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Hand to Hold

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:38:45 GMT

Hand to Hold

Hand to Hold is dedicated to providing early intervention mental health support before, during, and after a NICU stay, ensuring that all NICU families thrive.

Does Caring Cradle Offer Any Other Products?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:43:32 GMT

Benefits of an Additional Gel Mat or Gel Mat Covers

In this article, we would like to share a bit about how an additional gel mat or our gel mat covers can benefit hospitals.

Additional Gel Mats

Gel Mat Covers

To further support hospital staff, Caring Cradle offers optional fitted, waterproof, disposable gel mat covers. Before releasing our Caring Cradle® Mini, we had a partnering hospital test our Mini units and provide feedback on what would be beneficial to the nurses. It was suggested that a cover of some sort would be helpful as the nurses were using Chux as a form of protection from secretions or other fluid discharge that happens naturally after a passing has occurred.

Are Chux a Compatible Alternative to Gel Mat Covers?

Are Gel Mats and Gel Mat Covers Included with the Caring Cradle?

Every unit comes with a gel mat. However, covers are purchased separately.

When, or How Often, Should We Replace a Gel Mat and the Gel Mat Covers?

Our gel mats are designed to last the lifespan of the cradle. However, if you discover anything unusual, we encourage you to reach out to us. You can email us at admin@caringcradle.com for those questions or concerns.

Gel Mat Covers are disposable, therefore, they should be discarded and changed after each use. They can also be changed at the discretion of the medical professionals in the room.

In Closing

Our vision and values hold families and hospitals in the highest priority. We understand that these losses happen so quickly that there isn’t much time for the hospital to prepare. Our nurses and doctors have to make quick decisions and transition the patients' care from a joyous one to one of grief. Because of that, these units need to be ready to go as soon as possible.

If you would like to purchase an additional gel mat or covers, you can do so online by clicking here or sending a PO to admin@caringcradle.com . Quotes are available upon request.

If you have any additional questions about our gel mats, covers or other accessories, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would love to speak with you.

Cooling Units in Bereavement Care – With Wendy Kowalski | Featured in Forget Me Not's Email

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:01:30 GMT

February 19, 2026

The Facts About the Caring Cradle®: The Refrigerated Cold Cot Gold Standard

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:01:11 GMT

Water-Based Cooling Units vs. The Best Refrigerated Cold Cot Available: The Caring Cradle®

Cooling Units for Preserving an Infant - Product Comparison

The Caring Cradle® team wanted to take the time to speak on the features of our units compared to the inferior water-based cooling alternatives on the market.

As the gold standard of “refrigerated cold cots,” Caring Cradle is the safest, most versatile, and easiest-to-use bereavement cradle available in the U.S. Parents and hospital staff are in agreement! Despite recent false claims from an overseas competitor, our cradles are the most dignified solution for grieving families posing absolutely no risk of freezing, no condensation damage, and provide continual cooling while holding an infant.

Which one of these products would best fit the needs of your hospital, clinic, fundraiser, grant or non-profit? Let’s take a deep dive into each feature these cooling cots have and how they relate to cooling and preserving an infant after they have passed.

The Caring Cradle is the Gold Standard in “refrigerated cold cots” for infant demise.

Our cradles are preferred by both families and hospital staff. Hospitals are asking for Caring Cradles over the water-based cooling cots, as they are easier to work with. They require minimal supervision, no alarms, attachments, or hoses. They are easier to sanitize and have no set up.

Most importantly, since there is no water added to the system, there is no risk of mold as there is in traditional water-based systems. Simply plug in the device and they are ready to use in 30 minutes. Nurses express that they have an easier time at shift change with the Caring Cradle, as they do not have to explain the extensive set up and monitoring of the water-based cooling systems to the incoming nurses. Caring Cradle is US made, woman owned, has no replacement parts and 24/7/365 customer service.

Parents are discussing how the Caring Cradle has helped them through a time of unexplainable grief through their testimonies . The team at Caring Cradle is thankful that we are able to help these families experience the extended time they need when it matters most, as well as, working closely with hospital staff and nurses to make this difficult process a bit less extensive when helping families through their loss.

If you have any additional questions or would like further explanation about any of these features, please feel free to contact us by clicking the button below.

Daniel's Drive

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:47:32 GMT

Daniel’s Drive: A Drive Down the Range and a Drive for Change

11/12/2025

In 2023 Ashley and Brandon Waters, the founders of Daniel’s Drive , were joyfully preparing for the delivery of their son, making their family of three, a family of four. As their due date approached the Waters were doing everything an expectant family is supposed to do. Preparing the nursery, packing the hospital bag, nesting and getting big sister Cameryn ready for duty. However, they could never have been prepared for what happened during one of their final doctor's appointments when they were given the heartbreaking news that their son’s heart had stopped beating.

On April 14, 2023, Daniel Fletcher Waters, was born into Heaven at 12:02 PM, Weighting 7 lbs 3.7 oz and 19 ¾ inches long. He had his sister’s cute nose, his daddy’s dimpled chin, 10 little fingers and 10 toes – everything about him was absolute perfection – but he never took a breath on this side of heaven.

I'd always heard the advice - eat something cold and sugary if you want them to get the baby moving. There was nothing- silence is all I felt instead. I remember thinking worst case scenario we might be sent in for an emergency C section for whatever had him not moving as much that day. Unaware that our son was no longer alive, I walked into the doctor's office and waited for a while to be seen. Usually, a wait didn't matter but that wait felt exceptionally long that day and when the doctor arrived to check my progress I immediately said, “I want to hear his heartbeat - he's really still in there today and that wasn't like him.’ The look on her face using the doppler and trying to distract me from the fear of what might be happening by saying maybe he moved let's take a better look with an ultrasound is something I'll never forget- the ambiance changed in that moment. When I texted my husband they were sending me to an ultrasound he replied" I know they came and got me" which if you watch movies you know it's never good when the partner is brought in but I still remained calm that whatever it was they could fix it because he was healthy. We were just talking about how he'd be here any day, so it couldn't be something too bad. That's when our world flipped. The blankness on the screen, no flickering, no beating, just stillness. The breaking of her voice when she said, "I'm sorry there's no heartbeat" The screams from my husband as he pleaded for our boy to come back. I laid in complete shock and repeated "God will not give me more than I can handle" as the doctor went to get another doctor for a 2nd opinion. That doctor saw the same thing- no cardiac movement and confirmed our son had died. From there we went to the hospital as we had anticipated earlier that day but with a totally different outcome to expect. I still, after hearing them say "no heartbeat", thought there was something someone could do. Someone was going to see something different or be able to help once he was born. But I was wrong. He was born peacefully into Heaven the following day and our lives have been transformed every day since then with grief, grace and gratitude”

The Organization's Roots
What started as a golf tournament as our way of giving back to the organization that provided The Waters family therapy and community during our first year of loss became a purpose to create change in their community. While planning for that first tournament, the Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA, introduced Ashley and Brandon to the Caring Cradle®.

From that discovery, Daniel’s Drive not only donated to the organization that helped them cope and heal, but they also began donating Caring Cradles. Daniel’s Drive grew into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to bridge the gap in bereavement care.

When Daniel was born, there was no cooling unit available, so their time with him was heartbreakingly short. Ashley shared during a Cradle dedication:

“Looking back, I am grateful for the nine hours we got to spend with our boy’s body here on earth, but I often wrestled with the thought of wishing I’d had more time. More time to have family come meet him and more time to make memories that would have to carry me through the rest of my life. Nine hours were better than nothing, but what if it could have been extended?”

Fundraisers
The Annual Golf Tournament is the main fundraiser for this organization. They also do a few pop-up fundraisers throughout the year, such as, a double your dollars campaign for Bereaved Parents Day, and Daniel's big sister hosts a lemonade stand right before his birthday. They are excited to add a few more fundraisers & events in 2026 that can help bring more awareness into the community around infant loss and the resources needed for families to heal with hope.

 Our Partnership
Approaching Daniel’s birthday, Ashley was given the opportunity to be able to provide the gift of time to families who will experience the same pain that she and her family walked with. Northside’s quarterly newsletter came out sharing about recent Caring Cradle donations and noted that they were still looking for one at their Gwinnett campus. She immediately felt a tug on her heart to respond, and everything fell seamlessly in place from there.

Through their fundraising efforts, Ashley and her team have placed eight Caring Cradles in the Atlanta Area.

“Yet, 51 hospitals in Georgia are still without one. While some use other units, healthcare workers at our partner's hospitals consistently share that Caring Cradles are the best option for both families and staff. Until every hospital can provide the time we so deeply wished for, we will continue this mission in Daniel’s name.”

The Caring Cradle team has truly been grateful to work alongside Ashley, Brandon and big sister Cameryn on their mission at Daniel’s Drive. Daniel’s legacy has changed the trajectory of bereavement care in the Atlanta area. We are excited to support them as they launch the next chapter in their mission to ensure that no family endures the loss of a baby without time, support, and hope.

We truly believe that Daniel’s Drive brings comfort, awareness, and lasting change, one cradle and one family at a time.

