Safer Sleep: Cherishing important milestones without worry

When you’re a parent, every milestone your child reaches should be a moment of joy. But imagine if, with each ‘first – first step, first taste of solid food, first time rolling over – came a wave of anxiety about how you’d be able to afford the next stage in their development.

This was the reality for Chrissie*, a Mum we’ve recently been supporting. Now a single parent to a two-year-old toddler and an eight-month-old baby, she found herself living in temporary accommodation and facing challenges she never expected.

Just as her toddler figured out how to climb out of her cot, her baby – until then sleeping safely in a bedside crib – learned how to roll. As many parents will know, once these milestones are reached, sleeping arrangements often need to change overnight to stay safe.

But Chrissie didn’t have the funds to make that happen. Her fear of not being able to provide for her children as they grew had quickly become a reality.

Thankfully, her local Family Centre introduced her to Stripey Stork. Her support worker knew that, thanks to our Safer Sleep campaign, we had increased availability of cots and beds. A referral was made, and that same week we were able to provide a space-saving cot for the baby and a cot bed for the toddler – both with bedding and brand-new mattresses, as is standard with all the beds we pass on.

Chrissie was overjoyed. The new furniture fit perfectly in their studio flat, and the whole family could finally sleep safely and soundly. She even got in touch to share her toddler’s delight:

“My 2-year-old loves her new cot bed. She had the biggest smile and when she saw it shouted: My big girl bed.”

This was the first time Chrissie had needed help. Until recently, she and her partner had been a two-income household, and she had worked as a care worker. She told us that the support she received didn’t just solve a practical problem – it also lifted a weight off her shoulders.

“I have been able to relax and accept that there’s help available. I’ve also learnt that it’s OK to ask for help.”

Since then, Chrissie has also received a double buggy from us, which has made getting out and about with two young children far more manageable. In the spirit of giving back, she kindly regifted her single pram so another family could benefit: