Preemie & Petit Lem

A typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, but when the delivery happens before 37 weeks, it’s known as a preterm birth, and the baby is called a preemie.

Did you know approximately 30,000 babies are born prematurely every year in Canada? According to the Canadian Institute of Health Research, “Preterm birth accounts for nearly two-thirds of infant deaths in Canada and is associated with increased morbidity throughout the life course and subsequent adult-onset chronic disease. In addition to these health effects, preterm birth has social and financial impacts on the affected individuals and their families.”
It’s not surprising parents of preemies are at a higher risk of experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

With the help of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF), this parent-led charitable organization provides education, advocacy, and support for families dealing with premature birth both in and outside of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With emotional swings of helplessness and fear, it’s important parents of preemies understand that they’re not alone. CPBF offers peer and professional support to ensure parents gain confidence and feel prepared to care for their babies in the NICU and at home.

That’s why the recent collaboration of Petit Lem, a sleepwear brand based in Montreal, with the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, is important to families of premature babies.
Having clothing specifically designed for premature babies is crucial for their health and comfort, but it’s often overlooked how important it is for parents as well. Petit Lem’s collaboration with the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation not only provides high-quality sleepwear for preemies, but also offers peace of mind and comfort for their families during a difficult time.

Petit Lem donated 500 packages of essential items to CPBF to support premature babies across Canada. In a nod to the Nov. 17th World Prematurity Day, CPBF distributed these special packages to five major hospitals in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Toronto.
Petit Lem’s Preemie Layette collection features specially designed pieces to cater to the unique needs of NICU babies, such as front buttons for easy adjustments during wire repositioning and diaper changes. These pieces were created with the help of NICU nurses to ensure functionality and comfort during those first few days for preemie babies.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Petit Lem in creating gift packages for families in the NICUs across Canada. Having a baby in the NICU is a traumatic experience, and these gift packages offer a moment of comfort, assuring them they are not alone on this journey,” said Fabiana Bacchini, Executive Director at the CPBF.

For families in the NICU, the first outfit is very important – as it shows that the baby is ready to leave the incubator to go to an open crib. Petit Lem and the CPBF offer comfort and assurance to parents during difficult times by providing these essential packages to families with premature babies.

For more information, please visit canadianpreemies.org or petitlem.com. Petit Lem’s Layette collection with preemie pieces is available at petitlem.com and in Hudson’s Bay and Clement stores.