Community

This year, in keeping with our "Love in Action" theme, we are running a "Swaddle Drive" for the Neonatal Unit at Mercy Hospital for Women (MHW) in Heidelberg. 

As you may know, Holy Rosary School is a Mercy school. The Sisters of Mercy were established in 1831 by Sister Catherine McAuley in Ireland, before spreading across the world. In 1920, over 100 years ago, 

The Sisters of Mercy opened their first hospital in Australia, and Mercy Health began. Housing one of five neonatal intensive care units in the state, the Neonatal Unit at MHW cares for some of the smallest and sickest babies in Victoria. Each year MHW helps approximately 1400 babies requiring specialist care. 

Why a swaddle drive?

Babies born early like to be kept feeling safe in “nests” so that they feel like they are still in their mother’s belly while they are being cared for at the hospital. The nursing staff make "nests" like the one pictured in the attached poster to keep the babies feeling safe and supported. 

These babies do not wear clothes for many months, so their families like to be able to choose the linen that is used to make their baby’s “nest”. MHW provides linen, but it is all the same and not fun for families to choose from. 

What does the baby in the image have on it?

The baby on the poster is wearing something that looks like a snorkel you would use for diving - and it kind of is! This tube is connected to a machine that supports the baby to breathe more easily. This baby is breathing by itself - the staff are just helping it out a bit. 

The nurse wearing the blue gloves is giving the baby a "hand hug". This helps the baby feel safe and relax when they are in the hospital. 

The baby is also wearing sunglasses to protect its eyes from the special blue light therapy it's receiving. Often, babies born early look like they have very yellow skin - this blue light helps their skin not look yellow anymore.

What do we do?

We will be collecting swaddles from today (9th September) until the last day of term (20th September). Do you have a packet of unused swaddles at the back of your cupboard? We'd love them. Or, when you're out shopping, you may like to buy a new swaddle or two to donate to the drive. The poster has some suggestions for you.

Getting the swaddles to the babies

One of our Holy Rosary mums, Erin, works as a nurse in the MHW Neonatal Unit, so she will organise for some MHW nurses to come and collect the swaddles in Term 4 at an assembly. Keep an eye on the school newsletter for the date of this - TBC. You can also contact her if you have any questions at erinchurch86@gmail.com

Thank you for your help in supporting this "Love in Action" initiative.