Dream A Little Dream - Support for Parents of Premature Newborns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamalittledreamprematurebabysupport

Prem Pack for a Tiny Little Boy

This prem pack is being delivered to a tiny little boy who was born at just 28 weeks at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and a singlet, some pampering QV products for the parents and some GAIA Natural Baby Products http://www.gaiaskinnaturals.com for baby, our postcard sized Useful Links and Numbers guide, some breast pads and milk collection bags, some prem sized nappies, a gorgeous blanket and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this family enjoy their prem pack.

Love the Dream A Little Dream Team xx

A Prem Pack for a Sweet Little Girl born at 25 weeks

This prem pack is being delivered to a sweet little girl who was born at just 25 weeks at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing, a journal for her parents to keep of her NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for the parents and some GAIA Natural Baby Products http://www.gaiaskinnaturals.com for baby, our postcard sized Useful Links and Numbers guide, some breast pads and hydrogel pads, milk collection bags, some hand knitted items, a gorgeous blanket and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this family enjoy their prem pack.

Love the Dream A Little Dream Team xx

Ozgur's Story - Born at 26 weeks

Welcome to the world little Ozgur.  Born at just 26 weeks, here is his story as told by his brave mum, Natalie...

"I was 22 weeks and 5 days when I admitted myself to Westmead as I had bleeding and cramping the night before. I didn't think too much of it but after my husband pressured me to ring the doctors, I thought better to be safe than sorry.

They told me to go to the birthing unit. After I got there, I was so convinced that its probably just something that happens during pregnancy that I apologised to the midwife for "wasting public money and time".

The midwife tested my urine and found blood. I then waited for the obstetrician on that shift to assess me. The obstetrician had a look with a speculum and contacted the registrar, who also had a look. They found that not only was I dialated 3cm but my "waters" were bulging. I was quickly taken down for a scan and felt contractions as everything was happening and was told that even if the baby was born now there wouldn't be any "viability" of life before at least the 23/24 week mark.

I think going through all these emotions kept me strong that I managed to get to 24 weeks. That's when I was given steroid shots and told that perhaps now the baby has "viability" and now the hospital is obligated to revive. With this determination I got to 25 weeks and eventually my waters broke at 25 weeks and 6 days. My little man was born at 26 weeks exactly.

The complication I had was chorioamnioitis (1). An infection in the uterine area usually caused by an underlying infection such as a UTI.

Looking back at the ordeal we went through I maybe could have prevented this from happening if I wasn't such a believer of natural remedies vs medication.

My little boy's name is Ozgur. Pronounced like Oscar but with a G. He was born 695 grams and 31cm in length. He is my little angel.

It has been 3 weeks since his birth and although we are going through ups and downs, he is still my little miracle and love him to bits.

Thank you to Dream a Little Dream for their support during this journey."

(1) Chorioamnionitis is an inflammation of the fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) due to a bacterial infection. It typically results from bacteria ascending into the uterus from the vagina and is most often associated with prolonged labor. The risk of developing chorioamnionitis increases with each vaginal examination that is performed in the final month of pregnancy, including during labor.

Thank you so much for sharing Ozgur's journey with us so far.  We can not wait to see him grow stronger and stronger each day and we wish you all the best for the remainder of Ozgur's journey.

Love The Dream A Little Dream Team x

A Prem Pack for Twin Girls

We were so excited to receive an order for a prem pack for two sweet twin girls who were born at 32 weeks.  Their pack will be heading to the Mater Mothers Hospital in Brisbane.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and singlets some Pinky McKay http://www.pinkymckay.com.au Boobie Bikkies http://www.boobiebikkies.com.au, a journal for her parents to keep of her NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for the parents and some GAIA Natural Baby Products http://www.gaiaskinnaturals.com for baby, our postcard sized Useful Links and Numbers guide, some breast pads and milk collection bags and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

A Prem Pack for Twin Boys

We were so excited to receive an order for a prem pack for two tiny twin little boys who were born at 32 weeks.  Their pack will be heading to the Northern Territory.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and singlets some Pinky McKay http://www.pinkymckay.com.au Boobie Bikkies http://www.boobiebikkies.com.au, a journal for her parents to keep of her NICU and SCN journey from The Paper Crafterie http://www.papercrafterie.com, some pampering QV products for baby and parents, some breast pads and milk collection bags, some prem sized nappies and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

