Light it up Purple 2020

Each year we co-ordinate purple lighting throughout WA to join the wave of light sweeping the globe on World Prematurity Day, to shine a light on the global issue of preterm birth, affecting some 15 million annually. We would encourage you to get out and about on 17 November. Take some photos with your families and don’t forget to tag us so that we can share through our channels @tinysparkswa

Venues joining us to ‘Light it up Purple’ include:

  • Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre*

  • Perth Cultural Centre near James St Amphitheatre*

  • Parliament House

  • Mandurah Bridge

  • Council House

  • Yagan Square including water feature*

  • Bell Tower

  • Perth Concert Hall*

  • Perth Children’s Hospital*

  • Busselton Civic Centre*

  • King Edward Memorial Hospital

  • Trafalgar Bridge, East Perth

  • Broome Water Tower*

  • Optus Stadium

  • Matagarup Bridge

  • Perth General Post Office*

  • Elizabeth Quay

  • SJOG Hospital Bunbury*

  • ECU Joondalup*

  • Mount Street Bridge*

  • Sky Ribbon*

  • Graham Farmer Freeway Tunnel*

(* denotes first time participation in 2020)

We truly appreciate the regional shires who have embraced this opportunity! Broome, Mandurah, Busselton, thank you so much!!

Don’t forget to share your story with your family and friends throughout Neonatal November.

Thank you for your generous support!

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COVID-19 Relevant Health Guidelines

The Department of Health Western Australia has published some guidelines in relation to COVID-19. Those that are relevant to our families include ‘Management of COVID-19 Infection in Pregnant Women Statewide’ and also ‘COVID-19 Guidance for Neonatal Services Statewide’.

Whilst we hope that all those who are pregnant remain well. Given the present situation it may pay to familiarise yourselves with these documents and discuss with your care team if you have any questions.

It is important to remember to only obtain information from trustworthy sources.

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Care Packages for Bunbury

Some babies are admitted to Neonatal Units for several hours and some for many months. This has considerable impact on parents, siblings, extended family and staff, a true ripple effect.

Each baby is unique, each stay is unique but for most it is totally unexpected. Being separated from your baby isn’t what was planned. The babies admitted to Bunbury Regional Hospital Neonatal Unit generally stay 1 to 7 days. Their parents may be feeling overwhelmed and isolated during that time.

We are pleased to announce expansion of our Care Package Program to Bunbury Regional Hospital 🎉 With thanks to volunteer delivery driver Sharni, each month BRH Neonatal Unit will receive 30 ‘Special Care Packs’ for distribution to babies admitted to their unit.

We are very conscious of expanding our programs in a sustainable way. It is thanks to the generosity of the community that we can continue to grow, and support more WA families each year.

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Father's Day 2017

Thanks to the support of our community we were able to distribute 210 gifts across 20 neonatal units state wide for Father's Day.  We know from the feedback we have received over the past 4 years that these special occasion gifts really go make a difference to a parents connection with their baby in the neonatal unit.

We designed cards especially for our neonate Dads so they can treasure their baby's tiny footprints created with love by their neonatal nurses. We also included a small gift to let them know that they are not alone, and the Tiny Sparks WA community is here to support them and their family.

Cards for Dad's in neonatal units.

 

Keyring gifts.

Mail out for our regional hospitals.

Mail out for our regional hospitals.

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Heading to the post office.

Workshop - Going home after a lengthy neonatal stay

Taking your baby home after a lengthy stay in a Neonatal Unit can be very different to taking your baby home after the birth of a healthy newborn. Whilst both can be a challenging experience for parents, taking your baby home after weeks or months in a Neonatal Unit comes with a unique set of considerations. Many parents have these types of questions:

How do I protect my baby from germs?
I'm afraid to let other people hold my baby - how do I deal with visitors?
What do I tell people when they ask me how old my baby is?
What happens when I return to hospital for appointments? Will we be in a waiting room with sick children?
I'm nervous about having my baby home without monitors. How can I reassure myself? Do I need to buy a breathing monitor?
How long will by baby be followed up for?

This forum style workshop will discuss these issues and allow you an opportunity to ask questions, or discuss, any concerns you have surrounding taking your baby home. The workshop is open to all parents who currently have a baby in a Neonatal Unit in WA or have taken a baby home after a stay in a Neonatal Unit in recent months.

All attendees will receive a FREE gift bag on the night containing items useful for going home.

Registration is essential - Please register here

We look forward to seeing you there!