MedWatch Today & Project Loreal

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:54:56 GMT

Mother turns loss into support for grieving families

Fresno, CA | December 13, 2025

One of our partnering non-profit organizers, Lorena Tapia, from Project Loreal, has been featured on MedWatch Today with her donation of the gift of time to the hospitals in her community. Community Regional Medical Center and Clovis Community Medical Center have received the donation of three Caring Cradles® in memory of Loreal Muldrew, Lorena's daughter who was born sleeping.

If you would like to read more about Project Loreal and how they support their community of Central California, you can read our spotlight article and the original MedWatch article here:

Texas families now have more time to say goodbye after baby loss

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 01:51:52 GMT

Everly's Law is bringing Caring Cradles ® to Texas.

Originally featured on KXAN.com on November 25, 2025.

"The state is now making sure no other families are put in that position after a stillbirth or infant loss.

"A new law passed during the last regular legislative session now requires hospitals with maternity wards to have cooling devices available to preserve a baby for up to 72 hours. The law also states that training must be provided for staff on how to care for grieving families.

'"We want to make sure that those experiences are treated with respect, with the compassion that they deserve, but that we’re not re-traumatizing families,' explained State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano...."

Why the Caring Cradle® Is an Essential Bereavement Device for Every NICU and Labor and Delivery Center

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:37:26 GMT

The Essential Bereavement Device for Every NICU and Labor and Delivery Center

For care teams supporting families through the unimaginable loss of a child, time is one of the most meaningful gifts a hospital can offer. Historically, before the invention of cold cots and other portable cooling technology, hospice and hospital services relied on refrigerated rooms to preserve a baby’s body for parental visitation. While effective, these spaces were stationary, limited, and often emotionally difficult for families to navigate in moments of profound grief.

The Caring Cradle® represents a modern, practical solution and a compassionate shift in how hospitals and NICUs support families after loss. Its mobility, accessibility, and quiet, dignified operation allow staff to provide families far more flexibility and comfort than older cooling options ever allowed.

In addition to these practical advantages, a growing body of research highlights why access to cooling devices is crucial for bereavement care. Several studies examining the use of cooling facilities in pediatric and perinatal loss settings deepen our understanding of what families need most during their time of grief.

What the Research Shows About Cooling Facilities in Pediatric and Perinatal Bereavement Care

Links to medical studies:

Immediate Availability, Extended Time for Goodbyes

When loss occurs, every moment counts. The Caring Cradle® can be deployed instantly with no need for staff to coordinate room availability or move families to another location. This responsiveness helps staff honor family wishes quickly and reduces stress during urgent situations.

Research shows that allowing families to spend more time with their child after death eases the shock of separation and gives parents control over when and how farewells occur. It helps them process emotional pain, create memories, and begin the grieving process in a healthier way.

The responsiveness Caring Cradle® provides helps staff honor family wishes quickly and reduces stress during urgent situations by eliminating logistical barriers and allowing staff to focus on emotional support rather than equipment coordination.

Supporting Best Practices and Reducing Emotional Burden

Cooling technology is now recognized as a core component of bereavement care. Families report that being able to care for their child in a familiar setting provides comfort and dignity: "It was like an airbag, it cushioned the blow."

Studies show that devices such as the Caring Cradle® help families process grief and create memories. They enable parents to continue their role as caregivers, plan funerals at their own pace, and maintain proximity without feeling rushed, which in turn reduces the emotional burden on staff.

When nurses can offer a Caring Cradle® immediately, they avoid the distress of rushing families through goodbyes or managing complex logistics. This proactive approach supports staff in delivering compassionate care while maintaining emotional resilience in high-stress environments.

Staff Confidence and Integration into Care Routines

Healthcare professionals report that cold cots such as the Caring Cradle® are easy to use and integrate smoothly into clinical workflows. The Caring Cradle® is particularly valued when mothers need recovery time, when families wish to stay in the NICU, or when unexpected loss occurs.

The device allows staff to honor family wishes without compromising medical priorities. Training combined with intuitive design ensures nurses feel confident using the Caring Cradle®, reinforcing a culture of compassionate, family-centered care.

Professionals in maternity and neonatal units report that cold cots are highly valued because they allow parents to spend time with their baby, even when mothers need medical recovery or families wish to take the baby home, making the technology easy to integrate into clinical routines without compromising care or support.

The Case for Caring Cradle® in Modern NICUs

The Caring Cradle® is designed to give families and care teams the time and space they need during one of life’s most difficult moments. Its portability and ease of use make it an essential tool for modern bereavement care in hospitals and NICUs.

Portability Creates Comfort and Connection

The Caring Cradle® can be placed:

At the bedside
In private family rooms
Within NICU spaces where families already feel connected
During memory-making activities facilitated by staff

This flexibility means families can remain in familiar, supportive environments without the distress of moving their baby to another location. It allows parents to hold their baby longer, take photos, and create keepsakes in a setting that feels personal and compassionate.

Immediate Support for Nursing and Bereavement Teams

When loss occurs, time is critical. The Caring Cradle® can be offered immediately, without waiting for room availability or moving equipment. This reduces stress for staff and helps them honor family wishes quickly and respectfully. Nurses report that the device simplifies care during urgent situations and supports best practices in bereavement care.

Accessible for Hospitals of All Sizes

The Caring Cradle® ensures that even small or rural hospitals can provide dignified, evidence-based bereavement support. Its compact design and portability make it practical for any unit.

Dual Impact: Compassion for Families, Efficiency for Staff

The Caring Cradle® provides a gentle, personal experience for families and a streamlined, supportive experience for care teams

Families benefit from:

Extended time to say goodbye
Opportunities for bonding and closure
Inclusion of loved ones in memory-making
A more intimate, less clinical environment

Research confirms that these moments are vital for healthy grieving and long-term emotional well-being. The Caring Cradle® makes them possible.

Hospitals and staff benefit from:

Immediate availability in urgent situations
Simplified workflows with no need to coordinate room access
Flexibility across units, including NICUs with limited space
Compliance with best practices in bereavement care
Reduced stress for nurses and bereavement teams during sensitive moments

The Caring Cradle® empowers staff to provide compassionate, evidence-based support without logistical hurdles, helping teams focus on what matters most: caring for families.

A Modern Standard for Compassionate Bereavement Care

Cooling facilities have been recognized for decades as essential tools in pediatric and neonatal bereavement. What has evolved is how hospitals can provide that cooling, and the Caring Cradle represents this evolution by bringing the benefits of cooling technology directly to a family’s side, whenever and wherever they need it.

For NICUs committed to compassionate, family-centered bereavement care, integrating a Caring Cradle is an essential step forward.

Learn more about how the Caring Cradle® supports families and care teams.

Project Loreal

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:38:36 GMT

Project Loreal: Creating Memory Boxes for California Families

10/31/2025

Lorena remarked, “How was I to deal with the aftermath of losing a child? I was completely lost, numb fell into depression and more.”

In November of 2014, after extensive research and finding that there is a huge community of families experiencing child loss that she didn’t know existed, she learned that there were many wonderful non-profit organizations that highlighted the tremendous work they do all while honoring their angel baby. “It really touched me and I knew I wanted to start my own.” That is when Project Loreal was born. Project Loreal was created to inspire, give comfort, hope, and healing.

Services

Lorena realized, in November, that having a memory box filled with information on how to deal with grief and how to memorialize your baby was needed to help heal a broken heart. Memories such as journaling, mementos and keepsakes for mothers and families to hold on to and remember their child when the little time they had with them was gone too quickly.

Lorena creates custom-made memory boxes that are different for every person. The same important information given alongside some different pregnancy and infant loss mementos and keepsakes to cherish. Lorena knew that if she had one after her stay at the hospital, it would have made a huge difference in her life.

Each box includes:
1 photo album

1 journal.

1 pack of seedlings to start your own garden.

1 (PAIL) Pregnancy and Infant Loss pencil.

1 (PAIL) Pregnancy and Infant Loss silicone bracelet.

1 Candle.

Plus, various mementos and keepsakes.

Project Loreal also is an Advocate for PAIL, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness .

Raising Funds

Project Loreal is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, funded primarily through donations. A donation of as small as $20 helps provide memory boxes. The fundraisers also help donate Caring Cradles to hospitals in need, raising money through grants and various fundraisers throughout the year.

Our Partnership

Lorena’s mission is to keep Loreal’s memory alive, servicing the state of California, while lending a hand to other grieving parents who are also struggling through this journey called grief.

A mother never gets over losing her child.

Lorena and her team have helped donate three Caring Cradle® units. Those cradles went to Reedley Birthing Center in Reedley, CA. Clovis Community Hospital in Clovis, CA and Fresno Community Hospital in Fresno, CA.

