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Tom Day Artist Statement

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During Reconciliation Week 2021 we were proud to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan.

This is just the first step in an ambitious plan that we hope will deepen and develop further opportunities within our services to improve outcomes for First Nation and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. During Safe Sleep Week in March 2022, we launched our Safe Sleep for Bubs brochure, which was adapted in consultation with community and included an Artwork commissioned from wonderful artist Tom Day.

This Artwork is part of the action plan and was commissioned to build relationships and trust within community. Artist Tom Day created the beautiful piece ‘Harry.’

Artist’s Statement

The night sky is glittering with stars representative of our babies lost but a monument to their spirits.

My brother Harrison is there also.

The two circles are us, the community that grieves and remembers our loved ones. Our paths leading to each other providing love, comfort and resilience to each other. They also represent the two areas of Red Nose’s work: prevention/education and bereavement support.

The red circles are to represent Red Nose, identifiable across the nation. They are coupled together to represent the Red Nose family and strength that comes from family.

Across this artwork is countless lines and designs. Each line represents us, the families who’ve lost a loved one.

But by being together we carry on. We never forget them but continue living to honour them.

This painting is for us all, both Indigenous and non – Indigenous who’ve been touched by our loss. I want it to signify our strength, our struggles, our resilience but most importantly our connection to each other.

The painting is titled Harry in honour of my brother who we lost 30 years ago. I often think about what would have been but I know he is with me always. So, in a way this is my monument to him also.

TOM DAY 3rd

Gunditjmara
Yorta Yorta
Wemba Wemba

Swim For Red Nose In Loving Memory Of Dylan

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​Chloe is currently studying for year 12, is a swimmer and dedicated younger sister. To help raise funds for Red Nose, through the month of April 2023 she has been swimming to hit her target of 45km. Read her story!

​We sat down with Chloe to talk to her about why she is passionate about supporting Red Nose and what she is doing to raise funds to help save little lives and support grieving families. ​​

Can you tell us, in your words, about your experience that brought you to support Red Nose?

A year before I was born, my brother was born sleeping.

This had a huge impact on my parents the year that this had happened. Dylan is a very big part of our family and we celebrate every milestone that Dylan would have succeeded in.

What was the inspiration for your event?

As part of my Year 12 AIF, I based my project around stillbirth and children who are born sleeping. I had an idea as the practical component of my project to do a swimming fundraiser to raise money for Red Nose as they help many families who went through the same situation as my parents and families that are affected.

Tell us about your event?

Over the month of April, I will be swimming 45km, not all in one day, over the whole month. I will be taking photos of my progress and will be uploading it on my page that Red Nose created for me so that my family and friends can look at how I am going throughout the month.

If you could share anything with others, what would it be?

My message is to keep babies that have been born sleeping present throughout their families and friends’ life’s. It’s not a taboo subject, we should all be celebrating and remembering all children that have been conceived and who don’t take a breath on this earth.

Thank you so much Chloe.

visit her fundraising page here.

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Red Nose Partners With Scape Student Accommodation

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Students living at Scape residential accommodation can now donate their pre-loved goods that help to generate funds for Red Nose.

Students living at Scape accommodation are being encouraged to donate their unwanted goods to help raise funds for Red Nose.

As part of a new and exciting partnership with Scape – Australia’s largest provider of student residential accommodation – Red Nose clothing bins are now available at more than 20 Scape buildings located in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

The clothing bins are part of the Red Nose Clothing Collection and Recycling Program which helps recycle and resell pre-loved clothes and household goods with proceeds going towards programs that provide bereavement services to support families and save little lives.



Help fund research, support families and save little lives

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Red Nose Awarded 3.2 Million For New Healing Through Community Program

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Today, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Hon Ged Kearney MP and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, announced the recipients of the Stillbirth and Miscarriage Support Grant. Red Nose gratefully accepts the funding for their brand new program Healing Through Community

The 3.2 million over three and a half years will build on Red Nose’s existing bereavement support services. New bereavement support programs will be fully co-designed with community to ensure suitability, cultural sensitivity and ease of access.

