Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Families
Nurture Information Hub
We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Evidence
Jessica Bennett, Jamie Bryant, Kade Booth, Michelle Kennedy
Aboriginal parents experience neonatal intensive care settings at a higher rate than non-Indigenous parents. We sought to explore Aboriginal parents’ experiences of having a gaaynggal (baby) admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in order to improve culturally safe neonatal care environments. The yarning method was used to collect the qualitative data of 15 Aboriginal parents’ stories.
Education
About the Neonatal Unit
Sometimes our little bubs need extra care when they are born.
This may be because they are born early (before 37 weeks) or sick and they need a bit more support to get strong. When this happens, bub will be cared for in a special area of the hospital called the Neonatal Unit (NICU or SCN).
This can bring up a lot of feelings and emotions at once. The care team including Doctors, Nurses, Midwives and Aboriginal Health Professionals are there to care for your bub and walk alongside you and your family. You can ask for support from your Aboriginal Health Professionals to ensure your care feels culturally safe and respectful.
Every bub’s journey is different. Some may stay in the Neonatal Unit for a short time, others for weeks or months. Depending on the care and support they need to grow strong.
You might want to find out more about preterm birth here.
Being away from home and Country
Sometimes your bub may need to be cared for in a hospital far from home, away from your family, community and your Country. That distance can be one of the hardest parts of this journey for you.
Know that you are doing the right thing by your bub and there are people inside the hospital who are there to support you.
People who can help inside the hospital are:
- Aboriginal Health Worker or Aboriginal Health Team
- Social Worker
- Interpreter
They can help with accommodation, money, food, transport and support for your other children.
Being with your bub
In those early days, there may be moments when you can’t hold your bub and that is okay. Just being close by matters. Bub can hear your voice, feel your touch and sense your love. That connection is powerful medicine.
Some ways to stay close:
- Sit with bub, talk or sing softly- bub already knows your voice
- Gently hold their hand, or do skin-to-skin (kangaroo care) when it is safe to do so
- Help with feeding, nappy changes, and bathing when bub is ready
- Ask the nurses to help show you how to care for bub
- Share your language, stories, music, or bring meaningful items from home
- Ask about cultural or spiritual practices that can be supported safely in the unit
All of this helps bub feel safe and supports their growth.
Many hospitals have First Nations staff who are there to support you. Every hospital has its own visiting arrangements, so it's always best to have a yarn with the team about what's possible for your family during your time in the unit.
Empowerment
Being away from home and Country is one of the hardest things about this journey. Try to rest when you can, eat and be gentle with yourself. The strength you have inside will help you and your bub through this time.
Miracle Babies is a parent organisation committed to advocating for and supporting each and every family in the unit. Some ways we can help:
Speaking to somebody that can help
When bub needs specialised care in the neonatal unit, it can be a heavy time for families. When Kin aren’t able to be close by, having someone to yarn with, someone who can hold space and walk alongside you, can bring a sense of comfort and strength. Our support is led by parents with lived experience. Through our team in the unit and 24/7 support line, we offer open, culturally safe care. By sharing stories of our bubs, we create a space to yarn, connect and support you through your journey.
We encourage you to reach out to us to have a yarn. You can call our 24/7 support line on 1300 622 243, otherwise we may have a team member that visits your hospital: NurtureTime - Miracle Babies
Aboriginal Health Teams
Some hospitals have Aboriginal Health Teams within their unit. These teams are there to walk alongside you, provide support and advocate for you in a culturally safe and respectful way.
Remember that your family and community are still with you in spirit, even if they’re far away. You are on this journey with love and support around you and that love gives strength to both you and your bub.
Acknowledging First Nations families in the neonatal unit.
Our Aboriginal Cot Card and Birth Announcement is one step toward a more inclusive experience inside the unit. We aim to come together with First Nations families and show our respects. We encourage you to proudly use this card to celebrate your little bub while in hospital or as you wish.
Working in collaboration with The Awakening Journey, Miracle Babies hopes this card brings cultural pride and recognition to the next generation.
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These are available across all partnering hospitals if you would prefer to use a card that represents the First Nations culture, just ask the Neonatal staff in your unit for one. If they do not have any, please email: [email protected].
To read more or to get an editable online version visit https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/first-nations-cot-card/go0i20
Useful Links
The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance (APTBPA)
https://pretermalliance.com.au/about-preterm-birth/preterm-birth-in-aboriginal-populations
Miracle Babies Foundation
https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/content/ruralregional-families/gmuta8
Women and Infants Research Foundation
https://wirf.com.au/GLUtest_Aboriginal_mothers
Panda
https://www.panda.org.au/support-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-parents
13 Yarn
Birthing on Country
https://www.birthingoncountry.com/
Rural on Health
Baby coming you ready
https://babycomingyouready.org.au/
Gidget Foundation
Confirmation Content
Disclaimer: This publication by Miracle Babies Foundation is intended solely for general education and assistance and it is it is not medical advice or a healthcare recommendation. It should not be used for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment for any individual condition. This publication has been developed by our Parent Advisory Team (all who are parents of premature and sick babies) and has been reviewed and approved by a Clinical Advisory Team. This publication is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Miracle Babies Foundation recommends that professional medical advice and services be sought out from a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your personal circumstances.To the extent permitted by law, Miracle Babies Foundation excludes and disclaims any liability of any kind (directly or indirectly arising) to any reader of this publication who acts or does not act in reliance wholly or partly on the content of this general publication. If you would like to provide any feedback on the information please email [email protected].
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