Miracle Babies Foundation commemorates 15 years of Nurturing families of premature and sick newborns

Miracle Babies Foundation is Australia’s leading organisation supporting premature and sick newborns and their families. 2020 marks 15 years of Nurturing for Miracle Babies Foundation, and whilst this year has brought with it many difficulties, we’re continuing to adapt to support the families that need us the most.

In 2005, a group of mums who bonded over their shared journey with a sick or premature baby in hospital, started Miracle Babies Foundation as a way to support other families going through the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) or SCN (Special Care Nursery) experience.

“Miracle Babies formed when my miracle babies were so young. I was at my most vulnerable after having three premature babies and several losses, and the connection with other families was my lifeline. It is such an honour to acknowledge my miracle babies, my three with me here today and growing well and also those in my heart forever by being able to support other families through their own traumatic experience and giving back to the hospitals that saved my babies lives.“
Kylie Pussell, CEO and Co-Founder.

Every year in Australia around 48,000 newborn babies require the help of a NICU or SCN. 27,000 of these babies are born premature and up to 1,000 babies lose their fight for life. For families, the experience of having a baby come into the world not as expected or planned is life changing. Without support, this overwhelming and traumatic experience can have lifelong effects on the emotional wellbeing of these miracle families. It affects the entire family unit. Miracle Babies Foundation has been passionate in developing and providing vital programs and resources to support and enhance a family’s experience from a threatened pregnancy, hospital journey with a premature or sick newborn, the transition to home, and beyond.

As Australia now faces the reality of self-isolation and social-distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important we still stick together as a community, even though we may be apart. Miracle Babies Foundation is aware of the uncertainty and heightened anxiety among families right across Australia at this time. We’re working with hospitals, families and our program staff and volunteers to continue supporting our miracle community during the ever-evolving COVID-19 outbreak.

For families impacted by restrictions and unable to access face-to-face services, we are offering access to virtual support groups through NurtureTime Online. This has become available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be available for a limited time, as long as restrictions remain in place.

Our NurtureProgram teams will be conducting these live ZOOM sessions for all families nationally to connect and be supported during these difficult times. The health and safety of our miracle babies and their families is our priority as well as our aim to continue to deliver our vision of ‘better, healthier outcomes for newborns and their families challenged by prematurity or sickness’ during this health risk.

“During these difficult times and with social distancing guidelines, it’s important we stay connected and care for each other. Our NurtureTime Online sessions are a great way to meet and share your journey with other NICU/SCN families whilst protecting the health of your family through our online sessions,” says Kylie Pussell.

The Miracle Babies NurtureLine support line is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering emotional support for families with a threatened pregnancy, a baby in the NICU or SCN, those in the transition to home and for years beyond. The support line is run by our trained support team, all whom have been through a NICU or SCN experience themselves.

“Speaking with someone who’s been through it, helps you cope by making it normal,” Miracle Mum, Morgan.

***Nurture*Line 24 Hour Family Support Line: 1300 MBABIES / 1300 622 243**

Make sure no one goes through this journey alone

Every day in Australia, there are 132 babies born requiring specialised medical care in a NICU or SCN. These babies and families are at their most vulnerable and with the current health situation, this places our families at even greater risk of fear, isolation, anxiety and depression. We need your help to help us continue to provide support and work together to provide a positive impact on our miracle babies and their families. As we adapt to the current situation and develop relevant and current support platforms for all our families, we need your help. Families having a premature or sick baby is not stopping, our miracle babies and families need our help and we can’t stop either.

Please donate, a small amount each week can go a long way – we all need to believe in miracles! We can do this together and make sure that ‘no one has to go through this alone.