PARENTS of babies born prematurely and in need of extra care at Airedale Hospital are being helped to record special moments in their child’s progress.

So-called journey bags have been created by staff on the Steeton hospital’s neonatal unit for parents to chart important milestones and to make their stay on the ward easier.

Each bag contains items including a baby diary, reading book, keepsake bag, inkless footprint kit, mini octopus, milestone cards and a notebook for parents to write down their thoughts and feelings and any questions they may want to ask.

Rebecca Inman, junior sister on the unit, said the bags were designed to support new parents when they first arrive at the hospital.

She added: “The diary has a place to write everything down when your child is born and any significant days or things that parents want to record for their baby – such as ‘today I had my first cuddle’ or ‘today I wore my own clothes’.

“When they are in the incubator and we are watching their breathing, often the baby is just in nappies for a few days and parents say that the first time they dress their child is really important. It will sound like nothing to a lot of people, but to our parents it can be really significant.

“The journey bag helps parents to recognise these moments and it’s something nice to keep.”

The diary and footprint logo were designed by Rebecca’s husband, Stuart, of Sinman Designs.

The first new parent to receive a bag was Katie Stanley.

Her baby, Ariya, was born at 34 weeks.

Katie – who works at the hospital, as a sister on the acute assessment unit – said: “The bag will really help emotionally. It’s something for you to look at, and it’s nice to have a notebook in there as well for us to write things down.

“The diary will give us a bit of guidance, especially with Ariya being early.

“It’s got all her little milestones in it as well – when she can come out of her incubator, first feeds and things like that. We can put all that in there – it’s a lovely idea.”

Funding for the bags has been provided through a unit raffle, parents of babies formerly on the unit and businesses.

The neonatal unit also has an Amazon wishlist for anyone to buy items.