Mama Bamboo donates size 0 nappies to four neonatal units across the country and each unit receives a monthly supply for a total of 74 cots. Ickle Pickles’ Head of Peer Support Julie Voong fundraises and supports parents on their neonatal journey at various neonatal units across London.
Having a baby is a joyous occasion for parents and families. But when a baby is born too early or requires a stay in hospital, this is a very anxious and stressful time. Parents go through a lot of emotions during this time, as their baby is so vulnerable.
During the early days, parents do not always think about the basic things, like getting nappies, and not just any nappy, but nappies that are small enough as well as kind on a baby's delicate skin.
Gifting these nappies to new parents that have been donated by Mama Bamboo to the neonatal unit has made a huge difference to both babies and parents. It is one thing they do not have to worry about. This generous gesture from Mama Bamboo and Ickle Pickles Children's Charity has put a smile on parents’ faces at this difficult time.
“The main issue we found was that it is not common to need such tiny nappies. Not many places sell that size and if they do there's only a small quantity of them in the shop. And not many brands even start with that small size either. So to be gifted with these Mama Bamboo nappies was really useful and we appreciate the generosity” says Mum Davina, who received these nappies for her baby Obi.
With this generous donation, staff on the unit have seen how such a small gesture has had a big impact on families. Christie Hanson, a Senior Sister at the neonatal unit at Croydon University Hospital with whom I work together closely to organise NICU support coffee mornings, said:
"We are grateful for the donation from Mama Bamboo. These tiny nappies are not always easy to find or available in stock. To receive a monthly supply on our unit has really benefited the tiny babies and their families".
I also met Almu, who was gifted Mama Bamboo nappies for her baby Enzo, during a visit by TV weather presenter Laura Tobin to Croydon’s neonatal unit promoting our charity partnership.
Almu told us: “When you have a premature baby, you think you are the only person on this planet that is facing it until you start going to neonatal units and meet other families with similar stories and sometimes with complications. Entering the ward and seeing success stories on the walls of the neonatal ward, gives you hope that you are not the only one and there is light at the end of the tunnel. What I found most helpful is the staff support, the coffee mornings and nurse Christie’s support through kind words and chats in the unit. I feel very lucky to be part of the Mama Bamboo and Ickle Pickles event in which I had the opportunity to meet Laura Tobin.”
Enzo benefitted from Mama Bamboo’s nappies and thanks all the staff at Croydon’s neonatal unit for making her feel at home during their long stay at hospital with their little (but strong) 29-week-old baby.
Ickle Pickles, together with Mama Bamboo, want to do everything we can to give every newborn a chance and help families affected by premature birth. At Ickle Pickles, we know first hand how stressful a neonatal unit can be. We hope that many of the 90,000 babies born prematurely in the UK will benefit from Mama Bamboo nappies.
To help donate nappies to other NICU parents you can subscribe to receive Mama Bamboo’s super-soft, breathable and temperature-regulating nappies and join the “Give Another Mother” scheme. Your donation will help families of premature and sick babies at their most vulnerable times. Thank you so much for your help in improving the lives of tiny babies from all of us at Ickle Pickles.
