At Earlybirds, we are passionate about supporting parents and carers of premature babies, ensuring that they feel empowered and connected during their NICU journey.
That’s why we are proud to stand behind Napean Hospital's new 'Heart-to-Heart' Initiative, a program that helps parents build strong emotional bonds with their premature or sick baby in the NICU by using the power of familiar scent.
Parents partaking in the the 'Heart-to-Heart' program receive three fabric hearts, one to wear against their skin for a period of time which then absorbs their unique scent, one to be placed in baby's cot and a third spare. The two hearts have that absorbed the scents see then swapped for mum and baby to keep near and receive the comfort of smelling one another when separated.
Christie Lawrence, a clinical nurse specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing at Rush University, USA said “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, so having the mum’s familiar scent can really help ease an infant’s stress and discomfort.”
What makes the 'Heart-to-Heart' initiative so special?
- Parental Involvement is Essential – Studies show that a parent's touch, voice, and presence significantly impact a premmie’s development and emotional well-being.
- Heart-to-Heart Provides Support – The initiative offers education, peer support, and hands-on strategies to help parents feel more confident in caring for their baby.
- Kangaroo Care & Skin-to-Skin Contact – These practices are encouraged as they improve a baby’s stability, reduce stress, and foster bonding.
- Community & Connection – Many parents feel isolated during their NICU journey and programs like Heart to Heart help create a supportive network.
Many other hospitals, charities and organisations also encourage the use of fabric hearts in this way, including NICU Cheer's pair of 'Snuggle Hearts' which are included in every one of their Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter and Christmas gift bags and Life's Little Treasure's Foundations 'Development Hearts'. Many parents keep their hearts as a special keepsake of their time in NICU.
Earlybirds is committed to promoting initiatives that uplift and support NICU families. If you’d like to learn more about the Heart-to-Heart concept, learn how to make your own fabric hearts or share your own experiences with these comforting hearts, we’d love to hear from you!
Image Credit: NICU Cheer Founder Maddie and her daughter with an array of amazing hand sewn 'Snuggle Hearts' ready to be donated to families experiencing a NICU journey during important dates and holidays such as Mother's Day and Christmas
