Big steps for Little Treasures

Each year in Australia, 48,000 babies are born sick or premature, and Life’s Little Treasures Foundation is dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or before 37 weeks gestation.

The journey for parents, visiting NICU and travelling through those early weeks is often isolating and difficult.

Aimee Williams was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 26 weeks. Her son Axel was born in April at University Hospital Geelong hospital at 31 weeks and five days.

“My son was nine weeks premature,” Williams said.

“I was heading in to be monitored every couple of days. It got to a point I was in and out of hospital every few days.

“Being my first pregnancy, I was just scared.”

Aimee went in for a check-up at 31 weeks and has her son by emergency C-section at the hospital the next day.

He weighed 1.202 kilograms, and stayed in hospital for five weeks.

He initially required breathing assistance, phototherapy for jaundice and caffeine.

A week after her son was born, COVID swept through the ward. With a mask exemption, Aimee wasn’t able to stay in the ward to see her son and was only able to visit for half an hour each day.

She said she found the process difficult, suffered from post-natal depression and didn’t know about the support available through local organisations.

This October, Williams participated in the Walk for Prems walk virtually, walking throughout the month for her son and raising awareness about the often long, isolating, and scary journey that families of premature babies go on.

This year, the Walk For Prems event is presented by Baby Bunting and is the largest fundraiser for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation.

Foundation chief executive officer Felicia Welstead said the event was pivotal for bringing the community together, in support of families of premature and sick babies, particularly considering the impact of COVID-19 had on their traditional support networks.

“In these unprecedented times, parents of premature and sick babies have been doing it tough, struggling with feelings of isolation and uncertainty, and missing the in-person support and connection they so desperately need.

The theme of this year’s walk is ‘Big Steps for Little Treasures’.

“We have a wonderful opportunity to really make a difference and this year, we are encouraging everyone to step up and step out to help raise awareness and much needed funds for families of premature and sick babies,” Ms Welstead said.

The day will also include a dove ceremony in remembrance of families who have lost a baby.

While the physical events will place in Melbourne (on November 20), Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, anyone can participate in the Virtual Walk by signing up and walking wherever they are in October and November.

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation supports families experiencing these early uncertain days in hospital, and during the transition to home, and once they have left the security of hospital.

In 2021/22 The charity has provided financial assistance packages, to 134 families with a total value of $31,000.

Life’s Little Treasures also funded more than 3,120 breakfast boxes and ran a fortnightly Brekkie Bar in eight hospitals, and sent 18,163 milestone gifts sent to families in celebration for events including. Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.

The organisation also focuses on providing information and resources to 149 hospitals, including 1,220 ‘Precious Prem Packs’, over 3,500 ‘Little Bag of Calm’ given to new parents, and support packs for siblings, including over 2,250 ‘My Colourful journey’ and over 450 ‘My Brave Journey’ sibling colouring in books.

When Axel was born, Aimee didn’t know support from organisations such as Life’s Little Treasures was available for families of prem babies, and she said she wished she had known at the time.

“He’s doing really well now, his current weight is 5.7 kilos, he’s starting purées, he’s only waking up once a month, he’s really social, he’ll just smile at everyone. He’s still tiny.”

“My words of advice, the nurses are there for you every step of the way so don’t feel scared to ask questions. Ask as many questions as you want because no question is silly.”

For more information, head to walkforprems.org.au .