www.lilaussieprems.com.au  are receiving some amazing nominations  for the 2010

“Local Premmie Hero Awards”

 They will be regularly sharing the wonderful achievements of the nominees over the coming months. Our nominees give so much to help others in the premmie community. We are sure that they will inspire you.

Our wonderful team of judges have a very hard task ahead.

If you know of a “premmie hero” who volunteers their time to help families nominate them today.

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more nominees …

Parool – Victoria

In 2003 Parool had a premature baby boy & at the time there was no support available to parents. Parool decided she had to change this so in 2005 together with 5 other premmie mums they started the charity Lifes Little Treasures of which she is now president and played a major role is forming the Premmie Foundation. She works tirelessly to provide the support network that families require on leaving hospital & most importantly strives to create awareness amongst the community.

Over the years she has made many personal sacrifices because what LLT stands for was so important to her & her beliefs. If she not on the phone she on the email 24/7, always working even on holidays!. Her ultimate wish is to provide information, support and encouragement to families with premature babies, empowering them to achieve the best outcomes for their children. She is always available when needed by a family & will do everything in her power to assist them.  She has a dream and is well on the way to fulfilling it. She’ll never take no for an answer! we are blessed to have her on our side…

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Stephanie – Queensland

Stephanie & her identical twin sister were born at 31 weeks gestation in 1996 and spent 6 weeks in hospital. From the age of 12 months until 5 years of age Stephanie suffered from numerous hospital admissions due to breathing difficulties and allergies. During this time she was desperately underweight and always looked unwell. Finally at aged 5, two ENT (ear, nose and throat) operations helped her to overcome her problems and since that time she has never looked back. From that time on she has taken every opportunity to enjoy life, be involved in numerous sports and to help other community members. Stephanie is now aged nearly 14 and is an athletic, healthy teenager. In 2007 aged 11, Stephanie decided she needed to do something to help other premature babies. She signed up to fundraise for the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Since that day Stephanie has worked over 100 hours annually to fundraise for the unit and done so much more. Without corporate contacts her fundraising has been through an enormous amount of time and effort.

To date Stephanie has raised $15,000 for the NICU and also highlighted and promoted the work carried out by the unit and the need for fundraising to be carried out for the hospital. This has been through numerous newspaper and magazine articles and web site information. She was the premature baby who is now helping other premature babies and their families.

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Nola – Western Australia

Nola is the grandmother to little Gemma born at 30 weeks gestation weighing 920 grams (a surviving twin). Nola lives in Western Australia and was nominated by her daughter. Since her grand daughter was 4 weeks old Nola has been sewing humidy crib covers, matching bags, peanut pillows and clothes for premmie and tiny babies and donating them to the King Edward Memorial Hospital in WA with all material funded by herself and a few lovely friends. She also takes in regular updates and photo’s of Gemma into the hospital to help give others hope at the end of the sometimes long and very daunting tunnel. Nola has been a rock for her daughter and the many families with babies in the King Edward Memorial Hospital who are the lucky recipients of her good will and love for our precious premature babies.

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Dr Cartwright – Queensland

Dr Cartwright goes above and beyond his role in NICU/SCN at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital. Dr Cartwright basically never goes home, he is there early to late EVERY day, he rarely takes weekends off and when he is on holidays he rings in to ask about his patients. In fact he’s been known to ring in during the early hours of the morning at other times. He has rung his patients mobiles on many occasions post NICU to check on how their children are going and always makes sure that he does follow up appointments himself. He is also very involved if not the driving force behind a lot of research and development in the premature baby world. He has written textbooks and other publications on the care of extremely premature babies which is insightful to parents of prems.

congratulations to all the nominees so far… there are still more to come.  Each one of these “hero’s” are amazing in their help and assistance to babies and famileies of premature babies.

Below… Earlybirds sleep nest and Tummybear Premature baby keepsake doll.  These dolls are custom made to the size and weight of your own baby.  La Toriana are proud to be able to provide familes of premmie babies a choie in gorgeous clothing, toys and accessories.

