A NURSE CALLED RECENTLY ABOUT A BABY born with a cleft lip and cleft palate. A cleft palate in particular makes breastfeeding or bottle-feeding very difficult, if not impossible, since it interferes with the baby's ability to create adequate suction when nursing. Tube feeding is possible, but it is challenging for parents and prevents the baby from learning how to nurse properly. The Baby Corner was able to provide specially designed bottles and nipples that allowed the baby to nurse, ensuring a smooth transition following corrective surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital.

A SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY GIRL, one of twins, had been born with developmental dysplasia of both hips, which required surgery and immobilization in a chest-to-knee spica cast. Keeping the cast clean and dry is essential, making diapering a real challenge; this little girl needed twice as many diapers as her twin. The Baby Corner not only provided the extra diapers for an entire year, but also provided a jumpsuit and other clothing to make dressing the baby easier, a specially designed car seat, and an appropriate high chair.

Unfortunately, the procedure had to be repeated. When the cast was finally removed, the then-toddler had muscle atrophy because of prolonged immobilization. Once again, the Baby Corner provided what was needed—toys for physical therapy. Thankfully, the second correction worked. The little girl is now growing, catching up to her twin, and showing signs of being ready for school.

WITH NOTHING FOR THEIR NEWBORN and unused to cold Seattle winters, a couple feared that they would have to leave the hospital with their baby wrapped in a sweater. When a nurse requested "everything" needed for the newborn, the Baby Corner provided this family with diapers, clothing, a handmade quilt, and other necessities. When the mother saw what the Baby Corner had provided for her baby, she burst into tears.

WHEN A NURSE MAKING A HOME VISIT for a newborn discovered three-year-old twins who were seriously underweight, she contacted the Baby Corner. The twins were sharing one set of underwear—one would wear the camisole, the other the panties. They had little clothing, no blankets, no toys. The twins were removed to the care of their grandparents, who were willing to care for them but were on limited income. The Baby Corner provided the twins with clothing, shampoo, toothbrushes, fleece blankets, and car seats, among other necessities, as well as toys and books. To help the grandparents begin caring for the toddlers, the Baby Corner also provided laundry detergent, dish detergent, and a voucher to buy appropriate food.

Six months later, when the nurse returned to the Baby Corner for larger clothes and more books and developmental toys, she said, "You wouldn't believe these are the same two kids!" Because of her intervention, the Baby Corner's help, and the grandparents' commitment, the twins were ready to be enrolled in a local Head Start program.

When the need is immediate, the Baby Corner is there. Thank you to all our donors, whose compassionate support makes a difference to young families like these.