With the help of her community, a dedicated mother has helped to give bereaved families the gift of time
The CuddleCot gives bereaved families the gift of time to create precious memories, and make necessary arrangements after the death of a baby. Unlike cold cots, families can hold their baby using the CuddleCot.
The importance of time is internationally encouraged by bereavement teams and academics in continuing bonds after grief, and can help to give some comfort to grieving families during such a difficult time.
Mother of four, Olivia Cadwallader raised money for a CuddleCot in memory of her much loved daughter Amelia. Olivia was 36 weeks pregnant when she stopped feeling any movement from baby Amelia. After ringing the hospital and being given a scan, Olivia was told that Amelia had sadly died.
When Olivia gave birth to Amelia at the South Mead Hospital in Bristol, she was offered a CuddleCot and free memory box from 4Louis. The CuddleCot gave Olivia and her family the time to make arrangements and keep Amelia close to them.
“It gave us a couple of days extra with Amelia to make memories,” said Olivia.
She said: “It was heartbreaking because we had everything ready for her arrival.
“I kept thinking she would prove everybody wrong and she would come out screaming like every baby does, but there was no sound. It was hard.”
Olivia raised funds for baby loss charity Sands at Amelia’s funeral, and later took part in the Sands 310,000 step walking challenge with Max, Nathan and Maisie, Amelia’s siblings.
Knowing she wanted to do more to help other bereaved families, Olivia contacted 4Louis who provided the memory box at the hospital, to see what more she could do to help.
Olivia rallied her friends and family to join her and her eldest son Nathan in a sponsored walk, from Bristol to Clevedon, to raise money for a CuddleCot.
“I did say it was going to take roughly about five to six hours, ten and a half hours later we made it back to Bristol,” she said.
“But it was a fun day. Everyone was aching, everyone was brilliant.”
Olivia heard from friends she hadn’t seen in years, all who wanted to do their bit. From sharing her fundraising plans on social media, to attending in person. What’s clear is that baby loss touches everyones lives, and the support and community spirit around this event is truly so impactful.
The sponsored walk was a huge success, and Olivia as able to place a CuddleCot and specially adapted Moses basket at the St Michaels Hospital in Bristol in February 2024.
When Olivia sadly needed to use the CuddleCot with Amelia, she didn’t have access to the Schnuggle Moses basket, so when she saw it was now an option she ensured that families were offered the Schnuggle Moses basket with the CuddleCot, so they didn’t have to use the “scary” and “morbid” metal trolleys often used with traditional cold cots.
Olivia plans to help fundraise for further CuddleCots and memory boxes for bereaved parents with the help of 4Louis. 4Louis support families through miscarriage, stillbirth and child loss. They fundraise for CuddleCots, CuddleBlankets and Bereavement Boxes
Lead bereavement midwife at the hospital, Elle Franks, said it means families can hold and bathe their babies.“Families can hug their babies and spend time with them, with them looking very similar to how they were at birth” she said.
Olivia said the CuddleCot gave her and other family members time to “create memories” with Amelia.
“All family came in to see her… and we had her hand prints and feet prints done, it was nice,” she said.
“I think about her every day. She’s forever missed and forever loved.”
If you or someone you know would like to talk to a bereavement counsellor for free, or for further resources, please visit: cuddlecot.com/grieving
Do you have a fundraising story to share? Email: yourstories@cuddlecot.com