Welcoming babies with culture, connection and care
Nepean Hospital is further strengthening the bonds of cultural belonging for Aboriginal families with newborn babies having the option to be welcomed to their community in a traditional coolamon vessel.
A coolamon is a narrow carrying instrument that was traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry food, water and cradle babies.
The coolamon was gifted to Nepean Hospital’s Birth Unit by Muru Mittigar and Greater Sydney Local Land Services who crafted them using bark from scarred grey box gum trees which stood on the hospital campus for almost 150 years.
Young Tayten was the first child to be placed in the coolamon vessel with their mother, proud Kamilaroi woman, Robyn describing the experience as a touching and beautiful way to honour and respect the heritage of her ancestors.
Helping Aboriginal families feel connected, supported and culturally safe throughout their maternity journey is a priority for Nepean Hospital Midwifery Manager Jacinta Selby.
“I am thrilled to offer parents the opportunity to have their child form such a close bond and connection to their culture,” says Jacinta.
“In my role as midwifery manager, I strive to build cultural competency within our workforce. Unique gestures like the coolamon offering go a long way towards creating accessible services for the community and helps build an understanding and awareness around culturally sensitive behaviours.”
Coolamons were also presented to the Hospital’s Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer service as well as the Supportive and Palliative Care team.
The coolamons are just one of many initiatives in place at Nepean Hospital connecting culture to care.
Newborn Aboriginal babies are gifted designed muslin wraps that symbolise the hospital’s intention to foster ongoing relationships with the Aboriginal community. The Hospital is also able to return a child’s placenta - a babies first home - to allow families to perform the common ritual of placenta burial.