Mum’s diverse breastfeeding artwork donation

A crocheted piece of artwork that promotes ethnic diversity in breastfeeding has been donated by a mum to our maternity services team.

Amneet Graham created the piece for an exhibition at St George’s Art Gallery in Gravesend to mark International Women’s Day earlier this year. When it was returned to her following the exhibition she decided to present it to the team as a way of thanking them for bringing her daughter Hollie into the world safely last December, and for the support she received to breastfeed her.

The 33-year-old mum of two, from Gravesend, said: “I saw the open call for the exhibition and I was still breastfeeding at the time so I thought I would create something that represented ethnic diversity in breastfeeding and how important it is for representation and support to be given to all.

During her visit to present the artwork, Amneet also spoke to the team about her charity Willow’s Rainbow Box which supports families in England through their pregnancy after they have lost a baby. The Rainbow Boxes, which are designed to help reduce anxiety during pregnancy after loss and to help women feel calm, relaxed and informed, contain:

• An A5 blank journal to help log thoughts
• A pack of ‘Hope and Support’ cards containing positive affirmations and mindfulness techniques
• An A5 rainbow print to signify the new pregnancy
• A crochet pack which includes a 4mm crochet book, wool and links to tutorials
• Information leaflets including one for the other parent
• A5 colouring page with pencils
• “I’m pregnant, this may be difficult for me” business card resource to show healthcare staff
• Cardboard box to decorate and be creative with.

Amneet said: “We started up in Newcastle Upon Tyne as that’s where I used to live and where I had my rainbow baby* Willow back in 2018. The pregnancy was full of anxiety and I felt like there was no place to turn so I started the charity to help other families going through the same anxious journey of pregnancy after loss.

“Up until February 2023, we were North East based only, but we are now providing boxes throughout England. After getting funding from The National Lottery, we are also able to provide free sample boxes to maternity units, early pregnancy units, perinatal mental health teams and rainbow clinics across England, along with posters signposting families to us.

“I left a sample box and posters at the hospital so families in Medway know help and support is available.”

Kate Harris, Associate Director of Midwifery and Ambulatory Gynaecology, said: “We are extremely grateful to Amneet for her generous artwork donation. The plan is to display it in a glass box on the maternity unit for all to see as a reflection of our diverse population and the work of our infant breastfeeding team.”

July marks the 25th anniversary of maternity services and the neonatal unit transferring from All Saints Hospital in Chatham to Medway Maritime Hospital.

To mark the event a special public exhibition will be hosted by the hospital’s maternity and neonatal teams in the Atrium, Level 2 Green Zone, from 10am to 4pm on Monday 8 July.

In addition to displays of photos and memorabilia, midwives, specialist midwives and neonatal nursing staff will be available to talk to patients and visitors about their work, advances in medicine and technology and the different services available today compared to 1999.

*A rainbow baby is a healthy baby born to a parent or family who has previously lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. The term refers to a baby’s ability to help the parent or family heal after experiencing trauma.