Glasgow families make memories with Inky Feet

Families of sick and premature babies are getting the chance to make special memories, thanks to a creative initiative funded by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital (PRM).

The project has been developed by Trainee Neonatologist Dr Lorna McKerracher along with a passionate team of nursing staff at the PRM.

The 'Little Inky Feet' project is funded by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and offers each family the chance to safely capture their child's first footprints, which can then be used in pictures, cards, jewellery and even tattoos at a later date. So far more than 100 families have taken up the offer.

Lorna says: "Having your newborn child admitted to the neonatal unit can be extremely stressful and upsetting. Parents are separated from their baby and the bonding process can be more difficult. Memory making is one way that families can process their experience in a positive way.

"The Little Inky Feet' project is very simple, but we've seen it really does help parents' anxiety in the first few days and weeks and gives them a precious keepsake they will always have to cherish. Our fantastic neonatal nurses help the parents make the prints themselves and support them through this fun activity.

"Parents can understandably feel apprehensive about touching their baby especially if they are being cared for in an incubator, but making footprints can help them feel more comfortable with this, enabling them to bond with their little one more easily. Once they have their baby's footprints, it's up to the families as to how they use them – and they've come up with so many creative ideas!"