La Toriana are fast becoming a leader in providing stylish, affordable quality premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts, premmie baby comforters and premature baby accessories to family and friends touched by the birth of a premmie baby.

La Toriana  have a dedicated category for premmie babies called “Premmie Baby” online on our website. 

We have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and newborn baby keepsakes available to buy online. If you have a baby born early, or are a friend/family looking to give a premmie baby gift… contact me and I can help you to choose the right baby gift for them.

At La Toriana we showcase great Australian and New Zealand designers as well as neonatal and NICU appropriate baby clothing as well as organic premmie clothes and accessories.  Checkout our vast range of premmie wear and newborn baby items in our secure online baby boutique.  If you are looking for a  premmie baby keepsake doll, or organic baby wear for a bub that has been born prematurely, then you have come to the right online store.  La Toriana specialise in providing great quality, stylish and affordable designer label products for low weight babies and babies born early.

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

PREMMIE HERO AWARDS

Keeping in with the January BLOG celebratory theme

… L’il Aussie Prems would like to celebrate others.  Nominations open Feb 1st.

Every year in Australia, thousands of babies are born prematurely. Their families ride a rollercoaster of emotions as they watch their children fight to overcome the health and developmental issues facing them as a result of their early arrival. These issues continue long after  babies are discharged from hospital.

L’il Aussie Prems will be seeking nominations from around Australia of “local premmie heroes” – the ordinary yet extraordinary people who give up their time to support the families of premature babies both during their hospital stay and afterwards, doing everything from sewing tiny clothing for very low birth weight babies to setting up local playgroups for prematurely born children to organising fundraising for research into the causes of premature birth, the list is endless.

Nominations open on the 1st February 2010.

For more information please go to:

www.lilaussieprems.com.au/hero

 Please

   

also give a thought this holiday season to the many many mums who have precious little premmies who are not able to be home for the Summer holidays.  Many premature babies will be in need of specialised NICU and hospital care and cannot be home with their family and friends.  Spare a thought too for the parents who will be torn between spending too little time with family at home, and also who need to be with their precious baby at hospital.  Its such a difficult time

 

 

 

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

At La Toriana we have a passion for baby & kids fashion.

   

Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, Knuffle Kid, Ogilvies Designs, Bethany’s Child,  locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Robert Gordon Australia, Sweetie Pie, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

We have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and newborn baby keepsakes available to buy online. If you have a baby born early, or are a friend/family looking to give a premmie baby gift… contact me and I can help you to choose the right baby gift for them.

 Enjoy!

Warmly Elizabeth xx

 

 

 

 

With La Toriana being involved with the National Premmie Foundation since their beginning, and as this week we are also involved with 2 great businesses who are also supporting National Premmie Foundation (LittleONE baby and also the Kids Fashion Review HUNT), I thought I would tell you all about this great foundation.

Who are they?
 

  6 of Australia’s prem support groups have come together to form a national organization that will unify, and act as a guiding body for existing prem support groups, help to create new ones, help to improve the treatments and outcomes available for premature infants, and represent the interests of these infants and their families in terms of health policies, funding and standards of care.

These founding groups include 2 of Australia’s longest running and most respected support groups,

• Preterm Infant’s Parents Association (PIPA) and
• Nepean Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parent Support (NNICUPS).

The other founding groups include

• Loddon Mallee Kids (LMK),
• Lil Aussie Prems (LAP)
• Lifes Little Treasures (LLT) and
• Central Coast Premmie & Sick Newborn Support.

Although we have only joined forces in 2007, we have a combined total of 47 years experience in supporting families of premature and sick infants.

What are our aims?
To act as a parent body, guiding and assisting prem support groups by helping to:

- Raise the profile of all groups

- Raise money for family support and information, hospital equipment, education, and awareness.

- Attract members and volunteers

- Share ‘best practice’, information and resources

To be a central point of communication and publicity, providing information to families, hospitals, health professionals, relevant health authorities and the wider community.

Represent the interests of parents of prems in terms of hospital policy, Australia wide.

