Tragically, more than 50,000 babies are lost in Australia each year from miscarriage and stillbirth, and more than 17,000 babies are born prematurely, many of them often struggling for life.

National Babies Day, to be held on Friday, encourages community members to remember those babies who have passed away too soon, and to celebrate the lives of healthy babies throughout Australia.

The national event raises money for the Bonnie Babes Foundation, a charity which provides telephone counselling, support and referral services to anyone who is affected by antenatal and postnatal depression, including partners and family members.

Hunter New England Health is helping raise awareness of National Babies Day. Uralla child and family health nurse Karen Andersen said there was a range of locally-based support services available to parents who had lost a baby, or who were coping with the implications that come with a premature birth.

“Pregnancy loss is devastating, no matter when it happens or what the circumstances,” Ms Andersen said.

“And the stress and worry that come hand-in-hand with premature births can have a profound effect on parents and family members.

“It can be difficult to cope with these situations on your own, and we want people to know help is not far away.”

Armidale Community Health Centre offers personalised support and counselling services as well as referrals to a bereavement group, for community members who are dealing with the emotional impact of miscarriage, stillbirth or a child’s death.

Information and support services are also available for parents of premature babies.

For more information contact one of the child and family health nurses at Armidale Community Health Centre on 6776-9600.