To bring cheer to the NICU
Help us help parents of premature babies.
Volunteer, Participate, or Donate
2020 Bags
2020 NICU Cheer Mother's Day Gift-bags2019 Bags
2019 NICU Cheer Christmas Gift-bags2018 Bags
2018 NICU Cheer Christmas Gift-bags2017 Bags
2017 NICU Cheer Christmas Gift-bags
This year we will be including a pair of Snuggle Hearts in each of ourNICU Cheer gift-bags for mothers of premature/sick babies. We do 188 bags for 3 Melbourne hospital’s NICUs so need 376 hearts per delivery. They’re very simple to make. If you'd like to help out please send an email to me at and I will forward the 1 page template & instructions. ♥️
The template & the instructions are shared with permission from Mater Mothers Hospital NICU Brisbane who explain. One fabric heart is given to the mother and placed on her chest to pick up her scent, with the other heart placed close to the baby for the same reason. The hearts are then swapped so mother and baby are left with each other’s scented heart. The program has been introduced to help a mother’s milk come in when she is apart from her baby, while the scent of the mother also has a calming effect on the baby”. ♥️
Rush University, USA: “The sense of smell is one of the earliest senses to develop...After birth, the sense of smell continues to develop, and it is one of the senses that helps the infant recognise the mother,” said Lawrence. “So having the mum’s familiar scent can really help ease an infant’s stress and discomfort.”
Christie Lawrence, clinical nurse specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing at RU. ♥️
On 7 March 2020 NICU Cheer Founder Maddie proudly received a Community Volunteer Award from the Federal Minister for Jaggajagga Kate Thwaites at ceremony held in Ivanhoe, Victoria, cheered on and supported by her wonderfully supportive best friends and family and 5 year old daughter.
Tara, a fellow NICU mum's son using his Snuggle Heart in the NICU. Shared with her permission. ♥️
