Jude's six-week early arrival
James Eddleston shares the story of his son Jude’s early arrival and the lasting memory of his birth. Chestnut House provided crucial support for the family during this challenging time.
World Prematurity Day
Taking place on 17 November, World Prematurity Day is a global movement to raise awareness of premature birth and the devastating impact it can have on families.
There from the very beginning
Around 60,000 babies are born sick or premature every year in the UK, with prematurity being the leading cause of death in children under five. Life on a neonatal unit can be challenging for parents in many ways, and the impact on their mental health is often felt for years after.
When a baby arrives prematurely there is no time to plan. Parents tell us that all they want is to be by their child’s hospital bedside. Our ‘Homes from Home’ support those families from the very beginning, keeping them just minutes away from their premature baby’s side.
We’ve joined forces with the charity Bliss and other leading organisations to raise awareness for World Prematurity Day on 17 November. World Prematurity Day aims to highlight the experience parents of premature babies face in the days, weeks and months after their baby’s arrival.
We are here to help
Each year, we help over 600 families with a baby in the NICU, many born prematurely. We provide them with a place to stay free of charge and just minutes from their baby's bedside, for anywhere from a few nights to several months. Donate now to support us.
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#WorldPrematurityDay
Join in the conversation using #WorldPrematurityDay across social media
Peer-to-Peer Advice
Parents tell us that when their baby is born prematurely, they often feel scared, overwhelmed, lost and helpless. We asked parents of premature children to share their advice to help others going through similar challenges.
What is one piece of advice you would give to parents?
How can parents cope with the challenges of having a premature baby?
What would you have taken to the hospital if you’d known?
How can you remain close and connected with your baby while they’re in hospital?
How did you look after yourself while your baby was in hospital?
What is one piece of advice you would give to parents?
| “It’s okay to cry.” |
| “Be kind to yourself.” |
| “They are stronger than they look.” |
| “Take as many photos as possible and keep a diary of your journey.” |
| “Try and leave the hospital every few days even if only for a five minute walk.” |
| “Make friends on the unit, they’re going through it with you, you can support each other.” |
| “Make sure you rest when you can. The nurses and doctors are amazing and your baby needs you too.” |
| “Spend every day making memories and make the most of it. It’s an uncertain journey.” |
| “There is lots of support out there, you are not alone and although it doesn’t feel like it now, one day this feel like a distant memory.” |
Having a premature baby can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness and separation anxiety. What are the ways parents can cope?
| “Be kind to yourself.” |
| “Allow your own feelings.” |
| “Our babies are stronger than we know.” |
| “Focus on the small positive steps, one minute at a time.” |
| “It’s normal. Write things down. Talk about your feelings.” |
| “It’s one of the hardest parts of being a preemie parent. Trust the nurses, rest and do what you can to be there for your baby.” |
| “Take each day as it comes, don’t be too tough on yourself and accept help/support from family and friends.” |
| “Have skin to skin as much as possible, bond with your baby by talking, reading books, singing – I would often sing quietly while having a cuddle!” |
| “Try and make friends on the unit as everyone is going through something similar. Don’t be scared to seek help, some units have counsellors.” |
Often, there is no time to plan when a baby is born prematurely. If you had known, what would you have taken with you to the hospital?
| “PJs” |
| “Flip flops” |
| “An overnight bag. I literally had nothing.” |
| “A diary. There’s so much happening.” |
| “Phone charger, change of clothes, toiletries.” |
| “Hand cream, ear plugs, eye mask, lip balm and pants.” |
| “Something to keep in her crib during the day, to have her scent with me at night.” |
| “Clothes – small enough. One of my preemies died and I had nothing to dress her in and the hospital only had big baby grows.” |
| “Breast pads/sanitary pads. I cried I didn’t have any and I was too ill to leave hospital to buy any. I was two hours away from family and friends. My husband went shopping and bought ultra-thin, I can laugh now. Thankfully the ward staff did help.” |
How can you remain close and connected with your baby while they’re in hospital?