‘After experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth, we know that no single family or individual will need exactly the same care. Despite our best efforts, Red Nose’s support services have lacked diversity. We are so excited to receive this funding so that families, regardless of their cultural diversity or geographical location, can access personalised bereavement care that best meets their individual needs.’

Said Red Nose CEO and bereavement specialist, Keren Ludski.

‘One of the five objectives of this program is to develop a nationwide shared care referral system. Sadly, we do hear from some families that they didn’t know there were services like ours available when they needed it most. They often say they received a pamphlet but never followed up. That’s why a centralised support system will help ensure families get the help when they need it.”

Said Ms Ludski,

This funding ensures that Red Nose is able to provide individualised, person-centred care for families throughout Australia. Early care and personalised support can help improve the long-term outcomes for families who have experienced the devastation of the death of a baby.

‘A very important part of this program will be ensuring it is codesigned with members of the communities it intends to serve. This will allow for better, more individualised bereavement care for the groups most in need.’

Said Red Nose Special Projects Officer and proud Wergaia and Wemba Wemba woman, Skye Stewart.

Red Nose has worked for 40 years to ensure that there is always someone there for families who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, baby or child death, no matter the cause. This program expands upon other services including the 24/7 support line, counselling services, Hospital to Home service, online chat services and both online and face to face peer support groups.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP

“Stillbirth can have a devastating impact on women and their families, resulting in ongoing grief, anxiety and depression as well as social and financial losses.

“Our Government is committed to reducing the tragedy of stillbirths on our nation, and particularly to support those in our community who experience stillbirth and miscarriage at a disproportionately high rate to receive timely and appropriate care.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Senator Malarndirri McCarthy

“Thousands of Australian families suffer in silence with stillbirth every year and it is so important this critical support is provided in what is often some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

“The support provided by our Government will go a long way in helping families through the grief of stillbirth including those disproportionately affected in rural and remote, Indigenous, and culturally diverse communities.”

For interviews and case studies, media contact: Fiona Jordan | 0402 846 867 | fionajordan@rednose.org.au

Donate to help save little lives and support grieving families​

Almost 30,000 Australians Petition Parliament For Hospital Bereavement Rooms

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Almost 30,000 Australians petition Parliament for hospital bereavement rooms & stillbirth suites as the nation marks its 4th annual Say Their Name Day

Today – Saturday 25th March – is Say Their Name Day, a day where Australia says goodbye to the silence that sadly all too often follows the devastating death of a baby.

Every year in Australia, it’s estimated that around 110,000 families go through the trauma of miscarriage and 3,000 more endure the heartbreaking loss of a baby through stillbirth or sudden infant death.

These devastating losses are often followed by silence. Friends, colleagues and family members are often unsure what to say to grieving parents, and often say nothing for fear of causing further distress.

Red Nose Australia provides a suite of evidence-based support services to parents who have gone through the trauma of losing a baby. Through this work, we know that providing a space for parents to talk openly about their loss can be extremely beneficial.

Say Their Name Day is an annual Red Nose Australia campaign that encourages people to speak out loud about much wanted babies gone far too soon.

Today, many thousands of Australians will be publicly sharing the names or nicknames of their much loved and missed babies as part of our Say Their Name Day campaign.

Red Nose is also currently funding a new $100,000 research project into best-practice bereavement care for parents who lose a baby. This study is being led by Associate Professor Fran Boyle at the University of Queensland.

Parents wanting to get involved in Say Their Name Day can also add their child’s name to our virtual memorial wall, create an online tribute fundraiser, donate to Red Nose or share their story on social media. Visit saytheirname.org.au

Australians will also be marking Say Their Name Day by continuing to add their signatures to a current petition to Federal Parliament, calling for the creation of dedicated stillbirth/bereavement suites in maternity hospital across the country.

