Baby Change Bags delivered to Kettering General Hospital
Early years and childcare04 August 2023
New parents could benefit from a special delivery after North Northamptonshire Council’s LIVE team started providing Baby Change bags to Kettering General Hospital.
Following on from the work the LIVE team do to support those looking for employment, providing people with interview clothes or everyday essential clothing, the idea is to support new parents with access to baby changing items, especially those struggling or have delivered early and haven’t got everything together in time.
So far, the first five Baby Change Bags have been handed over and the team are looking for further donations to help fill more bags.
The recyclable tote bags include four nappy changes and two complete outfit changes, plus toiletries for mum and a hand-knitted cardigan plus bibs, hat and scratch mitts. The team wanted them to be easily accessible so made contact with Kettering General Hospital’s maternity unit, who will now help distribute the bags. Work is also ongoing with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust to help distribute the packs to families in need.
Following on from the fantastic work the team do on the Changing Room project, the idea to support new parents was born, with the first bags now having been delivered to Kettering General Hospital.Cllr Scott Edwards, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills
The first few weeks as new parents can be difficult, especially if money is tight or the baby has arrived a little earlier than expected, which is why I am pleased we are able to offer a helping hand.
We are also looking for donations to help fill the bags, so if you are able to help - from knitting baby clothing through to supplying toiletries for new mums, please get in touch.
Having Baby Change Bags available enables us to give parents who need unexpected support - for example when a mum has a premature delivery - an immediate helping hand at the start of their parenting journey. We would like to thank the LIVE team at North Northamptonshire Council for their support and all the people who have made the bags, or contributed to them. They will make a difference to the care we can provide in our Delivery Suite and Neonatal Unit.Mara Tonks, Deputy Director of Midwifery at Kettering General Hospital
The team would welcome donations of toiletries, nappies, baby wipes and new baby items of clothing. If you know of anybody who would be willing to donate items including toiletries, nappies, baby wipes and new baby clothing, or even sponsor the project, please reach out to us. If you can stock our bags or donate to help fill them, call 01604 362820 and ask for Su or Demi.