For Families Siblings
Having a baby in the neonatal unit affects all members of the family, including brothers and sisters.
Siblings often have to adjust to changes in routine, parental behaviours and caregiving arrangements.
They might be overwhelmed by the neonatal unit itself – the machinery, the sounds and smells, and even the unexpected way their new sibling looks.
My Colourful Journey
Supporting children with a new sibling in the neonatal unit
All of this can cause feelings of confusion, loneliness, jealousy and sadness, as well as physical symptoms and behavioural changes.
The My Colourful Journey colouring-in book can help, by:
- gently educating siblings about what they might see, hear and feel in the neonatal unit
- normalising children’s reactions and reducing the emotional impact of having a sibling in hospital
- providing a creative medium for siblings and parents to explore hospitalisation
- reinforcing the important role of siblings.
We are thrilled to partner with NIDCAP Australasia to provide this resource free of charge to families in hospitals Australia wide.
My Brave Journey
Helping children deal with the loss of a sibling.
The loss of a baby due to early pregnancy loss, medically advised termination, stillbirth or newborn death is a traumatic event for all family members. Explaining the death of a sibling to children can be daunting for parents dealing with their own grief. It’s common for parents to feel unsure what to tell children, especially if they’re very young.
To address this need, Life’s Little Treasures Foundation has partnered with NIDCAP Australasia to develop My Brave Journey – an interactive, guided colouring-in book for children aged 2–10 years. It features Australian native animals that talk children through the emotions and experiences associated with the loss of a baby. Parents and children can work through the book at a pace that feels right for them.
The My Brave Journey colouring-in book addresses:
- what children might see in hospital
- what feelings they might experience and how to express them
- who to talk to when emotions feel too big
- how to say goodbye and remembering the sibling
- how to tell friends about what’s happened.
It also includes a parent section on how to use the book and where to get further support.