Created by NSW mum Sophie Toneguzzi, whose son Huxley was stillborn in 2020, the petition currently has almost 30,000 signatures. Sophie and her hospital knew Huxley had died before she went into labour, but the only option was for her to give birth in the standard maternity suite – surrounded by the cries of other healthy newborns being born and compounding her grief. See the petition here

Funds raised for Say Their Name Day go towards vital Red Nose services, including our 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line and research projects like the current bereavement care study. Devastated parents can speak with a counsellor any time: 1300 308 307.

Quotes from Keren Ludski, CEO, Red Nose Australia

“Everyone knows that talking about the death of a baby can be an incredibly hard conversation. But many parents tell us they want people to talk about their babies. Their babies existed, they were wanted and much loved, and they need to feel them acknowledged.

“Say Their Name Day is a way to start opening up this conversation in a really accessible way. Talking about the loss of a baby really can help a parent who is incredibly distressed.”

Quotes from Sophie Toneguzzi, creator of the petition to Parliament

“Say Their Name Day is so important to all the families that have sadly lost their beautiful babies & children. It’s a way to remember them & keep their memory alive.”

Quotes from parents

“From the moment Hailie was born sleeping, I immediately talked about her in the present tense. Saying our baby’s names is a way to protect and keep their memory going, when they cannot be here with us physically.”

Danielle Thomas, Bundaberg QLD, mum to Hailie (stillborn October 2022)

“Having a day where we actually get to talk about him, which is all a parent ever wants to do with their child, is really comforting.”

Jacki O’Farrell, Melbourne VIC, mum to Oakley (stillborn March 2022)

“An important part of honouring and remembering our twin boys has been to speak their name. We love to be able to use their name and talk about them. I encourage the friends and family of bereaved parents to use their babies name, ask about them and keep their memory alive. As their memory and story is all we have.”

Elise Sheehan, Sydney NSW, mum to twins Darcy and Lachlan (stillborn October 2022)

Red Nose Australia Supports Petition For Bereavement Suite Or Room In Every Hospital In Australia

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After the stillbirth of her son, Huxley, at 20 weeks in September 2020, Port Stephens, NSW woman Sophie Toneguzzi has started a petition for the House of Representatives (the House) to provide a dedicated bereavement suite or room in every hospital in Australia.

Parents who experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, and baby or child death are often kept in the same space as beaming pregnant people, maternity wards, or with happy laughing children.

Red Nose CEO and Bereavement Specialist, Keren Ludski backs Sophie’s petition. Saying

‘Losing a baby or child is a one of the worst things a family can experience. We know that there is no way to make this better for families but there are certainly ways to make it worse.’

‘Having families birthing a stillborn baby right next to the cries of newborns can exacerbate the pain and contribute to complicated grief, long term depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders. We know that early intervention and support for bereaved families leads to better long-term outcomes. This can start well before the birth’.

There are several hospitals around the country who do help ease the trauma. The Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne ensures that all bereaved families have privacy and ensures they are in a comfortable space. All staff are made aware of families who have experienced a loss.

Sophie shares her sadly, not unique, experience:

‘After finding out his heart had stopped beating at our 20-week scan which was a Monday, I had to go to the hospital twice before actually giving birth. It was traumatic enough losing our baby but having to walk through the maternity ward was hard.

‘Seeing all the pregnant women so excited for their futures with their unborn babies while I walked past knowing my beautiful boy had passed was traumatising.’

‘This is not a want… it’s a need. These special rooms need to be in every single hospital in Australia. These families suffering such a traumatic loss need these rooms to be able to spend special time with their angels in comfort and peace.’

The 25th of March marks a special day for bereaved families as we come together to say the names or nicknames of the treasured babies and children we have loved and lost.

