When a baby suddenly dies, there is often little warning. Red Nose’s Treasured Babies program aims to acknowledge and honour the lives of newborn babies who have died regardless of gestational age.

The Treasured Babies Program began in 2002, an initiative of bereaved parents who recognised the need for families to be supported with appropriately sized clothing, Angel (burial) boxes, memory keepsake boxes and naming certificates.

Who runs the Treasured Babies program?

The Treasured Babies program is run by a team of dedicated volunteers and community organisations.

Cindy Furby was the lead volunteer for Treasured Babies for almost two decades. The program commenced in 2003. We are now honoured to have Tracy lead the wonderful group of volunteers.

This special group of volunteers work tirelessly to sew, knit, crochet and assemble thousands of precious handmade garments and handmade Angel boxes and keepsakes.

How do these items help bereaved parents?

The Treasured Babies Program helps families to not have the extra stress of searching for a garment to dress their baby in, from 14 weeks’ gestation to newborn.

It means parents can have some special time with their baby, such as dressing baby, nursing and holding baby, and having photos taken to create special memories that will be kept in their hearts forever.

These items help families grieving a loss, and at the same time giving them time to say goodbye.

How were they designed?

The outfits have been developed with input from midwives, social workers and bereaved parents, and designed in a way that allow the babies to be dressed with delicate care.

The Treasured Babies team of volunteers check each item carefully, before making up packs for families that include information on accessing free support services.

Where to the packs go?

The packs are then sent to hospitals, funeral homes, and direct to bereaved families who request them.

The compassion, love and attention to detail of the hardworking team of Treasured Babies’ volunteers make a huge difference to a family at the worst time of their lives.

When a baby dies there is often little warning, leaving parents in shock. Having access to the Treasured Babies items, which have been lovingly handmade, can reduce some of the stress at an incredibly traumatic time. These beautiful items acknowledge both the birth and death of these little babies, an acknowledgement that so many families are desperate to receive.

Being able to give newly bereaved parents the opportunity to choose what their baby wears can be empowering at a time when they have very little control over their situation.

With special thanks to the following community groups for their involvement and support of Treasured Babies: Croydon Rotary, Croydon Men’s Shed, Ringwood Freemasons, Wedding Community Centre, Whittlesea City Corps Salvation Army Craft Group, Pastoral Healthcare Network Geelong, Bundoora Community Centre

The Treasured Babies program is provided free-of-charge and relies on generous community donations.

If you are a hospital or funeral parlour that requires items for families, please email treasuredbabies@rednose.org.au or visit this page to fill in our form.

If you have been impacted by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child, please access our free 24/7 bereavement support services on 1300 308 307 or visit www.rednose.org.au/support