The team at Caring Cradle® appreciates the work Project Loreal and Lorena does for their community and the mothers who don’t know where or who to turn to. Your experience and compassion genuinely change the lives of those you serve. We are so thankful to partner with you by placing Caring Cradles, which allows additional time that is so desperately needed for the families

Griffin Cares

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:30:36 GMT

Griffin Cares: When Once in a Blue Moon Becomes a Mission

10/29/2025

On July 1st, 1996, Pamela and her husband Paul Caine gave birth to their sweet baby, Griffin Matthew Caine. Griffin came into this world full of life and the Caines brought him home to meet his big sister and begin their lives together as a family of four. On his ninth day of life, Griffin suddenly and unexpectedly became very sick and had to be rushed to the hospital. He died in the NICU on July 13th, just thirteen days into such a promising life ahead.

In Pamela and Paul’s founder message they remark that when their lives were turned upside down, they had no idea where to start processing their grief. After months of trying to find support, they finally found a support group and met some other bereaved families. Once they connected with those families, they became the anchor and lifeline for their journey of healing. But after starting to get above water, a question came to mind: Why did this all have to be so hard?

For over 28 years, the Caines “have been working as activists, fundraisers, advisors, and mentors to help families connect with other families following a pregnancy or infant loss.” They created Griffin Cares to offer a safe space for bereaved families to feel seen, heard, and supported. Their community aims to walk alongside those parents and their loved ones to help navigate life after loss and honor their precious baby’s memory.

After initially focusing their efforts on their local community, they proudly have expanded their program to support more families in partnership with a dedicated board of compassionate volunteers and generous donors. Today, Griffin Cares Foundation has a base in New Jersey that offers local programming and also serves families in 35 states with their virtual programs and resources.

The foundation is deeply committed to excellence in perinatal bereavement care, and the goal of their Caring Cradle initiative is to ensure that families who experience a loss are treated with respect and given the time they need to create forever memories.

Blue Moon

Luna is a Latin word that translates to “moon” and Celeste comes from the Latin word "caelestis," which means “heavenly” or "celestial." We at the Caring Cradle think that name is so beautifully fitting for the support that her memory honors.

In regard to the logo design, their website states: “The Griffin Cares Foundation logo features our blue moon and visually reflects the feeling of care and connection at the heart of our organization. It was designed in the colors of pregnancy and infant loss awareness as a show of support for all baby loss families.”

Logo design was created by Karla Moriarty and Marybeth Kearns

Leadership

Fundraisers
Griffin Cares Foundation's Annual Fundraiser runs throughout Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month each October. All proceeds from this effort fund their peer support services and the critical resources and training for their hospital partners, including the placement of Caring Cradles. The generosity of the foundation’s donors and Remembrance Day event sponsors and the dedicated work of their volunteer team enable this organization to provide all their programs and resources free of charge to loss moms, dads, and siblings.

Our Partnership
Griffin Cares Foundation has placed six Caring Cradles in the New York and New Jersey area. Those hospitals are: Mount Sinai (L+D and NICU), Neonatal Comfort Care Program, Englewood Health, Holy Name Hospital and Valley Hospital. Their partnership in placing these cradles provides the opportunity for hospitals to offer the gift of time.

One of the unique aspects of Griffin Cares Foundation’s Caring Cradle initiative is that each of the Caring Cradles they donate honors a beloved child of a family in the Griffin Cares Community. Their donation includes the honoree's name on a beautiful plaque and a dedication ceremony. At the ceremony, the honored family shares their story, offering a meaningful account of how a Caring Cradle can make an enduring difference. Staff members who attend the dedications often share how this personal and powerful message impacts them deeply and inspires them to support families in the future with extra care and compassion. Griffin Cares believes that the donation of Caring Cradles provides an impactful opportunity for education and training that will improve the quality-of-care for future families and set a gold standard in compassionate perinatal bereavement care.

Looking back, Pamela and Paul reflect on the difference a Caring Cradle would have made in their own personal story by giving them more time with Griffin. The Caring Cradle team is grateful to walk alongside Griffin Cares Foundation, helping place cradles in their local hospitals. We aim to empower families and healthcare professionals with the proper tools and resources to gently begin the grieving process of losing a little one.

Carter’s Classic

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:41:28 GMT

Carter’s Classic: A Dragonfly of Hope in a Large World

October 20, 2025

On July 28th, 2022, Amy and Andrew Campisi received the devastating news that no expectant parents want to hear. Their sweet baby, Carter, did not have a heartbeat. On July 29th, 2022, Carter was born sleeping into this world at 30 weeks gestation. He was 2 lbs. 14 oz. and 13 ¾” long.

Carter’s Dragonfly

Although Andrew's suit was ready, his shirt wasn't. He returned to the car a bit flustered and the dragonfly flew directly to his hand as if to calm him down!

We drove about 7 minutes down the road, while the dragonfly stayed put on his hand. Once we got where we were going, Andrew put his hand out the window and, after a few minutes, it flew away. Carter made his presence known that day, comforted us in a time of need, and will always be our beautiful dragonfly."

Amy and Andrew created the non-profit organization Carter’s Classic in his memory. Carter’s Classic is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting families who have experienced or will experience pregnancy loss. Our mission is to provide families with the precious gift of time during a tragic loss by supplying hospitals with Caring Cradles.

At a Total Loss Podcast

Fundraisers

Carter’s Classic hosted their 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, October 6th, 2025 at the Clubs of Prestonwood - The Creek, a premier country club in North Dallas.

This year, Amy and Andrew had 124 golfers and about 200 people in attendance for the event as a whole.

 Our Partnership

The Caring Cradle team is honored to partner with Carter’s Classic as they provide support and the gift of time that many so desperately need. Amy and Andrew’s mission to support families and honor the legacy of their little ones gone too soon is the light that many people need.

We imagine there is a little blue dragonfly making his way throughout the state of Texas as Carter’s memory gives the gift of time and resources when it is needed most.

Metro Detroit Share

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 21:04:09 GMT

Metro Detroit Share: A Statewide Partner in Bereavement Care

October 3, 2025

Metro Detroit Share has consistently elevated the standard of perinatal bereavement care in the state of Michigan. Metro Detroit Share was founded in 2008 by Angie Winton. Winton created the group in memory of her beloved daughter, Brooke Marie, who was born silent on March 15, 2005, at 2:58 AM. She was 7 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 inches long.

Remarkably, these meetings have continued for more than 16 years. What started as a simple decision to meet a need in her community, grew into a full-blown non-profit organization with nine board members and many volunteers. Their non-profit is an independent chapter of The National Share Organization and runs solely off donations and volunteers.

This is truly a testament to Angie’s unwavering leadership and inspiration.

Funding

In 2006, in honor of Brooke Marie’s first birthday, Angie and her family decided to host a fundraiser. She held her “Bowling for Brooke” fundraiser at Indian Lanes in Wyandotte, MI. That fundraiser raised nearly $4,000. By year two, they had 167 bowlers and nearly 200 people showed to support the cause. Her second fundraiser raised over $4,600. Those first two years of proceeds went to the Henry Ford Wyandotte Bereavement Program. But then started to support the Metro Detroit Share non-profit organization, once it was established. Angie held ten “Bowling for Brooke” fundraisers.

Services Offered

Michigan’s Impact

Angie’s team is dedicated to supporting Michigan-based hospitals. The organization has placed 46 Caring Cradles across the state. That means that at least one Caring Cradle is now placed in 94% of Michigan’s birthing hospitals.

With coverage extending to nearly every major health system — including Henry Ford, Michigan Medicine, Spectrum, Trinity, Ascension, Bronson, Detroit Medical Center, UP Health, McLaren, Munson, Aspirus, Beacon, and ProMedica — Michigan is now one of the most comprehensively equipped states in the nation. And the Metro Detroit Share has been a major factor in that testament.

Metro Detroit Share has delivered more than 6,000 memory boxes, nearly 4,275 early pregnancy loss bags, and provided funeral assistance to over 140 families.

Our Partnership

The Caring Cradle team has the honor of standing alongside Angie Winton and Metro Detroit Share, supporting their cause with helping place cradles in Michigan hospitals. Our visions and hearts are united in service to families who need every possible resource to survive the loss of a child.

Looking ahead, we remain deeply hopeful. Hopeful that through leaders like Angie, changes in legislation, families sharing their stories, and the nurses who believe in our product, that we will all find a more effective way to provide a gold standard of bereavement care and support families suffering the loss of a baby.

Angie has transformed her own loss into a tireless mission of love, to provide support and assistance in the journey of grief and healing. The Caring Cradle team would like to thank Angie for her support, and we are honored to partner with her to make a difference.

The Legacy Cradle Project

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:22:56 GMT

The Legacy Cradle Project

The Legacy Cradle Project is a program of Daniel’s Drive , created for grieving families who feel called to give back in their baby’s memory—but don’t have the structure, resources, or energy to do it alone.

Whether you’re hoping to place a Caring Cradle in your local hospital or simply want to honor your child’s life in a meaningful way, we’re here to help. Through our nonprofit platform, personalized coaching, and fundraising tools, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

This isn’t just about fundraising—it’s about healing, honoring, and building legacy together

Bodie Walker Schenkel's Cradle Donations Story

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:09:55 GMT

Bodie Walker Schenkel

Thursday July 10, 2025 Bodie's family dedicated two cradles in his memory.

