Friday, November 17th marks World Prematurity Day, a global event observed annually to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families. And, bringing together the UAE community to recognize its importance is a Dubai-founded support group, Small and Mighty Babies, which has teamed up with the Ripe Market to create a landmark event for all the family.
Highly regarded for its support of local businesses, the Ripe Market is proud to host Small and Mighty Babies at its hugely popular Zabeel Park market on Friday, November 17th from 9 am. The market is open for normal operation through to 4 pm, and Small and Mighty Babies welcomes all families to join in with the World Prematurity Day activities happening on the day.
Small and Mighty Babies will lead a team walk around the park, along with offering expert advice from key members of the community on issues surrounding prematurity. There will also be Mummy and Me yoga, prizes, goody bags and of course celebration to mark the journeys of all the ‘mighty babies’ within the Small and Mighty Babies family.
Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide. Babies born too early may have more health issues than babies born full term and may face long-term health problems that affect the brain, the lungs, hearing or vision. Premature birth is still the leading cause of death in children under the age of five worldwide, and World Prematurity Day on November 17th is a global movement to raise awareness of this serious health crisis.
Small and Mighty Babies was founded in 2013 by Joanne Hanson-Halliwell, a British mother of a preterm baby who decided to use her own experience to help others. Led by Joanne and trained doula, Lala Langtry-White, Small and Mighty Babies is a close-knit community of 300 UAE parents, who support each other through prenatal complications, preterm birth, babies’ admission and treatment within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), early years development and in some cases, loss.
Small and Mighty Babies is the winner of a Time Out Kids Award for Pre and Postnatal Care in both 2016 and 2017.
“November 17th is a day to celebrate the journey of our Mighty Babies, those currently in hospital and finally at home,” says Joanne. “It is a day to laugh together, cry together and share our message with the wider community. We look forward to seeing you all there.”
For more information on Small and Mighty Babies, go to: SmallAndMightyBabies.com