In Australia 2200 babies are stillborn each year, which is around 6 per day. Red Nose Australia provides 24/7 bereavement support on its Support Line 1300 308 307.

For more information:

Say Their Name Day
Learn more about the petition

For interviews: Fiona Jordan I 0402 846 867 I

fionajordan@rednose.org.au

Red Nose Receives Funding From The Freemasons For Its Treasured Babies Program

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Thanks to a generous grant from Freemasons Foundation Victoria of $10,000, Red Nose will be able to buy much needed materials for our Treasured Babies program.

“This beautiful program provides miniature burial clothing, mementos and coffins for parents who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

In the last 12 months alone, our dedicated volunteers have distributed over 3,678 items.”

said Red Nose CEO Keren Ludski

Quotes from families who have received the items:

“As a mother who has needed to dress my tiny stillborn daughter, I am eternally grateful to whomever made her little outfit. I felt like giving her something beautiful and made with love was ensuring her dignity and showing her respect even in death. So while it must be difficult to make these, please know we are so incredibly grateful”

“Our daughter was born still in 2020 and we received a beanie and gown to dress her in, and a blanket to wrap around her. I cannot put into words how important it was for us to have these clothes for her. Being able to clothe her provided a level of dignity and felt like a recognition of her personhood. She was wrapped in her blanket for cremation and, while I know her soul had long since left, as a mother it brought me comfort knowing her little body was cocooned in the love of a knitted blanket.

This is important and meaningful and you all do an incredible thing. Thank you”

Quotes from, Rodney Lavin JP, Chairman, Freemasons Foundation Victoria.

“It’s an honour to announce more than $600,000 in funding for projects that are contributing to a stronger and healthier Victoria. Our communities will benefit greatly from the work of these inspiring organisations.

“Congratulations to the 25 recipients of this year’s Community Grants program. Freemasons Foundation Victoria recognises your hard work and dedication in delivering these projects, and we are proud to support you to continue to do your great work in the Victorian community.”

Learn more about Treasured Babies

For interviews and case studies, media contact:

Fiona Jordan | 0402 846 867 | fionajordan@rednose.org.au

Calls For Help

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Zave, Volunteer on the Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line, shares the story of a call she answered over the holiday period.

Over the Xmas / New Year break, I was volunteering on the support line when the phone started ringing late in the evening. I answered immediately.

A distraught mother had just found out that her baby had no heartbeat. Sent home from hospital, there was nothing she could do but sit with her pain and wait until she could return to the hospital to be induced to deliver.

Hospitals are often short staffed over the holiday period and many counselling or support services close down and take a break. Not Red Nose. Grief doesn’t take a break. And, thanks to your support, neither do we.

When this mum called our 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line, she found a safe space where she was listened to and supported through the full range of emotions she was experiencing.

She was in agonising grief knowing that she had to carry her baby, who’s heart was no longer beating. And she had to come to terms with her loss at home, alone, in the unbearable knowledge that her life would never be the same again.

I listened and provided space for her to voice what she needed to, then we spoke about self-care and options for memory making for when her baby was born.

This incredible mum shared her appreciation and how grateful she was to be met with such kindness and understanding.


 With your ongoing generosity, no call for help goes unanswered. Thank you.

A true testament to the incredible work that we do, that your support makes possible every day. On behalf of this mum and the 132 others who called Red Nose over the holidays, thank you so much.

You can support our 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line today. Click here to donate >

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Help Red Nose By Being A Clothing Collection Champion

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Red Nose’s communication manager, Fiona shares how she encourages friends and neighbours to donate clothes, and bric a brac to help save little lives and support grieving families.

As a Mum of two, very quickly growing boys, I often have lots of clothes in want of a new home. When I started working for Red Nose, I was delighted to discover they not only helped give second hand clothes a second life, but they also pick up, at a time that suits you.

No more waiting for a plastic bag to arrive in my letter box and being surrounded by clothes that no longer had a purpose in my family. No more dragging bags around to collection bins only to discover they are full so having to return them!