Bodie was born silent on April 2, 2025 and although nothing could prepare this family for what they were about to experience, they were fortunate enough to have a Caring Cradle at their facility.

Donita Ross, affectionately known as Gigi Donita, shared a statement with the Caring Cradle Team:

"We lost my beautiful grandson very unexpectedly on 4/2 at full term. The hospital had a caring cradle and it gave us the gift of time we so desperately needed."'

She later shared the following sentiment:

"Looking back, we often reflect on how different our journey with Bodie would have been if we had not been provided a Caring Cradle. It gave us the space to begin to process, to grieve, and to love him—creating a quiet bubble around our family that allowed us to make precious memories we otherwise wouldn’t have had."

The Original Caring Cradle was donated to Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center and the Caring Cradle Mini was donated to Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The family and loved ones of Bodie were in attendance as they dedicated their cradles to each hospital.

The cradles each have a plaque in Bodies honor.

"We feel beyond grateful to have been able to purchase both the full size and mini. We pray these will bring other families the same comfort they brought us. "

- Jordann Wesley (Aunt)

"Bodie is and always will be a cherished light in our lives. This cradle stands as part of his legacy, a small sanctuary for other families walking through immense loss. Our deepest hope is that it brings them comfort, gentleness, and the gift of time they so deserve."

- Donita Ross (Grandmother)

New Bereavement Suite At Nebraska Medical Center

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:10:25 GMT

Nebraska Medical Center has opened a special place for families facing the loss of a pregnancy or infant. The new Birthing and Bereavement Suite offers parents a quiet, private space to spend precious time with their babies.

“This new suite is the result of nearly six years of planning – a true labor of love,” says Mel Buman, EdD, director, Women and Children’s Services. “Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily paused our plans, it never diminished our commitment to bringing this space to fruition.”

The suite, located on level four of University Tower in Labor and Delivery, came to life through a partnership with No Foot Too Small . The Iowa-based nonprofit organization supports families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.

The suite includes two caring cradles that help preserve babies and give families more time together. These special cradles were donated through the Parker Payne Williams Memorial Fund, created to honor a baby girl who died one day before her scheduled birth.

To read more or to watch the YouTube video about Parker's story and how her story impacted those in her community, click here .

This blog post was extracted from the article that was released on June 27, 2025 from Nebraska Medicine.

Sharing Solace

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:53:18 GMT

Sharing Solace

Sharing Solace makes grieving bearable by empowering grievers to grieve and their friends, family, congregations, and coworkers to love them through their grief with our technology-elevated, pass-along-able keepsakes so you always ‘Remember. You’re not alone.’

A Voice for Grieving Families: Introducing the Silent Footprints Podcast

proadAccountId-1004132 — Wed, 28 May 2025 12:21:40 GMT

In a world that often falls silent around heartbreak, Silent Footprints dares to speak—and to listen. We are honored to introduce this extraordinary podcast to our community, a series born from deep loss and transformed by profound purpose.

Hosted by Lisa Rowell , Silent Footprints is a heartfelt podcast grounded in faith, empathy, and the power of shared experience. She walks tenderly alongside those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. Lisa’s voice is one of compassion, courage, and conviction. Since 2013, when she lost her daughter Julianna Grace to stillbirth, Lisa has turned personal tragedy into a nationwide calling—offering both comfort and advocacy to families navigating unspeakable grief.

What began as a simple gesture—hand-delivering grieving baskets to families in her hometown—has blossomed into the Julianna Grace Ministry , which now donates cooling units like cuddle cots and Caring Cradles to hospitals, and champions legislation that honors the lives of stillborn children. Through it all, her Christian faith has remained her anchor and guide.

Now in its 44th episode, the Silent Footprints podcast continues to break the silence and stigma around baby loss—offering listeners a space that is real, raw, and deeply rooted in hope.

We’re especially honored that Wendy Kowalski , founder of Caring Cradle, was invited to be a recent guest. Wendy shared the story behind the Caring Cradle—how it came to be, what it offers grieving families, and why dignity and time matter so much in moments of loss. The conversation between Wendy and Lisa was thoughtful, sincere, and deeply respectful. These two women have tremendous admiration for one another, and that mutual support was felt in every moment.

�� Listen to the episode here:
Silent Footprints – Featuring Caring Cradle

We’re grateful to Lisa for creating such a meaningful space, and we hope you’ll take time to listen and share this episode with someone who may need it.

https://juliannagraceministry.weebly.com/

https://silentfootprints.buzzsprout.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lisa.rowell.14

LovEvolve

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:29:04 GMT

LovEvove

Sunny founded LovEvolve with a simple vision: to wrap all newborns in Love from day one and provide postpartum support to mothers/caregivers. The signature Love Swaddle® was created to serve as a visual cue of Love connected to the emotional experience of birth. When a mother/caregiver receives a Love Swaddle®, they are also given access to resources for a multitude of situations that occur during the fourth trimester. To date, we have wrapped over 55,000 newborns in Love!

William James Duley

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:50:03 GMT

William James Duley

Scott and Alison Duley lost their son, William James Duley, in 2010, only a week after he was born.

To honor their precious son, William’s parents donated a Caring Cradle to Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn, MI.

Scott said. “William has a legacy and that legacy is going to help other families.”

Catherine Elizabeth Embly and Justice C.C. Myers-Cannon

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:43:32 GMT

Catherine Elizabeth Embly and Justice C.C. Myers-Cannon

Two families shared a loss that every parent can’t bear to think of: losing their children to stillbirth.

However, they honor their babies in the effort they determined to do together: donating a Caring Cradle to Meritus Healthcare Foundation.

“As a family who has lived and continues to live with the tragedy and pain of losing a child, our hope is that the Caring Cradle will provide families with peace, comfort and the extra time they may need to spend to say goodbye to their baby,” Dee Myers, Justice’s grandmother, said in the release.

‘Unimaginable’: Miscarriages, newborn death led Nassau mom to help other grieving parents.

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:10:53 GMT

‘Unimaginable’: Miscarriages, newborn death led Nassau mom to help other grieving parents.

In 2019 Meredith “Mera” Maimone only lived nine days. Her mother Kim Maimone of Fernandina Beach has used her loss to start a nonprofit that brings other families’ comfort.

Formed in 2020, Mera’s Mission works with people who’ve suffered through miscarriages or suffered from the loss of children in infancy or early childhood. Kim Maimone and other volunteers run support groups, remembrance and awareness projects, and an annual Walk of Light remembrance walk.

In addition, Mera’s Mission raised funds to purchase three Caring Cradles and donated them to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Baptist Medical Center Clay and UF Health Jacksonville.

Click here to read the full story.

“She’s on a mission”: Family transforms tragedy into a mission to help others.

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:07:57 GMT

“She’s on a mission”: Family transforms tragedy into a mission to help others.

After the loss of their daughter Harper in 2018, the Kerlins have raised enough money to donate a Caring Cradle and a Caring Cradle Mini to Christ Hospital in Mt. Auburn.

Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. donate Caring Cradle to Trenton’s Corewell Hospital

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:04:29 GMT

Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. donate Caring Cradle to Trenton’s Corewell Hospital

After hosting a fundraiser among family and friends. Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. were able to donate a Caring Cradle a little over a year after the loss of their infant son Jonathon Michael Jr.,

Click here to read the full story.

‘Caring Cradle’ donated to Clovis Community Hospital to help grieving parents

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:59:32 GMT

‘Caring Cradle’ donated to Clovis Community Hospital to help grieving parents

In Clovis California, a woman is helping families at her local hospital by giving families more time to grieve the loss of their baby. With “Project Loreal” she was able to get a Caring Cradle donated to Clovis Community Hospital.

Click here to read more.

Caring Cradles Give Extra Time – What That Means to Familes

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:53:08 GMT

Caring Cradles Give Extra Time – What That Means to Familes

As you know, the Caring Cradle is a device that cools the body of a baby immediately following stillbirth. The facts are that the changes a baby’s body goes through may be difficult to view or manage.

The Caring Cradle can slow those changes down which then slows the need to separate the family and the baby. In effect, the family can spend more time with their baby. Immediately following the loss, ‘more time’ is what mothers and families say is so important to them.

And what do these mothers and families do during this extra time afforded to them by using a Caring Cradle?

They hold their baby, they weep, they snuggle their baby. They look at their baby. They take in every feature so they will always remember and never forget.

During this extra time, most mothers and families create memories to take with them – like photos and imprints of tiny hands and feet. We don’t know how these families have the presence of mind, amid this heartbreak, to think of these things, but they do. They know they will need these memories to help them in their grief journey later on.

Some other things families may do:

They take photos of their babies. While some mothers worry about how their baby may ‘look’, Caring Cradle says all babies are beautiful and we welcome all photos.

They take family photos. Some hospitals have local companies and/or photographers who will come to the room and take these special photos. Many families bring older children in to meet and say goodbye to their sibling. It is not uncommon to see family photos. Some take sibling photos. One forgotten group of those who mourn the loss of a baby are siblings.

