We have been working together for the past 12 months to create these journals for parents to record their babies journey whilst they are on the rollercoaster ride of birth prematurely. Our journals are specifically designed to be placed inside the pocket of your child’s record book given to you at the hospital.

Included in the Premmie Gift Of Hope Journal is;

• 48 page full colour journal
• Helpful articles relating to premature birth
• Special page to record details of your child’s birth
• Pages for hand and foot prints
• Pages to add photos taken along your journey

Our Premmie Gift Of Hope Journals are donated free to families currently in hospital with their babies. If you are a parent of know a family who would like one of our journals please contact us at admin@lilaussieprems.com.au with the following details.

Name:
Parent/s Name:
Postal Address:
Baby’s Name:
Baby’s DOB:
Current Hospital:

You are also welcome to purchase a Premmie Gift Of Hope for your own little miracle as a unique keepsake via our online store. All journals purchased through us - 100% is donated towards the printing of further journals. Whilst you enjoy your keepsake, you will be supporting other premmie families!

Help us to give these families hope, light, love and happiness whilst they follow the same path that many of us have personally experienced.

We hope that our Gift will become a treasured keepsake of the precious time their child spent in hospital. The families who receive the journals will be so touched knowing that their journal has been sponsored by amazing premmies who have been on the same journey and the special premmie angels who fought so hard.

Get to know the other parents in the NICU. I have made very many great friends who helped me through the ups and downs that come with having premature baby. We are still providing support to each other 2 years down the track. Keep a journal of things that happen whilst they are in hospital. It’s ok to cry and let your emotions show the hospital staff are very supportive.

Mum of Jordan and Benjamin born at 24+5 weeks gestation

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Talking to other parents certainly does help also joining forums where you can chat at your leisure from home connects you with other families. Take heaps of pictures and either keep a diary or start a blog!

Mum of Ronan born at 27+3 weeks gestation

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Look after yourself too so you have the energy to look after your baby. Your baby is looking to you for love and strength and those are the most powerful medicines that you can give to them.

Mum of Rachel born at 24+2 weeks gestation

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This is probably one of the most difficult experiences in your life, but try to find balance – easier said than done some days – between the worries and the joys. Don’t miss out on the happiness your amazing baby can bring you right now by stressing too much about the future. Take care of yourself, enjoy every little milestone and find people who will give you the emotional support you need (including other parents of a premature baby) to come to terms with what has happened and start the healing process.

Mum of Talia born at 26+6 weeks gestation

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Don’t feel bad if you can’t be at the hospital ALL the time. You need time for you. It is completely exhausting travelling to and from the hospital every day. Take a long bath or get a takeaway. You need to be strong and healthy to take care of your baby when they come home.

Mum to Jade born at 28+1 weeks gestation

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I would advise parents to take the time for each other and their other children if they have any. Family is so very important and having some ’space’ to be normal is vital.

Mum of Ava born at 25+6 weeks gestation

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Take lots of photos!! Take comparison photo’s with a teddy or something to remind yourself how little they where and how far they have come. Remember to take care of you too… bubs needs you to be healthy.

Mum of Indiana born at 28+1 weeks gestation

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Take LOTS of pictures & keep a diary. Stand up for yourself and your baby, don’t let anyone push you around just because they are looking after your baby. Take people up on their offers to help.

Mum to Brendan born at 30+1 weeks gestation

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Giving birth to a prem baby is such an unexpected journey, ask the NICU nurses about all the amazing miracles they have seen… this gave me so much hope and you are allowed to cry… you can’t be strong the whole time.

Mum to Charlee-Belle born at 31+4 weeks gestation

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It is not easy but it is worth every struggle. You will have ups and downs and many frustrations but the pain will be outweighed by the beautiful boy or girl you have who has struggled so hard to be with you. When times are tough spend a minute looking at your baby or holding your baby and you will know it was worth it. Also get as much support around you as you can. This includes family, friends and through L’il Aussie Prems

Dad to Kai born at 32 weeks gestation

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Knowledge is power. Remember statistics are only that…and they are always changing – because our babies change them. Take loads of photos and still record all your “firsts” like first bath, first nappy change etc….

Mum to Harper & Cleo born at 32 weeks gestation

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Remember it is your baby, advocate for him/her whenever possible & take tonnes of photos, you will never believe they were so small when they are nearly 10 years old!!!

Mum to Eloise born at 34 weeks gestation

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Accept your child for whom they are. Don’t label them with problems just because of their gestational age. Tim at 36 weeks, caused us more dramas than his sister who was born at 32 weeks. Whatever gestation your baby is born at focus on what they achieve, not what they cannot achieve!

Mum to Tim born at 36+3 weeks gestation

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Everyone who has had a premmie knows how tough they are, they are just born survivors, but on the other and they are still fragile. To find a balance of knowing how much to push them and shelter them is difficult. With all the developmental issues that comes with prematurity, my advice would be to get out there and be as involved as you can in ‘early intervention programs’, it makes a huge difference. Lots of appointments and alot of extra work was all worth it to see Will in school now thriving.

Mum to Will born at 26+4 weeks gestation

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This is the hardest time of your life, once you get through this you can get through anything. Stay strong, do lots kangaroo care as much as possible as it does help you and your baby. Take lots of photos because as it may not seem like it now but the memories do fade as new beautiful memories take over. Take some time to relax and remember you didnt do anything wrong, this was not your fault.

