Special baby boxes delivered for babies born with Down's Syndrome across North Wales

5 October, 2022

Parents of babies born with Down’s Syndrome across North Wales will now receive a special box to celebrate their new arrival.

The ‘Seren Dwt’ boxes have been created by Laura Thomas and Louise Kennedy from South Wales, who each have a child who was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome after birth, and who are passionate about changing the support available for parents in Wales.

The first baby to receive a box was 11-week-old Nico Jones, who was born at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

His mother, Amy Williams, described how she felt incredibly emotional when she received the box but also how it brought comfort and support to her and her family.

She said: “When I was handed the beautiful box for Nico I felt incredibly emotional that there was someone out there who would go the extra mile to put something like this together for children like him.

“The box not only includes lovely items for Nico but it also includes lot of information that helps support parents with Downs Syndrome.

“It was wonderful to meet Laura and Louise recently and to thank them personally for the Seren Dwt box.”

Laura and Louise both say they were discharged from the hospital after having their babies without the help and information they needed. This led them to establish Seren Dwt to ensure parents like them have access to the support they need.

They said: “We want to ensure that all parents who have a baby with Down’s Syndrome feel that their baby is truly celebrated and welcome in this world. As all babies should be.

“So, following inspiration from other ‘new baby boxes’ around the world, we have launched the Seren Dwt baby boxes, to be distributed to all of Wales’ Health Boards.

“We hope these boxes will give new parents the comfort and support that they need in what can be a confusing and upsetting time. It will celebrate their new arrive with the love they deserve, and gently signpost families to support available, both locally and nationally should they want it.”

Eleri Pritchard, Maternity Matron at Ysbyty Gwynedd, added: “On behalf of all the Maternity Wards in our Health Board I would like to thank Laura and Louise for delivering these beautiful boxes to our units.

“I’m sure the boxes will bring a smile to more of our parents with babies with Down’s Syndrome and at the same time provide that additional support that they may need.”