World Prematurity Day Australia

World Prematurity Day Australia November 15 is World Prematurity Day when we focus everyone’s attention on the global problem of premature birth. Join us in raising awareness in Australia

This page is ran by the Preterm Infants Parents Association Inc (P**A). P**A seeks to raise awareness of preterm birth by promoting World Prematurity Day each year not just to those families who have experienced preterm birth but to the community as a whole. P**A also seeks to educate the public about the costs of preterm birth, the state of play of preterm birth in countries around the world and

important research being done to prevent preterm birth and improve the health outcomes of those babies born too soon, too small or too sick.

23/08/2026

Was your prem born between 22 to 25 weeks gestation? Can you help with this important survey?
The Perinatal Epidemiology Group at The University of Melbourne, which includes obstetricians, midwives and pregnancy researchers is undertaking a research project to examine the outcomes (both risks and benefits) following caesarean compared with vaginal birth for mums and babies at very early gestational age – 22 to 25 weeks. This is a much under-researched area and despite becoming an increasingly common scenario in clinical practice, very little is understood about the impact of mode of birth at this gestation. The survey is designed to better understand what matters most to parents and families facing the possibility of having a baby born extremely early (before 25+6 weeks). It aims to gather your views, experiences, and priorities—especially around the information and support you need to help make difficult decisions about your care and how your baby will be delivered. By listening directly to families, the survey will help ensure that our broader research focuses on the questions and outcomes that are most important to you, ultimately helping improve how clinicians communicate and support parents and their babies’ during these challenging situations. Survey URL here: https://redcap.link/oxst6itx
Further information contact : [email protected], P +61432544100
Epidemiology Group | Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Mercy Hospital for Women

23/08/2026

Research has found there is a need to increase positive auditory input such as parent / infant directed speech in private NICU rooms. Too much noise and not enough nurturing speech is not good for prem babies

07/08/2026

As mentioned in a previous post 2026 World Breastfeeding Week focuses on strengthening what works and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) works. KMC is an evidence-based model of care for preterm and low-birthweight babies. It involves early, continuous, and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between a parent and baby, along with support for breastfeeding. In practice, this means holding your baby skin-to-skin on your chest as early as possible, for as long as possible, and as often as possible – ideally, 8–24 hours each day. Every hour of skin-to-skin contact matters!
Although it may look simple, KMC has powerful, proven effects on both you and your baby.
KMC promotes breast milk production: When your baby lies on your chest, your body releases hormones, such as oxytocin. This helps your milk “come in” and maintains a steady milk supply. Studies show that KMC can improve breastfeeding success and help mothers breastfeed for longer.
KMC supports your baby’s feeding instincts: Your smell, warmth, and heartbeat are signals that naturally trigger instincts such as rooting and searching for the breast.
KMC helps stabilize your NICU baby: In the NICU, KMC helps babies stay warm, calm, and stable. This allows them to use their energy for growth, development, and learning to feed, instead of struggling to regulate their body functions.
KMC strengthens bonding: Skin-to-skin contact reduces stress for both you and your baby and helps you bond, even in a challenging environment like the NICU. This close bond can also support breastfeeding.
All of this is especially important for babies born too soon or sick.
Many of them are not yet able to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. KMC helps babies stay calm and physiologically stable, which supports the development of feeding readiness and helps prepare them for breastfeeding.
By supporting breastfeeding, promoting feeding readiness, and keeping families together, KMC helps give babies the best possible start in life.
Sometimes, what works best is simply keeping parents and babies together.

02/08/2026

World Breastfeeding Week 2026 takes place from 1 to 7 August 2026. World Alliance for Breast Feeding Action (WABA) theme for 2026 focuses on "Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: Strengthen what works." The campaign highlights nutrition, food security, and building stronger community and workplace support systems for families. P**A partners with the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants () and has joined its independent awareness campaign to “Protect and Promote Breastfeeding for the Best Start in Life.” In line with WABA’s 2026 motto, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” the campaign highlights Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) as one of the most effective, evidence-based practices to achieve this goal. By keeping parents and babies together through early, continuous, and prolonged skin-to-skin contact, KMC supports breastfeeding, promotes physiological stability, strengthens family involvement, and improves outcomes for preterm, low-birthweight, and sick newborns.
Note: Although P**A promotes breastfeeding there should be no stigma attached to women who cannot breastfeed or chose not to.
Is A Journey

Update on the work and success of the Every Week Counts program of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance.
23/07/2026

Update on the work and success of the Every Week Counts program of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance.

May is also World Pre-eclampsia Awareness Month and May 22 was World Pre-eclampsia Awareness Day. In Australia Pre-eclam...
26/05/2026

May is also World Pre-eclampsia Awareness Month and May 22 was World Pre-eclampsia Awareness Day. In Australia Pre-eclampsia (PE) is the most common serious medical disorder of human pregnancy. Particularly in their first pregnancy, pregnant women can suffer from high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction leading to leakage of protein into the urine, swelling of hands, feet and face, and, in severe cases, dizziness, headaches and difficulties with vision. This condition is called pre-eclampsia. If left untreated, it can lead to convulsions and other life-threatening problems for both mother and baby. Pre-eclampsia only occurs when a woman is pregnant, and currently, the only cure for it is to end the pregnancy, even if the baby is not yet ready for birth.
In Australia, mild pre-eclampsia occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies and severe pre-eclampsia in 1-2% of pregnancies. Pre-eclampsia and complications associated with this condition account for 15% of direct maternal mortality and 10% of perinatal mortality. Pre-eclampsia is the indication for 20% of labour inductions and 15% of Caesarean sections. It also accounts for 5-10% of preterm deliveries

May is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Awareness Month and yesterday was International NEC Awareness Day. The message f...
18/05/2026

May is Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Awareness Month and yesterday was International NEC Awareness Day. The message from GFCNI explains what NEC is and why awareness is important

Can you help with this important research?Did the hospital offer you donor milk for your baby (or babies)?If yes, resear...
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

Happy Easter
05/04/2026

Happy Easter

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