It was great and I did several bookings full of gorgeous baby clothes that I was delighted to know other squishy feet would one day inhabit.

One time when I had a pickup booked one of my neighbours asked if they could add to the pile. And from then on, I became the local drop off point. All my neighbours know they can drop things off to me as well as the groups I’m part of in the neighbourhood.

It’s amazing how easy it is to gather a huge number of items, especially when you are friends with a number of parents who also have growing kids.

When my kids go through a growth spurt and my own pile of donatable items grows I start reaching out to:

• Neighbours

• Close friends

• Other parents at my children’s school and care.

• Sporting clubs my self and my boys belong too.

People are so grateful that you are helping to Marie Kondo their house with minimal effort, and you get the warm fuzzies for helping to contribute to Red Nose.

As someone who sees the amazing work that we do, helping bereaved parents, educating new parents and investing into vital research, I am delighted at how easy it is to contribute. Plus, each time I have a huge load of bags, I know I am helping the Clothing Collections team keep their costs down by having to only come to one house rather than several!

Book a collection now

Parents Unaware Of The Risks Of Covering Prams With Dry Fabric

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It’s Safe Sleep Week from March 6 – 12, 2023. Safe Sleep Week is Red Nose’s annual national awareness campaign to help save little lives.

Twenty-nine per cent of parents believe that babies’ prams should be covered with a plastic cover, muslin, or blanket, to protect their babies from the sun, a survey by Red Nose Australia has revealed.

As part of Safe Sleep Week, Red Nose is urging parents to avoid covering their pram with dry fabric or plastic covers as this reduces airflow and increases temperatures within the pram in warm weather. Overheating is a known risk factor for SUDI and SIDS.

A recent study published in the journal Ergonomics found that covering a pram on a hot day in Australia can raise the temperature inside a pram by almost four degrees celsius. The study also found that using a moist muslin cloth and a battery-operated fan dropped the heat in a pram by five degrees in hot weather.

Overheating increases the risk of SIDS and Red Nose recommends to check your baby frequently and look for signs of heat stress such as:

  • Listlessness or irritability
  • Skin may be pale and clammy initially, becoming hot and flushed
  • Increased sweating in early stages; decreased sweating as heat stress progresses toward heatstroke

Red Nose suggests that it is essential to keep the sun off your little one, but covering the pram with a dry blanket or wrap is not necessarily safe, so using a damp muslin cloth is a safer option, or you can consider an umbrella or other ways to keep the sun off your child.

If parents use a damp muslin wrap to cover the pram, Red Nose recommends that they check the wrap every 20 minutes and re-wet it, as needed, to prevent it from drying out.

Other options to reduce the risk of overheating include timing outings for earlier or later in the day when temperatures and UV exposure are lower, and sticking to shaded areas where the baby is out of the direct sun. This helps to ensure there is good airflow to keep baby cool.

“The results of our Safe Sleep Week survey are concerning, as covering a pram with a plastic cover, blanket, or other dry fabric can actually increase the risk of heat stress for babies.

“Babies are far more sensitive to temperature changes than adults. In fact, an infant’s temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s due to their size. So, it’s important to be vigilant about monitoring their environment and looking for signs of overheating, such as irritability or clammy skin.

“While it’s important to protect your baby from the sun, consider other options like staying in the shade or going outside during low UV ray times. If you must go out in the sun we recommend using a lightweight, damp muslin cloth instead of a blanket or plastic cover to ensure that your baby stays cool,

About the survey:

Almost 300 parents or caregivers were asked a series of questions. The survey found that:

  • 17 percent believe that babies should wear beanies to sleep when the temperature is cooler. Red Nose recommends that no head coverings are used including bonnets, beanies, hats, hoodies or hooded clothing when it is sleep time.
  • 29 percent of parents believe that babies’ prams should be covered with a plastic cover, blanket, or some other type of protection.
  • 95 percent of parents know that babies should be placed to sleep on their backs. A small percentage believe that babies are ok to sleep on their side of tummies – Red Nose recommends that babies are placed on their backs with feet positioned at the bottom of the cot with no loose bedding or soft toys.

