23/07/2026
Supporting families of premature and sick newborns across Australia
Miracle Babies Foundation has been providing vital resources to hospitals across Australia. Until now, however, our face-to-face peer support service has only been available in metropolitan Queensland at Gold Coast University Hospital.
This week that changed.
For the first time, Miracle Babies is delivering its NurtureTime peer support service in regional Queensland at Townsville University Hospital, providing families with support while their premature or critically ill baby is still receiving specialised care.
Having a baby spend weeks or even months in hospital can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. Through NurtureTime, families receive support from someone with lived experience who truly understands the challenges of the neonatal journey, offering comfort, connection and hope when it's needed most.
We're excited to welcome our newest NurtureProgram Support Worker, Madison, who will be providing this support in the Neonatal unit. After experiencing a premature birth with her daughter, Madison understands the challenges families face and is passionate about supporting them through their journey.
Our support doesn't end at discharge. We continue to walk alongside families as they transition home and beyond, ensuring they have the guidance, connection and care they need at every stage of their journey. Alongside NurtureTime, Madison will also facilitate our brand-new Townsville NurtureGroup. This free, fortnightly support group provides families with ongoing connection and peer support after discharge and beyond.
“When Penelope was born at 38 weeks, I never imagined we would spend our first week together in Special Care Nursery. After a traumatic birth, Penelope was transferred to SCN during our very first night together. I remember feeling confused, frightened and completely overwhelmed. As a first-time mum, I didn’t understand why my baby was there, and I felt as though she had been taken away from me before we’d even had a chance to bond.I developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it took time, support and therapy to process everything we had been through."
My own experiences sparked a passion for understanding the emotional impact that pregnancy, birth and neonatal care can have on parents. They inspired me to study psychology, with the goal of supporting families through the challenges that can come with having a baby in a Neonatal unit.
I believe that caring for parents’ mental health is just as important as caring for their babies. When parents feel supported, informed and connected, they’re better able to care for themselves and build those precious early bonds with their little one". - Madison said.
Working Alongside Neonatal Teams
Building strong relationships with neonatal staff is a vital part of what we do. While hospital teams provide expert medical care, Miracle Babies Foundation provides emotional and peer support to families every step of the way.
Through NurtureTime, we now provide face to face support across 23 hospitals across Australia. Madison will be delivering our new model of care, providing 15 hours of support across three days each week, allowing her to be there for families from admission through to discharge and beyond. Because this journey needs more than medical care, it needs a community.
After discharge support (NurtureGroup) for Regional families!
Alongside NurtureTime at Townsville University Hospital, Madison will also facilitate our brand-new Townsville NurtureGroup. This free, fortnightly support group provides families with ongoing connection and peer support after discharge and beyond.
All NurtureGroups are designed for families of babies and children from birth to starting school who have experienced prematurity, sickness at birth, or a condition requiring ongoing medical treatment. Parents can connect with others who understand their journey, while children learn and develop through play in a fun and relaxed environment.
Townsville NurtureGroup
📍 Fortnightly on Mondays
🕙 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
More info can be found here on our website: Townsville NurtureGroup
