INDIVIDUAL fridges for premature babies’ milk at Cairns Hospital will keep a mothers’ breast milk at the correct temperature at the cot side ready for use thanks to a donation of 28 individual fridges from The Good Guys Cairns to Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
Cairns Hospital Special Care Nursery Nurse Unit manager Jonelle Mayers, said the 28 individual fridges worth $5600, will be used for new mums staying in the unit to store their breastmilk. The fridges provide a new convenience for mums as they won’t have to leave their baby’s side to retrieve their milk.
“Each fridge is placed directly next to their baby’s cot so there is no chance of milk from one baby being given to another baby, inadvertently,” Mrs Mayers said. “Mothers can then participate in discussions regarding the available milk for their baby and take ownership of the supply, because it is so visible.
“Nurses prefer the individual fridges because we only keep the milk belonging to that baby, in the baby’s environment. The individual fridges contribute towards best practice.”
Mum Sharon Thompson says the fridges have been invaluable for her baby Hugh. “He was born 10 weeks early and I express milk several times a day at home and also when I come in to feed him. He’s exclusively breastfed via a nasogastric tube at the moment but he’s doing really well. He’s amazing me with his progress,” Ms Thompson said.
The Good Guys Cairns Store Executive Manager, Michael Aw, said his team was honoured to support its local cause partner, Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, in a big way this year. “The Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation goes to great lengths to support local residents and families, especially those welcoming a newborn into the world,” he said.
The Good Guys Cairns is committed to doing good and making a difference in the local community, and we hope this donation will keep local mums comfortable and well equipped for the duration of their stay with our friends at Far North Queensland Hospital.”
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation fundraising and marketing manager Glenys Duncombe said The Good Guys Cairns had been extremely supportive of the Foundation for a long time.
“We always hold a Christmas gift wrap at The Good Guys Cairns store and the team has been very generous in making donations, in both cash and kind, and providing special gifts to families in need, over the years. This latest donation brings The Good Guys Cairns’ donations to the Foundation to $100, 000, which is very generous,” Ms Duncombe said.
Photo: Sharon Thompson and son Hugh, say thanks to Michael Aw for his generous donation of breast milk fridges.
