Supporting Preterm Babies and Their Families

Japan

In Japan, around 1 in 20 babies is born preterm. However, society at large knows little of how preterm babies develop, the care they need, or the issues their families struggle with.

Pigeon’s Tiny Birth Cry Support Project offers support for babies requiring specialist care—including preterm and low birthweight babies—and their families. Through this project, we aim to help more people learn about preterm babies and create a society where everyone supports babies developing at their own pace.

Initiatives to Share Information About Preterm Birth and Think With Participants

On November 16 and 17, 2023, Pigeon commemorated World Prematurity Day (November 17) with the #Tiny Birth Cry Support Project Exhibition.

We held this exhibition out of our desire to raise awareness of and think together about preterm birth in order to help create a society where everyone supports babies developing at their own pace.

The exhibition featured a diverse range of content. One section focused on learning included life-sized dolls and a photo gallery highlighting preterm babies. Another section let visitors experience the incubators actually used in NICUs, and a third section gave visitors a way to take part in charity efforts. Over two days, the exhibition welcomed around 700 visitors, some of whom expressed amazement at how small preterm babies can be. Comments from families of preterm babies included “It was great to see an event where people can learn about preterm birth. I’d like everyone to know about this issue, not only those affected by it.”

In a survey conducted together with the Japan Organization for NICU Families (JOIN), we were also able to clarify the concerns and difficulties faced by families of preterm babies, and details on the kind of systems and support they seek.

We will continue holding events and creating other opportunities for preterm babies and their families be understood by a broader range of people.

 

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