothers who have held their baby after their passing, to provide immediate day-of-loss resources and ongoing bereavement support for all family members, and to raise public awareness about the pain and heartbreak surrounding stillbirth and neonatal…

Lincoln City Hospital receives CuddleCot donation from Warner Grange and Clackamas Pomona Grange

Members of the Warner Grange and Clackamas Pomona Grange donated a CuddleCot to the Family Birthing Center at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City, Oregon. The gift was gratefully accepted by the unit’s nurse manager, Jen Pierce, BSN, RN. “I am in awe of this generous, compassionate donation,” Pierce said. “As a nurse who…

Mum whose son died during labour runs a charity foundation in his name

Sharon and her husband Jas founded the Luca Foundation in 2018 to help raise money for the NHS to have CuddleCots since losing their son Luca in 2012. It’s the devastation that no parents want to experience. Sharon Luca-Chatha and her husband Jas, from Coventry, lost their son Luca in 2012 and had to endure a…

What is a CuddleBlanket?

In times of grief and loss, finding solace and comfort is paramount. We understand the emotional journey families face during such difficult moments, which is why we created the CuddleBlanket™. This innovative and compassionate offering aims to provide solace and a lasting connection for grieving families. The CuddleBlanket™ is a cooling blanket for those who…

CuddleCot to help Melbourne families through a traumatic time

AUSTRALIA. BASS Coast Health (BCH) and Gippsland Southern Health Service were fortunate to receive a CuddleCot from Melbourne family Kit and Blake Norrish, who raised funds to enable the charity Bears of Hope to supply CuddleCots to hospitals. Kit and Blake lost their first baby Arlo on 2 January 2023, but were able to spend…

CuddleCot donation will serve as a light to grieving parents

The Birth Place at Iredell Memorial Hospital in North Carolina has recently received a donation of a CuddleCot to support mothers grieving the loss of a child at birth. Brooke and Corey Schneckloth, who donated the CuddleCot, have felt this pain firsthand and wish to help others who have similar experiences. “Our son, Theo, was…