Neonatal charity Baby Beat is using a new way to protect premature babies, after donations of pure silk were made into sheets by a group of volunteers.

Babies who are born extremely premature often have skin issues and standard sheets can be abrasive to their delicate skin. Neonatal specialists from across the country recommend laying premature babies on silk to help protect reduce any damage in their first days and weeks.

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Baby Beat, based at Sharoe Green Maternity Unit, Fulwood has received 50 silk sheets so far, but estimate that they will need 100 per year to ensure each premature baby has the protection they need.

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Joanne Smith, Matron for Newborn Services at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The first stages of all babies’ lives are crucial, and protecting the delicate skin of premature babies is particularly vital.

“Neonatal colleagues from other parts of the country have shared their practice of laying extremely preterm babies, of 22-23 weeks gestation, on a small piece of silk to help protect their skin.

“If anyone has any unused, new silk which they are willing to donate, either in ready-made silk squares or in rolls of silk that could be into 30cm x 30cm square sheets from we would be very grateful.”

For more information or to get in touch with a donation, contact Baby Beat on babybeatuk@lthtr.nhs.uk or call 01772 524414.

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Do you think using silk sheets for premature babies is a good idea? Let us know in the comments.