Every November, Australia joins the global community in recognising Prematurity Awareness Month, a time to honour the 1 in 10 babies born prematurely, celebrate their incredible strength and acknowledge the parents, carers and healthcare teams who walk this journey with them.
For the Earlybirds family, this month holds deep meaning. Supporting premature and small babies isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. The brand was born from Founder Lynda's lived experience of giving birth unexpectedly to her son at 30 weeks and this November, Earlybirds turns an incredible 23 years old. For over two decades we have stood beside NICU and special care families with clothing designed for the tiniest bodies and with genuine heartfelt support for the community surrounding them.
Prematurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to amplify stories, raise awareness for all premature babies including those that devastatingly don't get to come home and ensure families feel seen, supported and never alone.
Key Dates & Events in Australia
Throughout November Supporting Local NICUs and Special Care Nurseries
Hospitals and other organisations across Australia hold their own Prematurity Awareness Month events such as:
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Morning teas and family gatherings
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Memory-making and milestone photo stations
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Purple-themed days for staff
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Donations drives for NICU essentials
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Parent education and support sessions
These small but heartfelt activities help build community and remind families they are surrounded by care, compassion and understanding.
Australian Events & Community Support
World Prematurity Day & Light It Purple - 17 November
The most recognised day of the month is World Prematurity Day (WPD), shining a global spotlight on babies born too soon.
Across Australia, hospitals, families and organisations come together to:
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Light up buildings and landmarks in purple
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Share stories and photos of little fighters
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Host events to raise awareness and funds
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Acknowledge the emotional and physical challenges of prematurity
For many NICU families, WPD is a powerful moment of reflection, remembering the early days, celebrating progress and honouring the babies who are no longer with us.
Find out more about the Light It Purple initiative
Walk for Prems & Wear Purple For Prems (Life’s Little Treasures Foundation)
Hosted annually by Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF), Walk for Prems is Australia’s largest event supporting families of premature and sick babies.
While Walk for Prems traditionally takes place in October, its impact flows straight into Prematurity Awareness Month, with many families continuing to fundraise and share their stories through November.
Earlybirds has proudly supported LLTF for many years, helping make their work possible through community events, donations, and awareness initiatives.
Throughout November, LLTF is encouraging Australian schools, workplaces and community groups to host a Wear Purple for Prems day.
Participants simply dress in purple and make a gold coin donation, with funds commonly supporting Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF).
It’s a simple, meaningful way for groups of any size to stand in solidarity with NICU families and a beautiful way to spark questions, conversations and greater understanding among children and adults alike.
Find out more about hosting a Wear Purple For Prems day at your school, work or community group and supporting the wonderful work of LLTF.
Thank U NICU Day & Move For Miracles (Miracle Babies Foundation)
Led by the Miracle Babies Foundation, Thank U NICU Day is held on Friday 28 November and is dedicated to recognising the extraordinary NICU and Special Care Nursery teams across Australia.
Families are encouraged to:
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Send thank-you messages
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Share their stories online
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Host a morning tea
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Celebrate the nurses, doctors and allied health teams who support premature and sick babies every single day
For many families, NICU staff become part of their story forever. This day gives the community a chance to show heartfelt gratitude for the care, compassion and life-changing impact these teams provide.
Find out more about Thank U NICU Day
To help Miracle Babies celebrate 20 Years of Miracle Babies you can take part in their 'Move for Miracles' event where participants move 2kms a day, for 20 days!
The challenge runs from Monday 17th November, World Prematurity Day and finishes on Sunday 7th December 2025.
Find out more about Move For Miracles
Premmie Marathon Challenge (Running for Premature Babies)
Throughout November, individuals, families, workplaces and schools across Australia take part in the Premmie Marathon Challenge, hosted by Running for Premature Babies.
Participants choose a distance — from 42 km all the way up to 300 km — and complete it across the month by running, walking, cycling or swimming. Every kilometre logged helps raise funds for lifesaving neonatal equipment in hospitals across Australia.
Since the charity began, more than $10 million has been raised, helping over 10,000 premature and sick babies receive better care.
It’s a wonderful way to turn movement into meaning during Prematurity Awareness Month.
Find out more about the Premmie Marathon Challenge
Honouring Babies Who Couldn’t Stay
While many events centre around celebration, November is also a time to gently acknowledge the heartbreak of pregnancy, infant, and child loss.
Australian families often hold private candle-lighting moments, share names and memories, or participate in remembrance initiatives led by hospitals or support organisations.
At Earlybirds, we see you. We hold space for every family whose story looks different, and we honour the precious babies who remain forever loved.
Why Prematurity Awareness Matters
Raising awareness helps:
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Improve understanding of the realities of NICU life
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Drive support for families facing emotional, financial, and medical challenges
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Encourage early intervention and maternal health education
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Reduce stigma, fear, and isolation
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Grow funding for lifesaving research and family-support programs
Most importantly, it helps ensure every premature and small baby—and every parent—feels recognised, respected, and embraced by a caring community.
How Earlybirds Is Getting Involved
Throughout November, we’ll be:
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Sharing real family stories
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Highlighting NICU nurses and healthcare heroes through our Neonatal Nurse Awards
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Supporting LLTF and other Australian organisations through awareness initiatives
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Offering resources to help families feel confident and connected
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Launching special campaigns including our Birthday Sale to celebrate our tiniest customers
We’ll also continue our mission of designing clothing that protects delicate skin, supports medical needs and brings comfort to babies in NICU and beyond including a brand new range of designs and specially sized baby Santa hat which is due to arrive in late November.
Standing Together This November
Prematurity Awareness Month invites us all, families, friends, healthcare professionals and the wider community, to learn, reflect and support those touched by early birth.
To every parent with a baby in NICU or special care right now:
You are doing an extraordinary job.
Your baby is brave beyond measure.
And you’re not alone.
From the whole Earlybirds team, thank you for letting us be part of your journey.