Raise the profile and awareness of the plight of NICU/SCU infants and their families, and issues surrounding their care and long term development. Health policy, funding and standards of care.

 At La Toriana… we have a great range of premmie baby clothing online.  Take a look here.

Warmly  Elizabeth xx

Wow… did you watch ch9 last night?  the TV show Money For Jam?

I am in awe of Julia and what she is doing for premmie baby families all over Australia.  The show was great last night and if you missed it, here is a copy… its so inspring.  Julia does a wonderful job with www.lilaussieprems.com.au and so many families really benefit from this site.

8 years ago when I had my first premmie baby there was nothing like this… only American sites, so its great to see Australia, and Julia doing great things!

If you are a business and looking to put your $$$ into a worthy cause, please contact Julia at lilaussieprems … I know she would really support you as well.  If you are a friend, family or parent touched by the birth of a premmie baby… jump on the website and you will be so pleased to make contact with others in a very similar situation.  The support on this site is so friendly, and inspiring.

I was sitting there watching the show last night and almost spluttered out and choked on my cuppa.  There… the La Toriana banner was larger than life and my hubby couldnt believe it either!!  La Toriana’s very first television appearance!!  Thank you so much for that little plug!!! 

I am so honoured to be associated with you.  Read the blog post here about premmie support

Anyone that knows me will know I support premmie babies in lots of ways, but truly I have a few special people and what they are doing for families of premature babies is amazing.  Julia is one of these very special, inspirational and well deserving people.

At La Toriana we are all about supporting families of babies born early.  We have a wide range of premmie baby clothing, toys and accessories and continue to expand the range.  A % from all sales goes directly to a couple premmie groups and we will continue to support them.

see the La Toriana premmie baby clothing range online here. 

please indicate in the comment box if you would like my donation from your sale to go to lilaussieprems, National Premmie Foundation or Loddon mallee Kids.

 

 

 La Toriana’s Profile

At La Toriana we have a passion for kids fashion.

Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

We have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and keepsakes available to buy online. If you have a baby born early, or are a friend/family looking to give a premmie baby gift… contact me and I can help

We showcase great Australian and New Zealand designers as well as neonatal and NICU appropriate baby clothing as well as organic premmie clothes and accessories.  Checkout our vast range of premmie wear and newborn baby items in our secure online baby boutique.  If you are looking for a  premmie baby keepsake doll, or organic baby wear for a bub that has been born prematurely, then you have come to the right online store.  La Toriana specialise in providing great quality, stylish and affordable designer label products for low weight babies and babies born early.

warmly

elizabeth xx

 

 NATIONAL PREMMIE DAY 

 As a mum of 3 premmie babies, I know how small and how hard it was at the time our premmie babies were born.  This is an amazing premmie doll that’s a keepsake doll to remember just how small premature babies are.  I was explaining to Tiana, our 6 yr old daughter about how small she was and she was amazed when she saw the keepsake doll of one her size, but especially the smallness of her sisters.

Zoe, the maker of these gorgeous premature baby keepsake dolls and owner of “Tummybear”, is extremely talented and she makes each and everyone with a tenderness and care like no one I know.  Zoe makes each keepsake doll to the size, length, weight of your own premmie baby, so its customised and so meaningful to you.  Each one comes with a cute little nappy and baby singlet and even has a hospital issued ID band.  I am delighted to be showcasing this great product for premmie baby families at La Toriana.

 TummyBear specialises in cloth keepsake dolls hand made especially for premmie families. The dolls are custom made to your baby’s actual birth measurements and weight.
The premmie keepsake dolls have sculpted and painted faces, sculpted toes and metal joints in the arms and legs. The dolls are made from a ‘skin’ tone fabric and are stuffed with a combination of new stuffing and metal pellets.  There are even different skin tone available too.

As each one is made to measure, please allow 4 – 6 weeks for each one to be made. 

The dolls provide an excellent way for you to show and remember your baby’s birth size.  They make a great gift no matter what age your baby is now.  I recently had an order for a 55 yr old lady… she was born premature at 30 weeks… and she was so thrilled with it she purchased another for her grand daughter who was born premature and was 32 weeks.  Her grand daughter is only 5 months old.