About Safe Sleep Week:

Safe Sleep Week provides practical advice to parents, caregivers, educators and health professionals to help reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected death in infancy (including SIDS and fatal sleep accidents). Safe Sleep Week 2023 runs across Red Nose’s social media channels and website and will include free online events. For more information visit Safe Sleep Week 2023

For more information:

The dangers of covering your pram

Red Nose Six Safe Sleep Recommendations

For interviews: Fiona Jordan I 0402 846 867 I fionajordan@rednose.org.au 

Craig Heatley Resigns As Red Nose Chair After 10 Years Of Service

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After a decade of service on the Red Nose Board, Craig Heatley has announced his resignation as Chair, effective March 31, 2023.

A dedicated and passionate leader, Mr Heatley first joined the Red Nose Board of Directors in 2012 and has served as Director, member, and Chair since 2017.

Throughout his tenure, Mr Heatley has been instrumental in keeping Red Nose’s mission to support families affected by the loss of a pregnancy or child at the forefront of all the organisation’s efforts.

Despite the difficult decision to step down, Mr. Heatley is confident in the future of Red Nose, saying, ” I am confident as I hand over the reins that the organisation is left in great shape, with experienced, focused and passionate leadership and staff, and a strong and caring community ready for the next chapter.”

Keren Ludski, CEO of Red Nose, expressed her gratitude for Craig’s leadership and dedication, saying, “Craig’s contributions to Red Nose and its mission to support bereaved families will have a lasting impact. On behalf of the entire Red Nose team, we wish Craig all the best in his future endeavours.”

About Craig Heatley

Craig Heatley joined the Red Nose Board of Directors in 2012 and has been Chair since 2017. For almost two decades, Craig has worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the USA and Australia and is currently an Assurance Partner based in Perth.

The Story Behind The Wiggles Support Of Red Nose

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For over thirty years, The Wiggles have made it their mission to help Red Nose Australia raise much-needed funds and awareness for eradicating sudden and unexpected death in infancy in Australia. Heartbreakingly, there is a deeply personal reason behind this – the devastating death of Bernadette Field, daughter of The Wiggles’ former Managing Director Paul Field and his wife Pauline, and niece of Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, cousin to Blue Wiggle Lucia, and older sister to the Tree of Wisdom, Dominic Field.

Bernadette died from SIDS in September 1988. She was 7 and-a-half months old.

An incredibly special part of Bernadette’s legacy has been her family’s drive in raising awareness and funds for Red Nose, tirelessly campaigning for the reduction of the national sudden and unexpected infant death rate.

Paul and Pauline have dedicated thousands of hours to research, education and support.

Bernadette’s sister Clare, has raised thousands of dollars for Red Nose, tirelessly campaigning to fund research to find the answers.

And the wider Wiggles family – the Wiggles themselves, the talented production crew, team members, staff and more have also been involved, in turn becoming a part of the Red Nose family. As one Wiggles’ staff member once told us: “There is an incredibly special and deeply personal reason behind what we do, and why we do it.”

The Wiggles have also played a major role in helping Red Nose raise awareness of our Safe Sleeping education campaign, which has been instrumental in reducing SIDS in Australia by an incredible 80 per cent, saving more than 12,000 lives.

wiggles

We have no doubt that this support has saved little lives and helped many other families on their journey to heal the pain of a child lost too soon.

We still need to solve the last 20% of SIDS deaths. We also need to reduce the heartbreaking rate of stillbirth – from six deaths a day to zero. And, we need to find the answers to miscarriage, stillbirth and fatal sleep accidents. Through the support of incredible people like The Wiggles, we know we will find the answers.