The Paper Crafterie Donation

Thank you Tiffany from The Paper Crafterie. We received the beautiful journals that you kindly donated, today.

web: http://www.papercrafterie.com/
etsy: www.etsy.com/au/shop/ThePaperCrafterie
facebook: www.facebook.com/papercrafterie

GAIA Natural Baby Donation

Thank you GAIA natural baby. We received the items to go in our prem packs today, along with the 20% off online purchase vouchers for our amazing prem families.

web: www.gaiaskinnaturals.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/gaianaturalbaby

A Blanket Donation

Thank you to my amazing mum for hand knitting and crocheting these amazing blankets for our prem packs. Love you mum x

Bobble & Bugs Donation

Thank you so much to Melissa of Bobble & Bug who has kindly offered some prem sized hand knitted items for our prem packs.  We can not thank you enough.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MjayCrochet
Made it: www.madeit.com.au/BobbleandBug

A Prem Pack for a sweet girl born at 34 weeks

This prem pack will be heading off to a sweet little girl who was born at 34 weeks.  The prem pack is heading to NSW.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and a singlet, some hand knitted items, a journal for her parents to keep of her NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for baby and parents, some breast pads and milk collection bags, and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

Tiny Hearts Donation

Thank you so much to Kay from Tiny Hearts for donating these two beautiful boys and girls 00000 rompers for our prem packs. They are so sweet.

Made It Store : http://www.madeit.com.au/Main/Store?storeId=13096&userId=96514

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/tiny.hearts.infantswear

A prem pack for a little boy born at 26 weeks

This prem pack will be heading off to a courageous little boy who arrived at just 26 weeks.  The prem pack is heading to Western Australia.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and a singlet, a deliciously soft taggie blanket, a cloth terry nappy, a peanut pillow, a journal for his parents to keep of his NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for baby and parents, and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

Prem Pack for a 25 weeker

This prem pack is being sent for a precious little girl born at just 25 weeks and is heading to Melbourne.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and singlet, some hand knitted items, a journal for his parents to keep of his NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for baby and parents, EBM collection bags, breast pads and a reusable 'Be Brave' Canvas bag.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

A Prem Pack for a tiny little man

This prem pack is being sent for yet another little boy born at just 23 weeks and is heading all the way to Western Australia. This little fighter is not feeling 100% at the moment so we are hoping their pack will bring them some relief and happiness

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing and singlet, a bib and some mittens, a journal for his parents to keep of his NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for baby, EBM collection bags, breast pads and some prem sized nappies.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

Pinky McKay Boobie Bikkies Donation

Each and every business that has offered their time and products to donate to our cause is amazing. 

But when Pinky McKay jumped on the bandwagon, we could not believe it.

A big massive thank you to Pinky and Sarah from Boobie Bikkies who has offered us ongoing support by donating the Boobie Bikkies to help the pumping mums whilst going through their NICU journeys.

Boobie Bikkies are nutritious, natural & organic cookies created by lactation consultant Pinky McKay (IBCLC) to assist with boosting your energy & support a healthy milk supply. This is so important for NICU mum's who are pumping every 2-3 hours for sometimes months on end. Breastmilk is a vital part of a premmie baby's wellbeing.

We are so grateful to Pinky and Sarah for their support.

Web: http://www.boobiebikkies.com.au/
Web: http://www.pinkymckay.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoobieBikkies

Gaia Natural & Organic Skincare Products Donation

What lucky babies and parents who will be looked after so beautifully and naturally by GAIA natural baby who are donating some of their products to our prem packs. Thank you so much.

web: www.gaiaskinnaturals.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/gaianaturalbaby

Aromababy Donation

We are so excited to say that Aromababy has offered to donate some of their organic skincare product for our prem packs.  They are so generous and we can not thank them enough.

