We are a group of volunteer parents, medical social workers, physiotherapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, dietitian, nurses and doctors whose lives have been touched by preterm babies.  Premmies, as we fondly call them, have shown us life and activities of daily living are not to be taken for granted.  They have shown us, through their stay and struggle in the NICU, that they are resilient and savour the chance to live.  They are given nicknames such as ‘fighter’ and ‘braveheart’.  Some of them may have fallen but their spirit spurs us on to provide even better care for those after them.  Those who are discharged have grown up as active and lovely children.  A return visit to the NICU (after the routine clinic visit) or a photo of their cheerful faces often leave us thankful to be part of the team to have cared for them.  There are so many dimension of care that we feel that a support group plays a very important role from the moment the baby is admitted.  We are still learning and hope to be able to give good support to all parents who have been given the unique task of caring for a preterm infant.

Our aims are:

1. To educate parents in the care of and in building a
    relationship with their babies
2. To assist parents in the continued care of their babies
    especially in daily needs and developmental milestones
3. To provide a channel of sharing and discussion between
    parents and staff of the hospital

The Early Starter Club
(SSN Choo Li Lain)
c/o Dept of Neonatology,
National University Hospital
5 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 119074

Tel: 67725240

Email: choo lilain [clilain@yahoo.com]