Tomorrow is NATIONAL PREMMIE DAY.  Celebrating the amazing journey premmie babies go through, and their familes and also the wonderful premmie support groups available in local areas as well as online.  Please support these wonderful premmie baby support groups below.  

They have all been a wonderful support to me personally and professionally.

see these support sites and join in the National Premmie Day events in your area.

 Warmly Elizabeth xx

 Have you seen us on facebook? why not follow us!

La Toriana’s Profile

At La Toriana we have a passion for kids fashion.

Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Princess ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa and so many more!

We have one of the most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and keepsakes available to buy online. 

We showcase great Australian and New Zealand designers as well as neonatal and NICU appropriate baby clothing as well as organic premmie clothes and accessories.  Checkout our vast range of premmie wear and newborn baby items in our secure online baby boutique.  If you are looking for a  premmie baby keepsake doll, or organic baby wear for a bub that has been born prematurely, then you have come to the right online store.  La Toriana specialise in providing great quality, stylish and affordable designer label products for low weight babies and babies born early.

With thousands of premature babies born throughout Victoria yearly and in conjunction with National Premmie Day being celebrated on Friday 31st July 2009 three of Victoria’s amazing and dedicated support networks have joined together to help celebrate our little aussie battlers. All run by parents of premature babies themselves, Lifes Little Treasures, L’il Aussie Prems and La Toriana offer support to families through their unique experiences.

Lifes Little Treasures (LLT) is a charity funded by private donations and run entirely by volunteer parents who have experienced the rollercoaster ride of premature birth. They provide a number of services including support groups throughout the Melbourne suburbs and Greater Victoria, a quarterly newsletter, 24 hour support phone line, social occasions, informative parent resource guides morning teas at hospitals with Neonatal intensive care/Special care Nurseries, as well as providing the much needed practical and emotional support to prem families. LLT is a founding member of the National Premmie Foundation and looks forward to this year’s National Premmie Day running two events in Victoria. For further details please visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au.

L’il Aussie Prems is a not-for-profit website founded by Julia Toivonen offering support to families from the comfort of their own homes through their online support forum. The site features information through articles, birth stories, galleries, live chats and birth announcements. With over 860 families registered on the forum Australia wide families can find information and the support they need from others who have been through this life changing journey. L’il Aussie Prems is a major supporter when it comes to premature babies and National Premmie Day and will be holding a live online chat for families who cannot attend celebrations throughout the day starting from 7pm. For details please visit www.lilaussieprems.com.au.

LaToriana is an online baby boutique that caters for premmie babies up to children 8 years of age. With a passion for organic and premmie baby clothes La Toriana specialises Australian and New Zealand baby and kids fashion with new and established designers. Founder of LaToriana, Elizabeth, understands the struggles to find premature clothing suitable for these tiny miracles. Elizabeth, a volunteer and sponsor of local and national premmie baby groups, donates a % of sales from her Premmie baby category. www.latoriana.com.au

“As parents offering support we have truly walked the path and understand the raw emotions parents and families feel after the premature birth of their children. It is a hard, over whelming and heartfelt journey, one that we hope to make easier through our dedicated & supportive network” said Julia Toivonen founder of L’il Aussie Prems and mum to two premature babies.

Events details for National Premmie Day celebrations around Australia are available through the Premmie Foundations website www.prembaby.org.au

For further information, interviews and photographs please contact:

Shusannah Morris – Lifes Little Treasures
contact_us@lifeslittletreasures.org.au
0437 254 360

Julia Toivonen – L’il Aussie Prems
admin@lilaussieprems.com.au
0412 248 583

Elizabeth Murphy – La Toriana
info@latoriana.com.au
0408 489 268

 

L’il Aussie Prems was created in March 2007 by a passionate mum of a premature baby, Julia Toivonen. 

