PIPA (Preterm Infant's Parent's Association)

26/05/2026

Did this ever happen to you?

A dad apologized before touching his own baby.

Apologized.

He stood there staring into the incubator for a few seconds, almost as if he was trying to figure out whether he should reach in at all. Then he asked, “I’m sorry, but is it okay if I put my hand in there?”

It was a reminder of how unfamiliar the NICU can make parenthood feel.

Because parents should never have to question whether they are allowed to touch their own child.

But when your baby is surrounded by wires, monitors, pumps, oxygen tubing, and medical staff, fear starts to shape every interaction. It teaches parents to hesitate. To ask permission. To second-guess instincts that should have felt automatic from the very beginning.

People think bonding always comes naturally. But even something as simple as placing a hand on your baby’s back can feel terrifying at first.

And sometimes the bravest thing a parent does all day is finally reaching in anyway. 🧡


Photo: Dreamtime

21/05/2026

The Sync Therapy Hub in Brisbane has reached out to P**A to let parents know about Bubs & Big Questions, its free drop-in clinic for parents and carers of babies.
Bubs & Big Questions was created as a way to give back to families who may need a little extra support, reassurance or direction in the early months. It gives parents the chance to have a free chat with a senior paediatric OT or physiotherapist who can listen, answer questions and offer practical strategies.
Families can come along to talk about things like development, milestones, feeding, settling, sensory needs, movement, play, or simply whether their baby is heading in the right direction.
The sessions are held fortnightly on Wednesdays, and parents are welcome to pop in any time between 9:00 and 10:30am.
They want to share this clinic with families of premature babies or babies who have had a more challenging start, so they know there is a free, supportive place to bring their questions.
More information about the program can be found on their website: https://www.insynctherapyhub.com.au/empowering-beginnings

19/05/2026

This week is National Volunteer Week. P**A would like to take this opportunity to thank all its volunteers past and present. P**A couldn't do what it does without you.
P**A is always looking for new volunteers to assist in its outreach. If you are interested please email P**A [email protected].

19/05/2026

With Kangaroo Care Day - May 15 – We just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

17/05/2026

Friday was Kangaroo Care Day - May 15. The theme was “Stillness is Strength”. This is more than a theme—it’s a reminder that in moments of calm, babies find healing, stability, and resilience. When parents hold their infants skin-to-skin, the quiet rhythm of breath, heartbeat, and warmth becomes powerful medicine. I hope all our mums and dads with their prems in the nurseries held their babies skin to skin for as long as possible. And the rest of us remembered how special it was.

15/05/2026

P**A previously promoted the The Share Study. The researchers are now trying to make contact with mums who were offered donor milk for their babies and chose not to take it. Can you help?

As noted before this study is a collaboration between the University of Adelaide, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the Women's and Children's Hospital and the Centre for Research Excellence in Human Milk Nutrition for Preterm Infants. It has been approved by the Women's and Children's Health Network Human Research Ethics. Committee (Approval Number: 2025/HRE00302).

25/04/2026

A message from the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance. Do your bit to prevent preterm birth by sharing this post.

18/04/2026

Hope you have remembered that World Prematurity Day is now 15 November

18/04/2026

Thank you to the Irish Preterm and Pediatric Association for sharing this story. Stories like this help us through our own NICU journey Each baby's journey is unique but there are always similarities.

17/04/2026

Can you help with this important research?
Did the hospital offer you donor milk for your baby (or babies)?
If yes, researchers from the SHARE Study would like to talk to you — even if you chose not to accept the offer of donor milk. This study is a collaboration between the University of Adelaide, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the Women's and Children's Hospital and the Centre for Research Excellence in Human Milk Nutrition for Preterm Infants. It has been
approved by the Women's and Children's Health Network Human Research Ethics. Committee (Approval Number: 2025/HRE00302).
Click the link to find out more and join the study: https://redcap.link/idqif6vb