Beanies and socks against the cold
The project is already running in 11 different hospitals and 4 provinces, providing between 1000-1200 products per month, over the country.
VEREENIGING. – Low birth weight babies have limited capacity for thermoregulation in the first weeks of life. The first 12 hours after birth is therefore a crucial time to prevent hypothermia that can lead to the death of babies.
This is why Dr. Johané Potgieter-Palko and Clarette Alfond founded the Beanies4Babies project while medical students at the University of the Free State. The non-profit organization’s mission is to prevent hypothermia (core temperature less than 36.5°C) in low birth weight babies (weigh in less than 2.5kg). Beanies4Babies does this by providing each baby with a beanie and socks directly after delivery and discharge the babies with the items.
According to Potgieter-Palko, who is now based in the Vaal Triangle, the project is already running in 11 different hospitals and 4 provinces, providing between 1000-1200 products per month, over the country.
On Tuesday 22 August 2023 Beanies4Babies also launched its project at the Kopanong Hospital, its second hospital in the Vaal Triangle. Potgieter- Palko launched the project at Sebokeng Hospital in 2022.
She says: “Low birth weight babies, especially premature babies, are prone to hypothermia due to their head encompassing a large ratio of their body surface area, their thin skin, and limited fat stores. Thus, the responsibility lies on us, as healthcare professionals and care givers to prevent them from getting cold. As citizens of the Vaal Triangle, we know how extremely cold our winters can get. Therefore, increasing the need for a project like this.”
According to Potgieter-Palko the organisation relies solely on volunteers and donations. “We are grateful towards the Meyerton community for all their support since our launch last year. We need people to knit/crochet the products according to our patterns. Yarn/financial donations to purchase products are always welcome,” she says.
Anyone who would like to get involved and support this initiative can send an email to beanies4babiesproject@gmail.com for more information.
