World Prematurity Day

World Prematurity Day celebrates the amazing work of our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and some of the brave babies it cares for.

Around 60,000 babies in the UK are born too soon every year and could suffer lifelong consequence for their health and development because of this early start.

With our support, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit tries to give every baby in their care the very best chance in life.

To celebrate the strength and bravery of these precious preemies and their families, the unit was awash with the colour purple.

Each parent was given their very own muslin cloth, funded by Cots for Tots, along with a specially printed card featuring their baby’s footprints.

Completing the celebrations, the amazing NICU staff created a ‘hugs heal’ campaign to encourage and support as many families as possible to have some skin-to-skin contact with their baby.

Skin-to-skin contact is a wonderful way for a parent and baby to bond. It also provides health benefits, particularly when many of these tiny tots have spent lots of time in incubators. We were privileged enough to attend a skin-to-skin session with one of the unit’s mini miracles.

As the dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit charity, it’s our mission to make sure every baby and their family has access to the very best equipment and facilities.

That’s why, with your support, we’ve been able to small, yet crucial, touches which help mums and dads connect with their little ones in a truly stressful time through celebrating World Prematurity Day.