IT’S the moment many long for, the first touch of their new born child. But when a baby is born prematurely this moment isn’t so easy to experience.
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A Taree family is proving touch isn’t the only way to form a powerful connection with a new born baby.
Taree grandmother Arona Gibbons, her daughter Taycee Jones and partner Owen Harper were challenged when Taycee and Owen’s twin boys Bodhi and Jarrah were born premature.
For three months the twins were in the John Hunter Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) whilst the family lived in Newcastle’s Ronald McDonald House.
Unable to touch the twins, the family created special memories by reading books and singing to them.
“It’s hard to think straight as it really is a traumatic time – we know how much of a nightmare it is,” said Arona.
“There was not a lot we could do – but hearing our voice settled them.”
Taycee explained by reading to the boys they saw changes in their expressions and improvements on their medical monitors.
“Hearing our voice is familiar from the womb, so they found it comforting. It felt like you were actually doing something for them,” said Taycee.
Bodhi sadly passed away at one-month-old. As enormous as the family’s grief is, their comfort lies in the memories they forged with Bodhi in hospital. They wanted others to have these experiences too.
Arona founded the charity Books for Bubs, where she organises for donated books to be passed on to families with children in the NICU.
In less than three months Arona has sent 300 books and a second 300 are ready to go.
This has involved generosity from the community, who donated books and made bags. Sewing for Charities Australia also made 120 book bags.
Recognising the benefit of the books for literacy, charity Paint the Town REaD also jumped on board to create a lullaby book to donate.
Taycee said reading to premature babies, who are more at risk of disability, has been shown to lead to improved outcomes later on in life.
When asked has the charity helped overcome her grief, Arona said “I’m still working on that.
“Some days I feel great, others are really emotional.
“We still have our memories – books remind me of Bodhi.”
To find out more like Facebook page Books for bubs in the NICU
To donate, visit one of these drop off points:
Wingham’s Precise Moto
Taree’s Sweet-Pea & Mumma
Laurieton’s Early Education Centre
Arona is also looking for more donation points, contact her through the Facebook page.
