A mother-of-two has launched an appeal to raise money to buy a ‘cuddle cot’ for Lister Hospital in Stevenage, allowing grieving parents to spend precious time at home with their babies who have died.

A mother-of-two has launched an appeal to raise money to buy a ‘cuddle cot’ for Lister Hospital in Stevenage, allowing grieving parents to spend precious time at home with their babies who have died.

Judith Pooni, who lives in Hitchin, says she was moved to take action after reading in the national press about a mother and father spending 16 days with their daughter after she had died shortly after birth.

A cuddle cot is essentially a refrigerated cot in which a moses basket can be placed.

Judith said she contacted Lister and was told the hospital currently has one cuddle cot and would appreciate funds to buy more.

Lister allows parents to borrow the cuddle cot to take their deceased baby home for up to two days.

Judith said: “I have had two miscarriages and, while I wouldn’t have had use of a cuddle cot, it helps me to relate. I also have friends whose babies have died.”

She says she had aimed to raise enough money to buy one cuddle cot, which would cost the Lister about £1,200, but with the target reached in just 10 days has her sights set on raising enough for a second one.

Judith said: “Dealing with the death of a baby is clearly incredibly difficult for parents and they should be given the option of spending time with their baby.

“The use of a cuddle cot is internationally encouraged by midwives, bereavement practitioners, stillbirth charities and academics.

“Time allows the family to form an important bond with their baby - whether changing a nappy, dressing the baby, taking photographs, or simply just staying close, and this unquestionably helps families in dealing with their loss.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cuddlecot1 to donate.