If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably noticed our recent posts asking moms and dads to share their Touches of Love moments in observance of Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Day. We were thrilled to be able to help Pampers, one of our longtime partners, promote their #touchesoflove campaign as part of the launch of their newest, smallest, and gentlest diaper line – which was designed for the tiniest preemies by neonatal nurses.
As a parent of a preemie, you know how alive with meaning touch can be. Touch can be scary – your baby is so tiny and fragile looking. But touch can also be transformative for parents and their babies. Touch is healing for preemies who need that connection with their parents, as well as for moms and dads who need to feel like they are parents. More than just a sign of love, touch is medicine. From the nurses who care for them day and night, to the anxious parents who can’t wait to take them home, to the fabrics that envelop their skin, every touch helps the most vulnerable babies grow stronger and healthier.
As we worked with Pampers to promote their campaign, we have collected some of our favorite images of special touches between preemies and their parents as well as between preemies and their nurses and we wanted to share those with you in celebration of World Prematurity Day.
Jessica Wisniewski Franks: Not only is it Prematurity Awareness month, but it’s also a very important month as my daughter will be 4 this month. Olivia was born at 27 weeks, weighing 1lb 3oz. She had many ups and downs during her 119 day stay in the NICU, but now, she is a loving, caring, spunky, sassy, intelligent little girl. She is such a blessing and never ceases to amaze me. She reminds me what a blessing life is and that miracles happen! #touchesoflove #prematurityawareness
Flower: My 25 weeker born August 25th is still in NICU, but growing everyday! #prematurityawarenessmonth #preemies #NICU #prematurebirth #touchesoflove
Jennifer D.: This is Andrew #touchesoflove
Kristina Culp Lowman: In honor of #WorldPrematurityDay on November 17, I’m sharing my #touchesoflove 2 of MANY of our wonderful favorite NICU nurses Jan Vargo and Paula Meyer on the day Kailey was discharged!! 7 1/2 weeks in the NICU after being born at 27 weeks. Still home before her due date! Birth weight 2 pounds & Discharge weight 4.5 pounds #forevergrateful #bestnicunursesever
Kendall: My first time touching our 2lb 13oz 32 weeker- my husband had to be there for our preemie until I could, as I couldn’t move for 36 hours after #touchesoflove
Kristina: This is my former 27 weeker meeting her 2 day old sister, a 33 weeker. Both born to severe preeclampsia and HELLP this pregnancy. (Notice I am very swollen, on oxygen, IVs and still recovering myself.) THIS was the first time I had both of my Miracle Girlz together!
John Border: This was my first time holding my son #touchesoflove
Valerie: I didn’t get to hold by baby for almost a month. Born 1 pound 15 ounces. Now my preemie is a perfect 2 year old at 26 pounds #touchesoflove
Lori Shuart: I got to hold my preemie just over 24 hours after he was born. I was recovering from my c-section and had to brought to the NICU in a wheel chair. He is now 9 years old 
❤ #touchesoflove #prematurityawarenessmonth
Nicole: My daughter at 5 weeks old (30 weeks gestation) holding my husband’s hand and wearing his wedding band 
🙂 Lexi was born at 25 weeks and 500grams due to HELLP syndrome . She will be 4 this November #touchesoflove
Rebecca Heatherill: After my first kangaroo cuddle with my 32weeker, it left an emotional imprint on my heart, holding my tiny miracle in my arms against my heart ……. with his tiny foot leaving a literal imprint on my skin #touchesoflove
Are you sharing YOUR story for World Prematurity Day?
Whether your prematurity story is big – touch that saved a life – or small – a kiss to welcome your preemie into the world – we want you to tell it on social media because for every photo and story you share with the #touchesoflove hashtag on your own Facebook wall or on ours, Pampers will donate $1 to prematurity research.
What that means is that every Touches of Love share is important. Every story can make a difference!
Ever wonder why Graham’s Foundation works so closely with Pampers? We know that Pampers believes every touch of love matters to the health and development of babies, especially the most vulnerable babies, and that Pampers continues to do its part to support families with preemies in and out of the NICU through their giving initiatives.
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