Babyleo Incubators

Taranaki urgently needed your help to raise $56,000 for a new intensive care Babyleo Incubator for the tiniest patients born in our region.

We needed a new intensive care incubator in the Neonatal Unit (NNU). Previously there was only one available, and its end of life came sooner than expected. The fleet was very outdated and a new Babyleo incubator transforms the care of our most vulnerable babies. They can be in an incubator from the moment they are born without being moved, which is extremely important for brain development.

The Babyleo TN500 supports our level 3 babies born at less than 32 weeks gestational age and weighing less than 1500 grams (53 ounces or 3.3 pounds), as well as critically ill newborns of any gestational age and birth weight. These babies require special care and continuous life support whilst in the NNU.

The Babyleo has the following features which protect the baby whilst allowing parent interaction:

• Three synchronized heat sources that keep the temperature stable at any time.
• Improved thermoregulation with special procedures like weaning, tolerate cooling and warm-up.
• Light and noise monitoring in the patient compartment for less stress for the baby.
• Easy access to the baby with jumbo hand ports plus fast and easy hood opening.
• Enhanced family centred care with easy to read displays.
• Design with focus on infection prevention with plain surfaces and less parts to disassemble.
• Humidification which protects the fragile skin of the premature baby

We managed to double our target and raise enough money to buy two Babyleo incubators, largely due to the incredible generosity from Rob & Denise Dowman. They were inspired to give to this campaign because their Grandson, Derek, was born at 31 weeks and five days and spent about seven weeks in the Taranaki Base Hospital Neonatal Unit. Rather than donate part of a Babyleo Incubator, they bought a full one for the hospital, meaning we now have two available.