Reading time for babies at Russells Hall Hospital
Russells Hall Hospital marked World Book Day by encouraging parents to read to their babies and children while on the ward.
Staff at the Dudley hospital shared the message that even the tiniest baby can benefit from being read to on the neonatal unit.
The ward has its own small library of books which have been donated or bought, and has set up a quiet area for parents to read in.
Julie Marks, neonatal unit lead nurse, said: “Enabling parents to read to their baby encourages them to take an active role in their baby’s care and development.
"It also helps to create a less stressful environment for babies and parents.”
Reading to babies on a neonatal unit helps create a routine and a feeling of normality in a hospital environment.
It helps with bonding, even if the baby is too fragile to be held and can get brothers and sisters involved.
Hearing a familiar voice provides reassurance to the baby and lowers heart rate, resulting in a calmer baby.
It also helps babies recognize and work with sounds in spoken language, which is the foundation for eventually learning to read.
The neonatal unit is asking people to help expand its library by donating books suitable for babies.
