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:

• 'Cold bedrooms' and other cooling facilities in UK children's hospices, how they are used and why they are offered: A mixed methods study
• Bereaved parents' experiences of the use of 'cold bedrooms' following the death of their child
• 'It was like an airbag, it cushioned the blow': A multi-site qualitative study of bereaved parents' experiences of using cooling facilities
• Healthcare professionals' perceptions and experiences of using a cold cot following the loss of a baby: a qualitative study in maternity and neonatal units in the UK

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.