I swear by their products.  They are soft and safe to use on a babes precious skin so I am positive that the recipients of our prem packs will love them just as much as we do.

web: www.aromababy.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/AROMABABY/36415853056

The Paper Crafterie Donation

A huge thank you to Tiffany from The Paper Crafterie who has donated some journals for our prem packs to help parents keep a journal of their baby's journey through NICU.  Tiffany's items are just beautiful.  Thank you so much.

web: http://www.papercrafterie.com
etsy: www.etsy.com/au/shop/ThePaperCrafterie
facebook: www.facebook.com/papercrafterie

AmyBears Donation

Thank you so much to Lyn from AmyBears who has donated some hand knitted items for our prem packs. Lyn will also be creating some additional items to donate in the near future. Thank you so much Lyn.

AmyBears: https://www.madeit.com.au/Main/Store?storeid=11946

Leilanie's story..

Sweet Leilanie was born at just 29 weeks weighing 1450 grams.  Here is her story, as told by her mum.

"This is leilanie. My 29 weeker princess. She was born on the 16th of March 2014 weighing 1450 grams and 34cm long. 

After being admitted into hospital on the 26th of February 2014, due to loosing my mucous plug, I was dialated to 3-4cm and had protruding membrances. In the 19 days i was in hospital I went in and out of labour 4 times. Then on saturday the 15th of March 2014, I started having pains and the midwifes told me it was nothibg and kept giving me panadol.   After a rough sleep the next morning at change over, I told the new nurse I was in pain. 

I was then put on monitors and taken to the birthing unit where the midwives down there said I would be going back up to my room and I kept saying I wouldn't.
 
After 12 hours of pain my waters had to be broken by a doctor and at 10:19pm I gave birth to a tiny little girl who was sure to let everyone know she was here with a good set of lungs on her. 

She has been in NICU and Special Care for 24 days now and is doing very well.

She is currently weighing 1.7kgs and breathing completely on her own. The only thing left is to get her off tube feeds and onto the breast.

The nurses are amazing for the job they do looking after prem babies.

I cant wait until we are able to bring her home."

We wish this lovely family all the best for the rest of their journey.

The Dream A Little Dream Team

A Prem Pack for a sweet little girl

Weighing just 1450 grams and born at just 29 weeks, this prem pack is on it's way today, so a sweet little girl and her parents.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing, some hand knitted items, a journal for his parents to keep of his NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for baby, a sweet little bib, EBM collection bags and a prem sized teat.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

The story of Hamish

Little Hamish was born at just 27 weeks weighing 774 grams.  Here is his journey so far, as told by his mum.

"Our story thus far is I have previously had a premature baby at 32 weeks. A girl who is now a healthy 3.5 year old.

On Thursday the 27th March, a routine scan picked up my placenta was being deprived and the cord blood was not flowing through properly. Had I not gone in that day we would of lost our little boy.

I was quickly prepped for theatre and put to sleep for his delivery.

All had been going relatively well considering his gestation and size but on Saturday morning, we were told he had a pneumothorax (1). This along with some other problems and we were told by doctors the weekend was to be one tough one for our little boy and that there was nothing else they could do.

To hear those words, the words you never ever want to hear, the words that you find yourself shaking just writing them now, is devastating.

So far he has somehow pulled through, he is a fighter for sure.

Our son Hamish, 774g, 32cm length.

We know Hamish is meant to be here.  We named him the day after he was born. His middle names Tobias (after my grandad) and Michael (after my husbands granddad). When we returned to the ward, we got a call to say my husbands grandad had a fall and shortly after the fall had passed away. We were devastated but do believe Michael is helping Hamish through.

There is so much more to this story and Hamish's journey that we would love to share with you. This is just a snippet of our journey thus far."

(1) Pneumothorax in an Infant

Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space inside the chest around the lungs, which leads to a lung collapse.

A pneumothorax occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in a baby’s lung burst, leaking air into the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural space).

The most common cause of pneumothorax is respiratory distress syndrome, which occurs in babies who are born too early (premature).

• Because the baby's lungs lack the slippery substance (surfactant) that helps them stay open, the tiny air sacs are not able to expand as easily.
• If the baby is put on a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator), there is extra pressure on the baby's lungs, which can sometimes burst the air sacs.

