L’il Aussie Prems was created by Julia Toivonen in March 2007 who is mum to a premature baby born at 27 weeks gestation. Through her experience of having a premature baby Julia wanted to reach out to parents and offer support and understanding whether parents are still in the NICU/SCN or at home.

Each premature baby has their own life battling experiences. Some will have a harder battle than others, and it can be a constant struggle for the families of a premature baby. Learning to live the next few months or even years at hospital waiting for their precious premature babies to grow big and strong before they can come home can be a lonely experience, let alone trying to function with other aspects of normal life. And this experience can be equally draining on other families members of a premmie parent.

Julia is actively involved in the premature baby community and attends morning teas at different venue’s to meet parents and their babies. She has recently joined the committee for Life’s Little Treasures, a Melbourne based group of mothers who also offer support at The Royal Women’s Hospital & Monash Medical Centre. Julia is also on the committee for the newly formed group “The National Premmie Foundation”. The foundation consists of 6 support groups Australia wide who have come together to Raise the profile and awareness of the plight of NICU/SCU infants and their families, and issues surrounding their care and long term development.

On Australia Day 2008 Julia was awarded “Local Hero of the Year” through her local Council of Knox, Victoria.

It is Julia’s hope that L’il Aussie Prems encourages everyone to share their journey and offer a message of hope and support to help parents. We hope to support you through those hard times, from the early days in hospital to the growing years.

We look forward to meeting you on the forum.

photo by Lawrence Pinder - Knox Leader