Thanks to local donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities has been able to purchase soft toys to comfort new mums and their babies at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.

In the Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital, babies are, on occasion, separated from their parents because of transfer to another unit for more specialist care. In some cases, it is many days before parents can be reunited with their new arrivals. To help during this separation, identical soft toys are provided for mum and baby, as a little keepsake.

Sandra Pegram, Unit Manager, said: “Our aim is to get parents back together with their babies as quickly as possible. If there has to be a separation this can be really difficult for new mums. 

“The soft toys are a comfort and aid a little with the separation. Identical toys are given to mum and baby and when they are reunited, then parents often put the toys together or give one to an older sibling. Parents have told us that the soft toys make a real difference.” 

Cuddly puppies, lambs, bunnies, dinosaurs, monkeys and unicorns from soft toy-maker Jellycat have been provided for the Unit.

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk