A military wife living in Bulford Camp is raising money for Salisbury Hospital by selling a line of reusable nappies.

Emma Burgess, known as Emma Gauden in her business, set up NappyNoos after starting to use reusable nappies on her baby daughter.

The 35-year-old, who suffered with pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, gave birth to daughter Macy on November 24, 2019, at 34 weeks due to reduced movements.

Emma is now raising money for Stars Appeal, the NHS charity for Salisbury District Hospital.

Thanks to the charity, she was able to stay with baby Macy while she was in Salisbury's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

She has released a new Little Warrior Charity Nappy, with 50 per cent of every sale going to Stars Appeal.

The nappy's print reflects the experiences of NICU parents and their babies - stars for the Stars Appeal and octopuses as premature babies are given a knitted octopus as a calming aid, because the tentacles are similar to the umbilical cord in the womb.

The hearts symbolise scent hearts, which are also used in NICU - mothers and fathers wear these hearts close to their skin, and they are then given to their babies in the intensive care unit so they can continue to bond with their parents even when the parents are unable to be present.

Emma first heard about reusable nappies when her sister-in-law used them with her nephew.

"I thought it was a bit strange but when I was pregnant I didn't like the idea of sending all the waste into landfill," she said.

"I researched it. My health visitor was happy with it all, and I don't know why they do not tell you it is an option. People should be aware that it is an option.

"In NICU, every day the bin was full of disposable nappies. Disposable nappies are a convenience.

"For the sake of a few hours, the nappy is going to sit in landfill for 500 years.

"It is about trying to protect the planet and, when you have children, you need to protect the future."

Emma lives in the military camp with husband Anthony, of 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment.

She said she is raising money for Stars Appeal because she didn't have to leave her baby in hospital. 

The charity funded four single rooms in the Salisbury NICU, known as 'Kangaroo Care Rooms'.

One parent can stay in a room, so they can spend time close to their baby, and have the opportunity to give prolonged skin to skin contact to the baby.

Emma used one of these Kangaroo rooms after Macy was born, and so the charity is close to her heart: "Stars Appeal have funded Kangeroo Care Rooms so I didn't have to leave her in the hospital.

"That's the main thing, I didn't have to leave her.

"It is just my way of wanting to give something back to them, and have a nappy print that NICU parents can relate to.

"My sister-in-law had to travel every day to and from Poole. There was nowhere for her to stay. I get upset if I think too much about it. I didn't have to leave her. I was dreading that.

"It really made such a difference. I can't put into words how wonderful that charity is."

To find out more, visit www.nappynoos.com

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