What an incredible and beautiful impact Bernadette has made on so many people.

Paul’s most recent support of Red Nose has been sharing his story with eight other fathers, to help raise awareness and further support for fathers experiencing the loss of pregnancy baby or child. Fathers of Loss was launched on Father’s Day 2021.


He has also regularly shares his story with media to help raise awareness of Red Nose’s viral work.

Paul Field and Anthony (Blue Wiggle) on Sunrise in 2023

Paul Field ‘I’ll do anything t… – The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show – Apple Podcasts

#168 Paul Field – Musician, Wiggles Manager, Red Nose Day Ambassador – Good Humans with Cooper Chapman | Acast

Watch fathers of loss
Support Red Nose

Red Nose Warns Against Using Inclined Sleepers

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Red Nose is urging parents to reconsider using inclined baby products in the wake of a popular baby sleeper which has now been linked to 100 infant deaths in the United States.  

Inclined baby products are often marketed as ‘baby sleepers’, ‘rockers’ or ‘bouncers’, with many claiming that they may help settle babies and ease the pain and discomfort associated with reflux. 

Red Nose is warning new parents to please never use these products to help a baby sleep.   

 Inclined baby products can potentially increase the risk of sudden unexplained infant death as a baby’s head can tilt forward, resulting in their chin resting on their chest and potentially compressing and obstructing the airway. Some inclined products also have padded sides that contribute to the risk of suffocation or asphyxiation if the baby turns their face into the padding or rolls over in the device. Soft surfaces can obstruct the baby’s airway causing suffocation, or allow exhaled air to build up around the mouth and nose, resulting in “rebreathing” of carbon dioxide, which can be fatal.  

 Red Nose strongly recommends that parents and caregivers follow the six safe sleep recommendations to reduce the risk of sudden infant death in babies or infants.  

 The evidence-based six safe sleep recommendations are: 

  • Always place baby on their back to sleep. 
  • Keep baby’s face and head uncovered. 
  • Keep baby smoke-free, before and after birth. 
  • Have a safe sleeping environment night and day. Ensure you have a mattress that is firm, clean and flat with no loose blankets, soft bedding, toys, pillows, or bumpers. 
  • Sleep baby in their own safe sleep space in the parent or caregiver’s room for the first 6 months. 
  • Breastfeed baby, when possible. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. 

The Red Nose Safe Sleep Advice Line is available on 1300 998 698 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) where parents and caregivers can speak to sleep educators and be given up-to-date, safe sleep advice.  

Quotes from Dr Bec Thornton, National Health Promotion Manager, Red Nose Australia

 “Babies have proportionately large heavy heads and thick short necks. By placing a baby to sleep in an inclined position, a baby’s head falls forward into a chin-to-chest position, which can increase the risk of suffocation as the airway becomes compressed and obstructed. For this reason, babies should be placed on their backs to sleep with their face and head uncovered. 

 “The Red Nose safe sleep recommendations are all research and evidence-based and have helped to reduce the incidence of SIDS in Australia by 80 percent since 1989. 

 “If you use a bouncer to entertain your little one, ensure you can always see them, that they are within arm’s reach and if you baby looks like they are going to fall asleep, move them to a safe sleep space. 

 “If parents need support in creating a safe sleep environment, or advice around following the Red Nose safe sleep recommendations, we encourage them to call our free Red Nose Safe Sleep Advice Line on 1300 998 698 to speak with our sleep educators.” 

For more information:

Red Nose Safe Sleeping Recommendations

What is a safe sleeping environment for your baby?

For interviews: Ariana Kim I 0420 905 007 I arianakim@rednose.org.au

Treasured Babies Recognised At The Hesta Excellence Awards

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It was an honour for the Treasured Babies program to be nominated as a finalist at the 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards for the Outstanding Community Award for Team Excellence.

The Treasured Babies Program began in 2002 as 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 for babies who died during pregnancy or are stillborn.

