Teas for tiny babies to mark World Prematurity Day

12 November 2015

Teas for tiny babies to mark World Prematurity Day, 17 November

Volunteers often provide morning teas and lunches for parents of premature babies in New Zealand – but the teas being held to mark World Prematurity Day on 17 November will be a little different.

Neil O’Styke, executive director of The Neonatal Trust, which is supporting World Prematurity Day in New Zealand, said: “On17 November teams will be organising morning teas for the fantastic and dedicated staff in every Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) as well as the families in the units on this day”.

“Each year, over 5,000 premature babies and their families make the journey through neonatal intensive care in this country. World Prematurity Day is a chance to celebrate our premature babies and raise awareness of the challenges they and their families face.”

The Neonatal Trust provides support for families with babies in a NICU or SCBU giving help in any way they can, physically, emotionally or financially to make a difficult start to life a little bit easier.

The charity helps NICUs and SCBUs in practical ways, by purchasing or contributing to the cost of equipment.

It also provides support for parents of premature babies. Mr O’Styke said one of the most regular and popular support events is hosting lunches and morning teas for parents with babies currently in a NICU.

“These are an opportunity to provide necessary information and support, as well as a way to create support networks amongst parents,” he said.

“Part of our celebration of World Prematurity Day is co-ordinating volunteers to organise morning tea for each Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and special care baby unit (SCBU). This is both for the families of babies in the units and also those who look after those precious babies.”

Babies are classified as premature if they are born before 37 weeks gestation. A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Approximately 1 in 10 of babies born in New Zealand every year arrive early. That's one every 90 seconds, and over 5,000 in total.

Some stays are just a few days, others take a very long time. For example, from the personal stories on The Neonatal Trust website www.neonataltrust.org.nz:

* Charlotte, born 23 weeks 3 days, weighing 650grams - 132 days before going home for the first time.
* Samuel, born 23 weeks 3 days, weighing 668 grams - 116 days before going home for the first time.
* Kayla, born 24 weeks & 5 days, weighing 545 grams - 117 days before going home for the first time.
* Elias, born 24 weeks 5 days, weighing 890 grams (2lb) - 123 days before going home for the first time.

Premature babies aren’t just small; they often face on-going health challenges. The doctors and nurses in NICUs and SCBUs across New Zealand care for 10 per cent of babies born premature each year along with those full term babies with issues or complications that require specialist care. World Prematurity Day helps to thank and celebrate the work they do, caring for the world’s largest child patient groups.

This year marks the fifth year for worldwide prematurity day, and the second time New Zealand will be joining in the global celebrations.

The trust receives no government funding and so relies on the generosity of the New Zealand community to continue providing the support that they do. If you would like to donate or be involved in one the many activities planned for World Prematurity Day, please visit www.neonataltrust.org.nz or through Givealittle: www.givealittle.co.nz/org/tntnzl

ENDS

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