Meconium aspiration syndrome is another cause of pneumothorax in newborns. As the baby is being born, he or she may breathe in the first bowel movement, called meconium. This may cause breathing problems and the need for a breathing machine.

Less commonly, an otherwise healthy baby can develop an air leak when he or she takes the first few breaths after birth. This occurs because of the pressure needed to expand the lungs for the first time.

Pneumothorax is more common in boys than girls.

Thank you for sharing Hamish's story Simone and we wish you and little Hamish all the best for his road ahead.  He is just delightful and he is such a little fighter.  We are also very sorry for the loss of your husbands grandad.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

A prem pack for a precious little boy

Today, this pack is on it's way to a sweet little boy born at 27 weeks and weighing in at just 774 grams.  So precious and so beautiful.

This prem pack consisted of some beautiful 00000 clothing, some hand knitted items, a journal for his parents to keep of his NICU and SCN journey, some pampering QV products for baby, mum and dad, some breast pads, EBM collection bags and a prem sized teat.

We hope this lovely family enjoys their prem pack.

The Dream A Little Dream Team x

Nathaniel's story

We are so proud to share with you Nathaniel's journey so far as  told by his beautiful and brave mum.

"Introducing Nathaniel, born on the 21st of April 2013 at 24 weeks and 2 days.  Nathaniel weighed just 710 grams at birth. My Waters broke at 23 weeks and 5 days with no reason why. I developed an infection in my placenta so I had to be induced. 4 and a half hours later my little miracle was born. 

The doctors gave Nathaniel a 25% chance of survival.  Well, he beat all odds and came out crying. 

Nathaniel has gone through many blood transfusions. He has been to many hospitals. He went to sydney for an eye operation. He has also had stage 3 bleeds in both eyes.  

After successful surgery, Nathaniel's lungs collapsed and he had to be put into a coma and on a ventilator. It took his lungs about 2 weeks to strengthen. 

Nathaniel has been diagnosed with Chronic Lung Disease (2) and requires oxygen. 

Just 3 days ago we got some good news. Nathaniel could come off the oxygen during the day. It was a very long 4 and a half months.

Im so lucky to have him I treasure every day."

Extremely preterm (<28 weeks)
Very preterm (28 to <32 weeks)
Moderate to late preterm (32 to <37 weeks)

‘Low’ birth weight at birth: Weighs less than 2,500 grams
‘Very low’ birth weight at birth : Weighs less than 1,500 grams
‘Extremely low’ birth weight at birth: Weighs less than 1,000 grams

(2) Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; formerly chronic lung disease of infancy) is a chronic lung disorder that is most common among children who were born prematurely. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia results in significant morbidity and mortality. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is more common in infants with low birth weight and those who received prolonged mechanical ventilation to treat respiratory distress syndrome. The definition of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has continued to evolve since 1967 when the disorder was first described in publication, which resulted from effects of oxygen and mechanical ventilation in premature infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This is due to changes in the population at risk. Changes such as more survivors at earlier gestational ages and improved neonatal management including surfactant, antenatal glucocorticoid therapy, and less aggressive mechanical ventilation.

Currently the description of BPD and the grading of its severity into mild, moderate and severe correlates with the infant's maturity, growth and overall severity of illness. The new system offers a better description of underlying pulmonary disease and its severity.

The story of Theo James

The story of Theo James born at 36 weeks

As told by Theo's mum, Jeska..

"This being our (mine and my husbands) 7th pregnancy and 4th baby, we expected it to be reasonably smooth sailing.  Unfortunately at 19 weeks we found out our little baby had dropped off in growth by more than 2.5weeks.  We were sent straight to a specialist in Brisbane, who confirmed our baby had IUGR (1). This came as a huge shock as our other 3 children were all over 8 pound!!! So from that point during the pregnancy we had weekly scans, weekly dr appointments and trips to the Brisbane specialist every 3-4 weeks.  The last 3 weeks before our little man was born, I had to have daily and then second daily CTG's to monitor bubs heart rate.  

At 34 weeks I was given steroid injections for bubs lungs and at 36 weeks I was induced as the doctors (and myself and husband) felt it was safest to get bub out.

