7 April 2025
Face to face support now being provided inside Melbourne Hospital
 (600 x 150 px) (7).png)
For years, Miracle Babies has been providing resources to Hospitals across Australia, however until now, accessing face to face support from the Foundation within Victoria has only been possible after discharge. Today, that has changed, with Miracle Babies offering its NurtureTime face to face peer support service within The Royal Children’s Hospital, for the first time. This service provides an additional layer of support for families going through the overwhelming experience of having a premature or critically ill baby spending weeks or months in specialised care. This support will follow through to after discharge and beyond, ensuring we are there throughout their journey.
“This continued care and support starting from when a baby is first born and admitted to the neonatal unit, right through every stage of their journey then finally as they are discharged home is really fundamental to the program that we deliver. Retelling your story to different people, multiple times can bring up a lot of emotion and can be traumatic for families. Our one dedicated support worker is there in hospital and also once they go home, running the play and support groups (NurtureGroups) to provide ongoing support as their babies grow and develop.” - Kylie Pussell, CEO & Co-Founder
With up to 851 admissions each year, Butterfly - Newborn Intensive Care cares for patients from other hospitals in Melbourne and country Victoria, we are proud to offer our support service to help families with a premature or sick baby inThe Royal Children’s Hospital.
Our trained NurtureTime team members are parents themselves who have been through the experience of having a baby born premature or sick and visit the hospital to offer support, guidance and hope. Parents, family and friends can ask questions, share their thoughts and feelings knowing the volunteer has a shared experience.
NurtureTime sessions in The Royal Children's Hospital will be run by Alyce Farrugia, who also runs our Heidelberg NurtureGroup. Now with her support inside the Hospital, she will be there for families throughout their entire neonatal journey.
NurtureTime
NurtureTime in-hospital support is facilitated by caring parents who themselves have experienced the birth of premature or sick newborn.
Our qualified NurtureTime team members visit the hospital to offer support, guidance and hope. Parents, family and friends can ask questions, share their thoughts and feelings knowing our support workers has a shared experience.
"I realised I was allowed to have a bad day now and then. I felt silly sometimes about the things I felt guilty about but when I listened to other people you who have been through it I realised I am actually pretty normal. It can be almost funny sometimes."- Jessica Valencia, mum to twins girls born at 32 weeks.
cLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT NURTURETIME
NurtureGroup
Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup is a free play and support group for families who have experienced the birth of a premature or sick newborn. We welcome all Neonatal unit families.
We offer a safe and secure environment for children from birth to starting school, who have been challenged by prematurity or sickness in which they can learn and develop through play, whilst offering families ongoing parent support after leaving the safety of the Neonatal unit.
NurtureGroup has been a wonderfully supportive, safe place for our family. To be able to share our experience and ongoing challenges with other NICU/SCN families has been such a comfort. - Bree, attends Heidelberg NurtureGroup.
Click here to read more about NurtureGroup
NurtureProgram Support Worker, Alyce
Alyce gave birth to identical twin girls at 24 weeks gestation due to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Maddison, born at 667g, spent 118 days in the NICU and Paige, born at 495g, passed away shortly after the birth.
Maddison had a very tumultuous time in hospital, and Alyce regularly attended the support groups that were run for current NICU families. She found talking to experienced preemie mums and dads so valuable.
After Maddison was discharged, Alyce found Melbourne Miracle Babies NurtureGroup and began attending. After 2 years, she started coordinating the group and has ever since.
We are excited to expand this support to more families nationally and this support now available in The Royal Children’s Hospital, VIC, will support these families through this critical and overwhelming time.
Please remember, Miracle Babies NurtureLine is always available and accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week. Please call 1300 622 243.
NurtureLine
1300 622 243
(1300 MBABIES)
24hr family support helpline
