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The Little Miracles Trust is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national neonatal charity. We’re here to help
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The benefits of cuddles
"Doctors say that when cuddled, babies can experience more relaxation, high blood oxygenation, better pain tolerance and more stable body temperature" An interesting article and associated video from ABC news: http://goo.gl/C98oZK Kangaroo cuddles with parents are so valuable and The Little Miracles Trust is pleased to have purchased specific maternity chairs for multiple NICUs. These…
Our new website
We've just launched an enhanced website! Websites and technology in general move quickly and some changes were required. The new website will help us to better convey who we are and what we do also provide information on both our activity and also neonatal issues in general. As well as a new design and layout,…
Auckland Developmental Playgroup
Developmental Group The Little Miracles Trust (Auckland) Developmental Playgroup is for babies who have been through a NICU or SCBU unit. It is appropriate for babies from when they go home from the unit, until they are cruising furniture. If your baby is well, you may come when you feel ready At these sessions, we:…
Birth drama in paddock
A very premature baby made a dramatic arrival into the world when he was born with little warning on a remote school paddock in the Coromandel. But a stroke of good luck meant Waikato Hospital neonatologist Phil Weston was on hand to stabilise tiny Brody Sheppard, who was born at just 29 weeks gestation, almost…
New facility hailed as 'world-class'
Dunedin Hospital's new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Children's Ward is ''world-class'', providing reassurance for parents, and an excellent training facility for young specialists, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday, at the official opening of the $7 million unit. The long-awaited new ward, which replaces cramped, outdated facilities, has been accepting patients since December. …
Steriod use for premature babies
Quick overview: Steroids are given to premature babies to help their lungs develop. "They have made an enormous difference in terms of survival and outcome for premature babies," says Dr Malcolm Battin of Auckland Hospital newborn unit. But while it's safe for some, researchers say their studies reveal it could actually harm a very small…
Canterbury Playgroup Music and Movement Sessions
The music and movement sessions at The Little Miracles Trust (Canterbury) monthly playgroup focus on the needs of children born prematurely. Short songs, and fast moving segue between activities while following the cues of the children are all recognised by the music specialist as giving the most benefit. Parents who come to Music and…
Middlemore Hospital prepares to move newborns into new clinic
Babies needing specialist care will now be treated in the new state-of-art neonatal care unit at Middlemore Hospital. Neonatal paediatrician Lindsay Mildenhall says the unit's location makes it easier and safer for transporting babies. Moving the fragile newborns on Sunday has taken months of planning and will involve specialist transport teams and support to ensure…
NZ's first breast milk bank opens in Christchurch
Nearly all premature babies in Christchurch Women's Hospital's neo-natal unit are fed milk formula by syringe and tube. But the hospitals new human milk bank is set to change that, meaning that breast milk will soon be on the menu for the first time. "It's very exciting. It's been four years in the making. It's…
Mad woman with a buggy
The many people who donate their time and money and raise funds for The Little Miracles Trust are Heroes - to both the Trust and also the many people who we help and support. Tracey Thomson-Lamplough is a great example of a 'Neonatal Hero'. Tracey has committed to running the Rotorua marathon with a…
Study on very low birth-weight babies released
Connor McCallum was the surprise of his parents' life and when he joined the world in May his future looked uncertain. Connor's early months coincide with the release of new research on "very low birth-weight" babies by Christchurch-based Professor Brian Darlow. Darlow's research indicated very low birth-weight babies were as happy with their quality of…
Obesity, smoking risks for baby brain damage
Pregnant women need to be encouraged to lose excess weight and quit smoking to avoid causing brain damage to their unborn children, a leading researcher says. Led by Kiwi paediatric neurologist Terrie Inder, doctors at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston are using sophisticated imaging techniques to predict and manage the risk of disabilities…