Paddy’s Memory

Our baby boy Paddy Kevin Baxter was born sleeping at 22 weeks on 8th November 2021. The pain and trauma of having a stillborn baby may ease over time but it will never be forgotten. We want to honour Paddy and support other parents going through the tragedy and heartache that we have. Everyday in Australia, six babies are stillborn and a further three babies die each day before their first birthday. This doesn’t include the precious babies who are stillborn before 20 weeks gestation. Chances are we have all known someone who has been through this, or you will at some stage. And there are certain resources that are so important. What parents really need during this heartbreaking time is a Cuddle Cot.

Cuddle Cots are cooling machines that allow families extra time with their precious baby if they pass away. We were able to have Paddy stay with us in the hospital for two incredible nights to spend time with him, cuddle him and make precious memories. Without the Cuddle Cot we would have only had a matter of hours. The hardest thing we have ever had to do is walk out of the hospital without our baby but we are extremely grateful for the time we got and so thankful a Cuddle Cot was available at our hospital. Some hospitals don’t have a Cuddle Cot so we are asking for your help. We need to ensure every hospital in Australia has a Cuddle Cot to give grieving parents the few precious days they need with their babies. It is the only time we get with our babies when robbed of a lifetime with them. It is not only impactful at the time of the tragedy, but having a Cuddle Cot and given time after the birth can help parents cope with the trauma mentally and emotionally, long term.

Cuddle Cots are $6,500 which we know is a lot of money but in the scheme of things, collectively, it’s a small price to pay to give grieving parents the gift of time with their precious baby. Please, in honour of baby Paddy, and all the Angel babies, if you can spare a donation, no matter how big or small, it would mean the absolute world to us. Once we raise the funds we need, the organisation Bears Of Hope will work with us to place a Cuddle Cot in a hospital in need.

It brings us to tears thinking of the day we can donate a Cuddle Cot in Paddy’s name and potentially give hundreds of grieving parents the gift of time.

We thank you for your support.

Nikki & Kevin