Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

A new specially-designed twin cot is bringing comfort and connection to families in the neonatal unit at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children—allowing preemie twins to sleep safely side-by-side.

Keeping twins close can support their development, strengthen their bond, and offer comfort, not only to the babies, but to families who may not be able to stay by their side overnight.

But the co-sleeping cot also meets the practical demands of neonatal care. Each side can be adapted to suit individual needs, with the option to place a heat mat under one baby for extra temperature support.

The entire cot can also be gently tilted to help ease reflux, which is common in premature babies. These features mean twins can remain side by side, while still receiving personalized care.

SWNS news agency reported this week that premature twins Macie and Marcus Lee were given ‘no chance’ of survival but have now stunned everyone with their remarkable recovery—after being cared for in the revolutionary co-sleeping cot.

The pair came into the world at just 29 weeks and were the first to benefit from the co-sleeping bed at the Scottish hospital last December.

Macie and Marcus (SWNS)

Their parents Jennifer Prior and Darren Lee were told to expect the worst at their 20-week scan. They were warned their babies would be so premature that they would likely be stillborn.

Little Macie was born weighing 2lbs and her brother Marcus just 1lb 3oz, but they made such incredible progress in the neonatal ward that they were able to go home after 12 weeks.

“They most definitely saved our babies lives,” Jennifer said of the hospital staff.

“Being told the worst was likely to happen then for the complete opposite felt like a miracle took place. I’ll never forget the feeling of thinking I wouldn’t leave without my babies. I was there day and night since the day they were born just hoping someone would give me some hope and confirmation they would survive.

“Someone definitely heard our prayers and, as time went on, they only thrived more and more with very little complications.”

One of the neonatal nurses in charge told the Hospital Charity, “This cot has been a brilliant addition to the unit. It gives us the flexibility to care for twins in a way that’s safe, practical, and centered around the babies’ individual needs.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

“It’s much easier for families to interact with their babies, which is so important, and it really helps support the kind of personalized care we strive to give every day.”

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Now proud great-grandparents Yvonne and Peter Prior are on a fundraising mission to ensure the neonatal unit can buy more twin cots to help other families in a similar position.

Yvonne, 67, said she is in awe of her ‘wee miracles’.

“Jennifer had a very tough pregnancy and was told to expect the worst at 20 weeks. It was a nightmare and we were all so worried at what lay ahead.

“She managed to hold on until she reached 29 weeks and Macie and Marcus arrived on January 10th this year.

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“From the minute they were delivered, they both needed specialist care and were the first to use the co-sleeping cot. This meant they could be together, and medics believe that made a massive difference to their progress.

“The twins continue to go from strength to strength. We could not be prouder.”

To give something back for the incredible care Macie and Marcus received, the family from Clydebank are backing Peter’s fundraiser this June, as he cycles 106 miles for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity event called Stride the Clyde.

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“We wanted to do something to help others in a similar position. We saw first-hand how the co-sleeping cots transformed life for Macie and Marcus, and we want to do our bit to make sure the charity can fund even more specialist equipment for the neonatal unit.

So far, he’s raised over £1,300 (British Pounds) with his GoFundMe campaign, here.

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