And even with the loss, families smile in some of their photos because they know this is the only time they will have all their children together. They smile because they want to find a moment to celebrate. They smile because they want to save the memory of the moment. They smile because of love.

It is not uncommon for families of faith to receive visits from their clergy to provide spiritual support and words of encouragement. Some perform private ceremonies that are aligned with their faith and bring comfort and assurance.

Some hospitals have gifts left by families who previously experienced this loss. Those families make small packages for new families, usually including a note of support. The packages may have a keepsake or a gift. Families who have lost a child to stillbirth have big beautiful hearts and never cease to give.

Families might create a memory box to hold photos or memorabilia
Parents may write a poem
Keeping a headstone updated with visits by the family may be their habit
They hold memorial services
They wear jewelry with their baby’s name on it
Create a dedicated space in the home with photos and memorabilia
Light a candle
Create a playlist of music
Donate in their baby’s name

The importance of this time seems self-explanatory: families want to make memories. And if anyone doubts the importance of this gift of time, just ask the families!

Stillbirth families and parents leave with empty arms and broken hearts. At the least, ‘more time’ allows for opportunities to build memories. Whatever families ‘take’ with them comes out of that extra time.

Caring Cradles are generally given in two ways: by families who purchase a Caring Cradle and then donate it to a hospital, or hospitals whose decision-makers become educated on the importance of providing exceptional care and compassion to families during this time.

Extra time is not counted as a luxury. Parents routinely tell us they don’t know where they would be if they hadn’t had that time to create some memories. And the families who did not get the ‘extra time’ will often associate that with a harder grief journey.

Caring Cradle believes that what we provide ‘more time’ helps families begin their grief journey. Any memories created during the extra time are treated with care, love, and respect.

You need only look on the social media of any of these families and you will most likely see something they created during that extra time.

We invite families to post a photo or a comment sharing a memory they created during the ‘extra time’ the Caring Cradle helped to provide. And if you are a family, a parent, a sibling, who did not get that time to say goodbye, we grieve that loss with you. We honor your love and the extra loss you carry.

The Legacy of Lincoln Herman – Soin Medical Center in Dayton Ohio

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:51:34 GMT

The Legacy of Lincoln Herman – Soin Medical Center in Dayton Ohio

Again and again, the legacy of these babies shows us what compassion-in-action looks like. Their families honor their memories by giving in advance to other families who are unaware that stillbirth will become part of their future.

We all would love to stop stillbirth and infant death. But the sad truth is we can not. However, we can show up and help hospitals and nurses be as prepared as possible to meet ALL the family’s needs. Above and beyond medical needs are mental health needs. Families need the best possible beginnings to their mental health journey to live with the lifetime of loss of a baby.

The Hermans did it again – fundraising and donating yet another Caring Cradle to a local hospital!

Thank you to Lincoln’s parents for honoring the memory of their son by sharing him and their story with the world. Giving towards a Caring Cradle is an act of compassion and generosity, and literally one of the few yet most empowering ways to support families during such a heartbreaking loss as infant loss.

Thank you to the Hermans.

Thank you to Lincoln!

CLICK HERE to see local news coverage of dedication to SOIN Medical Center

Augusta County couple honors stillborn daughter by raising money to donate Caring Cradles to area hospitals

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:49:35 GMT

Augusta County couple honors stillborn daughter by raising money to donate Caring Cradles to area hospitals

“An Augusta County couple continues to grieve after they lost their stillborn daughter, Alivia. Laura Shifflett and her fiancé Dakota Martin were able to spend 22.5 hours with their daughter, thanks to a cooling device called a Caring Cradle. It has a cooling mattress pad, which allows families to spend more time with their stillborn baby.”

Continue Reading On WHSV.com

This Kettering Family Shares How 500-plus Teddy Bears Have Filled Empty Hands When Hearts are Breaking

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:46:20 GMT

This Kettering Family Shares How 500-plus Teddy Bears Have Filled Empty Hands When Hearts are Breaking

Tyler and Sarah Kerlin, of Kettering, Ohio, share how losing their daughter Harper Ann Kerlin to stillbirth, and then going home with empty hands, led them to an act of love and compassion.

Establishing “Harpers Angel Bears”, the Kerlins honor their baby girl by purchasing teddy bears and donating them to local hospitals. This couple doesn’t want any other mother to leave the hospital with empty hands. Read more here about their ongoing efforts.

facebook.com/HarpersAngelBears
IG@harpersangelbears

A Precious Gift for Grieving Parents

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:44:00 GMT

A Precious Gift for Grieving Parents

The year 2018 was a good year for Ashley Hale. She was making the most of her last year of high school in a Boston suburb. She was a leader on a competitive cheerleading team and was preparing to attend the University of Virginia the following fall…

Ellis Nolte Anderson

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 03:42:05 GMT

Ellis Nolte Anderson

Time seems to matter most when you want more of it. When you need more of it.

Dani and Marcus Anderson’s son, Ellis Nolte Anderson, was born into heaven in May 2017. His parents didn’t have much time with Ellis to say goodbye. They say they felt ‘rushed’ to say a quick goodbye. There was little time to spend with Ellis or share him with their family.

Out of their loss, the Andersons gave from their heart.

They raised the funds to donate a Caring Cradle to Methodist Women’s Hospital on Friday, July 13.

Ellis’s parents honored him, his memory, and their unrelenting love for him.

Source: KETV ABC Omaha, NE

Vol 1, Iss 2: Lorena’s Story

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 10:00:48 GMT

Vol 1, Iss 2: Lorena’s Story

The story of Lorena Tapia and the loss of her beautiful baby girl Loreal to stillbirth, while heartbreaking, reveals the power of the love of a mother and how she discovered and shared Caring Cradles to not one, but two hospitals.

Click here to read the full story

Celebration Time: 600 Instagram Followers

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:59:48 GMT

Celebration Time: 600 Instagram Followers

We just reached 600 subscribers on Instagram!

“Thank you so very much!”

Caring Cradle is writing to you with a full heart. For some people, that number may seem hardly worth mentioning. However, we treasure every single one of you. 600 followers of the Caring Cradle feel like 600 votes of support, and we are all in our positive emotions about that. You are more than followers, you are partners as we all work to support families grieved in some way by infant loss.

We are humbled by how faithful you are in your efforts with your nonprofits and dreams. This community is easily recognized due to how sincere the support and appreciation are that we share.

We have had the pleasure of interacting with many of you, and we feel so many emotions about that: respect, empathy, grief, condolences, appreciation, love, support, awe, and especially gratitude!

YOU are OUR inspiration!

“I want to share with you some of the highlights for Caring Cradle from the last 12 months”

We were discouraged for a few months because a vendor of ours would not release the mold of the original Caring Cradle bassinet to me. To be transparent with you all, being in business has been so amazing – and also very difficult at times. However, we stayed the course, and I am so happy to report that we recovered from that loss by finding an amazing, US-based, small business to recreate my mold.

Huge redemption story!

Next, I designed our 2 ^nd product: The Caring Cradle “Mini. ”
We were awarded a $10,000 microgrant from Catapult of Lakeland, Florida towards the cost of a brand new mold for our new Caring Cradle “Mini.” Thank you to Catapult for their ongoing support! We couldn’t have done it without them!
We produced and sold our first Caring Cradle “Mini” in the Spring of 2021.
We placed our first Caring Cradle in Canada and h ave inquiries from Europe and other countries.
We are closing in on placing our 200 ^th Caring Cradle.
We have been able to partner with US-based professionals, and unless we encounter a supply-chain issue (which is, unfortunately, a common problem right now), we are committed to sourcing from the U.S. and Canada.
We have met many of you on the road in deliveries, or even in our home city Lakeland, FL.

Pure JOY!

We’ve exchanged comments, testimonies, stories, cell numbers, emails, photos, Facebook friend requests, food, gifts, words of affirmation, and support with many of you.
We’ve heard many stories of heartbreak and redemption. We hold all of your stories in our hearts, and you are our inspiration as we work towards our dream: to place a Caring Cradle in every hospital in the U.S.!
We are preparing a very special display for our next national convention – and it wouldn’t happen without the help from a lot of you! (You know who you are, and THANK YOU!)

This is a great moment to stop and say…

…There isn’t a speck of bragging in this post…

Everything flows from an overwhelming sense of gratitude, appreciation, and genuine emotion.

We all flourish in a circle of support and in a community that believes in what we are doing!

None of us can stand alone nearly as long, or as well, as we can together.

Thank you for being in our circle, and especially thank you for allowing us to be a part of your circle! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your grief, your hope, your heart, and your visions.

“Together we are a starry night, full of promise and comfort.”

Sincerely,

Wendy Kowalski
for Caring Cradle

Series: Finding Ways to Support Yourself Through Your Healing Journey: Gathering

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:56:00 GMT

Series: Finding Ways to Support Yourself Through Your Healing Journey: Gathering

(2 of 10)

Suffering is universal.

