Bringing more play to the Parent Infant Unit
The Parent Infant Unit treats primary caregivers of infants under 12 months, supporting them and helping strengthen their attachment with their baby.
Creating a comfortable and child-friendly environment is an important part of making the unit a positive experience for families. Thanks to community support, the Bendigo Health Foundation has helped provide homely additions including baby mats, swings and toys.
More recently, the Foundation supported the purchase of the unit’s first piece of play equipment for older children — a cubby house.
The addition allows parents to bring their older children into the unit and gives them something to play with.
Sharna Lewis, Nurse Unit Manager of the Parent Infant Unit, said parents had previously felt nervous about bringing older children into the space.
“Babies come in here, and they are 0–12 months, but parents often have other children. Sometimes they don’t want to bring their other children in here as they can be chasing them around, feeling stressed and anxious because they are worried about what they will pull apart.”
The cubby house makes the unit more welcoming for older children, while giving parents an opportunity to play and connect with them.
“Through adding the cubby house, it is more inclusive for families, so older children can come in and have something to play with, and parents can go and play with them and work on that bond as well.”
This is another example of how community fundraising through the Bendigo Health Foundation is helping create welcoming, supportive spaces for families receiving care at Bendigo Health.