Incubator vest for premature baby; 'Pink Star'; Early Baby Store; printed cotton; made in England, 2014-15

Vest, made from white cotton. It fastens with metal press-studs at the left shoulder, on both sides and at the crotch, so it can be easily opened or removed whilst the infant is in an incubator. The label is attached on the outside, so as not to irritate the baby’s sensitive skin. It is decorated all over, front and back, with a printed pattern of pink stars. The edges are trimmed with pink cotton.

Purchased by the MoC in 2015 [RF 2016/337].

According to a 2012 report, an estimated 60,000 babies (approx. 8% of births) are born prematurely in the UK each year. This rate was significantly higher than those in other northern European countries, such as Norway, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. This was attributed in part to higher levels of obesity in Britain, and to later motherhood.

Premature babies are often placed inside an incubator (also known as an ‘isolette’), which fully encloses the infant. This allows a high degree of environmental control (temperature, humidity, oxygen levels), and provides a safe place for the child, away from draughts, noise and excess handling. Incubators were first used in Paris in the mid-19th century, developed from similar apparatus used to incubate the eggs of chickens. Dr. Stéphane Tarnier is usually considered the father of the infant incubator.

Early Baby Store describe themselves as a ‘One Stop Shop for premature baby products’. The company was set-up by a group of parents who had themselves had children who were born early, and were concerned about the lack of products available for premature and low birth-weight babies.

B.90-2015