Nappies keeping tiny babies happy

trying out the new Pampers Preemie Protection Size P3 nappies at Southampton Hospital

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IT'S nappy days for the Royal Oldham Hospital's tiniest little fighters thanks to a donation by Pampers.

The brand has designed the UK's smallest nappy to fit premature babies weighing under 1.8lb - less than a loaf of bread - and is delivering 4,000 of them to the hospital to be used in their neonatal unit.

The Pampers Preemie Protection Size P3, which took three years and more than 10,000 hours of research to develop, is three sizes smaller than a regular newborn nappy and means those caring for the tiny infants no longer have to adapt bigger nappies to fit.

About one in 11 babies - 60,000 - are born prematurely in the UK each year and due to advances in medical science, survival rates of these little fighters are increasing.

Cherry Bond, neo-natal nurse and developmental specialist, said: "Premature babies have unique requirements, which need to be considered for every element of their care - the right nappy is no exception.

"The nappies currently available do not fit the smallest babies properly so are often cut and folded to size, which can cause discomfort and impede optimal development.

"That's why Pampers has designed a range of nappies specifically to meet the needs of premature babies, and is donating them to hospitals."

Pampers is partnering with Bliss, the UK's leading charity for babies born premature or sick, to get the nappies to the babies that need them.

They are partnering with the Royal Oldham Hospital and others across the country, before rolling out nationwide to all UK hospitals from the summer.

Caroline Lee-Davey, Bliss chief executive, said: "We were thrilled to hear about the new range of Pampers nappies for premature babies, which will make a real difference to the lives of babies and those that care for them.

"Caring for such a small and fragile baby can be daunting, but Bliss knows that getting families more actively involved in caring for their premature baby aids development, creates valuable bonding time and helps babies get better faster.

"The nappy change is one way parents can take a lead and nappies that are fit for purpose will make this so much easier."

New Pampers Preemie Protection nappies are designed to minimise disruption to help with sleep, positioning, and medical care for premature babies.

Regular newborn nappies currently used by neo-natal nurses have a wide core that can push babies' legs apart, not allowing their hips and legs to rest comfortably, which 99 per cent of nurses say disrupts healthy growth and development.

Pampers has created a film to show solidarity for parents of premature babies and raise awareness of the daily struggle of these little fighters. The brand is also asking all parents to get involved by sharing photos of their little ones with a raised fist on social media with the hashtag #powerofbabies, to celebrate the amazing fighting spirit that premature babies show every day.

Pampers will be donating £1 to Bliss for every one of those pictures shared.