Products for prems (and their parents)

Are you looking for a gift for the parent of a premature baby, a friend or yourself? Here are a couple of things you might be interested in.

NICU Journal

The BubBE Book - a journal specifically for parents of premature babies, created by Natasha, the mother of Hudson, a 24 weeker born here in Perth.

Dolls made to the size of your premature baby

If you have forgotten how small your prem baby was or would just like something to remember their size when they’re older, Zoe at Tummybear hand crafts premature baby dolls made to the size and weight of your baby. I have seen some of these and they look great. I think she’s the only person in Australia making this type of doll commercially.

Prem baby dolls by Zoe at Tummybear

Zoe also makes funky clothing for premature babies that can actually be worn in hospital, unlike a lot of small clothing. Contact her at premdolls@loddonmalleekids.org.au or by telephone at 03 5443 9309 or 0419 950 458

Hug-A-Bub Baby Carrier

These hands-free wrap baby carriers support a baby of any size and enable you to keep doing kangaroo cuddles even after you come home and need to be doing things around the house (and out and about). Annie Murphy is a Perth mum who found the hugabub was perfect for carrying her premmie son Jack.

Annie with Jack in the hugabub

If you order a hugabub through Annie and mention the Prem in Perth website, you will receive free delivery to any address in Australia. More information is available from www.hugabub.com, but please note this special is only available if you order directly from Annie, not via the hugabub website. Contact Annie at (08) 9591 3927 or 0406 689 725 or via email at anniemurphy@aapt.net.au

preminperth

Baby Massage Workshops and Courses

Natalie Garmson is a certified massage instructor and Perth mum who is passionate about the benefits of massage for babies and children. She offers a 4 session infant massage course or a 1 hour introductory infant massage workshop. Massage has been shown to be very beneficial to the development of premature babies, and you can read more on Natalie’s website: www.kidsmassage.com.au

Premmie Pride kids clothing

Bec is an Aussie mum who wanted clothing which said premmie - not preemie - so she came up with this funky unisex design. It is not for prems in hospital, but for when they are older and you just want to advertise the fact that they’re amazing and have come so far!

The design is available on a t-shirt, bodysuit (onesie), bib or tote bag via http://www.cafepress.com/prempride

Bec’s daughter Erin was born at 26 weeks weighing 428g and is the smallest surviving premmie I know. You can read more about Bec’s thoughts at http://www.bad-mummy.com

Premmie-sized cloth nappies

Bec also has a website for Brisbane prems - http://www.brisbanepremmies.com where she has put together a useful list of suppliers who make cloth nappies suitable for premature babies.