Andrzej Pągowski for the second time for premature babies

- For the second time, Mr. Andrzej Pągowski has prepared for us a beautiful graphic that symbolizes the care of the smallest children, but also the uniqueness of those who were born prematurely. We are happy that on the eve of World Prematurity Day, which we celebrate on November 17, we can pass it on to doctors, nurses, as well as parents of premature babies. Because every premature baby is unique and is a great joy, happiness and pride for their parents, although at the beginning of their journey they need to be wrapped in special care and attention," said Prof. Maria Katarzyna Borszewska-Kornacka, president of the Coalition for Prematurity Foundation.

- This year's graphic is a continuation of my collaboration with the Coalition for Prematurity Foundation. In pandemic, I created a tulip with a tiny baby inside the blossom, with hands symbolically wrapping around it. Tulip - from cuddling, love, protection, hands - a symbol of care and concern for the baby - parents, doctors, nurses, all who support and help, including the Coalition for the Premature Infant. This year I decided to give premature babies and their parents a four-leaf clover that brings good luck. Its petals form 4 hearts, one of which is purple - because that's the color of premature babies. In the center of the clover again appears a tiny, prematurely born Human being. Why the clover? Because in addition to the miracle of coming into the world, in addition to the expertise of doctors who save premature babies, it takes luck - to people, to events, luck from fate to carry the heavy baggage of prematurity. Why are petals made of hearts? Because it takes love to overcome a difficult time, it takes faith, patience, hope, it takes love also when the child remains sick, because after all, he always deserves love. I created a combination of 4 hearts: for the premature babies - the most important heroes of World Prematurity Day, for the medical staff, for the families - parents, siblings, grandparents, and for the social side - the organizations that help, support, work to improve the situation of premature babies in Poland. This system only works well when forces are combined. From the previous graphic, I also kept the caring hands that are always closest to the Little One. We are drawing a beautiful cycle. I'm already planning more works for the smallest of the little ones and for the Coalition for the Premature. And I wish all Premature Children that this four-leaf clover, full of love and tenderness, brings them happiness every day," says Andrzej Pągowski.

The Coalition for Prematurity Foundation will send the graphic to hospitals, decision makers, parents. Anyone can order it by contacting the foundation directly. But it's not the end of surprises for premature babies. Olga Szomanska, Marcin Kolaczkowski, Jacek Subociallo with premature babies from all over Poland are preparing a beautiful song and music video, which will be premiered in November.

What can be done to take care of a premature baby's health? First of all, take care of his immunity, especially during the autumn and winter, when bacteria and viruses are rampant around. It is necessary to observe basic principles of hygiene, avoid human clusters where there may be sick people, protect the child from infectious diseases, breastfeed as long as possible, because breast milk is medicine. Also very important is skin-to-skin contact, or kangarooing, which brings many benefits to both the baby and the parents. - We are striving to ensure that in the future mothers of premature babies will be able to be with their child all the time, i.e. in the "rooming-in" system, which has been operating for many years in maternity and pediatric wards in other countries, for example, Lithuania, Ukraine, the USA, where the mother has a separate room with her premature baby in an incubator. Actions and decisions are needed to enable parents of premature babies to have such a solution," says Adriana Misiewicz of the Coalition for Prematurity Foundation.

Premature babies enter their lives with a heavy baggage of experiences, with health problems that they face for years to come. They often require rehabilitation, many specialized visits, support from a speech therapist and psychologist, unfortunately, access to these services is difficult, and the project of comprehensive coordinated care has still not been fully implemented, but only piecemeal. - We are waiting for coordinated care to be implemented nationwide and for a new benefit to come into effect - additional maternity leave for parents of premature and sick newborns, which we have been pushing for together with 10 parent organizations, the Polish Neonatology Society, the national consultant in neonatology, in exemplary dialogue with the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy, and with tremendous public support," says Elżbieta Brzozowska of the Coalition for Prematurity Foundation.

On the occasion of the upcoming holiday for premature babies, we wish good health to all those born prematurely - those born this year, but also those who are older and already quite grown up, and to their parents, doctors and nurses a lot of patience and strength in their daily activities.

Source: press release