Skin-to-skin nursing at birth using the HugMee support sling

The HugMee support sling was developed specifically to facilitate and promote skin-to-skin contact in the immediate period after delivery, taking into account the particular needs following a caesarean section delivery. The HugMee is part of the Benjamin Care range available from Delta Medical International. It is fully adjustable, allowing the baby to be positioned appropriately, promoting optimum skin-to-skin contact and ensuring that the newborn infant is kept warm and secure.

Two openings in the sling allow the insertion of hands to touch the baby, while a cut-away in the back allows access for any lines or monitoring leads.

The HugMee is washable at up to 90°C for infection control purposes.

Neonatal nests offer security and boundaries for premature babies

Claire’s Nest, designed by Sister Claire Ellerby and created by Cuski Baby Ltd, helps to mimic the safety of the womb and support normal physical development in premature infants. It is said to provide the optimum environment to contain and support the position of the baby. The baby is comfortably contained by two soft but firm boundaries, positioned around the body and head of the baby. Two wide straps on either side of the nest are used to provide security and help support the normal flexed posture experienced while in the womb.

Claire’s Nest by Cuski.

Using a soother provides comfort and promotes non-nutritive sucking

Non-nutritive sucking is important for oral motor skills and sensory development. The potential benefits to babies in neonatal care include improved physiological stability, reduced stress during minor procedures, support for the development of the suck reflex and speeding up the transition from tube-to-enteral-to-full suck feeding.

MAM Preemie soothers are made of one-piece silicone with particularly small teats that are optimally suited to the special needs of premature babies and newborns. MAM Preemies can be custom fitted to better adapt to the shape of the face and create more space for the use of breathing masks and other medical devices.

The Mam Preemie comes in two sizes: Preemie size 1 is for infants <1,000g, and Preemie size 2 is for infants 900-1,500g.

MiniMuffs neonatal noise attenuators protect sensitive ears

Designed specifically for premature babies, MiniMuffs neonatal noise attenuators reduce sound levels by at least 7dB and sound pressure levels by more than 50%. MiniMuffs can be used to provide a ‘quiet hour’ in the neonatal unit, under ventilation and during transfer inside and outside a hospital setting. MiniMuffs are available from Natus Medical Incorporated.

MiniMuffs fit comfortably around the baby’s ears with a soft design and hydrogel adhesive.