Each week, a special group of volunteers, led by Cindy Furby, work tirelessly to sew, knit, crochet and assemble thousands of precious handmade garments and keepsakes. They are supported by volunteers at Mens’ Sheds who build the Angel boxes.

There were a total of 24 organisations and teams announced as finalists in the 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards across aged care, allied health, community services and disability services.

Red Nose would like to congratulate the amazing people behind all the initiatives and organisations recognised at the Awards.

Red Nose Australia CEO Keren Ludski says, “I am so proud of the Treasured Babies volunteers. They are an exceptional group of volunteers who work hard and devote so much of their time helping grieving parents when they need it most.

“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. “A heartfelt thank you to HESTA for recognising the Treasured Babies program and congratulations to all those organisations recognised.”

Click here to volunteer for Treasured Babies

Click here to donate to Treasured Babies

A New Program Launched Sms4Deadlydads

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SMS4DeadlyDads has officially launched in the Kimberley! SMS4DeadlyDads sends short texts with tips, info and support to soon-to-be and new First Nations dads.

SMS4DeadlyDads was first developed as a research project at the University of Newcastle (SMS4dads.com). The messages have been co-designed in consultation with an Advisory Group of senior First Nations men representing First Nation Controlled Health organisations. First Nations dads have also contributed to the messages to ensure they are culturally appropriate and hit the mark with dads.

How does it work?

Dads can join up online at SMS4DeadlyDads.com – it’s easy and FREE!

Three text messages are sent to dads each week from 12 weeks into a pregnancy up until bub turns one.

The messages are brief and to the point and talk about:

  • Bonding and your baby’s development
  • Working as a team with your partner
  • Looking after yourself and getting help if things get stressful

We need your help to let dads around Australia know about SMS4DeadlyDads. If you know of a mate who is expecting a bub or has a child under 12 months old – make sure they know about it.

Learn more here​

Safe Sleep Advice For Carers

Post on by marlin_admin
First-time grandmother Libby Olifiers shares with us the impact of learning about Safe Sleeping and how it has helped renew her confidence and grow a stronger bond with her daughter.

When it comes to Safe Sleeping for babies, there’s a wealth of information out there and it’s often hard to know what’s correct or up to date.

Thanks to you, Safe Sleep presentations help new parents and grandparents, like Libby, know how to keep our precious new babies safe.

Libby said, “As a first time Grandmother, I attended the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo to see all the new trends and advice.”

“I want to be an active part of my grandchild’s life, just like my mum was for my children many years ago.

“I’ll admit it was a little daunting and overwhelming at first. But then I noticed the Red Nose stand – they were presenting about Safe Sleeping.

“I’d recently had many discussions with friends about the preferred sleeping position for a baby, so I decided to listen in for a few moments.

“As I stood there, it reminded me that learning and being open to current information was vital, because so much had changed since I was a new parent.

“Topics included Safe Sleep, Tummy Time, Cot to Bed Safely and Safe Wrapping. It was friendly, and non-judgemental, with everyone wanting the same outcome – a healthy, happy baby.

“The information was all backed by research and it took away my anxiety and left me with a strong sense of relief.”

Click on these links to learn about Safe Sleep:

“Thank you so much for funding these vital education presentations and helping give me the confidence to be an active part of my grandchild’s life. That is incredibly special and important.”

“Safe Sleep presentations are vital to give new parents and grandparents the tools they need to keep a new baby safe at home.” – Tiffany Fryett, Senior Educator at Red Nose

For the latest evidence-based advice on how to keep your baby safe, visit our Safe Sleep Advice Hub here.

DONATE TODAY to help us bring our Safe Sleep information and advice to more parents and carers in our community.

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Call our Grief and Loss 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307

Call our Safe Sleep Line 1300 998 698

Donate

Call our Grief and Loss 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307

Call our Safe Sleep Line 1300 998 698

Donate

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