The Women’s and Children’s special care neonatal nursery at Central Gippsland Health (CGH) now has a special chair that will help mothers remain at their baby’s bedside for long periods of time.
The Ottimo Electric Recliner was kindly donated by the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation with the support of generous donations from local businesses and the community.
CGH Chief Executive Officer, Dr Frank Evans, said the chair fits in nicely with the recently refurbished nursery that previously did not have the space for such furniture to enable mothers to comfortably remain and even sleep next to their babies.
“The electric recliner has adjustable positions that enables mothers to find a comfortable position in which to feed their babies and supports nursing staff to conduct Kangaroo Care,” Dr Evans explained.
“Kangaroo Care is where babies are nursed in an upright position. It helps stabilise the baby’s heart rate, improves their rate of breathing and maintains their oxygen saturation levels. It is also shown to help their sleep, reduces crying and leads to more rapid weight gain.”
Historically, the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation has funded high-tech medical equipment, nurse education and research to enable sick and premature newborn babies to go home from hospital sooner and healthier.
Foundation founder, Peter Cursley, and his partner, Di, recently retired to Sale and their plan is to help local hospitals.
“Sometimes it’s what seems like the little things that actually mean the most to regional hospitals,” Peter said.