Around 4,500 babies are born premature in Ireland every year.
Today is World Prematurity Day and The Rotunda Hospital is throwing a party for toddlers who were born weighing less than 1500 grams in 2016.
Survival rates are constantly improving, with all babies born at the hospital at 28 weeks last year surviving.
Today is #WorldPrematurityDay. The Rotunda Hospital is celebrating with a party for babies who were born weighing under 1500 grams in 2016. Look at them now! pic.twitter.com/AJoSmF0JdG
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) November 15, 2018
The Rotunda is also celebrating a pilot project for premature babies.
'Tentacles for Tinies' is an initiative by a group of volunteers who knit little octopuses to keep babies company in incubators.
The Rotunda Knitters also make tiny clothes for the babies who are too small to fit into newborn clothes:
Martina Duffy is from The Rotunda Knitters. They make clothes for tiny babies when newborn clothes are far too big. #WorldPrematurityDay pic.twitter.com/itlRpvHw2b
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) November 15, 2018
