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CuddleCot

Dealing with the death of a baby is clearly an incredibly difficult event for parents and bereaved parents should be given the option of spending time with their baby.   Time allows the family to form an important bond with their baby; whether changing a nappy, dressing the baby or simply just to stay close this can help families in dealing with their loss. The problem is that in a warm room the baby’s condition can deteriorate quickly which parents often find distressing. Therefore cooling the baby is absolutely essential, however parents do not want the trauma of being separated from their baby whilst they are placed into a mortuary refrigerator to cool.

UK hospital NHS guidance for all organisations responsible for care and death states that the deceased should start to be cooled as soon as possible and certainly within 4 hours of death to `preserve their appearance, condition and dignity.’  However, smaller babies need to be cooled much sooner to help preserve their appearance.

The CuddleCot is used to cool the “sleeping” baby and allows parents time to bond and form some memories as a family.  The benefits of using the CuddleCot system are widely accepted by bereavement practitioners across the globe.

The CuddlCot is small, light and quiet.  It can easily be carried in one hand and so can be used at home for parents as well as within the Hospice environment.