The CuddleCot™ is internationally recognized across the world as helping parents who suffer the loss of a baby. It is used extensively in the United Kingdom, where more than 95 percent of British, Scottish and Irish hospitals and hospices utilize one or more CuddleCots™. It is also used in other European and Australian hospitals.
Dealing with the death of a baby is a difficult event for parents, and an increasing number of U.S. hospitals are looking at how they can improve their bereavement services to parents.
A major way that hospitals can improve their services is to provide bereaved parents with the option of spending time with their baby. Providing families time is internationally encouraged by midwives, bereavement practitioners, stillbirth/neonatal charities and academics and is also recognized in International Position statements/guidance. This time allows the family to form an important bond with their baby, whether changing a diaper, dressing the baby or simply just staying close and can help families in dealing with their loss. However, in a warm room, the baby’s condition can deteriorate quickly, which parents often find distressing. Therefore, cooling the baby is absolutely essential, but many parents do not want the trauma of being separated from their baby while they are placed into a morgue refrigerator to cool.
How does the CuddleCot™ help?
The CuddleCot™ system cools the baby in situ, allowing the baby to remain with the family, thereby providing the family time they want. The CuddleCot™ cooling pad is placed in any Moses basket, crib, pram or bed. It is connected by a specially insulated hose and is quietly cooled using the CuddleCot™ cooling unit. The baby can then stay with the parents for as long as necessary at the hospital. The CuddleCot™ system comes in its own carrying case.
Ashlie’s Embrace founders talk with Steve Huggins, co-founder of the CuddleCot.
