Small things make a big difference

Working as a nursery nurse on a neonatal unit, I was so pleased when a colleague told me she had been made aware of these stickers that go onto babies’ red books. They are used to raise awareness that a baby has spent time on a neonatal unit.

Nursery nurse Julia Wing

From here I discovered premature baby charity The Smallest Things. After a little reading up, I decided I definitely wanted my families to have access to them too. As a neonatal unit, we now ensure every parent has a sticker saying their baby has been on the neonatal unit, even if it has just been for a couple of days.

Opening up conversations

There are two types of stickers: one states ‘My baby spent time in NICU’ and the other states ‘My baby was born at ____ weeks’ gestation'. I ordered both sets of stickers for my unit and The Smallest Things team sent them to me completely free.

I feel strongly that the little things we do really make a big difference. Something as simple as a sticker on a red book opens up a conversation for health professionals and families straightaway.

Best care for families

Raising awareness with all contacts that a family has had a premature birth experience ensures that a family is understood and the best care is given at every opportunity.

“Something as simple as a sticker on a red book opens up a conversation for health professionals and families”

— Julia Wing, neonatal nursery nurse

I’ve been asked a few times about what the stickers are for, and every time, it’s an easy answer! We need everyone to be aware of prematurity and what this means for a baby and their family. The more we can do to raise awareness, the better for each and every family who walks through our NICU doors.

Thanks to Julia Wing for sharing her story.

Thanks to support from Sticker Mule, supplier of The Smallest Things Red Book stickers #Gift