Mum to Azaan born at 26+5 weeks gestation

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Being our second prem, we had a little insight into what we were in for, but every baby is different. We went into this with the same positive determination we held with our first. Having a toddler being separated from Mummy most of the time was very hard, we tried to include her in everything, make sure she was a part of the whole journey whenever possible. Goodbyes were always the hardest thing, leaving our little tiny babe behind every night, but we always tried to say goodbye with a smile. The little ones are less likely to be very upset if you have a smile, they know that all must be ok, I know you love me, you aren’t really sad so I will try not to be. We still apply that to everyday.

Mum to Zach born at 34 weeks gestation

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Make sure you continue to be pushy for answers, I found doctors left a lot out of you didn’t ask the questions.

Mum to Saxon born at 34 weeks gestation

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Talk to other parents in the NICU, everyone is going through the highs and lows of having a premature baby and the support of someone who knows the hurdles and struggles of the hospital journey is comforting. They may become a life long friend.

Mum to Nixon born at 33+3 weeks gestation

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I know it’s tough but try enjoy every day. Don’t let anyone pressure you about breastfeeding…. At the end of the day bub doesn’t care weather it’s breast or bottle milk so long as he/she is loved by you. Write a short diary entry so those tough days at home later you can read how much you went through and how your bub is lucky to be here.

Mum to Xavier born at 28 weeks gestation

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A good friend who had also experienced a premature baby told me to keep thinking about the first birthday! The colour of the balloons..the food all of it! And remember, this is just a stage! A few months from now it will all be a distant memory!

Mum to Indie born at 28+5 weeks gestation

The information & advice from parents above is not intended to replace professional advice in anyway. We hope that it will give you comfort, advice & inspiration from other parents who have been in the NICU/SCN with their premature babies to help you along with your journey.

If you have any questions relating to your baby’s care and complications always speak to your doctor or the staff caring for your child.

For further articles please visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

The subject matter provided in these articles is strictly for informational purposes alone and should never be used in the place of a doctor’s advice. Please ALWAYS contact your doctor if you ever have questions or need advice in any area where medical advice is needed or medication is suggested.

“We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared our love with our child”

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Support Services

Bears of hope offer an extensive list of parent support information to help you after the loss of your precious baby.

]]> http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/angel-baby-memorials/feed/ 0 http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-birth-stories/ http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-birth-stories/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:34:31 +0000 trikiron http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/wordpress/?p=546 Read these inspirational birth stories from parents of premature babies. See how far these little miracles have come. We also acknowledge that some tiny angels born prematurely do not make it in their struggle for life. Share with us your heartwarming story about your perfect little angel(s) with wings.

Don’t forget to view our Premmie Gallery

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Amy & Sophie’s Story – Born At 22 Weeks

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Lane’s Story – Born At 26 Weeks

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Talia’s Story – Born At 26 Weeks

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Milica’s Story – Born at 26 Weeks

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Bailey’s Story – Born at 26 weeks gestation

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Delacey’s Story – Born at 26 Weeks & Angel Sister Hope

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Ella’s Angel Story – Born at 30 Weeks

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Charlie’s Story – Born at 27 Weeks

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Matthew’s Story – Born At 27 Weeks

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Ronan’s Story – Born At 27 Weeks

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Indiana’s Story – Born At 28 Weeks

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Brendan’s Journey – Born at 30 Weeks

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Ella’s Angel Story – Born at 30 Weeks

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Jermaines Story – Born At 30 Weeks

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Izabella Rose’s Story – Born At 31 Weeks

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Brayden’s Story – Born At 31 Weeks

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Montana’s Story – Born At 32 Weeks & Angel Sister Amber

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Nixon’s Story – Born At 32 Weeks

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Logan’s Story – Born At 32 Weeks

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Deegan’s Story – Born At 32 Weeks

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Lily’s Story – born at 32 Weeks

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Harrison’s Story – Born At 34 Weeks

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Tristan’s Story – Born at 34 Weeks

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Eliza’s Story – Born at 34 Weeks

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Jack’s Story – Born At 35 Weeks

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Finn’s Story – Born At 35 Weeks

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Hunter’s Story – Born At 35 Weeks

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Loki Story ~ Born at 35 weeks

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For further premature birth stories please visit Lifes Little Treasures Stories

If you wish to see your birth story featured on the site please fill in our online form

We have 4 different colours to choose from with the option to submit a photo to add to the heel of their footprint.

Created – July 2011

To leave your prems footprint submit their details & photo using our submission form. Click on the pink footprint below to get started.

Click on the blue footprint below to view the print impressions left by families.

This area is dedicated to families with premature babies currently in the hospital and seperated as per each babies gestation when born.

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

Parents of twins, triplets or more please use this form.

Created – April 2010

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Please use the following form if you wish to submit photos of your premature baby

Please find messages from families around Australia who would like to pay tribute to the many doctors, nurses and medical staff who take care of our premmie babies whilst in the NICU/SCN.

If you would like to support and thank your hospital for the amazing care and dedication they showed through your premmie babies journey please use our submission form. We encourage parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers and friends to leave a message.

Created – July 2009

submission form

To receive our latest newsletter straight into your inbox please enter your details on our registration form

Click on thumbnails to view

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Please note: The newsletter is sent to our members before it is available on the website.

Created – January 2009

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Featured Premmie Parents

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Click on the images below to view each parents stories

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If you wish to become a “Premmie Parent of the Moment” please submit your details here