The balloon induction begun at 3.30pm. By 6pm my hind waters broke. By midnight contractions had started. 3-5 minutes apart, I was taken to labour ward where the doctor had told me I was only 1 cm and baby was still high. After about 3 hours the contractions had stopped, so they started the sintocin drip which brought in contractions quite quickly. With only gas and about 10hours of labour I thought I was coping very well. I felt the pain in my hips and the pressure down below, I thought "this is it!". I told my husband "I think baby's coming!". So the doctor examined me only to tell me he wasn't. I was so disheartened and I couldn't understand why this labour was taking so much longer than my others. I decided to pull myself together and just get through this, but by this time the sintocin had been turned right up, and my tummy went into hyper-tension. I wasn't getting any break between contractions and I was exhausted. The doctor highly recommended an epidural for baby's sake and for mine. So reluctantly I agreed. 

Once having the epidural I felt relaxed and ready to carry on. Within 10 minutes of the epidural being in, babys heart rate started dropping, and the doctor and midwives came from everywhere. They were doing fetal scalp testing on our baby, as well as stretching my cervix. Within minutes of stretching my cervix, I felt "that" pressure. His head was there and with a little vacuum help he was out. He was whisked off by doctors immediately. It was a bitter sweet moment having given birth to our 4th baby, a beautiful and tiny little boy, yet his condition unknown. 

About an hour after he was born my husband and I were able to visit our little man, Theo James, in the special care nursery. He was so beautiful. He looked exactly like our other children, only half their size at birth. His first night in SCN he needed the bubble c-pap (2) to help with his breathing, also IV drip for fluids and antibiotics. 

The next morning we visited our beautiful man who weighed 2025 grams born. He was off the c-pap and on general monitoring in his humidity crib.

During his first week he got jaundice (which we expected would happen) and the levels jumped up and went down 3 times. Now at day 10 he is doing amazing. Better than any of us could have expected. He was 36+1 born but also lacked in growth by over 3 weeks. At day 2 he had lost more than 10% of his body weight and dropped to 1830 grams, today he is 1920 grams with alternate feeds (tube and suck).

He amazes us every single day, and we are so proud and so relived at his progress already in these early days."

(1) Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to poor growth of a baby while in the mother's womb during pregnancy. The causes can be many, but most often involve poor maternal nutrition or lack of adequate oxygen supply to the fetus.

(2) Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the use of continuous positive pressure to maintain a continuous level of positive airway pressure in a spontaneously breathing patient. It is functionally similar to positive end-expiratory pressure, except that PEEP is an applied pressure against exhalation and CPAP is a pressure applied by a constant flow. The ventilator does not cycle during CPAP, no additional pressure above the level of C_PAP is provided, and patients must initiate all of their breaths. Nasal C_PAP is frequently used in neonates, though its use is controversial. Studies have shown nasal CPAP reduces ventilator time but an increased occurrence of pneumothorax was also prevalent.

As a treatment or therapy, CPAP uses mild air pressure to keep an airway open. CPAP typically is used for people who have breathing problems, such as sleep apnea.

CPAP also may be used to treat preterm infants whose lungs have not yet fully developed. For example, physicians may use CPAP in infants with respiratory distress syndrome. It is associated with a decrease in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In some preterm infants whose lungs haven't fully developed, CPAP improves survival and decreases the need for steroid treatment for their lungs.

(3) Jaundice (also known as icterus, from the Greek word ίκτερος; adjectival form, icteric) is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused byhyperbilirubinemia (increased levels of bilirubin in the blood).  This hyperbilirubinemia subsequently causes increased levels of bilirubin in the extracellular fluid. Concentration of bilirubin in blood plasma is normally below 1.2 mg/dL(<25µmol/L). A concentration higher than 2.5 mg/dL (>50µmol/L) leads to jaundice. The term jaundice comes from the French word jaune, meaning yellow.

Thank you to Jeska and her family for sharing Theo's story with us.  He is adorable and we can not wait to see him grow.  We wish you all the best for the rest of Theo's special care journey.

The Dream A Little Dream Team