This year's theme, "Small babies, big potential. Invest in follow-up care to protect their future", resonates deeply with me, both professionally and personally.

My niece was born prematurely at just 28+2 weeks' gestation (over 11 weeks before due date), weighing only 725 grams. She faced significant challenges from the very beginning of her life. After spending several months in the neonatal unit, she was eventually discharged home on oxygen after being diagnosed with chronic lung disease (CLD), also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), at 28 days of life. This was a milestone that brought both immense joy and understandable anxiety for our family.

While leaving hospital was a major milestone, we knew it was not the end of the journey. My niece required regular follow-up appointments and support from a range of specialist health professionals and services. During the winter months, she received RSV immunisation to help protect her from serious lower respiratory tract infections. She was also diagnosed with a cow's milk allergy and several food allergies, which were investigated and managed with support from her Neonatal Consultant, Dietician, Dermatologist and Community Paediatrician.

The Community Neonatal Nursing Team played a pivotal role in doing regular home visits, coordinating her care across multiple services and professionals, ensuring that her complex health needs were managed effectively. Health visitors and school nurses also played an integral role beyond the neonatal period, providing ongoing support as my niece grew and transitioned through different stages of development and services.

Today, I am delighted to say that she is thriving. Now aged 12, she is attending high school, doing well academically, enjoying friendships, and living a happy and active life. During her early school years, she required support through Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, but she continued to make excellent progress.

Looking at her today, it is hard to imagine the fragile, tiny baby who fought so hard during those early weeks and months of life.

Survival is only the beginning

Thanks to advances in neonatal care, more babies born prematurely are surviving than ever before. Neonatal medical and nursing teams deliver exceptional care every day, helping vulnerable babies overcome significant hurdles in the first days, weeks and months of life. Maternity teams also play a critical role in optimising outcomes for preterm infants by educating and supporting women, birthing people and families to make informed decisions about evidence-based interventions during the antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal periods (Saving babies’ lives: version 3 - Element 5: Reducing preterm births and optimising perinatal care (2025), Perinatal Optimisation Pathway (British Association of Perinatal Medicine).

Midwives are at the heart of this care, providing continuity, education, advocacy and compassionate support throughout pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period. They play a vital role in recognising and responding to risk factors for preterm birth, supporting informed and shared decision-making, coordinating multidisciplinary care, and ensuring that women, birthing people and families receive timely information and emotional support during what can often be an anxious and uncertain time.

Many babies born prematurely remain at increased risk of developmental, respiratory, feeding, visual, hearing and learning difficulties. Some challenges become apparent during infancy, while others may not emerge until children reach school age.

This is why follow-up care matters

The first few years of life are a critical period for brain development. Early identification of potential concerns and timely intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes for children.

For parents, bringing a premature baby home can be both exciting and daunting. Many families transition means an environment of constant monitoring and specialist support to managing complex care needs at home.

In my niece's case, the support provided after discharge was invaluable. It helped her family navigate uncertainty, build confidence and ensure she received the care she needed as she grew.

Investing in the future

A baby who receives the right support today may grow into a thriving young person tomorrow. Early intervention can improve educational achievement, health outcomes, emotional wellbeing and quality of life. It can also help families feel supported and empowered during what can be a challenging journey.

For organisations this means ensuring follow-up services are accessible, equitable and designed around the needs of babies and families.

As l celebrate World Prematurity Day, I think about my niece. I think about the expert preterm birth care provided by the midwives and the neonatal nurses who cared for her, the follow-up support given to her family, and the difference those services made to her future.

Small babies, big potential

Behind every statistic is a child and a family with hopes, dreams and limitless potential.