Suffering almost always causes an automatic reaction of withdrawing into ourselves. We know that being alone for a time can give us a personal level of healing, a moment in time to regroup. We need that time of deep grieving as it is part of the journey and acknowledges the loss and typically a shock or abrupt separation. That level of loss brings almost everyone to a place of aloneness for some time.

However, as universal as suffering is, so is healing.

Even in the midst of our own almost unbearable loss, we don’t have to look far to see example after example of those who found healing following equally, unimaginable loss. Whether disaster, war, famine, Holocaust, crime, or accident, people heal in their ways even after devastating events.

And after that time of aloneness, where does the journey of healing head too next?

“We invite you to consider that community, friends, family, professionals, and even strangers can be part of our healing journey.”

Being with people gives us an opportunity to be supported, a chance to be encouraged, and an opportunity to discover ways of healing that we would otherwise never learn.

We need each other. Being together is a necessary step towards our recovery. At first thought, this “being with others” may sound overwhelming. The idea of sharing space with other people seems like too much. It can sound like too much, especially when we don’t want to answer questions or even talk.

However, we are made for community. Families, friendships, lifestyles, cultures – these are all based on relationships. We need relationships. We need each other. And there is a time when being with others brings more opportunity for healing, comfort, and peace to our sadness and suffering.

Being with people is an opportunity to gather.

The word gather is defined as a drawing together in one location.

Togetherness.

Gathering together offers another beautiful form of healing.

So who shall we first gather with?

Friends and family are typically our first choice. Those the closest to us. If we have felt separated from even those we live with, we can even begin there, right in our own home.

However, we may be disappointed in the people around us in general.

During our darkest hour, they may drift away. They may have never shown up. Frequently, in the early days of a loss, help, and support arrive like a firecracker, burning hot and bright. However, that kind of help is difficult for most people to sustain due to their obligations and limitations.

And when people realize they can’t keep to that intense level of support, they may quit altogether because they feel helpless to fill the needs. So they fade away.

So what do you do if the people around you, friends and even family, stop showing up or never did? How do you practice healing by gathering when there are so few to chose from?

The next step is yours to make. And you can do it. First, it would help if you stepped out of your familiar surroundings and trust that you have the wisdom and ability to find healthy and healing opportunities.

This word gathering can be a good word to focus on when you’re thinking of healing in the presence of others.

Another way to think of it is how can you be the gathering of someone else who needs support? When you are a part of helping others, you will be in the company of those who are like-minded. You will be in the presence of people who are more supportive, generous, and kind. And you will feel at least some of what you need.

Look to gatherings in your community. These can be found in places of worship. If you have a faith-based lifestyle, being in the presence of those who share your faith will bring you moments of healing.

If you have been out of church or a faith-based gathering and aren’t ready to engage, you can always arrive a few minutes after the service has begun and leave a few minutes before the end. This is an excellent way to “be” with others without having to engage fully. That way, you get the benefit of gathering, but you don’t get overwhelmed. Baby steps. Totally acceptable.

You can also look at community classes, community celebrations, and opportunities to serve in your community.

Sometimes showing up and being anonymous is a unique way of healing.

Suppose you go to something completely new, where you don’t know anyone. You have the opportunity to be someone other than the person with the grief. You get to be part of something completely different, and it can be a very healing opportunity. So if you were to go and work in a community Food Bank, or do you want to join a garden club, or Volunteer and a nonprofit, you, of course, bring yourself, but those moments where you’re just about what you’re doing and can bring you some relief and give your brain and your emotions a break. And that will serve you well.

“Gathering with others in a healthy environment, even if you feel you are limited to engage, can still be a salve to your soul.”

And for those of us who have gone through suffering for long periods of time, we know that the moments when suffering lifts gifts us with clarity and opportunity to make good choices for ourselves.

There’s no way to make suffering or loss disappear. But there are ways to embrace healthy living that lessens the grip that grief and loss can have on us at some earlier moments of the journey. People, relationships, moments of connection, new experiences, new and gentle experiences, new possibilities and opportunities, coaching, encouraging, and serving can support you as you purpose to help yourself.

Please share with us one small move or action you have made to bring more people, a greater gathering, into your life. How did it help you?

Series: Finding Ways to Support Yourself Through Your Healing Journey: Hobbies

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:48:54 GMT

Series: Finding Ways to Support Yourself Through Your Healing Journey: Hobbies

(1 of 10)

Finding the Hobby You Weren’t Expecting : How to be Gentle With Yourself in Something New

Over the next two weeks, we will talk about activities we can pursue that are not difficult, but could definitely improve our overall mental and emotional wellbeing.

We would all agree that losing a baby is probably the most shocking and painful loss to be experienced. Thankfully, our communities and culture are more open to discussing mental health issues. However, we can always do more.

Caring Cradle has compiled a list of ten topics, and we will be sharing them over the next few weeks. The more others engage with the posts, the more helpful it will be to others who may be seriously struggling but do so in silence.

Many of you are leaders, teachers, trainers, coaches, role models, and encouragers to others. We invite you to comment, post quotes and photos as you feel led. Thank you!

To begin our series, we talk about how a simple, gentle start to a new hobby may bring rest to your mind while also surprising you with some unexpected joy.

Find A Hobby

Start Where You Are

There are times in our life when our grief and loss are at such a level that we have no idea how to recover. But in the meantime, we have the privilege of life, and we need to find even the smallest of ways to breathe, relax, and find small moments of joy. When you have no energy, when your arms and legs and your life feel heavy, it is hard to imagine you could enjoy much, especially a hobby, but it is possible.

Free & Easy

A hobby can be low commitment, easy to try, and an inexpensive or free way for you to find a mental break and some positive emotions. The right hobby for you should engage your brain and have the potential of increasing your levels of dopamine, one of our feel-good chemicals.

Dopamine has been reported to help us feel better, move better, and enjoy better memory and attention. So when we are feeling down, these exact areas are often ones we can use additional support. How would you feel if you could find a little improvement in one or more of these areas?

Which Hobby?

What have you enjoyed doing in the past? Even back to your childhood, where did you and your mind wander? Through your teen years up to today: think back on what you might have enjoyed.

Do you hyper-focus on anything creative? Have you ever found yourself doing something and suddenly realizing you forgot to eat? What could you do for hours that ends up settling you, not exhausting you? Some people love to bake, sew, paint a picture, plant a garden, complete home repairs, write poetry, play board games, travel, research…what is it for you?

Maybe you are a fan of history, music, sports, or makeup? Whatever you are interested in, YouTube offers almost a college education in many areas. Check out your local library, or you may find a course online.

Small Investments – Easy Sourcing

Keep things simple and small at first, so you feel permission to experiment. Remember that supplies you may need or want are often found at local yard sales for a fraction of their original cost. Friends and family are also an excellent source to ask for tools to share.

Let it be a small thing, a small start, and a small investment.

The reward and benefit can easily overshadow your initial investment.

Benefits and Outcomes

Even as you are investigating and going through your discovery of finding a hobby – realize you will already be engaging your brain and giving yourself the gift of thinking about something else. The gift of relief and possible joy may be more easily found than you expect.

A new hobby can be a small step in finding your way through periods of sadness or discomfort. Often, allowing our brains a break from focusing on what is making us sad will feel like a mental and emotional vacation. So it’s not only okay but essential to have fun and learn something new!

Here are just a few ideas
to help you prime your pump:

Rock Painting
Hand Lettering
Phone Photography
Knitting
Learning A New Language
Juggling
Singing
Urban Exploration
Learning To Play An Instrument
Road Trip For The Day, Local Points Of Interest
Scrap-Booking
Book Club
Online Clubs Like A Book Club, Museum Tours, Or Learning To Paint
Container Gardens Succulents, Flowers, Vegetables, Or Herbs
Collecting Things From Yard Sales
Snorkeling
Flower Pressing
Repurposing Items
Amateur Radio
Candle Making
Dancing
Memorizing
Hula Hooping (It Isn’t As Easy As It Looks!)
Macramé
Pet Training
Poetry Writing
Yoga
Zumba
Bird Watching
Kayaking
Pickleball
Roller Skating
Tennis
Building A Collection
Home Repairs
Inventing
Fossil Hunting
Metal Detecting
Reading
Geocaching
Satellite Watching
Star Gazing

Do you currently have a hobby?

We invite you to share what you enjoy, and please include a photo.

We’d love to see you and/or your creations and hobbies.

Finding Your Glimmer of Light

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:46:55 GMT

Finding Your Glimmer of Light

Working for Caring Cradle has been a personal privilege for me as I am a Rainbow Baby and my mother never recovered from the stillbirth of her first child. I will write more about that later, but because of how my mother was NOT cared for, because there was no community to support her, and because she did not receive the love and time she needed to say goodbye to her baby, she remained broken and unable to be the mother I can only believe she wanted to be at one time. In large part, my mother’s issues led to a difficult childhood for me.

For a good portion of my teenage and adult life, I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety. I’ve never lost a baby, but I have many years of dealing with hopelessness and loss.

