Parents of babies born prematurely are being offered additional support thanks to a partnership between Netcare and Babies R Us.
The new initiative between the healthcare group and baby goods retailer will see parents of babies born weighing less than 1.5kg being offered an Early Start Essentials ‘starter kit’ bag.
This contains essential products and information to cater for these tiny babies’ unique needs for the first few days after birth, national coordinator of Netcare Ncelisa human milk banks Verena Bolton explained.
Starter items in the Early Start Essentials bag include nappies for pre-term babies, wipes, barrier bum cream and skin lotion suited to pre-term babies’ skin, breast pads, and non-alcoholic hand sanitiser.
"Parents of babies born so prematurely are often under a great deal of stress, and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff offer them support throughout their baby’s stay,” Bolton added.
She said that with the generous sponsorship of the Early Start Essentials bags for the very low birth weight premature babies cared for in Netcare hospital NICUs, parents woouldn't need to worry about having to source these basic essentials during the busy and emotional first days of their babies’ lives.
“Netcare NICU managers have compiled a list of items specifically suited to the unique needs of these babies, as parents may not have had the time to buy these due to their baby’s unexpected premature birth,” Bolton said.
She added that as breast milk is invaluable in building premature babies’ immune systems, the Early Start Essentials bag also includes a cooler bag for transporting breast milk.
It will also include a breast milk storage bottle and storage bags which enable mothers to provide a continuous supply of breast milk for their babies.
“The products align with the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, wherever possible, as this is recognised as the best nutritional start for a young life,” adds Bolton.
Meanwhile, The Early Start Essentials bags are purple to match the theme colour for Prematurity Awareness.
Bolton said it also includes a journal for the parents to capture the time they spent in the NICU with their baby.
“Contained within the journal is advice on enhancing breast milk production and pages to capture special moments and thoughts, add photographs of momentous events such as the first cuddle with mom and dad, and more,” Bolton said.
She referenced numerous studies that have shown that feeding babies breast milk only, for at least the first half-year of a child’s life, protects against a host of illnesses and non-communicable diseases and offers the optimal nourishment a baby needs for their development.
“For premature, very low birth weight babies, such as those who we care for in our NICUs, age-appropriate breast milk is especially beneficial because these babies often have minimal, if any, acquired or innate immune protection.”
Meanwhile, Director of Babies R Us Michelle Burke said they were thrilled to partner with Netcare for the provision of The Early Start Essentials bags for premature babies and parents in need.
“At Babies R Us, we celebrate the journey of parenthood, and we’re delighted to partner with Netcare on this important initiative.”
Burke said The Early Start Essentials bag would provide practical support to parents of very low weight babies, emphasising the importance and benefits of breastfeeding.
“Babies R Us is highly committed to providing parents with solutions tailored to their family’s needs.”
Burke said Babies R Us’ partnership with Netcare was made possible by the support of key suppliers, enabling them to produce the Babies R Us NICU Journal – ‘From Bump to Baby’, which is included in The Early Start Essentials bag.
“We understand that every moment with a baby is precious, and our journal encourages parents to capture these special memories on their journey,” Ronel Grant, Head of Wellness at Babies R Us, added.
The national baby and toddler supplies retailer has also donated large cooler bags to Netcare NICUs for transporting donated breast milk to premature babies whose mothers are unable to supply breast milk for their babies.
“The Netcare Foundation, through Netcare Ncelisa milk banks, supplies donated breast milk at no cost to eligible newborns, both within the public and private sectors,” said Bolton.
“To help make breast milk accessible to as many premature, vulnerable and high-risk babies as possible, we encourage mothers who understand the important benefits of breast milk to become donors.”
Bolton explained that prospective donors are screened for a number of health conditions that could impact the safety of the milk and must complete a lifestyle questionnaire and consent form.
They are then provided with information on how to safely express, store and transport their milk to a Netcare Ncelisa milk bank or depot at the Group’s maternity units.
“Women who are interested in becoming donors are welcome to contact any Netcare hospital with maternity facilities for more information,” said Bolton.
“The WHO points out that, over the longer term, breast milk and breastfeeding are crucial for early childhood nutrition and development and are associated with higher intelligence and greater earning potential later in life.
“This, in turn, can positively contribute to the financial wellbeing of individual families, as well as national economies as giving babies nature’s best start in life provides priceless benefits.”