Double vision

By Rebecca Fraser
NEWBORN twins are set to benefit following the donation of a new double cot to Dandenong Hospital’s special care nursery.
The donation was made by the Casey and District Multiple Birth Association (CDMBA), which raised nearly $1000 for the new twin crib.
Judith Saffigna, of the CDMBA, said the organisation had raised the funds during a recent shopping tour and had wanted to use the money to help multiple-birth parents.
The Narre Warren Lions also donated funds to the initiative, and Ms Saffigna, a mother of twins, said the new cot would allow newborns to form an even closer bond.
“They (twins) spend nine months in utero together and are then put into separate cots. It definitely helps the babies bond if they can be together.
“Mothers and fathers also don’t have to push two cots and instead can have just the one. I would have loved it if my girls had been able to lie side-by-side when they were born,” she said.
Pakenham twins Sarah and Samuel Banane were the first to test the twin cot and new mother, Christine Banane, said pushing one cot made life much easier.
The twins returned home on Monday, but Ms Banane said they had enjoyed snuggling up together in the new crib and she was pleased that they could be close.
The special-care unit manager at Dandenong Hospital, Raelene Walsh, said they were pleased with the donation.
She said the latest addition to the special-care nursery was already in high demand as three sets of twins had been born at the hospital last week.
“For mothers, it is easier to have one cot and studies have shown that with co-bedding, sicker babies can have improved outcomes.
“It is really nice to have a second twin cot now and we are very pleased with the donation, especially when you consider that multiple births are on the rise.”
Ms Saffigna said recent figures indicated that one in 72 pregnancies resulted in a multiple birth.
With 66 clubs in Australia, with a total of more than 5000 members, many multiple-birth parents turn to the Australian Multiple Birth Association for advice.
For further information, contact Judith Saffigna on 9790 1022.