I am so grateful that while we still have a long way to go, the subject of mental health is more normalized than it was 40 years ago. It’s much more accepted to speak about our mental health issues and that is what I am going to do here. It is my hope that perhaps something I share may help a reader.

While on the journey to restore and recover our mental health, familiar to those of us who struggle, it is our habit to look for healthy and proven ways to help us cope.

There were times I felt I was in a forest of darkness, a place without light.

However, I have learned through experience, that with patience, time, professional and community support, and doing what I can, albeit slowly and sometimes with great heaviness, light does return. At first, the light is but a glimmer. But soon it becomes more apparent. Its very presence will bring more of itself to lighten our load, our mood, and our landscape.

I wanted to share some things that I have learned about making space and time while waiting for the light.

One note: I sought and leaned into professional help for quite a few years. I took medication for some time. Both of those choices were necessary and possibly life-saving. There is no substitute for professional guidance when you need it.

Don’t put off professional support if you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or helpless. My suggestions are not intended as a substitute for professional help and attention, far from it.

Keeping in mind that there is a myriad of ways we can support ourselves during and outside of professional interventions, I share a few below:

Do Something

Even as our minds and bodies may feel overwhelmed by emotion, we can take a moment to remember who we were before. A role we fill that is healthy and encourages us

Are we a daughter? Sister? Wife? Mother? Aunt? Friend?

Think of ways you have felt fulfilled in any of those roles. Consider ways you did this in the past and look for ways you could find connection again.

Familiarity can be very comforting. Maybe make that banana bread your sister likes, or call someone and tell them you appreciate them. Sometimes literally doing something for someone, or engaging with someone, will lighten our mental load.

Is there a beautiful public garden you can visit? A museum? A bookstore you would enjoy walking through? Maybe a university with grounds that you can explore. What is there in your neighborhood or community that would allow you to be a part of it while fostering simplicity and appreciation?

Ask a friend or family member to help you think of a few things you might do. Ask them if they would be willing to go with you. And if not, if you can’t find someone to go with you to do something, don’t be held back! This is your journey. Do not stop.

The action of going, being, and exploring while putting something into your mind that at least crowds the depression or anxiety can be very soothing and helpful.

Volunteering can offer a change of mood and venue. Being around others with simple responsibility while connecting can be helpful.

Do you like to walk, swim, jog? Are you a hiker? Do you live in an area where you ski or kayak, or canoe? Is there anything outdoors that could give you fresh air and sunshine?

Do you like to read? Do you enjoy audiobooks? Do you have a favorite funny movie? Do you love music? Can you flood your surroundings with beautiful music that resonates with you and is uplifting?

Do you pray? Meditate? Practice tapping? Deep breathing? A simple breathing practice can bring about a true sense of calm and peace.

“That’s too much! I can’t do people today!”

If the thought of “doing” is just too much right now, what about starting with being?

What about just being who you are for the day? What does it mean to be you?

What kind of things do you like to do? What kind of things do you appreciate?

If you are a writer or a painter, or a crafter, can you read your journals or look through your art? You may be inspired to do a little bit of one of those things? And these things do not have to be finished. If starting is all you can do, just start.

They don’t even have to be what you usually do. Just picking up that pencil or paintbrush or crayon to color, a familiarity can show up that can be more comforting than you imagine.

Remember to keep your expectations light and unassuming. Hold back expectations. Just explore how you feel. Be gentle with yourself.

Water can be soothing and relaxing. A shower, a bath, a swim – all ways to enjoy the water and relax your body.

Practice peaceful sleeping and napping without screens and disruptions.

Find Your Peace

Remember ways you have experienced peace in the past. What brought you peace and a sense of calm? If nothing more, try sitting outside and allowing the morning sun to warm your face and your chest. Closing your eyes and smiling into the sunshine will warm your thoughts and your body.

Breathe fresh air.

If you have pets, pets can be a significant source of comfort and peace.

Eating well

We hear this over and over again, but that’s because it is true. Too much sugar, too many carbs, too much caffeine, while giving us a brief surge, will leave us feeling worse. Before you grab that bag of snacks, energy drink, or a bottle of soda, remember you will likely feel worse than you do at the moment.

Try to go for an apple, a baked sweet potato, healthy protein, or even just a balanced meal. There are healthy protein drinks to chose from. Drinking lots of water helps too. Hot herbal teas are often calming. Get a beautiful lovely mug for your hot tea for you to hold while enjoying the aroma and flavor.

Exercise

On any level, moving your body will help you. It helps with digestion; it helps with energy; it helps with sleep. Moving helps to balance hormones and stress. There’s nothing that moving your body on any level won’t help. And that can include dancing, walking, running, rebounding, gym time, and everything in between.

Make your bed

Sounds boring and like lots of work, right? It may be, but it’s such a great feeling to return later and get into a made bed.

And if you make your bed, they say it gives us confidence for the day that we can get other things done.

Make a beautiful, calm space for you to return to rest. Make your bed. See how you feel. Add a diffuser and bathe your room in a scent that is soothing to you.

Clean your room, clear the floor of laundry, make your bedroom a sanctuary for your sleep time. For those of us working at home, the bedroom has sometimes ended up with work in it. Move your work out of your bedroom.

Redefine boundaries. Make your bedroom a sweet, calm spot to invite you in. Making your bed can represent all the other small but meaningful ways to bring a bit of order into your day.

When we are sad or have a lot of anxiety, order may be sacrificed, and hard to recover. Routines are often what brings order, and they are hard to maintain during sadness. Where can you regain some sense of order while using minimal energy?

Faith

If you are a person of faith, we can sit with what we believe even when we don’t feel connected. Listening to music, going to a place of worship, even watching something online can be beneficial and uplifting.

Joy

I struggled with feeling joy, especially when those close to me had died. I felt alternatingly robbed of joy and guilty for enjoying it.

Shortly after a devastating loss, I was with a friend, and something completely unexpected happened. We found ourselves laughing, over laughing, if you know what I mean, where the tears start to flow, and you can’t catch a breath, and you know you’re just in the middle of laughing, and it felt soooooo good.

And we both looked at each other and said, “It feels GOOD to laugh, doesn’t it?”

While feelings of joy and laughter and happiness may feel fleeting early on, those good feelings will not elude us forever.

Welcome good feelings when they first return.

Appreciate them. It’s essential to embrace them.

Feel the good feelings, even if just for a moment. They are healing.

Joy is healing.

Laughter is a gift.

Happiness is refreshing.

Beauty is cleansing.

Small blessings

Make a list of small blessings.

To help you start: warm showers, clean clothes, beautiful flowers, ice in a drink, brushing your hair, brush your teeth, a satisfying dinner, a cup of cold water, the smell of coffee, the sound of the surf, the sound of songbirds, the feel of a familiar blanket against your face, fresh sheets.

These small blessings, and more, are tiny treasures throughout our day that can truly comfort us and guide us from one moment to the next. Sometimes that is what we need when we have a few hard days or hours.

Better days build on each other. Even when we have hard days between better ones, we continue along with slow improvements and more leisurely moments.

Along with the comfort and love and support of family and friends, and professional help when necessary, we can and will be better.

I will never be the same after the death of my brother, my best friend, my father, my dream. I will never be the same after devastating loss. But I discovered I will be OK.

I am OK. And I will continue to be.

My being will be different. And it is the same for you. It is the same for all of us. Different but OK.

We cannot escape the losses that will occur in life. However, if we will practice gentle intentions and small pleasures, we also will not be able to escape the healing and living that is waiting for us. And in time, we learn to adjust.

Time

At first, this doesn’t make sense. How can time help us? Consider this: we are all subject to the same number of hours in a day. No one, regardless of circumstances, can change that. Time gives way to an opportunity to process and manage thoughts of loss and healing.

Time is helpful even when it feels like it is dragging; it is still serving us. Time is a friend.

Joy Will Return

Joy will show up in ways we don’t expect it. Understandably it may not be found in ways we wanted. But there is still much beauty to be seen, and there is still much joy to be experienced.

Love abounds.

I invite you to recognize that you are a source of inspiration, education, and experience because of your trials and challenges.

Please take a moment and add your encouragement here in the comments.

I invite you to post small, even tiny ways you comfort yourself as you walk towards joy and beauty in your future after loss.

Remember, your words will often encourage those who remain silent.

You may never know the healing of your words of comfort.

Share anyway

Celebrating All Siblings, Here and Gone Too Soon

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:43:39 GMT

Celebrating All Siblings, Here and Gone Too Soon

All of my life, I have never met my older sibling.

What an odd sentence to write. Even stranger still to live with that truth. My mother suffered a stillbirth in 1959, and she was never told whether she lost a boy or a girl.

So strange to not know whether I am missing a sister or a brother.

For most of my life, I have wondered. When times were terrific or challenging, I have particularly missed my older sibling. As I get older, I have come to treasure the beauty of the ordinary, and so I wonder what it would have been like to share everyday life.

We don’t think as much as we could about siblings—especially children who lose a younger sibling to infant loss. I am particularly moved by families who celebrate infant loss in unique ways while including older siblings. They lost a young brother or sister, and that will never change for their lifetime.

