A heartbroken couple who used bags of frozen peas to create a makeshift cold cuddle cot after their baby boy died have been described as "remarkable."
Alice and Sam Taylor’s 12-day-old son Thomas suffered a cardiac arrest following a viral infection and died in an ambulance as he was rushed to hospital. The couple wanted to take him home one last time before his funeral but there were no special cold cuddle cots available, prompting staff at the hospital’s bereavement suite to suggest using frozen peas in his Moses basket.
Alice, 27, said she was "willing Sam to hurry up" when he went into Asda to get five bags of frozen peas while she sat "cuddling" her son in the car park.
The former teacher, from Prenton, added: "As bizarre as it sounds, it didn’t feel strange, because if I could have held him forever, I would have. And this was Thomas’ final journey home, so in a way, I never wanted it to end.
"Taking Thomas home one final time felt like something, as parents, we had to do. We played Ellie Goulding’s ‘How long will I love you?’ on the journey home, and we took Thomas to the park for the first and last time. It meant family and friends could meet him, or say their goodbyes, and it enabled us to create precious memories that we will cherish forever."
Alice and Sam are now raising money for the Snowdrop Suite at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to buy one or more cuddle cots, which have a cooling mattress that stops a baby’s body deteriorating so parents can spend time with a child who has passed away. They also want to help buy clothes and blankets for the Snowdrop Suite where parents can come to terms with the loss of a child and are supported by caring staff.
Alice said: “It’s not something you think about, taking your baby home after he has passed away, but it’s important that everybody has this chance and that’s why we are raising money to buy a cuddle cot and other things for the Snowdrop Suite. Not having a cuddle cot could stop other families having those magical memories that we had that special night, and we are passionate that other parents and other families in our situation can have the experience that we had.
“Having an extra cuddle cot for parents like us who want to take their babies home just before their funerals will mean they have the chance to say their final goodbyes and hold their baby one last time like we did. Nothing will make losing a child okay, but having the right support and the chance to say goodbye as you want to is key to surviving this nightmare.”
People on social media sent messages of support to the "inspirational" couple.
Lisa Taylor said: "After reading this article, I have tears streaming down my cheeks, I am heartbroken for this couple, I don't know you, but I am so in love with both of you , blessings to your little baby sleeping beautifully peacefully with the angels."
Melissa Flynn said: "Heart-breaking. My heart goes out to anyone who’s ever had to do this it’s a whole other level of pain to hold your sleeping angel."
Lisa Hill said: "Such a remarkable inspirational couple keeping baby Thomas’ spirit alive in everything they do and everywhere they go, he will live on forever watching over his big brother."
Alice and Sam's story particularly resonated with parents who have lost children of their own.
Tracey Levine said: "So very sad but I am so glad that you had that special time with your baby. I so wish that this had been an option for us when we lost our baby boy. I saw our baby twice. Once, a week after he passed, then another week later, the day before his funeral. He died aged 11hrs old but was born a healthy 9lb 1oz boy."
Paula WD said: "Heartbreaking. I've been there, I remember having to use all of the freezer packs we had so that we could bring our boy home for one last night before he was laid to rest. We lost him at 18 hours old.
"It was traumatic and I couldn't use those type of freezer packs again for years after without getting flashbacks. We also donated a cold cot to LWH after his death so other people didn't have to have the trauma. RIP little baby, love to your family."
Stephanie Curry commented: "We donated a cold cot to the Co-op in Breck road when we lost our little boy. Having one available for us meant we could keep him at home for nine days until his funeral. Spread the word of cold cots! It will mean so much to someone."
Having passed their original £3,000 target, Alice and Sam are continuing to raise money for the Snowdrop Suite you can view their go fund me page here.
