Mount Pleasant Optimist Club Creates Scent Hearts For NICU

When a baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the simple things like holding and cuddling isn’t always possible. Parents can be separated from their little one for periods of time, missing out on crucial bonding, and for babies the unnatural hospital environment can be stressful.

A baby’s sense of smell develops in the womb, and this is why “scent hearts” were designed. A heart is kept by both the baby and the parents, and swapped every few days to recharge those familiar smells and keep providing a sense of connection and comfort.

Pictured (L to R): Amy Griesser, Clinical Manager NICU/DEC; Walt Vogt, President Mount Pleasant Optimists; Mary Jane Hart, Member Mount Pleasant Optimists, Hanna Masters, student; Tami Jepson, RN; Melissa Holman, RN; Lisa Goodman, RN

Late last year, the NICU at the Brantford General Hospital put out the call looking for sewers who could help out by making some scent hearts for newborns in their care. The Mount Pleasant Optimist Club sprung into action, and soon had a team of volunteers cutting, stitching, and assembling hundreds of packs of scent hearts for NICU patients at the Brant Community Healthcare System.

Pictured (L to R): Walt Vogt; parents Mike and Lisa Kay with baby Brooke; Hanna Masters

Representatives from the Mount Pleasant Optimists recently presented staff and patients at the Brantford General NICU with these scent hearts.

The Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation is extremely grateful to the Mount Pleasant Optimists for their thoughtfulness and efforts to make this very generous gift possible! Thank you on behalf of patients and staff at the NICU for making a big difference in the lives of our littlest patients.