I believe it is healing, comforting, and essential to keep their memory alive in the home and the family. It would have been such a help to me. I wish I knew whether my sibling was a brother or a sister. I wish I had a photo. I wish I had somewhere to visit and bring flowers. I wish I had a memory, a blanket, a hospital bracelet… anything. Even at 59, I still feel that loss.

On Saturday, April 10, it will be National Siblings Day. And while the founder, Claudia Evart, intended it to honor her two siblings who died too young, we thought it would be an excellent opportunity to celebrate all siblings.

Would you please take some time and celebrate the siblings in your life? We want to make this visible and celebrate with you on our Instagram page.

How can you do it?

Share on your feed or stories anything you want about your siblings, either here or gone too soon.
or
Share how you teach your younger children about a brother or sister they have lost.
Feel free to share ways you remind, celebrate, and remember. Please share joy, tears, ruminations, celebrations, pictures, stories, or quotes – whatever your heart might need or enjoy.
Tag @caringcradle
We will repost your post and let all our followers see your heart and story and celebrate with you!

With much love, Caring Cradle

The Story of Lincoln Matthew Herman and His Parents

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:41:48 GMT

The Story of Lincoln Matthew Herman and His Parents

The Hermans, in honor of their baby boy, and because of generous fundraising, purchased and donated a Caring Cradle to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Lincoln’s parents bravely gave from their pain and their heart.

The Hermans invite you to read the story of their son Lincoln, and how they first lost him to stillbirth, but now Lincoln’s legacy is full of inspiration and love.

Vol 1, Iss 1: Lincoln’s Story

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:39:54 GMT

Vol 1, Iss 1: Lincoln’s Story

This is a true story. One of broken hearts and dreams. It is a story of stillbirth and infant loss. But it is so much more. This is a history of love extended to strangers – and more to come. It is a story of nurses who had a Caring Cradle, which allowed them to extend their compassionate and professional care to their patient.

You will read how loss began the story, but healing and hope showed up, just when all seemed lost. You will hear how one baby boy inspired his parents. And you will learn how this same baby boy continues to inspire grownups, strangers, fundraisers, churches, businesses, donors, non-profits, educators, and more.

Click below to learn how two parents and their infant son, along with little sister, Rainbow Baby Sarah-Kate, inspire and meet the needs of others, many of whom they will never meet. Click here to read the full story

Metro Detroit Share Group

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:34:15 GMT

Metro Detroit Share Group

Metro Detroit Share Group services Detroit and the surrounding areas. They offer monthly support meetings, provide Caring Cradles and Keepsake boxes to hospitals, funeral assistance, and other supportive services. They do this through generous donations and their annual remembrance walk.

Mera’s Mission

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:29:45 GMT

Mera’s Mission

Mera’s Mission offers support to families experiencing pregnancy, infant & early childhood loss.

My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:27:22 GMT

My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear

My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear preserves the sound of a baby’s heartbeat, granting families the ability to feel comfort throughout grief.

Project Sweet Peas

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:24:18 GMT

Project Sweet Peas

Project Sweet Peas is a national non-profit organization providing support to families and caregivers of premature or sick infants and families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss.

Forget Me Not

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:22:43 GMT

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not has designed beautiful and meaningful bereavement boxes for pregnancy loss along with comprehensive bereavement training for nurses.

AWHONN National Nurses Educational Organization

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:20:02 GMT

AWHONN National Nurses Educational Organization

Empower and support nurses caring for women, newborns, and their families through research, education, and advocacy.

Count the Kicks

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 09:16:12 GMT

Count the Kicks

When a mother learns what movements and activities are normal for her baby, she becomes more knowledgeable and confident in recognizing changes.

Count the Kicks focuses on movements, and especially kicks, to help mothers through moments of concern.

With the information that Count the Kicks shares, mothers learn when to seek medical support that could actually save her baby’s life!

Count the Kicks started in the beautiful state of Iowa, by five moms: Jan, Janet, Kate, Kerry and Tiffan. They each had lost a baby girl to stillbirth and they wanted to do all they could to help save other families from this devastating loss.

Caring Cradle is proud to support Count the Kicks and encourages families, nurses, physicians, and especially expectant mothers to visit Count the Kicks for more information.

Thank you to this organization and all those who support it!

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Hand to Hold

Hand to Hold

Does Caring Cradle Offer Any Other Products?

Benefits of an Additional Gel Mat or Gel Mat Covers

Additional Gel Mats

Gel Mat Covers

Are Chux a Compatible Alternative to Gel Mat Covers?

Are Gel Mats and Gel Mat Covers Included with the Caring Cradle?

When, or How Often, Should We Replace a Gel Mat and the Gel Mat Covers?

In Closing

Cooling Units in Bereavement Care – With Wendy Kowalski | Featured in Forget Me Not's Email

The Facts About the Caring Cradle®: The Refrigerated Cold Cot Gold Standard

Water-Based Cooling Units vs. The Best Refrigerated Cold Cot Available: The Caring Cradle®

Cooling Units for Preserving an Infant - Product Comparison

﻿ The Caring Cradle is the Gold Standard in “refrigerated cold cots” for infant demise.

Daniel's Drive

Daniel’s Drive: A Drive Down the Range and a Drive for Change

MedWatch Today & Project Loreal

Mother turns loss into support for grieving families

Texas families now have more time to say goodbye after baby loss

Everly's Law is bringing Caring Cradles ® to Texas.

Why the Caring Cradle® Is an Essential Bereavement Device for Every NICU and Labor and Delivery Center

The Essential Bereavement Device for Every NICU and Labor and Delivery Center

What the Research Shows About Cooling Facilities in Pediatric and Perinatal Bereavement Care

Immediate Availability, Extended Time for Goodbyes

Supporting Best Practices and Reducing Emotional Burden

Staff Confidence and Integration into Care Routines

The Case for Caring Cradle® in Modern NICUs

Portability Creates Comfort and Connection

Immediate Support for Nursing and Bereavement Teams

Accessible for Hospitals of All Sizes

Dual Impact: Compassion for Families, Efficiency for Staff

Families benefit from:

Hospitals and staff benefit from:

A Modern Standard for Compassionate Bereavement Care

Learn more about how the Caring Cradle® supports families and care teams.

Project Loreal

Project Loreal: Creating Memory Boxes for California Families

Griffin Cares

Griffin Cares: When Once in a Blue Moon Becomes a Mission

Carter’s Classic

Carter’s Classic: A Dragonfly of Hope in a Large World

Metro Detroit Share

The Legacy Cradle Project

The Legacy Cradle Project

Bodie Walker Schenkel's Cradle Donations Story

Bodie Walker Schenkel

New Bereavement Suite At Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska Medical Center has opened a special place for families facing the loss of a pregnancy or infant. The new Birthing and Bereavement Suite offers parents a quiet, private space to spend precious time with their babies.

Sharing Solace

Sharing Solace

A Voice for Grieving Families: Introducing the Silent Footprints Podcast

LovEvolve

LovEvove

William James Duley

William James Duley

Catherine Elizabeth Embly and Justice C.C. Myers-Cannon

Catherine Elizabeth Embly and Justice C.C. Myers-Cannon

‘Unimaginable’: Miscarriages, newborn death led Nassau mom to help other grieving parents.

‘Unimaginable’: Miscarriages, newborn death led Nassau mom to help other grieving parents.

“She’s on a mission”: Family transforms tragedy into a mission to help others.

“She’s on a mission”: Family transforms tragedy into a mission to help others.

Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. donate Caring Cradle to Trenton’s Corewell Hospital

Arlee and Jonathon Hultgren Sr. donate Caring Cradle to Trenton’s Corewell Hospital

‘Caring Cradle’ donated to Clovis Community Hospital to help grieving parents

‘Caring Cradle’ donated to Clovis Community Hospital to help grieving parents

Caring Cradles Give Extra Time – What That Means to Familes

Caring Cradles Give Extra Time – What That Means to Familes

The Legacy of Lincoln Herman – Soin Medical Center in Dayton Ohio

The Legacy of Lincoln Herman – Soin Medical Center in Dayton Ohio

Augusta County couple honors stillborn daughter by raising money to donate Caring Cradles to area hospitals

Augusta County couple honors stillborn daughter by raising money to donate Caring Cradles to area hospitals

This Kettering Family Shares How 500-plus Teddy Bears Have Filled Empty Hands When Hearts are Breaking

This Kettering Family Shares How 500-plus Teddy Bears Have Filled Empty Hands When Hearts are Breaking

A Precious Gift for Grieving Parents

A Precious Gift for Grieving Parents

Ellis Nolte Anderson

Ellis Nolte Anderson

Vol 1, Iss 2: Lorena’s Story

The Caring Cradle is the Gold Standard in “refrigerated cold cots” for infant demise.

Pure JOY!

Series: Finding Ways to Support Yourself Through Your Healing Journey: Gathering

Series: Finding Ways to Support Yourself Through Your Healing Journey: Hobbies

Here are just a few ideas
to help you prime your pump: