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About once a week we get a direct request to supply a Pēpi-Pod sleep space to a family. Usually the email is written before the sun rises. Usually the baby is just a few days old. Usually the request is urgent.  Usually there is no context except that deduced.

On Wednesday 22 May, Moana (not her real name) sent this email from her Sydney address at 1:38 am. This time there is context. Moana is keen for me to share this, so Pod Talk 10 is written by Moana. No comment from me. To respect her courage and vulnerability, please share Moana's experience in your networks, as is her wish.

Message 1

Hi, I’ve just had a baby and would like to purchase a Pēpi-Pod. I was given one when I was pregnant in New Zealand, but wasn’t able to bring it with me to Australia. I found it so helpful with our first baby, and was wondering how I could purchase one and have it sent to Australia. If you can help me out, that would be much appreciated.

Message 2
Thank you for getting back to me and for your generosity. Can I say that what really made me contact you is that our family nearly experienced a tragedy due to not practising safe sleeping. I didn’t want to share it because I was afraid of being judged. But I feel prompted to share this with you.

We had purchased a bassinet for our son to sleep in, but as soon as we placed him inside, he would cry and fuss. Mind you, he is currently 5 days old. This has happened for the last three nights. Due to lack of sleep and misjudgment, he slept in my arms after burping him, knowing that he wouldn’t sleep in his bassinet. I fell asleep. If I had not woken up when I did, we would have lost him because his airways were blocked. I’ve never been so scared in my life to see how easy and silly it was to make that decision that could have ended tragically.

That is what prompted me to think about what I did with my last baby and how we slept, and it was having her in the Pēpi-Pod. Having our baby in our bed is what I loved - closeness. But also her being protected at the same time. As I had mentioned before, I was too scared to share my experience because I didn’t want to be labeled as a bad mother, but I know that my experience can help other parents and their families. 

And to think that I would even have done that (fall asleep with him in my arms) because I’ve been taught what to do and what not to do. But it happened so fast. I have not been able to sleep since last night with that fear of seeing my son pale and unresponsive; thinking that it could happen again.

I will be seeking help, but I just want to express how grateful I am that we have these initiatives that help promote safe sleeping. I will forever be an advocate for safe sleeping and protection of infant breathing. I hope that you understand the impact this will forever have in my life.

Message 3

I have no problem with you sharing my experience. Thank you for allowing a safe space for me to share my experience with you. 

Mā te wā, Stephanie and Moana