current event 1: BABIES! LEEETLE BABIES!

"One in 10 babies born in Britain is premature - many are so tiny that it can be some time before their parents are able to take them out of their incubators and cuddle them."

Sally Halls, graduate student, has designed a new type of incubator that would enable the premature baby to have more human contact. Until now, parents of premature babies were only allowed to have contact with their child through the portholes, but this new design allows the parents to actually pick up the child. Neonatal doctors encourage the contact, especially during it's early stages.

The newly designed incubator allows the parent to pick up and hold the child, while still offering the medical attention the child needs. The design is still in it's early stages, but as of now it consists of a heated mattress that can be folded around the baby, creating a seal environment when being held by the parent. Also, the mattress would be made of a special material so to prevent bed sores.

All in all, this is a great idea. Frankly, parents of premature babies have it hard enough, sitting in that neonatal unit, with their child's life on the line. If we could offer them any sort of comfort, I am sure that anybody, especially doctors, would jump at the chance.