Sentimental reason parents pilfer striped baby blankets from maternity hospitals
By Merryn Porter |
They are the iconic baby accessory that almost every parent has used at least once.
The colourful striped flannelette baby blankets used in most maternity units around the country and a staple in almost every baby photo taken in hospital.
But despite continued reminders from hospitals and suppliers that the blankets are not to be taken home, they are still reportedly being stolen at an alarming rate. And now we know why.
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An ABC reporter from the NSW Western Plains region admitted today she was among the thousands of parents suspected of pilfering the blankets.
She said she didn't think twice about taking the sentimental item with her when she went home after giving birth and claimed she didn't realise ?she wasn't meant to.
This is despite the fact many are emblazoned with the words "Property of NSW Health" or "HealthShare".
All linen in NSW public hospitals, including maternity units, is provided by HealthShare NSW, a statewide organisation that supports the NSW Health public system.
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Its Linen Services division works closely with hospitals to determine the type and quantity of linen required and ensure there is no interruption to supply.
Its acting chief executive Garth Worboys told the ABC the organisation's laundry service sends out about 1.2 million blankets across the country each year, of which about 100,000 were new.
And while he said "the majority of the blankets come back," judging by the rate of renewals, many are disappearing.
He even admitted his wife found one of the blankets among their baby items when preparing to welcome their second child.
When I gave birth to my first child 18 years ago it never entered my mind to pilfer a baby blanket, partly because I had some at home.
I recall my mother giving me the blankets she called 'bunny rugs' when I was pregnant, and they were used to wrap or cover my children for years afterwards.
We can't recall where we got them at the time and my mother's lack of memory surrounding this detail has me wondering years later if in fact she stole them.
A quick search online and with none to be found for sale, I am now regretting not keeping them when I packed up my baby belongings and sent them off to the second-hand shop. ?
As for the life cycle of the blankets, Worboys told the ABC he estimated they would last up to four years, meaning a blanket that stayed in the hospital system could be used by up to 200 babies.
As for the distinctive pink, blue, yellow and ?white design, he was unsure of the origins but confirmed they had been around "for decades", so chances are anyone reading this article would have been wrapped in one themselves.
As for returning any you may have taken home, Worboys said parents could breathe a sigh of relief.
"We have no intention of chasing down new mothers and fathers for these blankets," Worboys told ABC.
"We're most interested in ensuring that babies get home warm, safe and comfortable and those really tired parents have those nice memories."
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