Cuddle cot for loss families in Alicia-Maes memory

My name is Amy and on the 14th of April of 2021 I had to live through every expectant parents worst nightmare. I went to a scan at 26 weeks and was told that my baby Alicia-Mae no longer had a heartbeat. After an induction my daughter was born still on the 18th of April.

I spent 4 days with her in the hospital thanks to the facilities they have available as well as the wonderfully accommodating staff. When we spoke about me returning home it was mentioned that I could bring Alicia's body home with me if I wanted to and take care of her there until the funeral. It was explained that it is not usually done but is possible at my hospital but I quickly shrugged it off and arranged for the funeral directors to come and take her.

While arranging the funeral I was visiting Alicia every day but unfortunately fell very ill and was unable to leave the house. I knew I only had two weeks left with her and I couldn't bare the thought of not seeing her everyday. The amazing nurses at my local hospital arranged for collection of a Cuddle Cot for me and I had my daughter brought home to my care.

Those twelve days taking care of her at home were the greatest gift anyone could have possibly given me at that time. There was something immensely comforting about seeing her at home amongst her things where she belonged, her journey felt more complete.

I want to make sure every family that suffers the loss of a baby has access to these facilities and I think the perfect first step towards that is buying a Cuddle Cot for my local hospital in memory of my baby girl.

So what is a Cuddle Cot? For those not familiar, a Cuddle Cot is an in-room cooling unit that is the size of a small humidifier that is disguised inside a bassinet or Moses basket. A Cuddle Cot gives parents the gift of time, allowing for their precious angels to be at their bedside during their hospital stay and in some cases to bring them home and create memories there.

They also give families a gift of time by allowing precious, irreplaceable hours to bond, obtain priceless photos, plaster molds and for extended family to come meet the baby. A Cuddle Cot device gives everyone a real chance to say good bye.