Julia’s son, Ronan was born at 27 weeks gestation and spent over 3 months in hospital. After the rollercoaster ride of NICU life and along with 12 years of online experience Julia created the site from scratch. The site offers a premature baby forum for support, articles, birth stories, galleries, premmie of the moment, live chats, birth announcements, blogs, monthly newsletters and much more. Since the site was created it now reaches many families of premature and SCN babies. The forum has reached over 660 members from Australia and world wide. Many of the members have created playgroups and friendships not only within their state but also online.

In January 2008 Julia won the “local hero” award in her local council for the work that she has done to help premmie baby families. Julia is heavily involved not only with her website but is also on the committee for the National Premmie Foundation and also Lifes Little Treasures, both are charities that work at providing support for families throughout Australia.

L’il Aussie Prems is forever evolving and bringing more support for families. Until recently Julia was doing majority of the work on the website herself with updates and adding new content onto the website but with recently giving birth to her 2^nd child she now has wonderful parents on board to help with the workload. Julia has done an amazing job and her passion for helping families of premature babies shines through her amazing website.   

If you wish to speak and meet with other families of premature babies I would recommend that you join the premature baby forum and whilst you are there take a look through the website. You will be amazed at how much support is available to you.

 There are some amazing support online for parents, families and friends of premature babies, and we have had the pleasure of giving you a little insight into Julia and L’il Aussie Prems.  Please support her and her site as she is a great support to La Toriana and our premmie baby catagory showcasing stylish and affordable premmie baby clothing and products.

Warmly  Elizabeth xx

Friday marks National Premmie Day,

 and we are here to help celebrate all premature babies, their families, the specialists who care for them and the wponderful support that is available.

At La Toriana we have just opened our Premmie section and invite you all to come and celebrate with us.  It has been so hard to find quality premmie clothing, toys and accessories.  Did you know until even recently, mums of prem babies actually were told to buy cabbage patch clothes from toy stores as that was the only clothes that would fit?  Its true.

Thank goodness times are changing, and you can actually get some lovely premmie baby clothes.

La Toriana will continue to source quality prem clothing for premature babies with an emphasis on quality, comfort and ease of dressing.

Check out the premmie dolls made by TUMMY BEAR.  It is a life like doll that you can have made to the size and weight of your prem baby as a reminder of the journey you travelled.

We also have a great Cuski comforter that is a proven settling product for prem babies through to toddlers. 

Early Birds premmie baby clothing is a highly renowned business supporting prem babies.  The softness and style that makes it easy to dress also has a unique style factor.

Coming soon is Teeny Weeny prem baby wear; a hip and funky prem baby clothing range that you all will be amazed at the quality and the price. Now prem babies can also have style and colour.

La Toriana will also be the first to showcase and stock an organic prem baby clothing range that is stylish and hip as well as functional and eco friendly.  An Australian business mum who has seen the hardship of finding nice, quality and stylish prem baby clothing,  is soon to release this beautiful and calming range.  This savy and innovative mum has a flair for design and empathy for all going through the rollercoaster of a journey with a premature baby. 

 I have been lucky enough to work with her through setting up this range and am so in love with the design… its absolutely gorgeous!  I can’t wait to show you all.  But I am keeping “mums the word” for a few more weeks til they are ready.

We are always looking for prem baby products so if you have any suggestions at all… please email me  info@latoriana.com.au

July 25th celebrates National Premmie Day . 

The National Premmie Foundation is a non profit organisation that supports parents and familys touched by the brth of  a premature baby.  visit prem baby for all information , contacts, and resources avaialble.  You may like to check out these 2 amazing groups as well.    Loddon Mallee kids  +  L’ilaussieprems     are just a couple great sites that help make up National Premmie Foundation. 

You can check them all out here  

To help celebrate National Premmie Day and the National Premmie Foundation, 10% of all proceeds in 2008 from the sale of everything in the premmie section on La Toriana will go directly to the National Premmie Foundation.  We have opened the Premmie section, but the official launch is actually not for a few weeks… so will tell you more about it all then.

Please consider a purchase from any section at all at La Toriana, and know you are helping a needy cause and a non profit organisation that is in need of funds.  10% of all sales from this premmie section will go to the National Premmie Foundation in 2008.