| “Lots of visits and skin to skin.” |
| “Don’t hesitate to call at night or anytime and if you feel like you can’t sleep.” |
| “Read to them, go out and buy their nappies/cotton wool etc and do their cares.” |
| “Be as involved as you can be. Don’t be scared to help with tube feeds etc, the staff help endlessly.” |
| “Use the bonding square or a blanket so you have something of theirs with you when apart.” |
| “Breastfeed if you can and want to, do cares, read stories, skin to skin, take photos and videos.” |
| “Keep muslins in with your baby and swap every few days, they gave me the comfort having the smell of my baby with me.” |
| “Skin to skin cuddles. I never got a new born hospital photo with my daughter. I missed out at NICU and back at my local hospital.” |
| “Talk to them, read them books and get in cuddles if and when you can. Take lots of videos, so you can watch when you are away from them or when pumping breast milk.” |
How did you look after yourself while your baby was in hospital?
| “Unfortunately I did not. I felt I was neglecting my baby (at the time).” |
| “Tried to leave the unit every week for a walk. Spending time with my three year old.” |
| “My husband was a huge support and made sure I ate and slept as much as possible.” |
| “Try and keep to a regular sleep routine still. Make the effort to eat well and drink plenty.” |
| “Went home and got a shower! Plenty of snacks and always had a water bottle to hand.” |
| “Ate the right food and always made time for skincare and body wash etc. It may seem hard at first but you need the energy.” |
| “I probably didn’t look after myself well enough. Looking back I wish I had taken time out for myself…walks and fresh air.” |
| “Take time out for a walk or lunch or to go to an organised group on the NICU to meet other parents – I made a very close friend on the NICU.” |
| “I always made sure I ate well to keep up my milk supply. Talking to other parents on the unit always helped with your mental health. Sharing other stories seemed comforting in those times.” |
Did you adjust well to being back home and what would you recommend to parents to help ease the transition?
| “Yes, It was so nice to finally feel like a family together.” |
| “Yes, but the beeps and hospital sounds didn’t leave me.” |
| “In some ways but not in others. I missed the safety and familiarity of the ward.” |
| “I was nervous wreck not having the monitors to guide me was challenging.” |
| “Not at all. Nearly ended up in a psychiatric unit. Definitely seek help and support.” |
| “We had the support of the neonatal nursing team at home and continued care from the NICU psychologist.” |
| “It’s not easy to adjust, I would say accept help from family and friends, even if you just need some company while you are at home.” |
| “We had a lot of visits from the community nurses, the worst time was the night. If it’s offered, then take the opportunity to stay overnight in the hospital to become accustomed to your baby at night.” |
| “I was petrified taking my baby home and relied on oxygen monitors too much. I didn’t use my mothers instinct enough. I wouldn’t take my baby out as I was so scared of her getting poorly. I would advise to try and be as normal as possible as these times are valuable.” |
Do you have any other advice for parents going through a similar experience?
| “Trust your instincts.” |
| “Ask questions, nothing is stupid.” |
| “Be patient. Your baby is just preemie but he is there.” |
| “Be kind to yourselves. Find someone to talk to. Take things slowly.” |
| “Everyone’s journey is different. Do what suits you and your family.” |
| “Just know that whatever happens you will get through it. Your are stronger than you realise.” |
| “The Sick Children’s Trust were the sunshine on a rainy day, thank you so much. We will be eternally grateful for your support.” |
| “Without the support of great charities like The Sick Children’s Trust, EACH and Bliss, I don’t think I would have survived the four months we spent in three different hospitals.” |
| “In 2018, I gave birth to triplets at 26 weeks. My husband Simon and I stayed in Chestnut House at Addenbrooke’s for six weeks. The Sick Children’s Trust was lifeline I will always be grateful for.” |
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